Chapter 27
“I can’t believe Wren and Caleb are getting here while I’m in class,” I grumble, pouting on the couch.
“That just means they’ll be here waiting for you when you get back,” Theo says between bites of cereal. “They’ll be here all weekend.”
“I know, but it means I won’t get to hear Wren’s first impressions of our dorm. And I might miss the introductions between Wren, Max, and Vimlesh.”
Theo chuckles. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Fuck it, I’m skipping class,” I declare. “I’ve only missed my lab once so far this semester.”
“Oliver, that’s not a good idea,” Theo warns. “It’s seriously not a big deal.”
“It’s settled. I’m skipping.”
Theo rolls his eyes. “Whatever, dude. It’s your GPA.”
Wren is driving up from Savannah for Grace’s Halloween party tomorrow, so they decided to make a weekend of it by spending time with as many of us as possible.
They’re picking up Caleb from Specter right now, even though it’s a bit of a detour, and are eager to catch up on the ride to The Village.
Sadly, we weren’t able to get the whole crew here for the party—Elise couldn’t get time off from work, and Freddy’s in the middle of soccer season at his university.
But it’s still exciting to have Caleb, Wren, and Harrison stay with us.
“Oh, did you talk to Max and Vimlesh about Harry sleeping in the living room?” I ask.
Theo nods. “Yeah, Vimlesh said he didn’t mind, and Max said the more the merrier.”
I grin. Classic. “Is Vimlesh coming to the party?”
“Yep!”
“Hell yeah,” I say with a grin. “I can’t wait to see what costume he’s wearing.”
“I didn’t tell him he had to,” Theo reminds me. “Grace said that costumes are optional.”
“Yeah, but who doesn’t wear a costume to a Halloween party?”
“Someone who doesn’t like dressing up?”
“Ugh. Lame. What are you and Caleb doing, again?”
Theo chews and swallows before answering. “Heartstopper. He’s Nick, I’m Charlie.”
“God, that’s so disgustingly cute,” I groan. “You’re going to make Grace cry.”
“I know,” Theo says with a smirk. “I can’t wait.”
The sound of a bedroom door opening catches our attention, so we turn to see Max entering the kitchen, donning his striped multi-colored housecoat.
“Good morning, Max!” I call out to him, waving.
“Morning, boys,” Max replies, much less enthusiastic. He opens the refrigerator door, then pauses. “Sorry, Theo, but did I just hear you say you and Caleb are going as Charlie and Nick from the Heartstopper series for Halloween?”
“Yeah, why?”
Max inhales and exhales sharply. “Cool, great. I’ll just throw myself into traffic. That’s the cutest fucking thing I’ve ever heard in my life.”
I snort. “What’s your costume going to be?”
Max pulls a yogurt cup from the fridge and joins me on the couch.
“I’m so glad you asked. Vimlesh and I just got the last few pieces for our ‘group’ costume.
” He rolls his eyes playfully and gestures toward Vimlesh’s room.
“He won’t let me call it a couple’s costume for obvious reasons, but since only two of us are doing it, I’m pretty sure that’s the technical term. ”
Theo and I exchange bewildered looks. “Really?” I ask excitedly. “What are y’all doing?”
Max grins. “Do y’all remember Rogue One? The 2016 Star Wars movie that serves as a prequel to A New Hope?”
Theo and I nod.
“I’m Cassian Andor, and he’s Bodhi Rook.”
My mouth hangs open. “Holy shit, Max, that’s so perfect! How did you convince him to agree to that?”
Max’s coy grin widens as he crosses one leg over the other.
“I can be persuasive,” he asserts, tossing his head back dramatically.
A moment later, he cracks. “Okay, I found out he’s also into Star Wars, so we discussed our favorite brown characters.
It didn’t take long to realize we’d make the perfect Andor and Bodhi.
I tried to convince Jude to be our Jyn Erso, but they’re already doing a couple’s costume with Nikki. ”
I struggle to keep a neutral expression when Jude and Nikki’s couple’s costume is mentioned. They’re doing some variation of Barbie and Ken, but something about it rubs me the wrong way. Still, I want to be supportive and keep the peace, so I’ll keep my weird feelings to myself.
“That’s amazing,” Theo exclaims. “Caleb’s gonna lose his mind. I’m pretty sure he’s read Andor and Bodhi fanfiction.”
“Oh, same,” Max agrees, lowering his voice. “But please don’t bring that up around Vimlesh. I don’t want to make him uncomfortable or give him the wrong idea. My intentions are pure, I swear: I just thought this was a cool way for the two of us to bond as bros.”
I can’t stop smiling. “That’s really sweet, Max. I can’t wait to see it!”
After another bite of yogurt, Max scrunches his nose and looks at me. “I feel like you mentioned what costume you’re doing, and it was gross, right?”
“You are correct, sir,” I reply enthusiastically. “I am dressing as Count Orlok from last year’s Nosferatu. It came out after Halloween, so I’ve been planning this with Wren since December.”
Max’s face contorts. “Ugh, yes, I remember that now. Please don’t be offended if I avoid you at the party. Especially if your friend is as good at monster makeup as you say they are.”
“Oh, they are,” Theo replies. “Have we shown you their portfolio? Oliver and I are both in it, but we’re barely recognizable.”
“I’ll take your word for it,” Max insists. His eyes linger sadly on my hair. “But really, Oliver, a bald cap? Why would you hide your lovely locks to be something so disgusting?”
I laugh. “Because it’s fun!”
“Such a shame.” Max shakes his head. “Anyway, what time are your friends getting here today?”
“Between one and two,” Theo replies, checking his watch before standing. “I’m going to hop in the shower and then finish tidying up.”
“I’ll shower after you, then,” I add, stretching my limbs. “I guess I should clean my room a little for Wren.”
Theo tosses me a skeptical look. “Were you planning on leaving it messy?”
“They’re bringing an air mattress, and we’re spending the night at Grace’s place tomorrow night. Do you think they’ll care?”
He scoffs. “I think they’ll mock you relentlessly if your room is a wreck.”
Ugh, he’s probably right. “Fine, I guess I’ll tidy up a little.”
“The vacuum is by my door,” Theo calls from the hallway before disappearing into the bathroom.
“I suppose I’ll make myself presentable, too,” Max says as he finishes off his yogurt. “If you see Vimlesh before I do, can you let him know that his Bodhi goggles were delivered?”
“Will do!”
The morning drags into the afternoon. Skipping my bio lab gives me extra time to shower, thoroughly clean my room, and work with Theo to tidy the bathroom and kitchen, but it still feels like it takes forever.
Finally, Theo gets the call. “We’ll be right down!”
As soon as Wren and I make eye contact in the lobby, emotion hits me like a truck, and my pace slows. Shit. I had no idea how much I missed them.
“Olli-pops!” Wren shouts. “Get your lanky ass over here!”
My legs finally cooperate, and when I stride over to them, Wren immediately wraps me in a hug, and I have to swallow the lump forming in my throat. “How the hell are you?” I ask, my voice muffled into their shoulder.
“Can’t complain,” Wren answers as they pull away. “You?”
“Same here. Damn, it’s good to see you.”
Wren smiles. “It’s good to see you, too, Oliver.” They turn to Theo, whose mouth is currently occupied by Caleb’s. “Good to know nothing’s changed here,” Wren remarks with a chuckle.
Theo peels himself from Caleb and blushes. “Hey, Wren! Good to see you!”
“Likewise, Briggs,” Wren teases.
The four of us head up to room 319, bantering and goofing around like old times. Wren excitedly discusses their experience at SCAD so far, and Theo and I share stories about life in Atlanta.
The movie posters in the living room capture Wren’s fascination almost the moment they walk through the door. Max overhears us and joins the conversation, eager to hear Wren’s favorite films. Needless to say, he’s not disappointed.
Vimlesh returns from class later in the afternoon, and Harrison arrives with five boxes of pizza around dinnertime. I’m overjoyed to see everyone getting along so well. I only wish Jude were here, too.
It isn’t until we’re eating dinner that Wren notices my new piercings.
“Whoa, whoa, what the hell are those?” Wren asks, pointing to my ears. “Are they real?”
“Oh, yeah, I got them pierced a couple of weeks ago on a whim. You like ‘em?”
“I mean, obviously, I love them, but that’s definitely going to clash with your Nosferatu costume. I could be wrong, but I don’t remember cute little sparkly studs on Orlok’s rotting earlobes.”
Well, shit. I didn’t even think of that. When Jude suggested getting piercings, I didn’t pause to consider any potential repercussions for myself. “Oops. Can’t I just take them out for a couple of hours?”
“I don’t think you’re supposed to,” Wren replies, examining them a little closer. “They’re still healing.”
“Oh well,” I say with a shrug. “I think it’ll still look dope, right?”
Wren glares at my ears. “Speak for yourself. Now I can’t use you for my catalog.”
“Shit, I’m sorry,” I mutter. “I forgot about that. Are you sure you can’t Photoshop them out?”
“I’d rather not use Photoshop for anything because the whole point is that none of my makeup requires digital enhancement, but I don’t know. We’ll see.”
“Sorry, Wren.”
Wren smiles. “I can manage. You look rad as hell with your ears pierced, so I think it balances out.”
“I agree,” Max interjects. “You really rock those studs, stud.” He winks.
“It’s a good look on you,” Theo adds.
Caleb nods in agreement, his mouth full of pizza.
Before I can thank everyone, Harrison holds up his hands. “Whoa, guys, we have to cool down the compliments. Oliver’s head can only get so big before it explodes.”
“Oh, is that why I’m getting a headache?” I ask, gripping the sides of my skull.
“Oh, now you’ve done it,” Harry shouts. “Everyone, take cover!”