It was around 8:30 a.m. The sun shone brightly, and a gentle breeze carried just enough warmth to make it a beautiful morning.
Ronnie was asleep, sprawled out on his bed. Peaceful now, though last night had been anything but.
Suddenly, a loud shout tore through the quiet, jolting him awake. His eyes flew open, heart hammering.
"MUSTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARD!"
"But somebody gotta do it—got my foot up on the gas, but somebody gotta do it—turn this TV off, TV off."
Keith, earbuds plugged in, danced around the room to the beat of GNX, blissfully unaware of the chaos he'd caused.
"Motherfucker," Ronnie growled through gritted teeth. He scrambled to grab a slide off the floor and hurled it at Keith with a burst of anger.
Keith, still facing away, didn't see it coming. But at the last second, he ducked—alas, not fast enough. The bulk of the slide still smacked the back of his head.
"Ahh, the fuck? What's wrong with you?" Keith whirled around, rubbing his head, ready to yell. But Ronnie's furious glare stopped him cold.
"Alright, my bad," Keith said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "But hey, on the brighter side, it's time for college. I woke you up, didn't I?" He grinned. "Good morning, sunshine."
"Go fuck yourself," Ronnie shot back, dragging himself out of bed. He glared at Keith. "How the hell did you dodge that? Got eyes on the back of your head, or what, dickhead?"
Keith shrugged. "I mean, it still hit me, but you know I've always had good instincts."
"Yeah, yeah," Ronnie muttered, trudging toward the washroom.
Keith smirked. "Wow, someone's cranky. What happened? Last night not good?"
"Horrible," Ronnie grumbled.
"Really? Well, what happened?"
Ronnie paused, turning back. "I don't wanna let it be."
Keith brushed lint off his shirt, a smirk creeping across his face. "Oh, c'mon, don't be a pussy."
Ronnie sighed, relenting. "On my way to the bar, I got a ticket for speeding."
"Not good. How much?"
"45 bucks."
"Eh, not too bad. You're rich—you can handle that," Keith said, laughing.
"Yeah, but then I walk into the bar, and it's cacophony of loud music, shouting, and drunk idiots. Already annoyed, so that didn't help."
Keith nodded, cleaning his shoes. "See? Another reason I don't go to those places anymore. Too overwhelming."
"Stop interrupting me," Ronnie snapped.
"Sorry. Go ahead."
Ronnie rolled his eyes. "So yeah, then I met up with the guys, had a few shots, and then—wait. You know Neena, right?"
No response.
"Right? Right?" Ronnie's voice rose.
No response.
Still nothing.
He stepped out of the bathroom, toothbrush in hand. Annoyed, he asked, "Yo, you deaf, or what?"
Keith gestured dramatically, as if asking for permission.
Ronnie's grip on the toothbrush tightened, veins popping in his hand.
Keith waved his hand dismissively. "Okay, okay, last time."
Keith nodded. "Okay, Neena... Neena... Oh, the long-haired brunette, right? What about her?" He paused, then grinned. "Wait. That's why you went to the bar, isn't it?"
"Yeah, but I couldn't find her. So I asked Matt, and he said she went around the corner. Of course, I followed."
Keith leaned in, intrigued. "And?"
"I found her," Ronnie sighed. "Making out with a girl. Passionately."
Keith froze, then stifled a laugh. His face scrunched as he fought to keep a straight face.
Ronnie stared, expression impassive.
"Deep breaths," Keith muttered to himself, but a small grin broke through. "I thought you two had a thing going on."
"Yeah, I thought so too."
"Shiiiiiiiiiiiiit," Keith said, still struggling not to laugh. "Well, it's 2024, mate. People have the freedom of choice."
"Go ahead, laugh it up. I don't fucking care." Ronnie turned and walked back into the bathroom.
"I'm not laughing!" Keith called after him. A beat passed, and then he burst out, "But pfft—was the thought of dating you so repulsive she switched teams?!" He doubled over, laughing.
Silence.
Ronnie stepped out of the bathroom, his tone calm. "I hope you die a horrible death." He shut the door behind him.
Keith blinked. "Wow. You said that with venom. You really meant that, huh?"
"Yup. Completely serious."
Keith shook his head, chuckling. Then he checked his watch. "Shit, I'll be late. Alright, man, I'm off to college. Don't sulk, though. You're a good-looking dude—you'll find someone, maybe. Oh, and don't forget, we've got a common elective at 12:40. Don't be late."
Ronnie grunted from behind the door. "Got it. Bye."
"Bye."
At the college.
After attending his first lecture, Keith had to return the analytics books to the library.
"Good morning, I'd like to return this," Jay said, stepping into the library.
Keith's eyes narrowed when he saw the librarian. "For fuck's sake, it's Dudley," he thought. Tom Dudley—balding, divorced, and a certified douchebag with a diploma in it.
"Oh look, if it ain't Mr. Kumar," Dudley sneered, leaning over his desk. "How did you grace us with your presence today?"
"Good morning to you, too, sir," Keith replied, keeping his tone even. "I'd like to return this book."
Dudley chuckled, puffing up his chest. "Oh my, you remembered! I thought I wouldn't see this book again until the next semester." He puffed out a breath, as if this was some monumental act.
Keith gritted his teeth but kept his smile intact. 'God, what I wouldn't give to rip you apart, Dudley,' he thought, taking a deep breath.
"Here. You were late by 2 weeks," Dudley said, handing Keith the slip. "Fine of $5. Please pay it at the counter."
Keith didn't even flinch. "Sure, sir," he muttered, handing over the fee.
On his way back from the library to the common classroom, Keith had his earbuds in, Snooze playing softly. A light tap on his shoulder pulled him out of the rhythm.
He turned, pulling out one earbud, and saw Saia Reynolds. Petite and strikingly pretty, her smile lit up her face—a sight that could easily turn heads.
"Oh, shoot. Hey, Saia," Keith said, blinking in surprise. "What's up?"
"Can't complain. How about you?" Saia asked, her voice light and cheerful.
"Not bad, not bad," Keith replied. Then, as if remembering something, he added, "Oh, right! Happy birthday, by the way!"
Saia's smile brightened. "Thanks! Actually, I wanted to tell you—I'm throwing a little party this Friday. You should come! It'll be fun, I promise."
"Friday, huh?" Keith hesitated for a moment, scratching the back of his neck. "Yeah, sure, why not? Count me in."
"Awesome!" Saia beamed. "Just don't be late, okay?" She gave a small wave, already walking off toward her classroom. "See you then!"
Keith watched her go, shaking his head with a faint smile. "Well, that was unexpected." He slid his earbud back in and continued down the hall.
Entering the common classroom, Keith spotted Ronnie sitting alone, smiling as he typed something on his phone.
'He's not sulking anymore. Something must have happened,' Keith thought.
"Yo, something good happened?" Keith asked, taking a seat beside him.
Ronnie looked up, slightly embarrassed. "Wow, am I that obvious?"
"Yeah, you're an open book, lad. So, tell me—who's got you smiling like that?"
"Well, you know Harper, right?"
"Harper? Harper? Cherry—blonde, from the finance section?"
"Yeah, that one. She just asked me out."
"What, like today?"
"When else, idiot?" Ronnie rolled his eyes.
"Wow, that's crazy. Good for you, I suppose," Keith said, a bit amazed. 'Not even a day, and he's already secured another date.'
"By the way, you going to Saia's party?" Ronnie asked.
"Huh? How do you know about that?" Keith asked, confused.
"I'm invited, dumbfuck. Harper's her good friend, so I'll be there with her. Plus, like, a ton of people know about it—she's one of the most popular girls in our batch."
"What?" Keith groaned. "A ton of people are gonna be there? Oh, come onnnnn."
"No, no, I said a ton of people know her—not that many are invited. So, you're coming, right?"
"I might have to this time, you know. After all, she invited me personally."
"What?" Ronnie turned to look directly at Keith. "Personally? When?"
"Oh, just earlier, in the corridor."
Ronnie let out a whistle. "I seriously think you have a chance, dude."
"Yeah, I think so too."
"Nice," Ronnie said with a grin, extending a fist toward Keith. They bumped fists in a quick, casual gesture.
Keith sighed. "I just hope nothing bad happens."