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With finals week starting, the two students spent all their time in an exam room or together at the library. Mel found she didn’t mind as much having someone with her when she studied. She occasionally asked Frank for guidance on a tricky topic and in return she would refresh his memories on fundamentals he had forgotten about. Their study partnership was oddly complementary, working with someone else forced you to take breaks - well, mostly Frank suggested them when he noticed he was staring more at her than at his nephrology textbook.
She found it endearing the way he was so patient and meticulous when explaining something to her, yet had absolutely no care for any of his study materials - how he could read any of his notes and always find what he needed was beyond her. He was basically already a doctor with that chicken handwriting. He found how she organized her workstation endearing, she had all those revision cards she’d move from one pile to another after a study session, giving herself a high five each time a card made it to the ‘DONE FOREVER' pile.
***
The last day of their hell of a week finally came around. Mel had one exam in the morning, and then another at three p.m. Frank was done two hours before her and had checked her schedule to meet her in front of her exam room afterwards. He saw her accompanied by a brunette in a pigtail talking enthusiastically, one arm around Mel’s shoulders. When Mel saw him waiting against a pillar she beamed and brought Trinity over.
“Frank! Are you done too? How did it go?” Trinity looked curiously at the pair, having no previous knowledge of his existence.
“Good I think? You never know but that’s a concern for later now. What about you?”
“Same? I’m just relieved it’s over honestly."
“Yeah mine went fine too, thank you for asking, Frank ,” Trinity said with a smirk.
“She’s messing with you don’t worry. Frank, this is Trinity, my roommate. And Trinity, this is Frank, we met at the library, we’re study partners? I guess?”
“I like to define our relationship as friends who study together, very efficiently, I must say.” Mel repressed a smile at the word ‘friend’.
“Damn, you’re lucky, she hates studying with me! I do talk a lot but that’s just how my brain learn, can’t help it.” She removed her arm from Mel and waved them goodbye. “Well now that I see that you’re in okay company, I will leave you to it and go do my own stress relieving activity with Garcia. Bye losers. See you tomorrow Mel you have the room to yourself”
“She’s something.”
“Right. Harmless though.” she looked a bit hesitant before saying, “So, do you have anywhere to be? I was just gonna unwind with a movie or something at my dorm. You’re welcome to join, I have snacks and probably beers too. Unless you have plans which I totally understand-”
“-Lead the way.” He put his arm in the same spot Trinity had hers a few moments ago. Mel stiffened for a split second before relaxing under his embrace. Her best theory was that she was too giddy about her exams ending to care.
***
They arrived at her dorm, debating over which movie to watch. Mel’s room consisted of two single beds facing each other with storage underneath, two desks next to a window, and a small fridge in the corner. It was modest but that was the best they could afford on campus. It was easy to make out which side belonged to each roommate. Trinity had huge posters of kpop girlbands, (who the fuck is Loona and why are there so many of them?), and a lesbian flag over her bed. See, Frank had nothing against lesbians, he’d like to make clear he was an ally! but he was glad it wasn’t Mel’s. Mel’s side was tidier, her wall full of pictures of herself and someone he presumed to be her sister, as well as some… interesting art prints.
“Shit sorry for the mess, I didn’t expect anyone to come today.” She said, picking up a singular t-shirt on the ground.
“It’s fine Mel, now I’m kinda scared of what you would feel seeing my room.”
“Oh sorry. I didn’t mean to say that, I wouldn’t judge anyone else but myself, it’s just that with finals..I’m usually more careful and-.”
“I was joking.” He replied with a fond smile on his face.
“Right. Still getting used to that. Please sit, I’ll just put the laptop on the chair and get us some snacks. Do you drink? I have juice too.”
“Keep them coming King, we’re celebrating! Still on for Pitch Perfect? I’ll set it up.”
Mel brought them two cans of some cheap beer she had in the fridge and a bag of sour cream tortilla chips before taking her seat on the bed.
The movie was fun even though they spent more time making fun of it than watching it. She was impressed by the weird knowledge he had about it. When the credits rolled, Mel wondered anxiously if he wanted to go now, he probably had other plans, it being the first night of summer break and all.
“So, there’s this party for all premed and med students tonight, it’s on campus, outdoors, they have like a DJ, cheap booze and everything.”
“Sure. You should go, it sounds fun! I’ve taken enough of your time.”
“I meant, do you want to go with me? I’m cool just chilling if that’s what you prefer.”
“Oh. Okay. Yes? When is it? I just really need to take a shower before, and text Trinity.”
“How about I go change too, and I meet you back here in an hour?”
“That’s a plan.”
“Yeah, a really nice plan.” He snapped out of it and stood up toward the door. ‘I’ll see you later then.”
Mel immediately called Trinity to let her know and ask about what the dresscode was for that kind of gathering.
“Mel sweetie, wear the slutty red top okay? In my top left drawer. Also, if anything happens or if he’s being a creep you call me and I’m on my way in like two minutes. It’s Gracia’s last day of the month in-state so we’re probably staying inside tonight, but I’m leaving my phone on." “Thanks Trinity I’ll call if anything is weird, say hi to Garcia for me.” She heard a voice in the background answering and hang up the phone.
She wasn’t so sure about the slutty red top, it did look good on her, plus it was hot outside, and it probably wouldn’t stand up too much in a crowd of students celebrating their well deserved holidays. Mel took the top from the drawer, an unremarkable (but nice) pair of black pants and headed to the communal bathroom. Trinity had taught her a few basic things about makeup, she felt content about her final look, contacts in, golden hoop earrings on, and an elastic on her wrist just in case.
Frank[7:45]: I’m waiting downstairs, can’t get inside without your badge. Take your time.
Fuck. It had been an hour already. She was rethinking her whole look now, was it too much? Not enough? She took off the earrings and she texted back to tell him she was coming. Then she grabbed her purse, taking one final look at the mirror before going down the stairs.
He was wearing a simple blue t-shirt (her favorite shade) with linen pants, his hair looked freshly cleaned and fell nicely on his forehead.
He looked a bit starstruck but managed to say, “You look really nice.” making her furiously blush, “There's barely anyone there yet, but I have a couple of friends pregaming close by, do you wanna go? They're chill, small crowd.”
“Oh sure, it's whatever.” she paused before remembering to add, “You look nice too! Love the pants, look comfortable.”
He laughed endearingly and started giving her some pointers about his friends.
"First, there’s probably my best friend, Robby, he can appear a little rough at first but he’s a good guy. He’s a little older, MS3. We met during orientation so he’s been sort of mentor ever since. Then there’s Heather, MS1, do not ask about her relationship with Robby it’s messy and honestly I’ve lost count on how many times they broke up, they always make up eventually, I think they’re back together now? But I might have missed something. She’s nice you’ll like her I think, very no bullshit person.
"Then you have Cassie and Samira, both in my year. Cassie’s a lot of fun once she’s had a few drinks. If someone brings up her jail time, just know that the other person totally deserved it and cops suck. I think Samira is bringing her boyfriend, Jack. He can be a lot but he’s like, a really good guy, and Samira is basically an angel. And last, there’s Dana, she graduated not long ago, she’s a nurse from Robby’s first rotation, a killer dancer and my biggest bully, amazing woman.”
“Your friends sound great, that’s a lot of information, I'll probably ask again.”
“I think you’ll get along just fine. And you know, I really hope they become your friends too, would be cool to have more reasons to hang out.” Mel was saved from making an embarrassing answer when he told her they had arrived, the building really wasn’t far despite not actually being a college dorm.
“This is Robby’s place by the way.” She finally noticed he had a wine bottle in his hand, but before she had time to worry about coming empty-handed he gave her the bottle and led the way upstairs.
Samira opened the door, barely paying attention to boring old Frank. “Hey, Mel, right? It’s so nice to finally meet you, I’m Samira. I’ve heard great things.” Frank nudged Mel inside before his friend could say anything more compromising.
They all introduced themselves and looked genuinely interested in getting to know Mel. That much attention at once was a bit overwhelming, she was so glad she already had a beer in her stomach. Noticing the uneasiness, Frank brought her to the kitchen to get themselves something to drink.
“What’s your vice? We pretty much got everything.”
“Beer is fine. I like drinking but my body not so much, I can’t mix.”
“Then in solidarity I’ll have a beer night with you, cheers!”
When they got back, they sat on a narrow couch. Their thighs were touching and Mel attributed the tingling in her legs to the beer (a new side effect apparently). The conversation had shifted from Mel’s life to their summer plans so she managed to participate, no longer put on the spot.
Sadly, that didn’t last long, while the others were in a heated discussion about what was the most disgusting injury you could get, Heather, a little inebriated, asked her, “So Mel, I want to know, why do you hang out with that loser, are you in danger?”
“Mel, don’t answer that. You don’t wanna go there, Collins, you know I have dirt on you.” Frank and Heather laughed, Mel was looking at them slightly confused.
They had a few drinks down already when Robby told them, “Time’s up, get the hell out of my place”
Mel felt the alcohol kick in when she stood up. But honestly, she liked drinking, it melted all her anxiety away and made her so much lighter. Only problems were, she thought less before she talked, and her head would definitely hurt tomorrow. But they had accumulated so much stress that they needed to unwind, and losing some control wasn’t so bad sometimes.
***
The party was surprisingly nice. Since it was outdoors, there was a lot of open space and it didn’t feel as claustrophobic as most parties Trinity had dragged her to. The music was a bit loud but you could easily move away from the speakers to find a quieter place. Also, gorgeous fairy lights.
Samira took her hand and brought her to dance with her, getting her another drink on the way. Frank stayed back a little, watching from afar, a serene grin on his face.
“So what’s the deal with you two? You guys fucked already or what?” Dana did not beat around the bush.
“The fuck?” He almost spat out his beer at her.
“Yeah, definitely not then. Pity.”
“If you say anything embarrassing to her I’ll kill you, ok?”
“Relax Casanova, that little frown does nothing for your face.”
“We’re just friends.”
“Sure. A friend you’ve been pining on for weeks.”
“I was pining on her table!”
“Whatever helps you sleep at night, lover boy!”
Joining Mel and Samira was maybe not the best way to convince Dana, but he did it anyway. Not a big dancer, but he could make an exception. He wasn’t gonna leave her too long with someone she had just met, it was simply rude.
Also, Samira suddenly really needed to see her boyfriend! (And didn’t feel like third-wheeling two idiots.)
“You’re having a good time?” he asked Mel, genuinely caring about the answer.
“Hm-hm. They’re funny. I can see why you like them. You don’t like dancing, do you?”
“Not really, my body is so stiff I feel a bit silly right now.”
“It’s okay, me too.” She giggled and took his hand, sending a jolt of electricity through him, “I think I’d rather sit for a while, come on.”
She was far from drunk, maybe a little bolder than usual, but fully alert. She brought them to sit on a small patch of grass. He was entranced by her every move, the string lights around them feeling way too romantic.
“You know, I’m really glad I was late to the library and you stole my seat.”
“Me too.” He paused, stumbling for his words, “Listen, there’s something I need to tell you Mel, about that day.”
She nodded attentively. “I had wanted to talk to you, before that. You were always at that same table, always so focused. I didn’t want to bother you and I wasn’t like, watching you in a weird way or anything just… There was something about you, I felt like we’d get along somehow and we were supposed to meet.”
There was something indescribable in her eyes, like the world had stopped spinning and yet everything made sense.
“Frank. Am I reading this wrong? I don’t know what I’m doing.”
No one knew who moved first, but suddenly lips were touching, it was messy and fast and nothing else around had the space to exist.
Fireworks erupted inside them. Only when they stopped to breathe did they notice the fireworks were, in fact, also in the sky.