Throughout the day, we had several classes with Aimee. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see Edmund Plaintgenet again. As we finished our last class, "Counseling Psychology," we headed out of the classroom. I was starving, so I asked Aimee if she wanted to go to the cafeteria for a snack before we headed back to our rooms. We followed the signs on the walls and reached the cafeteria. It was an expansive room, large enough to house all the Humanities students at once. In contrast to the University, this part of it looked fairly new. There were food stands and digital self-checkouts to pay for whatever you were going to consume within it. Evidently, there was university staff ensuring everyone paid and helping people if they needed it.
I approached the food stand and picked up two croissants and an espresso cup of coffee, then proceeded to the checkout and paid for my food. I waited for Aimee to do the same, and then we went to the table we had picked together. I had been worried about Aimee for a few days by then because I heard she had been talking with her family in a conversation with Jessica, and the way she said it seemed like something was off. I wanted to make sure she was okay. After discussing several topics, I addressed what was worrying me.
"Aimee, you know I'm here for you, right?" I told her, trying to reassure her that she had a friend in me.
"Yeah, I know," she replied, not sounding too convinced about it.
"Are you okay, Aimee?" I asked, extending my hand to reach her arm.
"Yeah, I'm fine, just some stuff with my family is going on," she explained.
"I'm worried about you; you can tell me anything," I replied, my mind racing with thoughts of different situations that could go wrong.
"I suffer from anorexia, Levi. And some days eating is very hard, like today. I've learned coping mechanisms, but sometimes it's one step forward and three steps back," she revealed, looking down and blushing, probably feeling embarrassed.
"I totally understand. It's always one step at a time. You've got this, we're here for you. I know you can do this," I reassured her, squeezing her hand.
"Thank you, Levi. I really appreciate that I can count on you with this. Revealing this part of myself has never been easy, you know?" She told me, still seeming upset about it.
"I know, I'm sorry for bringing this up. I wanted to make sure you were okay!" I told her, being honest about it. In that moment, I glanced around and noticed Edmund sitting at a table on his own at the other end of the cafeteria, looking at me while he drank some sort of beverage. Suddenly, I felt flustered, but I tried to keep my concentration on Aimee. Her topic was important—more important than some random guy I had seen just once. I rolled my eyes at myself and refocused on Aimee. We finished our snack and stood up, ready to meet up with Jacob and Jessica. So, I sent them both a message to see where they were.
We started walking down the corridor towards the main hall when my phone rang. It was Jacob, letting me know he was with Jessica and they were waiting for us to head back to the Housing Buildings. When we reached the main hall, the seats and the stand had already been removed, leaving only the empty hall with the sculptures and the various department secretaries. Among a crowd of students, I noticed Jacob standing out and waving at us. When I reached them, I hugged Jessica and shook hands with Jake.
"How has your day been, guys?" I asked them, feeling excited to see them.
"Mine was great, but exhausting," Jake answered, while he looked around.
"Yeah, mine was good too. I learned a great deal today. Did you know that there's a political concept called types of state and types of government? It blew my mind," Jessica recounted, seemingly fascinated by it.
"Ours was pretty great too. Our first professor was hilarious," Aimee told them.
"Yeah, you say that," I interjected. "I have so much to tell you later," I said, getting ahead of myself.
We continued talking for a while, but fortunately, no one pressed the topic any further. I desperately wanted to tell them about Edmund, but this wasn't the right environment. We left the Humanities building and began crossing the campus parks to go home, do our homework, and rest after this long first day. When we were halfway across the campus, I heard Jacob shout, "Stop, careful guys," as a deer crossed the road to the other side of the park. It was exhilarating to see the deer gracefully leap over the road, cross to the other side, and run up to a mound of dirt. It curiously looked at us for a full second before continuing on its way. When we arrived at the apartment gate, Jessica said:
"Guys, we should have a sleepover tonight in our dorm," she proposed with a devilish grin on her face.
"That's forbidden," interjected Aimee, looking a little worried.
"It's going to be okay. I'm game," Jacob agreed.
"If everyone else is in, so am I," I replied, feeling a rush of adrenaline course through my body at the thought of what was to come.
We parted ways with Jess and Aimee as soon as we reached the female building. Jacob and I briskly walked into the male Housing Building. The bustle of the various students was deafening. On the bright side, this old edifice had thick walls, so the sound from the common room and the reception wasn't audible in our room. We trudged up the stairs and entered our dormitory. I removed my shoes, sat on the bed, and exhaled a long sigh while Jacob threw his backpack and jumped to lie on his bed. It had been a very long day, and I couldn't wait to sneak out to the girls' dorm.
We hung out with Jacob for a while, doing our homework together. After I finished mine, I ended up helping him with his. I grabbed a backpack, filled it with some PJs, clothes for tomorrow's school, my toothbrush, a comb, and some underwear. Before 8 pm, when the Housing Building staff closed the restaurant area connecting both buildings, we got ready to head to the girls'. We carefully laid out our plans, which I mostly devised since I was the brains of the operation:
"Listen, Jake, we need to be very careful and silent, not quiet but silent. Don't talk to me until we're in the other building. They're going to be watching, and by this time, almost no students are in there. We'll go in and pretend we're having a late snack. The moment the staff heads to the kitchens, we'll sneak through. Understood?" I explained, measuring every word.
"Got it, but how will we get back?" He asked me, his voice on edge.
"We won't be able to return to our dorm until tomorrow morning, so you must take everything you'll need for tomorrow's classes," I instructed him.
"Right, let me grab some more stuff before we leave," he replied, gathering the rest of his belongings.
"Hurry, Jake," I told him, hoping we'd get there on time.
When he finished, we headed to the fifth floor. We sprinted up the stairs, and fortunately, when we got there, the restaurant area was still open. I walked in, and there were only two staff members inside. I saw one of them washing the remaining dishes of the day through the kitchen bar, behind the food stands. The other one was cleaning the empty tables. There were other students there, drinking coffee and talking, some female and some male. Jacob and I didn't enter at the same time; we thought it was best if we snuck in one at a time. I slowly walked towards the table closest to the female's door and sat down in its chair. The moment the staff member cleaning tables turned his back on me, I sneaked through the female's building doors. I was successful. I was in. All I needed to do was wait for Jacob. We had agreed that he'd do the same process as me, five minutes after I reached the door. Luckily, five minutes after me, Jacob cautiously entered through the door.
"Jeez, Levi. That was scary," he whispered, looking sweaty all over.
"Yeah, I know. Let's head to the eighth floor where the girls are," I replied, feeling anxious to be away from the restaurant entrance.
The girls' room was H807. We trudged up the stairs to the eighth floor, slowly but carefully, trying not to make any sound and raise alarms that males were in the female's building, or we'd be in huge trouble. We could visit each other, but never spend the night, not even during the weekends. When we reached the eighth floor, my chest was heaving uncontrollably. I tried to keep my cool for the sake of silence, but it was difficult. As expected, Jacob was unaffected. We quietly knocked on the girls' door, and after waiting for a little while, Aimee greeted us and let us in.
Their dormitory was so much different from ours. While we had a window with a sitting area, they had a balcony with a table and chairs overlooking the campus. At this height, you could clearly see the University buildings and the Humanities Department. Furthermore, their double beds were next to each other with bedside tables and closets on the sides. They had just one long desk that went from wall to wall, in front of their beds, with two desk chairs. In the only aspect that our dorm surpassed theirs was that ours was more spacious and the bathroom had a bathtub in which you could relax in, and a huge mirror, while theirs just had a shower, a small mirror with bathroom furniture, and a bidet. They had already decorated their dormitory with many different kinds of exotic plants. One of them, which caught my fancy, was a carnivorous one. It was digesting a fly.
As we settled in, the atmosphere in the girls' room was warm and welcoming. Aimee had lit many candles around the room, and Jessica had prepared snacks for us all, creating an improvised dinner. Jacob and I had also brought some food from our dorm. We all sat on their beds, enjoying each other's company. We had sandwiches, cold pizzas, chips accompanied with liquid cheddar, and Coke as our beverage. The bonding experience was so pleasant that the memories would probably stay with us for the rest of our lives. At that moment, my thoughts turned to Edmund, and I wanted to finally come out to these wonderful people I had met not so long ago. I felt at home and ready to open up.
"Guys, there are one or two things I want to talk to you about," I said, feeling my heart racing, ready to burst from my chest.
"Oh yeah," Jacob said, "You mentioned that earlier. I totally forgot to ask you," he added, ruffling his hair and smiling.
"What is it, Levi?" Jessica asked, looking at me with curiosity.
"In the kind of setting we find ourselves in sometimes, it's hard to be honest, but you've proven to be wonderful people to me. And I just want you to know…" I stopped myself, my heart racing, my chest tightening. I gulped down, breathed and continued "I'm sorry, I'm just not used to say it very often. I'm gay, guys," I revealed, bracing myself for their reaction.
Unexpectedly, Jacob stood on his knees, reached forward, and hugged me intently. "I kind of knew for a second," he said, half laughing. A moment later, Jessica joined in our hug. In the end, we all had a group hug.
"Thank you for being honest about it and telling us. As you told me earlier, we're here for you," said Aimee.
"It must have taken a lot of courage to do that. You're brave, Levi," Jess encouraged.
"Thank you, guys. It means a lot that you're so open about it," I said, feeling elated by their welcoming response. I was genuinely grateful, and I could see our friendship turning into a long-lasting relationship.
"So what's the other thing you wanted to talk to us about?" Jacob asked, looking puzzled.
"It's actually about a boy I met today. His name's Edmund Plaintgenet. And I think I have a huge crush on him," I proceeded to tell them the whole story. Aimee admitted that she had been shocked when she saw him too. I guess, for various reasons, they were all ready to make his acquaintance, or at least to see him. I also told them how we had stared at each other in class and at the school cafeteria. We agreed that I shouldn't read too much into it, and we let the topic rest soon after that.
I began to wonder if Jessica, Aimee, and Jacob were all from this country or if they hailed from elsewhere. Terranovan has always been renowned for its diverse landscape, with the capital city, Valgard, commanding the land from its position on the central western shore. A bustling metropolis, it stands as the political and cultural heart, where history and progress converge. To the east of Empiria and dividing the country in half, the majestic Andorim mountain range stretches from north to south, its craggy and snowy peaks acting as a rugged backbone to this island nation. The western coastal gem, Gold Beach, with its shimmering sands, offers tranquility and treasure along the western edge. The smaller western isles dotting the surrounding waters highlight Terranova's seafaring legacy, evoking tales of exploration, discovery, and its history of defense against the North American invasions. Everforest and Fortwood in the north serve as green city sanctuaries, likely offering respite and adventure within their leafy embrace. A few miles east of Empiria, out in the open sea, lies Auror Isle, with its main city, Dawnhaven, nestled on the easternmost edge of Terranova, greeting the day before the rest of the country. This is the country I grew up in, and a sudden sense of pride welled up in me.
"Guys, where are you from?" I asked them, curiosity flickering within me.
"I was born here in Empiria. I've lived here all my life," Jessica answered.
"Why are you living in a dorm then?"Jacob inquired.
"It'd just be too boring to still be living at home. Gotta try new experiences, don't you think? Where are you from, Jacob?"
"Oh, I come from Starhaven, a small city high up in the Andorim mountains, filled with ski centers," Jacob replied.
"Drum rolls, please," Aimee quipped, making a deliberate pause. "I come from… Japan, but my family has been living here since I was little."
"No way, that's so cool," I said.
"Thanks," Aimee giggled. "Where are you from then, Levi?"
"Oh, I'm from Perthens, a small village in the south. I'm a southerner boy, and as we all know, we're hot as hell," I replied, and we all burst into laughter.
We played board games, watched various movies—comedies, fantasies, and even an Indiana Jones film—and when we got tired of watching movies, we improvised a karaoke session! Slowly, but steadily, we started feeling exhausted, so we decided it was time to go to sleep. Jacob and I slept on Jessica's bed, while Aimee and Jessica shared Aimee's bed. It was a great night filled with fun, and it taught us the importance of friendship, honesty, and authenticity. Most of all, it taught me to be true to myself, wrapped in the comfort of our friendship.
I was the first one to wake up. Sitting up in bed, I checked my phone's clock, which read 5 am. I glanced around the dark room and noticed Jacob stretched out in bed, taking up most of the space. On the other bed, Jessica and Aimee were sleeping peacefully, each covered in blankets up to their chins on their respective sides. Jessica looked very graceful and feminine, hugging one of the pillows as she slept.
I stood up, wrapped myself in some covers, opened the balcony doors, and sat at the small outdoor table. I gazed intently at the moon, pondering the events of the past few days. The painful memory of last Sunday's situation lingered. Then, images of Edmund filled my head, and I couldn't help but wonder what he was doing at that moment. I yearned to see him again, even if we maintained our distance. Our encounters, though few, were intense and exhilarating. My thoughts then shifted to my family, particularly my little brother.
I loved my parents, but they had been absent for most of my life, placing significant pressure on my shoulders. This caused many of my own insecurities, but my younger brother had been my comfort amid the painful moments I had to endure. Jared had been there for me, just as I had been for him. We played different roles in each other's lives, and although he was considerably younger than me—still a child—that didn't mean I didn't need him. It was hard to say goodbye, and I looked forward to the day we would meet again.
Submerged in my thoughts, I realized it was already 6 am, the sun was rising in the east, and it was time to wake everyone up. Jacob and I needed to sneak out to the breakfast area without the staff noticing we had come from the other side of the building, where we weren't supposed to be.
"Guys, it's time to wake up. Wakey wakey," I said enthusiastically. Instinctively, Aimee's eyes jerked open.
"Is everything okay?" she asked, with a tone of alarm resonating in her voice.
"Yeah, yeah, but Jacob and I gotta go. Help me wake them up, please," I requested. Aimee rubbed her eyes and yawned, which was contagious because soon after, I was yawning too. I shook Jacob intently by the shoulder until he murmured, "No, mom, it's not time now," and rolled to the other side. I shook him even more intently until he opened his eyes and realized where we were. At that point, Aimee was brushing her teeth, and Jessica was drinking coffee while reading a Vogue magazine with her legs crossed, sitting at the balcony table.
"What time is it?" Jacob asked me, looking confused.
"It's 6:45 am, and you've overslept badly. Get up and get dressed quickly. We must all leave now," I urged him, leaving him to get ready while I got dressed, washed my face, and brushed my teeth. When I exited the bathroom, everyone was ready to leave and have breakfast. The plan was as follows:
"You girls go in and check how many staff members are working this morning. They may not necessarily be on the lookout. And at this time, the cafeteria will be bustling with students, so as soon as they get distracted, you wave at us, okay?" I asked, making sure they had understood.
"Understood," they both said in unison.
I double-checked we hadn't forgotten anything and left the dormitory. While we climbed down the stairs, all the girls from other dorms giggled at us, but I knew none of them was a snitch, because there was this secret code that we were going to keep this kind of information from the staff in case anyone wanted to have sleepovers. When we reached the 5th-floor landing, the girls did as we had agreed. They entered the restaurant area, sat, and checked for staff. Eventually, I saw the opportunity to enter amid a group of several girls, while Jacob stayed behind. As soon as I got in and didn't see any of the staff, I pretended to be picking my breakfast at the stands and signaled Jacob to enter. Right at that moment, a female employee was coming out of the kitchen. I felt my blood run cold. I signaled Jacob to stop, but fortunately, the employee must have forgotten something because she doubled back and returned to the kitchen. Jacob was able to pass through successfully. I approached the girls' table and settled in. Soon after, Jacob joined as well. We had a pretty fun breakfast; I didn't know Jacob had so many jokes up his sleeve. He was hilarious, and our laughter echoed in my memory as we sat there in the moment, appreciating the gift of time that we would always hold dear.
Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months. Two months had passed since we had that sleepover at Jessica's and Aimee's dormitory. Our friendship continued to develop at a steady pace. For the remainder of that week, I didn't see Jessica again until the weekend, while I still met with Aimee from Monday to Friday to head to class. In these last months, Jacob had also made up with his friends but he didn't mention them again. Every now and then, I found out that he was getting together with them. I was happy for him because while they had been awful to me, they seemed to get along with Jake just fine. And if that made him happy, that was all I needed to know to feel content for him. I kept seeing Edmund in different classes and in the school cafeteria, but neither of us approached the other. His presence became a natural thing for me, but I tried taking Aimee to the back of the classroom to be closer to him. School started easy until they began giving us loads of schoolwork to complete at home. But being as academically inclined as I am, I managed to stay up-to-date with it. I also regularly helped Jacob with his, and for a moment, I thought I was studying Journalism and his Algorithm course too.
On one occasion, even my family came to visit. They stayed at a nearby hotel, and I was happy to introduce Jared to Jacob. He was kind enough to drive Jared through town in his BMW. My little brother had never been inside a car as luxurious as that one, so it certainly blew his mind. Seeing them again after a long time away from home was refreshing and comforting to my heart. I had started to feel left behind because my parents didn't call me as much as I called them. The unfortunate day of their departure came, and it was another painful experience to go through, but overall, after everything I had experienced, it allowed me to become more self-sufficient and mature.
That morning, I had woken up very late. What almost never happened occurred that day; I overslept and had a hard time believing it. Jacob was staying at home, so he wasn't in our dormitory; he was going directly to college. Hastily, I gathered my backpack, stashed my school laptop, brushed my teeth, and ran down the stairs after leaving my dorm. Our class had already started, and I wasn't going to make it on time. Before exiting the Housing Building reception, I put on my overcoat and ran towards the Apartment's gate. The day was cold and cloudy, with a rainstorm threatening to break at any moment. I traversed the campus parks as quickly as I could and reached the Humanities department. I climbed the steps, and as soon as I reached the Psychology classrooms, I looked for our class. I walked down the hall and found it, knocked, and entered. The first thing I did was excuse myself and nodded to Aimee, who was sitting next to another girl. Luckily, Mr. Mortimer seemed to be in a good mood that day and said, "It's fine, Winters. We're doing a group research on cognitive therapy. Get together with Mr. Plaintgenet; he's the only one that isn't grouped with anyone." I had noticed in these last months that people usually avoided approaching Edmund. In all honesty, he was intimidating and kept to himself most of the time. But he didn't seem troubled by it, though.
When I looked in his direction, he was intently examining the computer and writing information in his notebook. As I approached, he suddenly turned his eyes to me. His gaze made me feel vulnerable. This had been the first opportunity I had to meet him, and I felt myself recoiling. I hugged my arms to give myself some comfort and forced myself to move forward. When I was close enough, he said:
"I don't think we have been properly introduced before. I'm Edmund Plaintgenet. Please, sit," he said courteously, gesturing for me to sit next to him and all the while, looking directly into my eyes.