Chapter Text
Ray Garraty walked into his small apartment, he’d be sharing it with 7 other boys, but that was the only way he could afford it, plus it was within walking distance of the schools campus. He was the first of the boys to arrive. To his left was a small living space with a couch, beanbag chair, tiny tv, and a coffee table. To his left was a typical kitchen, nothing fancy, but there was a bar/island thingy. Then in front of him was the hallway, two doors on either side and a door in the back he assumed was a bathroom.
He ended up in the first door on the left. There were two beds on either side, a desk in between the beds, and a hole on both walls, they were supposed to be closets but the clothing racks were gone and there wasn’t any sign of a door. He chose the right bed and began to unpack. “I wonder when the others will be here.” He made the bed quickly, as be stuffed his clothes into the closet.
There was a knock at the door, then a click and a creek. Ray got up to see who it was. In the doorway stood a boy, must be one of my roommates. The first thing Ray noticed about him was a large scar from above his ear to his upper lip, then he noticed how fit he looked, rather handsome, Ray thought.
“I’m Pete, Peter McVries. I think we’ll be staying in the same apartment.” He held his hand out.
“I’m Ray Garraty.” He shook Pete’s hand, and held on for a second to long. “You can pick whatever room you want.”
“Where’d you choose? I’m gonna have to have a roommate anyway, might as well have a cute one,” Pete said with a slight flirty tone in his voice. Rays cheeks reddened, he was mildly flabbergasted, then he turned away quickly and led Pete to the room. The rest of the boys arrived fairly quickly. First was Art Baker, he chose the room behind Ray and Pete’s, then Collie Parker and Gary Barkovitch, they were arguing about something, they picked the first door on the right. Pete told Ray that they were gonna be very annoying in the future, and neither of them were sure if Barkovitch and Collie were dating or not, why would you chose to room with someone you didn’t like. Billy Stebbins was next, he walked in and chose his room, all he said was his name. Hank Olson walked in, at first Art thought he was a lost kid, he was not, he was a young adult, just short. Olson picked the room with Art. The height difference was pointed out by Barkovitch, but it was hard to miss. 7 boys were here. Another should arrive shortly.
It was now 5:30, Ray and Pete were watching a show on the couch, Barkovitch was mocking them for being “queers,” Collie was napping, probably tired from Barkovitch shit, Stebbins was making a sandwich, and Art was trying to teach Olson how to play guitar, he was failing.
Someone burst through the door, then slammed it quickly. His glasses were sliding down his nose, his backpack was half open, and his clothes were twisted oddly.
“Hey! I’m harkness,” the boy said, stopping every two words to try and catch his breath. “I-you must be my roommates, sorry about the rough entrance.”
“You look like shit, no offense.” It was Stebbins, almost the first thing he said was to a guy who burst in the door unannounced.
“You’re only 7 hours late,” Barkovitch teased.
“Thanks a lot, I’ve had a pretty interesting day, missed my alarm, forgot to pack, missed the bus, and got chased by dogs,” harkness said calmly.
“What the fuck? Holy shit, man!” Olson said, he was flabbergasted. “Dogs?!”
“Yeah, it’s a long story. I’ll tell it later. Which room is mine?” Harkness picks up his backpack and suitcase. Stebbins leads him to his room
“You’re in a room with me,” Stebbins said.
“Is everyone here gay but me?” Barkovitch complained.
“You’re probably right about one of those things,” Olson snapped back.
“Fuck off.”
It was 8:00 now, they were all settling down for the night. Collie woke up an hour ago, then went back to sleep after having a snack, Barkovitch was on the bean bag, Ray and Pete were on the couch, Ray was asleep, head on Pete’s shoulder. Art, Hank, and Stebbins were asleep, Harkness was writing on his bed. Relationships were forming quickly, very quickly, especially between Ray and Pete.