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Neil sighed, ears ringing from the loud bass music playing at the dorm party. He sipped his soda and wished to God he was anywhere other than here. Neil was only at the party because he’d accidentally ran into a guy named Matt in the hallway of the dorm rooms. Matt must have recognised him from when Neil had spoken to Kevin during lunch the week prior because he said,
“You’re Kevin’s friend right? From the other day? Get in here man!” and Neil was then dragged in to the dorm room and swallowed up by the party.
He rarely felt awkward, the emotion seemed pointless when he knew nobody even cared enough to remember him but he presumed he probably looked pretty tragic right now, stood alone, nursing a soda, in a corner.
To his surprise, he wasn’t alone. Across the room in the opposite corner to his, another guy stood there, sipping away at his drink. He was shorter than Neil with platinum blonde hair and he vaguely recognised him as one of Kevin’s friends meaning he was the year above Neil. The two made eye contact and blondie raised his drink in solidarity, both alone. Neil raised his and smiled slightly. Blondie pointed at his cup, then Neil’s, a silent question. Neil replied with a thumbs up, watched as the guy disappeared then saw him reappear near the drinks table, holding two cups. He made his way over and passed the red cup to Neil who raised the glass in thanks.
“Hey,” The blonde said, Neil nodded a hello. “You been dragged here too?”
“Very much so.” Neil replied, The other nodded sympathetically.
“So, what’s your name?”
“Oh, Neil, Neil Josten.” He gestured towards blonde in question.
“Andrew Minyard.” He clinked cups with Neil, sloshing their full drinks on the carpet. “ whoops.” Neil snorted at the lack of care in his voice.
“Nice to meet you, Andrew.”
“What brings you here?” Andrew asked him, Neil watched as he took a sip of his drink.
“Education.” Neil replied, realising too late that Andrew probably meant the party, not college in general.
“What classes?”
“Mathematics and Spanish.” Andrew raised an eyebrow, Neil wasn’t sure if it was a judgemental or impressed eyebrow. “What about you?” He followed up.
“I major in English language with a minor in criminology.”
“Very pretentious of you.” Neil snarked and received a playful eye roll and a smile hidden behind the rim of the cup.
“Says the math major, nerd.” Neil laughed good naturedly.
Somebody shouted Andrew’s name and Neil turned to see Kevin day walking towards them. He faltered slightly, seeing the two of them together then nodded in Neil’s direction.
“I didn’t know you two were friends?” Kevin looked between them confused.
“Oh yeah, Neilio and I go waaaaaay back.” Andrew dramatised. Neil saw the incredulous look Kevin was giving Andrew and immediately had to go with it.
“Yep, Andy and I are practically best friends! I’ve talked about him thousands of times, Kevin!” Andrew’s eye twitched at the nickname but he didn’t speak up. Kevin looked beyond confused and gave Neil one final glance before turning back to the smaller man.
“I’m leaving.” He said simply. Andrew nodded and told him he’d meet him outside their dorm with the key.
“Well, that was fun,” Andrew said, Neil nodded in agreement. “How do you know Day?”
“I stay with his family during holidays.” He paused “long story”.
Andrew seemed to accept that and tipped his drink in Neil’s direction in lieu of goodbye before changing his mind.
“Could I maybe….grab your number?”
“My...phone number?”
“No your student ID number,” Neil frowned and watched as Andrew rolled his eyes. “Of course your fucking phone number you nerd.”
“Oh, um sure, here,” he handed his phone to Andrew who eyed the flip phone suspiciously and judgmentally but input his number all the same. He texted himself on Neil’s phone before handing it back.”
“I’ll…” Andrew rubbed the back of his neck. “Text you.” He said it like it was a question but Neil knew it wasn’t meant to be one.
“Sure, sounds good” he said, smiling warmly. Andrew saluted with two fingers and Neil waved good bye. He looked down at his phone a minute later when it vibrated.
Kevin is now wondering why I’ve never told him about you. I said I was ashamed to be friends with a maths nerd. Sounds believable right?
Neil smiled and rolled his eyes, eagerly texting back.
Hmmm… I’d say it’s just as embarrassing as having an English major for a friend, Andy :p
The reply came within the next minute
I hate that so much, fucking hell
But your my best friend, Andy ;)
*
you’re, Neilio
Ok truce, no nicknames
Ha
:(
Andrew’s next reply took longer, Neil began to think he’d gone to bed, he was walking out the door, planning on heading back to his own dorm when he felt the familiar vibration of a text message.
Would you maybe want to grab some lunch with me tomorrow?
Sure, sounds cool.
What class are you in before your lunch break?
I’ll probably be studying in the library.
Nerd, I’ll pick you up from there at 12?
Okee dokee, blondie
Blondie?!
:p
Good night, Neil
Night, Andrew
True to his word, Andrew appeared at the table Neil was studying on at 12 sharp. He was wearing an entirely black ensemble making his blonde hair impossibly lighter. He was sucking away at a lollipop.
“Yo.” he said, somehow pulling it off.
“Yo?” Neil questioned but Andrew ignored him.
“Ready to go?” He watched as Neil gathered his things and stuffed them in his backpack. Andrew didn’t appear to have a bag.
“Yeah, uh, where are we going?”
“Local diner, I want waffles.”
“For lunch?” Neil said incredulously.
“Yes, Neil, for lunch, let’s go.”
They drove to a diner, Neil took a minute to wonder what the hell Andrew was doing driving a sleek black mazarati but figured the answer would probably be cryptic so decided to keep his mouth shut for once. He also noted Andrew was somehow both the best and worst driver he’d ever come across. His speed and impatience would terrify even the most daring formula 1 drivers but his concerntration and control was rather impressive. He managed to overtake several cars and look so effortless whilst doing so, his hands turning the wheel and changing gears with ease and practice.
The drive took no time at all, thanks to Andrew’s driving shortcuts and he parked haphazardly in a spot closest to the entrance. Neil got out and noticed his legs felt slightly jelly-like. He followed Andrew as he strode over and slid into one of the booths, throwing an arm over the back, legs spread wide. Neil averted his eyes as if this was a display he shouldn’t be enjoying so much and slid into the seat opposite him. Andrew radiated confidence but Neil noticed his eyes betrayed his neutral facial expression as they flicked to the other customers and exits. Perhaps confidence was more of a weapon.
“What?” Andrew asked, pulling Neil out of his analysis. He gave him an innocent look but Andrew wasn’t buying it. “Staring.”
“Was I?” Neil replied, Andrew nodded. “Only, you must have been staring too if you noticed it.”
“Not necessarily.”
“But you admit you were also staring.” A statement, not a question. Andrew simply rolled his eyes and waved him off as the waitress appeared in front of them.
Andrew ordered a cavity on a plate and a second cavity via his drink order, whereas Neil went with a black coffee and avocado toast with poached egg on top. Andrew scrunched his face up at that.
They talked about college until their food arrived. Neil found out Andrew had spent most of his life in the foster care system before being reunited with his twin then being adopted by a nice sounding lady named Betsy who also took in their biological cousin, Nicky. He shared a dorm with Kevin which is how he met him. Neil told Andrew about how he’d managed to run from his abusive home when he was a teenager, coming across Kevin’s dad, David Wymack, whilst dumpster diving. He’d been staying with them ever since. Andrew raised an eyebrow at him when he explained the dumpster diving but never spoke up in judgement.
“Why didn’t you end up in the system like me?” Andrew questioned, Neil heard the slightest hint of envy in his tone.
“Was it a good experience for you? Neil countered, not meaning to come across as condescending but Andrew facial expression turned sour and dark.
“No.” Is all he offered, sipping his iced white chocolate mocha.
“Exactly. I knew it wouldn’t be worth it for a kid like me.” He said, he softened his expression, hoping it would placate Andrew and it seemed to work, though his shoulders remained stiff and he’d tucked in on himself. “So, reading anything good at the moment?” He asked, easing the tension. Andrew blinked and seemed to regain his composure.
“Yeah, I read lots of good books.”
“So you really are a nerd then?” He teased
“Oh shush” Andrew huffed out a laugh and sat back as their food arrived.
Lunch became a regular occurrence. Swapping stories and secrets, Neil even began to take bites out of Andrew’s waffles. They were way too sweet but so heavenly. Neil had never cared for making friends. He’d spent so much of his life without them that it seemed like a luxury he could easily live without. Except, now, whenever one of them wasn’t free for lunch, he found himself missing his blonde companion. Seeing Andrew made him feel light, carefree, seen. To be seen was to be known, which was a rather daunting thought but Neil figured if someone had to figure him out, he’d be honoured for that person to be Andrew.
They were currently sat at their usual table, Neil’s cheeks hurt from smiling, when Andrew said,
“Remember how we met? That stupid party, telling Kevin we’re best friends.” He said, huffing amusedly. Neil giggled.
“His face, he really believed it,” he laughed, “but look at us now!” He spread his arms, gesturing between them, Andrew clinked his drink with Neil’s and took a sip. Something caught his eye and he shot Neil a sly grin.
“Wanna make it more interesting?” Neil grinned back at him.
“Always.”
“I bet you $20 I can persuade him we’re dating.” Andrew smirked. Neil felt his face go hot, a blush spreading across it, but he shook Andrew’s hand none the less. “Just in time, look behind you.” Neil turned and saw Kevin striding up to them followed by a copy and paste of Andrew himself. Aaron Minyard, he presumed. Kevin nodded at Andrew and Neil in turn before casting his eyes down at Andrew’s waffle monstrosity.
“Jesus Christ, Andrew.” Kevin started but Andrew shut him up with an eye roll that spoke a thousand words. He looked on to his twin.
“Aaron, this is Neil, my...” Andrew paused to look at Neil, a challenging look in his eyes. “My boyfriend.” Aaron didn’t seem to give a flying fuck just nodded in Neil’s direction, before sliding in next to Andrew and stealing his almost finished waffle. Kevin in the other hand looked shocked.
“What?! You’re…” he trailed off, gesturing between the two of them instead. Andrew just nodded, smacking his brother away from his food. Aaron shoved him back.
“Why am I the last to find things out?” Kevin demanded, hands on hips. “None of you tell me anything!” He threw his arms up. “Well congrats, I presume my wedding invite will come a day before the event?”
“Jesus Christ, Kevin, stop being such a drama queen” Neil huffed, not denying the accusation. Andrew raised a brow at him but stayed silent. Aaron eyed his twin suspiciously.
“I thought you were into that guy on the football team?” He said, Andrew punched his arm.
“Fuck off, I said he was relatively hot, once.”
“Uh huh.” Andrew punched him again and received one in return. Neil watched, amused.
“Should I be jealous, ‘Drew Bear?” He drawled, watching Andrew’s face turn a satisfying red colour. He seemed lost for words before deciding that flipping Neil off was the best answer. He laughed. Kevin’s mouth was open, gaping at the two. Aaron seemed to have found whatever answer he was looking for in their small exchange because his attention was now back to scavenging food. Andrew gave up fending him off and slid the plate over to him with a sigh.
Neil slapped $20 onto the roof floor they were currently occupying. Andrew liked to drag Neil up there some days to smoke, in silence or occassionally trading secrets with each other. It was rather chilly, the two of them had shuffled closer together. Neil told himself it was for warmth. Andrew looked at the money and back at Neil with a confused look.
“The bet?” Neil reminded. “Convincing Kevin we’re dating as a joke?” Andrew hummed and puffed out smoke into the night.
“Keep your money.” He drawled, Neil wasn’t going to be told twice to take back his cash. “Are we fake dating now then? Just to fuck with Kevin?” Andrew asked him.
“Well, unless you wanna date for real.” Neil joked, turning to look at Andrew. He was surprised to see Andrew wasn’t reciprocating the stare. A faint blush dusted his freckled face, eyelashes casting a delicate shadow onto his cheekbone. Neil swallowed thickly. “Do...you want to?” He all but whispered. Andrew whipped his head round to face him. He shrugged, but it wasn’t a dismissal, more of an evasion. After a minute he said,
“Sure.” Simply, yet the word sent Neil’s heart soaring. He cleared his throat, knowing he himself was blushing now.
“Ok, sounds good.” He said, as casually as possible. He reached his hand out slowly to place it atop of Andrew’s, fingers slotting together like a puzzle piece Neil had lost a long time ago and finally found again. “Can I kiss you ‘Drew?” He murmured. Andrew drew in a careful breath.
“Yes.” He whispered back and they leant forward, lips finally meeting in the middle. It sent a chill down Neil’s spine and he reached forward, carefully carding a hand through soft blonde locks.
They pulled back, Andrew laid back down on the rooftop and Neil watched as his chest rose and fell steadily. He led down beside him, linking their hands again, turning to place a gentle kiss to his cheek. Neil no longer felt the chilly air, Andrew’s presence was more than enough to keep him warm for a lifetime.