The college life as a freshman was confusing, but also freeing. I didn't have to raise my hand and ask to use the restroom, attendance wasn't mandatory after the first week, and there was no gym. As I strolled past these large buildings in an average sized town, I can see how everyone was more isolated, keeping to themselves. In high school, socializing was the norm. But here, everyone came and left for classes. I didn't even make eye contact once as I walked toward the dorms. No one picked on me for the way I dressed or the way my backpack was torn. No bullies, one of the best things about college. No one cares what you do, as long as it doesn't affect them.

I've been here for almost a week and I've already grown to like it. I've settled into my dorm room, a roommate hasn't been assigned yet and I'm kind of hoping it never does. I can play my music and hang up my posters without worrying what they'll think.

I walked up a steep road, passing the large cafeteria. My legs are cramping up and my classes are done for the day so I can finally relax. As I walked into the dorm buildings, the halls were already crowded. The stench of weed and cigarettes lingered around my nose, making me shield it with my wrist as I walked down the hall. I turned into an elevator, making my way to the 3rd floor.

Finally I can relax--I stopped in my tracks, seeing from down the hall that my door was wide open. I jogged over, standing underneath the door frame. A man my age stood by the window, he's looking through a box on the extra bed. I said almost angrily, "What are you doing here?"

His head shot up. His hazel eyes sparked, "I'm your roommate you dunce." He said before digging through his belongings. I can see a smile sneakily spreading on his face. He asked, "You don't mind if I take some space on the dresser, do you? I have some comic books I want to set down--"

"Sure, whatever." I mumbled, throwing myself onto my bed. My body crumpled the sheets as his eyes laid on me. He said, "My name's Gerard...what's yours?"

"Frank."

A little laugh escaped him, "Frankie."

"No. Frank." I said sternly, annoyed.

Gerard didn't stop smiling, which was weird. I glanced at him. He was wearing a faux leather jacket, a Black Flag t-shirt, dark jeans, and sneakers. He dressed somewhat like me, except my clothes were more faded. Gerard turned his back to me, pulling out a large stack of comic books from one of the boxes he brought in, "I don't mean to be nosy but I saw a couple of your posters laying out on the floor...they're pretty cool. You should hang them up."

I rose my brows, "Really? You like them?"

Gerard faced me, "Like them? I love them. This room could use a couple of decorative dark images." He grinned at me, making me smirk.

Maybe he wasn't so bad after all.

I got up from the bed, snatching up the posters and some thumb tacks. I begun to pin them in, "So why did you register late?"

"I didn't. I just came late." Gerard replied from behind me. I can hear him unpacking, digging through the boxes. He added in, "I had to save up money so I can afford books." As I hung up a poster, I can hear shuffling behind me. I figured Gerard was placing stuff around the room, but I felt his body nudge me. In a confused state of mind and losing my balance at the same time, my hand slipped, causing a thumb tack to pierce my palm. My voice growled, "Fuck," I bit the inside of my cheek as Gerard led me to sit on the edge of the bed. I can feel my eyes bottling up as he opened my hand, getting a better view. Gerard looked at it, "It's not too deep, I can yank it out."

"N-no, it's going to hurt--"

Gerard hushed me, "I'll count to three."

My breathing became rapid, and I can feel my heart knocking against my chest. I shook my head frantically, "D-don't--"

Gerard looked at me, "Frankie, look at me."

This wasn't the time to tell him not to call me that. My eyes gazed into his, locking. Gerard's eyes were somehow keeping me still. I was so focused on him, it was like my mind blocked out him counting up. A sharp sting made me jolt, lowering my eyes to my palm. The small wound let out blood, pooling into my palm as if it were a pool being filled with water. Gerard quickly acted, grabbing a random shirt of his and wrapping it around my palm. He tightened it, "Keep this tight until you're not bleeding anymore." Gerard's hand touched mine in an effort to apply pressure. He glanced at me, noticing how our hands were holding one another. I can feel myself flush, but I didn't look at him.

Gerard smiled, "Maybe you should pierce your palm more often." It was a joke...or at least I think it is.

I chuckled, looking down at the physical connection we were making.

I didn't expect it, but soon enough we were hanging out. He told me about his favorite things, I told him mine. We had a few things in common, but we weren't meant to be bffs...which I liked it. He was cute. The way he admired everything, the way his small teeth showed when he smiled, and his laugh is so different that it was adorable. I loved it. I have a small crush on him, and I don't think anything else could make me smile as much as he did.

Gerard paused, looking down to his feet. I looked down too, cringing at the sight of a dead bird. Gerard knelt down for whatever reason. I said disgusted by the stench, "Let's get out of here before the smell sticks with us." Before I could move, I saw how dedicated Gerard was. He even grabbed a piece of wrapped from the ground, pinching it in between his fingers so he can move the dead bird around. I wasn't sure, but I could've sworn I heard him chuckle as he tossed it on its back. Gerard asked, "How do you think it died?"

I was a weird question. I shrugged, "I don't know."

"I'm thinking a larger bird killed it off." Gerard said back.

I looked at him...nobody's perfect. I tapped his shoulder, "Can we leave now?"

Gerard nodded, still staring at it. He finally got up, taking my hand and leading me away. I'm not sure what happened just then, but it did make me feel uncomfortable. I think he noticed too, because he insisted on paying for my food. Hell, he even teased a fake kiss on my cheek...what was I upset about again?

Notes

hope you're enjoying xo