When lunch arrived, Julian noticed Thomas eating alone at a table. Turning to his friends, he said, "I'll catch you in the next class. I'm going to sit with my roommate."
"Who? Thomas? That mysterious guy with no friends?" one of his friends asked.
"You know him?"
"Yeah, he's always by himself. Doesn't talk to anyone or try to make friends."
"Whatever," Julian muttered, then walked away and headed toward Thomas's table.
Thomas was silently eating, his eyes fixed on his tray. Without saying anything, Julian set his own tray down across from him.
"Can I join you?" Julian asked, flashing a friendly smile.
Thomas looked up, unimpressed. "Do whatever you want," he replied flatly, then returned to his meal.
Julian sat down. "Why are you eating here alone?" he asked.
Thomas didn't even look up this time. "Because I want to be alone."
Julian grinned. "Well, starting today, you're stuck with me."
"No, I'm not."
"Come on!" Julian whined, shaking Thomas's arm like an impatient kid.
Thomas stilled his hand with a glance. "Stop that."
"Just finish your food," he added dryly.
Julian relented, but smiled anyway.
"Oh, by the way," Thomas said, tone almost bored, "I'll be home late tonight. Leave the door unlocked."
"Where are you going? Don't tell me you're off to read books again." Julian finally let go of his arm and sat up straighter.
"Why do you care?"
"Geez. Just making conversation."
That evening, Thomas went to a dinner his family had arranged at an upscale restaurant. When he arrived, his older brother Jalen and their parents were already seated.
He dropped his bag beside the chair and sat down, expression blank. "Why did you call me here? Going to beg me to leave the dorm again because the house is too quiet without someone to annoy?"
Jalen rolled his eyes. "I'm saying it's stupid for you to live in a dorm when you've got your own room at home. You hate people. Why share a room with one?"
"I'm managing."
Their mom smiled gently. "You're not eating well, are you? You've gotten thinner."
Thomas just gave a slight shrug.
Their father spoke without looking up from the menu. "Just let your brother know what you decide. You're not going to get a better offer."
Thomas didn't reply.
After dinner, Jalen drove him back to the dorm. They didn't speak the entire ride.
The next morning, Thomas left early to study for an upcoming quiz. Julian, still asleep at the desk, woke up with a sore back.
"Ow... Did he leave already?" he mumbled, rubbing his neck.
He checked the bathroom, found it empty, and got ready quickly. Even though his class didn't start until lunch, something drove him to head to school early-an odd instinct he didn't question too hard.
At the library, he spotted Thomas asleep at a table surrounded by dense-looking books. Julian quietly pulled out a chair and sat down, watching him.
Why does he look peaceful even when he's unconscious? Ugh. Stupid brain.
Then-
"What are you staring at?" Thomas's voice, low and tired, cut into his thoughts.
Julian jumped. "Nothing! I mean-I wasn't staring. You just-you looked-never mind!"
Thomas narrowed his eyes slightly, expression unreadable. "What are you doing here?"
Julian scratched the back of his neck, nervous. "I dunno. I had time. Just passing by."
"Convenient."
"Okay, okay. I came to find you, alright? I figured you'd be here."
Thomas rubbed his temple. "That's not my problem."
Julian pouted, leaning on the table. "Is it a crime to check on my roommate?"
"You say that like I asked you to."
Julian groaned. "Why do you talk like that? It's like you're trying to win some 'Most Unfriendly Human' award."
"Maybe I am," Thomas said, flipping a page in his book without even glancing up.
Julian slumped in his seat. "Wow. I'm getting frostbite just sitting across from you."
"Then leave."
Julian gave him a side-eye. "Not until you admit you're not as scary as you act."
Thomas let out a humorless breath. "Don't test me, Julian. You're already annoying enough as it is."
Julian smiled like that was a compliment. "Annoying but persistent. It's part of my charm."
Thomas looked up, gaze flat. "Your 'charm' is going to cost me my concentration."
"Fine," Julian muttered. He grabbed a random book from the stack and dropped it onto the table with a thud. "I'll pretend to study."
They sat in silence for a few moments. Then-
"You don't have to keep following me around," Thomas said, without looking up.
Julian, caught mid-yawn, froze. "You noticed that?"
"I'm not blind."
"Then why haven't you told me to back off until now?"
Thomas shut his book with a snap. "Because clearly, you wouldn't listen."
Julian grinned. "You're right. I wouldn't."
Thomas stared at him for a long second, eyes cold, then turned back to his notes like Julian didn't exist.
Julian leaned back in his chair with a sigh. "You can ignore me all you want, but I'll still be here. Just a heads-up."
Thomas didn't respond.