Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Their hands met, reaching for the same book.

"Sorry," she said.
"S'cuse me," he said.
"I just need-"
"Just need to-"

They grabbed for the same book again.

Then they looked at each other for the first time.

Marianne looked at this tall, probably lanky, guy.
He was probably a good foot taller than her. Maybe a foot and a half.
He practically loomed over her.
Torn denim jeans, dark shirt, leather jacket.
He had a nice amber necklace though.
Real tough guy, she mocked in her head.

She looked up at his face.
He looked so gaunt with his long jaw and high cheekbones.
A few scars that marred his face were hidden by his five o'clock shadow.
His dark hair was slicked back and his blue eyes practically pierced her.

She realized a little too late that she might have been staring after he leered at her.
"Why don't you just take a picture?" he barked at her.
"Sorry, I'm sorry!" she said.

Bog didn't mean to snap at her. He just didn't like people staring at him.
He wasn't some kind of freak show.
Even though he was ugly.

He glared back at the... mousey woman before her.
She was short. Much like everyone else. But also petite, he supposed.
Long brown hair, light pink cardigan, long flowy dress.
She had a nice face, at least, for a plain jane.
Total girly girl, he thought with a grimace.

Marianne tucked some hair behind her ear and shyly looked back up at him.
"Um, I really need that book," she said while pointing with her free hand.
"Well, what a coincidence," he said. "I also really need that book."
She noted his Scottish accent and pegged him as a foreigner.

They both glanced at the bookshelf.

It was the last one.

"Which class do you need this for?" she asked looking back towards him, but away from his face.
"College Algebra 334 with Mr. Portley," he said.
"Well, we don't have the same class," she sighed.

When neither one of them let go of the book they narrowed their eyes at each other.

"Only one of us can get the book," she said as she squared her shoulders.
"Yep," he said as he loomed a little closer to her.
"How about we Rock, Paper, Scissors for it?" she suggested.
He quirked an eyebrow and grinned.
"Best two out of three?" he said.
She returned with a smirk of her own.
"Sounds good to me."

They let go of the book at the same time.

Marianne placed her fist in her palm as Bog did the same.
"One, two, three, shoot," they said in unison.
They tied with rock.
"One, two, three, shoot."
Another tie with paper.

They tied another five times before Bog stopped.
"At this rate, we're going to be stuck here forever," he said.
Marianne gave him a smirk.
"What, afraid you'll lose?"
He quirked an eyebrow at her.
"Is that a challenge?" He gave her a toothy grin and placed his fist in his palm.

"How about the next person to win get's the book?" He suggested.
"You're on!"

They kept at it for another minute until Marianne won.
"Yes!" she cheered. "In your face!"
She put her hands on her hips and cocked an eyebrow.
"Although, I can say you were a worthy opponent. I'm now going to take my-"

She turned to find the book was gone.

"What?!" she yelled a little too loudly and the few people in the bookstore glanced over at her.
Bog glanced around and found who had taken their book.
"Looks like that guy over just bought it."

Marianne had to stand on her tiptoes and craned her neck over the bookshelves to see a scrawny, pale guy with a white beanie leave the campus bookstore with the book she rightfully won.

"Ugh!" Marianne groaned as she dragged her hands down her face. "... so unfair..." she mumbled as she slumped, a little defeated.
"Well, I'm sorry to upset you, princess," he said, "But life's not fair."
She whipped her head back to him.
"I know that you..." She began to say. She bit her tongue before she said anything she would regret, and gave him the sourest look she could give.
His grim facade broke out into a grin and chuckled.

She turned and stomped away from him and went to wait in line to buy everything else she needed.

As soon as she stood in line she could feel the presence of that jerk standing behind her.
It made her more and more annoyed as she inched closer to the front of the line.

"Hi," The cashier greeted. "Did you find everything you were looking for?"

"Hi," Marianne gave her one of her better fake smiles. "No actually. I wasn't able to get the College Algebra volume nine. Do you know when you'll have it back in stock?"

"We get a delivery truck every Thursday. Might I suggest you pre-order?"

"How much?"

The cashier searched a bit on the computer before turning back to her and said, "For new, with the Course Code pin number, it's one hundred and thirty-five dollars."

"What?" Marianne paled.

"Yeah, new textbook prices suck." The cashier gave her a sympathetic glance. The cashier leaned in and whispered, "You didn't hear this from me, but you can rent your textbooks at a much lower cost."

Marianne nodded. "I'll keep that in mind. Thanks."

Marianne bought her things, along with a few snacks that she could binge eat her anger away later.

***
Marianne was the first to move into their new dorm room. It was small, yet cozy. Two beds, two end tables, and two desks that mirrored each other. Their room was on the second floor, but thankfully the place had an elevator.

"Are you sure this is all you'll need?" her father said as he placed the last of the boxes down.
"I'm sure Dad," she said as she opened the topmost box on her bed. "We've been over this a million times."
Her sister, Dawn, had already unpacked and started hanging fairy lights in her corner of the room.
"If you need anything else-" her father began.
"I'll be sure to call you," she finished.
"Or use my credit card," he said.

She stopped rummaging through the box and turned to him.
"Dad, we've been over this," she said firmly. "I want to do this all on my own."

Even though her father had more than enough money to afford her college tuition, she was adamant in doing things her way. Spending countless hours applying for scholarships, applying for financial aid, even taking that summer job to save up some extra money.

Her father let out a defeated sigh.
"Be sure to call home often," he said as he nodded.
She gave him a small smile.
"I will," she said.
"Yeah," Dawn interjected. "Be sure to text me pics of all the cute boys you see around the campus!"
Marianne saw her father pale slightly and she laughed.
"I'll be sure to keep you all updated. And I'll be sure to come visit during the holidays."

Her father smiled warmly at her and wrapped her into a tight embrace.
"Your mother would have been so proud of you as I am today."
His words struck a chord in her and Marianne had to blink back her welling tears.
Dawn joined in their hug and Marianne barked a shuddery laugh as she tried not to cry.
She wiped away her tears quickly as they let go of their embrace. Her father, similarly, wiped away his own.

"I'll talk to you guys later tonight okay?" She said while giving her father a small semblance of a smile.
Dawn's infinite optimism never wavered as she beamed at her sister.
"I'll be waiting," Dawn said. "Send me a pic when you finish decorating."
"I will," she nodded as she watched them leave.

They waved goodbye as her father shut the door behind them.

Now it was just her, and her soon to be roommate.

The campus housing was co-ed and she ended up with some random guy because she had sent her housing papers in at the last minute. She didn't know much about her new roommate except for his name and that he was a freshman just like her.

Her father would faint if he knew that she was rooming with some random guy instead of Roland.

She lovingly touched her engagement ring and smiled.

Well, even if she wasn't able to room with her fiancee, that was okay! She would still be able to see him around campus and have lunch together or something.

Besides, Roland had said they needed to focus on their studies anyway. They would have plenty of time to spend together after they got married.

If only she had the textbook she needed.
She frowned remembering that giant jerk had made her lose her chance to have everything she needed. Her classes started tomorrow and she really wanted to skim over the first few chapters.

She decided to unpack and straighten her side of the room instead.

An hour had passed when there was a knock on the door.
"Come on in," she called out as she just finished straightening her bedsheets.
"A little help?" she heard from the other side of the door.
She jumped a little and rushed over to the door.
"Oh, of course."

She opened the door and a pile of boxes walked in.

The guy behind the boxes was at least a foot shorter than Marianne. Three boxes were stacked haphazardously on top of each other.
When he looked towards her, his glasses made his green eyes appear huge.

He seems like a nice guy, she thought.

The small guy gave her a toothy smile.
"Oh, hi! I'm Theodore. But you can call me Thang," he said as he almost dropped the box trying to shake her hand. Marianne stopped the topmost box from falling on top of her head.

Oh, he wasn't her roommate.

She took the top box from his pile and Thang sighed in relief.
"Thanks," he said, "These boxes are heavier than I realized."
The box Marianne held was lighter than a feather.
"No problem," she said dryly.

"Where do you want me to put this B.K.?" Thang called out to the hall.
"Near the desk," she heard his reply.
"You got it, Boss."

Marianne helped Thang place the boxes next to the desk.

"Marianne Fairfields?" she heard from the doorway.

She smoothed out her dress, smiled, and turned.
"Yes, are you-"
She stopped to see the guy from the bookstore.
"You!" she said accusingly.
"Yes, me..." he said with a lopsided grin. He unloaded the stack of boxes next to his bed.
He wiped his hands on his pants and offered one out to her.
"Broehain King. But please, call me Bog," He said. His rough Scottish accent sounding sincere. "Nice to meet ya."

She warily gave him another once over.
No longer wearing his leather jacket, she took note of his rather lean, but noticeable muscles.
From wrist to shoulder, he was covered in an intricate, almost tribal or Celtic pattern. Dark thorns and leaves wove throughout the sharp striped pattern that traveled up his arm to his shoulder almost like it was his armor.

Marianne cradled her hands close to herself.
"Likewise," she said.

He dropped his hand and let out a slight laugh.
"Oh, c'mon. Ye're not still bitter about the book are ya?"
Her brow twitched upwards ever so slightly.
"Maybe," she hinted.
He crossed his arms and gave her a hard stare.
"Well, either way," he said with a scowl. "We're stuck together. So we should make the most of it."
Marianne narrowed her eyes at him, but didn't argue.

He was right, but she didn't want to admit it to his face.

Bog's brow furrowed at her stubbornness. He wasn't sure if he should admire her for it, or try to knock her down a peg.

They both jumped when Thang pipped in.
"Well, it was great meeting you Marianne!" He shook her hand properly this time.
"If you need me, I live in room one twenty-two."

Marianne blinked a few times before she registered Thang shaking her hand.
"Okay, I'll keep that in mind. Thank you."
"You're welcome," he said with a beaming grin as he let go and made his way towards the door.

Just before Thang reached the door he quickly turned back towards the two of them.
"Oh Bog, did you need any more help?"
Bog glanced around his area before looking back to Thang.
"Um. No, I'm good," he said.
"Okay then! See ya!" Thang said before closing the door behind him.

When the door shut Marianne and Bog hesitantly exchanged glances.
"Well," he said stiffly, "might as well get to unpacking." And turned to the piles of boxes near his bed.

Marianne nodded slowly and went to her corner of the room, grabbing her textbooks, and got comfortable on her bed.
If she couldn't study her first class, she would at least get a start on the rest of them.

She wasn't halfway into her first chapter when she jumped at the sound of heavy metal music blaring through Bog's laptop speakers. She glanced at Bog as he bobbed his head to the music, sorting through the mess of a pile on his bed.

"Don't you have headphones?" she loudly said over the wailing music.
He waved a hand to the remaining piles of boxes as leaned over and turned down the volume slightly on his laptop.

His taste in music wasn't too bad, she thought.
Just... very distracting. And loud.

When she realized she was reading the same sentence for the fifth time she groaned and pushed her books aside.

She hoped this wasn't going to be an everyday thing.

She decided relaxing on her laptop would be a better idea.

Venting to her online friends seemed like a good thing to do.
She opened her messenger. DarkGoblin wasn't on, but she felt he would understand the most out of all her friends.

     [LightQueen: Just finished moving into my dorm.]

Marianne glanced behind her and glared at Bog as he was rummaging through another box.

     [My roommate is a total jerk though.]

She minimized the screen and hoped he would be online later. He had said he was moving as well. But she didn't want to pry. Fishing for her earbuds, she went to listen to her own, much happier, music and surf the web.

**
Bog flopped onto his desk chair after he finished organizing into some semblance of a room. Mostly, he just piled his clothing in one corner, somewhat made his bed, and unpacked most of his electronics on his desk.

He'd decorate the rest of the room later.

He glanced at Marianne's side of the room and wondered how someone can live with so much pink.
He smirked at the idea of converting her to 'the dark side'. He'd probably give her something black colored as a gag gift.

He turned his head and groaned in satisfaction as his neck cracked. Easing some of the tension from his broad shoulders.
He cracked open his laptop and surfed the web. Maybe talk to a few of his online friends.
Noticing he received a message, he opened the inbox and grinned when he saw was it was a message from LightQueen.

     [LightQueen: Just finished moving into my dorm. My roommate is a total jerk though.]

He grimaced and thought about his own roommate. He didn't quite hate her, she was entertaining at least, but he felt she was definitely going to get on his nerves.

He went back to his keyboard and typed her a reply.

     [DarkGoblin: Well, that sucks.]

Chapter Text

They had originally met on a forum for the popular game 'Realm of Faircraft' a few years ago. Arguing about war tactics or something. She couldn't remember.

They were on opposing factions in-game and she loved to find him and try to beat his character to a pulp.
Although, most of the time they ended in stalemates, or just gave up because they went at it for over two hours with no real progress.

Over time, what had started as bickering turned into a mutual friendship. Bantering back and forth like old friends. Trying to best each other any way they could.

They challenged each other to become better. And that's what she liked.

Even though they have never met in person, know each other's name, or know what the other looks like, they enjoy each other's company.

Although, now that she doesn't have the time to play games as often because of school, she still pops in to talk to her friends.

Like right now.

Marianne lit up when she received a reply from DarkGoblin.

[DarkGoblin: Well, that sucks.]
[LightQueen: Yeah.]
[DarkGoblin: Maybe you and your roommate can find a way to get along?]

She glanced over her shoulder to see Bog's large frame eclipsing the light of the laptop. Making him look like some holy wraith.

[LightQueen: Yeah, I hope so.]
[DarkGoblin: Besides, you need to focus on your studies if you want to outsmart me!]
[LightQueen: Ha! As if! I'm already smarter than you and you know it.]
[DarkGoblin: Says the one who's going to college...]

Bog didn't want to admit to LightQueen that he was also going to college at this time, let alone tell her his major, or else he wouldn't hear the end of it.
So instead he wrote a few more quips and teased her a bit more.

[DarkGoblin: So what's miss smartypants going to be learning?]
[LightQueen: I'll have you know that this SmartyPants is majoring in Business.]
[DarkGoblin: Well, I wasn't quite expecting that. Maybe a major in history or political
science.]
[LightQueen: Yeah, no. I'm actually going to be taking over my father's business after
he retires.]

Bog nodded to himself. Her cause was similar to his. Although he was going to college to take care of his family's land.
And maybe have a little fun while he still could.

[DarkGoblin: So what's daddy's business?]
[LightQueen: If I told you, I'd have to kill you afterwards ;3 ]
[DarkGoblin: You can kill me all you want in Faircraft ;) ]
[LightQueen: Die Goblin scum!!!]
[LightQueen: Ha ha, But really. I can't go around telling everyone I'm an heiress to a
multi-million dollar company.]
[DarkGoblin: My lips are sealed.]
[DarkGoblin: Really? Multimil? *low whistle*]
[DarkGoblin: Is your father paying for school?]
[LightQueen: Yep, multmillion. And no, I'm doing this all on my own.]

Bog had to wrap his mind around this for a moment. He admired her for wanting to do things on her own, he was the same way.

[DarkGoblin: So, let me see if I can get this straight...
You, a multimillion heir, is going to college (probably some high-end university) with
your own money, so you don't have to take and use his money that you're going to
inherit anyway?]

Marianne pursed her lips. He can be so perceptive sometimes it was infuriating.

[LightQueen: I'll have you know that I'm in a fairly /moderate/ university tucked away
in some corner of New England.]
[DarkGoblin: Hope you brought a couple of winter coats.]
[LightQueen: Oh, I think I can handle a little snow.]
[DarkGoblin: Ha, you say that now... Just you wait.]

They talked for the rest of the evening about other topics. Like whether pineapple belonged on a pizza and whether there was going to be an actually good reboot of something from their childhoods. Even sharing the occasional cat video.

Marianne stretched and smiled, it felt good to talk to her friends.
She looked out the window above her bed and realized it was already dark out. Glancing at the clock on her laptop, it was almost midnight.

[LightQueen: It's getting late, I'll talk to you later. Need to get my beauty sleep.]
[DarkGoblin: Have a good night, /Princess/ :) ]
[LightQueen: That's queen to you!]

Marianne smirked as she closed the web browser and glanced at Bog, who was still on his laptop wearing giant headphones. How could he work in the dark like that?
Turning on the small lamp that came with her desk, it flickered to life to reveal what kind of roommate Bog was going to be.
Dark clothing stacked in a corner, a few boxes still unopened. His desk was cluttered with various junk.
How could he work in that?!

She realized she should have bought a curtain or a room divider of some kind.

Getting up, she pulled the canvas shelf from under her bed and grabbed her nightshirt and her toiletry bag and went into the girl's bathroom to get ready for bed.

When she came back Bog was still on his laptop, still wearing his headphones.

"Don't stay up too late," she said to Bog before she turned off her lamp and crawled into bed for the night.

Chapter Text

Marianne sat, frowning and bored out of her mind in her first class, resting her head in her hands.
Her first day wasn't going well.

First, she had woken up groggy due to staying up late and Bog deciding to stay up later.

When she had finally gotten up to get ready, the bathrooms were so crowded that she had to wait a good fifteen minutes before she could quickly shower, change, and brush her teeth. Not even having time to straighten her hair or do her makeup, leaving her to having to pull her hair into a messy bun.

The cafeteria was just as crowded, and her food credits weren't loaded yet, so she had to pay to enter with her debit card.
The food was okay. Although, by the time she had got to what she wanted, there were slim pickings. She had ended up opting for a bowl of cereal, some toast, and two cups of coffee.

So now, there she sat this miserable morning, in her math class with a middle-aged, balding professor whose droning voice might have been able to put her to sleep if she hadn't downed her two cups of coffee.

When the professor finished reviewing the syllabus and began the first lesson Marianne sighed quietly in frustration.
She would have had the textbook if her jerk of a roommate had been a gentleman and let her have it.
But, then again, he's in the same boat.

Marianne glanced at the guy sitting next to her who had his textbook out scribbling down notes.
He looked young, his rounded face and freckles on his dark skin gave him a childlike appearance. If he didn't have the small soul patch, she would have said that he was more than five years younger.
His black hair was woven into many small braids, pulled into a low ponytail. Topped with a red beanie with a small mushroom patch.

"Hey," she whispered, tapping on the table. "Would you mind sharing your book?"

He jumped a little at her question. His light brown eyes wide, staring at her briefly before blinking and relaxing a little.

"Yeah, um, sure," he stammered, sliding over the book for both of them to read.
"Thanks," she said, offering her hand. "Marianne, business major."
He smiled and shook her hand.
"Sunny, music and dance."

***
After their mind-numbing class ended and the students started to disperse, Marianne turned to Sunny as she finished putting on her backpack.
"Hey, thanks for letting me look at your book."
Sunny looked up and smiled.
"No problem man. Anytime."

As he stood up, Marianne was a little surprised that he was quite short. The top of his head reaching the middle of her bicep.

"It sucks I won't have a textbook to study. At least I can do my homework online," she said as they exited the classroom and walked down the hallway.
"Are you a freshman?" he asked.
"Yep," she admitted with a slight blush rising to her cheeks, "It's my first week actually."
Sunny nodded.
"Figured as much," he said. "You can borrow a textbook in the library. Although, the textbook can't leave the library."
Marianne nodded.
"Oh, that's good to know. Thanks."

They stopped mid-hallway and Sunny looked a little hesitant to leave.
"You know," he said, rocking on his heels. "You seem to be pretty good at math. I'm not that good. So, maybe we could team up and study together?"

"Sure," she said, whipping out her phone. "What times are you free?"
Sunny blinked a little in surprise.
"Oh, I got another class after this. But I'm free after two."
"Okay. Here, let's exchange numbers and I'll text you when I'm free."

They exchanged phone numbers and went their separate ways. Marianne waved Sunny goodbye as he went down one hallway and she went outside. She smiled at the fact that she made a new friend.

Remembering that she texted Roland this morning she checked her messages.
'How's your first day going?' she had written.

Still no reply.

But her sister sent her a text.

     'How's your first day?!?!?!?!?!!!!!
     Any cute/hot guys???'
Marianne smiled.
     'My first day could have been better, but I just made a new friend.'
Dawn replied immediately.
     'WHOOT! Awesome!
     Is it a guy???'
Marianne had to smirk. Of course she had to ask that.
     'Yes, it's a guy. His name is Sunny...'

She ignored whatever her sister sent her and checked her phone one more time for a reply from Roland before she put her phone dejectedly in her back pocket and walked to her next class.

***
Her next class, Introduction to Business, was much like the last. An introduction to the class, going over the syllabus, and then a lecture.
She was glad she had her textbook this time. Although, she mostly took a lot of notes.

She glanced at her phone again, hoping Roland would reply to her soon as she walked the well-worn dirt path back to her dormitory.

When she entered her room, she was somewhat surprised to see that Bog was still asleep. The sound of his relaxed breathing, interrupted by the occasional snore.

Didn't he have class or something?

She placed her wallet and keys on her desk and dropping her bag on her side of the room before carefully crossed over to his. Treading as if the wrong move would set off an alarm.

"Hey," she said, hesitantly nudging the lumpy bundle with her foot.
She pulled back as he mumbled something incoherent and covered his head with his comforter.
She rolled her eyes as it reminded her of Dawn when they were young.

She wondered if Bog had any siblings.

Gently peeling the top of the comforter and speaking into the darkness.
"You know that it's almost noon right?" she said.
She heard a muffled groan.
"No class until tonight," he mumbled as he crawled out from under the comforter.
With a yawn, he sat up and stretched, pushing off the comforter, Marianne quickly turned away and muffled a surprised squeak.

He was shirtless!

An unfamiliar heat pooled in her gut as her face heated up.
She hoped he wasn't pantless either.

Well, it wasn't like she hasn't seen a nearly naked man before.
Just... Not one that she wasn't expecting.
Yes, she was just shocked to see her new roommate almost completely naked.

Bog must have noticed her discomfort.
"Relax, I'm only shirtless," she heard him say with a hint of a smile.

It still didn't help the awkwardness.
Or with sorting out these new feelings.
Or calming her pounding heart.
Or cooling off her burning face.

As if a godsend, her phone buzzed in her back pocket and she whipped it out faster than she thought was humanly possible.

It was from Roland.

She mentally thanked any and all gods that were helping her at this moment.

She glimpsed behind her to see Bog facing away from her in dark flannel pajama bottoms pulling on a t-shirt.
She licked her lips as she got quite a good look at how his back muscles flexed as he...
She turned away and mentally stopped... whatever this was!

She glanced at her phone and read his reply.
     'Hey Buttercup, wanna grab lunch? Meet me at the cafe.'
She hastily texted a reply.
     'K see you soon!'

"I'm off to the cafe!" she said a little loudly over her shoulder as she walked faster than normal out of their room and practically sprinted outside.

The walk to the cafeteria was a little long, as her dormitory was the furthest from the building that held the cafeteria. Inhaling the crisp fall air and admiring the changing colors of the leaves helped cleared her mind and get her mind off of... whatever happened back there. She felt herself shiver and glanced up at the overcast sky as she pulled her wool cardigan closer to herself.

She admired the architecture of the brick buildings and remembered the first time she saw them in one of many pamphlets she went through during her decision-making process.

She wanted to go to a school that would make her feel normal for a while. Even though her upbringing was anything but, living in an upscale New York town, she wanted to experience the more rustic side of life.

And what better place than in New England!

And, of course, Roland was adamant about joining her. Even proposing to her before she narrowed down her colleges, saying he'd follow her to the ends of the earth.

So there they were, going to the University of New England in Maine. Where she enrolled into business, and he into finance. 'To make the perfect pair,' he had said.

'Together they'd be unstoppable.'

There was a line to the cafeteria when she entered the building.
Shit, she thought as she patted her pockets. She forgot her wallet.
And her keys...
Maybe she could text Roland to lend her some money.

"Hey," the annoyingly familiar Scottish accent said behind her. "Think ya forgot something."
He gently prodded her wallet against her back.

She turned slowly towards him and peeked a glance up at him.
At least now he was fully dressed.
But he really needed to shave.
In the brief moment that they made eye contact, Marianne never realized how expressive, or how icy blue his eyes were.
They seemed to convey to her... Hesitation? Awkwardness? Embarrassment?
She didn't give it much thought as she quickly took her wallet back from him and mumbled a 'thank you' and moved forward in line.

Just like when at the bookstore, she could just feel his presence as he stood right behind her.
It irked her, like the paranoid feeling of was being watched.
Having him near made her limbs tingle and her skin feel aflame.
She didn't know what these feelings were.
And that was so very annoying.

Bog couldn't help but feel a little bad for making her feel uncomfortable.
He wasn't the best looking guy. Maybe a little scary and mean.
He did look like a thug at times.

He put his hands in his pockets and remembered he had her keys too.
"Oh." he jangled the keys, "You forgot these too."

Oh, how she looked at him when she snatched back her keys.

If looks could kill.

He couldn't help but smirk.
She was feisty for a wee thing.
He wondered if she was the competitive type.

As they entered the cafeteria, he watched Marianne fidget as she scanned the crowd. Seeing her face light up as she walked over to some blonde fellow who waved her over to his crowded table.
He gave her a side hug as she kissed his cheek.

Ugh, love, he thought bitterly. Don't they know it's a waste of time?
He forcefully pushed down the painful memories of his failed love life that started to bubble up.
It only leads to misery.

He wanted nothing more than to go over there and break their happiness. Maybe introduce himself. Spoil the mood with his ugly mug.

But he saw how happy Marianne looked and thought against it as he went to go grab something to eat.

People parted away and gave him a wide berth grabbed a tray and walked over to the sandwich station. Although this wasn't unnatural for Bog to be imposing, he felt it was too early in the day for this.
He caught a glimpse of his reflection and noticed he was scowling.
With a sigh, he forced himself to relax.
He'd feel better with food, he convinced himself, as he grabbed two burgers and loaded a pile of fries on his plate.

Marianne was glad to finally be away from Bog. If he had stayed close to her for another minute, she definitely she would have punched him right in the face.

Roland must have noticed she was frowning.
"Hey. Don't you go marring that pretty face of yours," he said.
She rubbed her forehead, releasing the tension in her face, and relaxed.
He pushed towards her a tray with yogurt and a salad. "Don't want you to lose your lovely figure."
He gave her one of his charming smile and a wink.
She smiled and nodded a thank you. He was always keeping her in mind and taking care of her.

Although she really could have gone for a hamburger.

She stabbed at her salad, thinking it was Bog's stupid face.

Where was Bog anyway?

She glanced and found Bog quite easily. Standing tall among the throng of people, with tray in hand, making his way towards the tables and booths.

As he scanned the tables for a seat, they locked eyes briefly and he smirked at her as she glanced away. She felt that familiar heat rising through her body and started focusing on eating her meal with a gusto.

"Whoah there, Didn't realize you were that hungry." He turned to the rest of the table. "Maybe I should have brought her two salads," he joked and everyone else laughed.

Marianne glanced up and didn't even realize there were more people sitting with her and Roland.
She recognized Roland's cousins, Thomas, Richard, and Harry who sat across from them. Although they looked like triplets, They were a year or so apart from each other.
Actually, she remembered that Richard and Harry were twins.
Or maybe it was Tom and Harry.
"I told you, you should have given her a sandwich," she heard a woman say.
Marianne glanced over to see another woman sat on the other side of Roland.
She was fair skinned with dark brown eyes. Her medium length brown hair cascaded down in natural curls that she clipped away from her face.
"Hi, I'm Rebecca," she said as she waved and Marianne waved back. "I'm in the same class as Roland and Harry."
"Richard," the one in the middle corrected.
Rebecca rolled her eyes. "Whatever."

"So Harry, what were you saying earlier about your new roommate?" Roland asked.
The one to the left of Richard looked up and smiled.
"Oh yeah! So as I was saying-"

Marianne tuned out the rest of the conversation and focused on eating her meal in the comforting presence of Roland and his friends. She didn't even want to think about the word 'roommate' for the rest of the day.

Chapter Text

Marianne absentmindedly tapped her pencil on her notebook as she stared at the math problems before her on her laptop.

After lunch, she still couldn't get those weird feelings out of her system.
It was like she was hot and feverish, and she couldn't stop seeing Bog's stupid smirk.
And those eyes.

She bit her lip in annoyance and tapped a little faster.

Sunny noticed her mood and was reluctant to interrupt her.
"Hey, Marianne?" he asked, "Can you help me with this?"

Marianne snapped out of her daydream.
"Oh yeah, sorry. Here, let me see."

She glanced at the problem on his laptop and then back to his notes.
What she could make out from them. His handwriting was a little illegible.

"Ah, I see what you did wrong. Here."
She then went through the problem, step by step.

"Okay, yeah. Got it." Sunny said as he scribbled in his notebook the next question.

Marianne's phone buzzed and she saw she received a text from her sister.
     'What ya doin?'
     'Studying with Sunny.' she replied.
     'Ooooh~ I see ;) '
     'It's not like that'
There was a pause that Marianne didn't like.
     'I'm gonna call you!'

"What? Dawn no!" she said out loud.

Her phone buzzed with an incoming video call from Dawn. She groaned as she stared at the picture of her sister.

Sunny perked up at the buzzing of Marianne's phone.
"Who's that?" he asked.

"My sister," Marianne said with gritted teeth. "And she wants to say hi."

Marianne accepted the call because she knew better than to refuse. Otherwise, she'd receive phone call after phone call until she picked up or until Dawn gave up.
And Dawn rarely gave up on anything.

With great reluctance, she accepted the call and turned down the volume to almost silent.

Even with the volume turned low, Dawn was still quite cheerful.

And loud.

"Hi!" Dawn excitedly screeched into the phone. Her face extremely close to the camera as she waved.

"Dawn, be quiet!" She hissed into the receiver. "We're in the library."
Dawn put her finger to her lips and whispered something Marianne couldn't hear.

Marianne turned up the volume.
"What?" she said.

Dawn rolled her eyes.
"I said, 'So where's Sunny? I wanna say hi!'"

Marianne's mouth hardened into a firm line.
"If I let you talk to Sunny, will you promise to let us go back to studying?"
Her sister nodded and upturned her pinkie.
"Sister swear!" she said, adding her signature beaming smile.

"Dawn," she started slowly. "This is Sunny,"
She propped her phone towards Sunny.

"Oh my gosh! Hi Sunny!!!" she heard.
Marianne watched as Sunny's face shifted from curiosity to one of dumbstruck awe.
Uh oh Dawn, better add another notch to your belt, she thought.

"Oh, uh, H-hi Dawn." Sunny stammered.

"So Sunny, what are you majoring in?"
He cleared his throat, regaining his composure.
"Music," he said, "and a minor in theater and dance."
"What?! No way! I want to do something like that too!"

As they started talking in-length about their favorite types of music, Marianne flopped her head down onto her notebook.

And there goes her study session.

***
After lunch, Bog felt better. The food wasn't too bad and he felt satisfied.
He didn't see his lovestruck roommate as he left the cafeteria. And, quite frankly, he didn't care to see her, or anyone, like that again.

Although, he did enjoy seeing her before then. When she had that fire in her eyes.

Bog felt himself shiver and zipped up his leather jacket.
He should probably pull on a longsleeved shirt when he got to his room.

Halfway up the stairs towards his dorm room, his phone went off.

It was his mother.

He answered the call with great reluctance.

"Hi Mum," he said as he continued walking back to his room.
He braced himself as he heard the grating voice of his mother through the speaker.
"Just wanted to see how your first day is going," she said. "I know how you tend to oversleep."

He relaxed a little.
"I'm fine Mum. I woke up at noon," he said as he unlocked his dorm room.

He heard her sigh.

"Hun, you're going to have ta change a few habits of yours if ya want to succeed in school."
As Bog entered his room and thankfully didn't see Marianne. The last thing he'd need is for his mother to hear a woman in the background to start nagging about marriage.

"I've got my ways," he said, "Besides, Thang can assist me with studying."

Her mother scoffed.

"Theodore's too nice for his own good. He's not going to be there for you forever."
He rolled his eyes as he dropped his jacket on his bed and rifled through his drawer for a long-sleeved shirt.
"He can at least get me started."

"Or you could find a nice girl to help you study," she suggested and Bog grimaced.
"I don't need anyone," he said flatly.

They've had this conversation too many times to count. If he had a dollar for every time she discussed love or marriage, he'd be able to pay his student loans off and then some.

"I just don't want you dying sad and alone," she said with conviction. "I will find someone for you if it takes my last breath."

Bog sighed in annoyance. She was always so melodramatic.

"Listen, Mum, I gotta go get ready for my first class," he said as he found his backpack under his pile of clothes.
"Don't be a stranger!" she said, "Love you!"
"Yep. Love you too," he said as he ended the call and started packing.

***
Bog felt his first few classes went well. Although, he's really going to need Thang's help with his plant biology class. He stretched, as he walked back outside, and gave his neck a satisfying crack, he groaned and relaxed.
The sky was darkening into deep indigos and subdued violets as night approached.
Not that the night bothered him.

He took the long way around the path that followed along the river near the university. Bikers and runners were frequent in the day. But with night approaching, the paths were barren and quiet, with the soft hush of the night air whispering through the leaves.

As he walked, he admired the vibrant maples and the strong resilient oaks as he passed. Smoothing a hand over one of the tree's rough bark.

It wasn't home, but it felt similar.

The forests were a safe place for him as a child. A place where he could escape. A place where he would find himself again when times were tough.

Especially after his father died.

As he got older and created more headaches for his mother, he'd retreat into the woods to go and sulk after they'd argue. Or when he got into a fist fight and didn't want to have his mom see his wounds.

When the path entered back through the university, he heard someone say his name.

"Bog! Hey Bog!"
He turned to see Thang waving frantically to grab his attention.
"Thang," he said with a smirk, "How are ya?" He gave his small friend a rough pat on the back.

"I'm doing great!" Thang replied, giving Bog one of his toothy smiles. His braces shining in the dim lighting.

He could see that Thang was glancing every once in a while towards the plump woman he stood next to.

"This is Stephanie," he stuttered, "She's from our dorm."
"Call me Stuff," she said in a lower voice than Bog was expecting.
Bog nodded a greeting.
She nodded back, her stoic face showing a trace of a smile.
"Nice jacket," she said.

Where Thang portrayed the stereotypical nerd, Stuff was the epitome of a punk rocker.
Gauged earrings, septum piercing. Her shaved hair was dyed a vibrant green which complimented with her dark purple eyeshadow.
Wearing combat boots and slightly ripped black jeans. The only color she wore was her shirt, which was also green.
She also wore a studded leather jacket, bedecked with various pins and patches.

"We're having a party in the common area tonight!" Thang said as he handed Bog a small flyer. "Great way to meet your neighbors."

Bog read the small piece of paper.

I Survived the First Day of the Semester Party!
8:00 - 12:00
Common Room
Be there or be square.

Bog quirked a small smile. Only Thang would make flyers for a party.

"Will there be alcohol?" Bog asked with a smirk.
"Of course," Stuff said.
"Definitely not," Thang said.
Stuff put her hands on her hips and quirked an eyebrow at Thang.
He sheepishly looked away and glanced towards Bog.

"We're still working out the details about the food and drinks."

Bog nodded. He wasn't one for socializing, but he'd never say no to free booze.
Besides, he didn't want Thang to get into any trouble.
"Okay, I might join a little later," he said as he stuffed to paper in his pocket. He nodded back to Stuff. "Stuff, it was nice meeting you."
"Likewise," she said as she and Thang went towards the campus store.

Bog entered their dorm room and found Marianne curled up on her bed with her textbook.
"You know, there's a party going on in the common room."
Without looking up from her textbook, she quipped,
"And destroy all my brain cells with booze? No thank you."
Bog quirked an eyebrow at her.
"I'll have ya know that's a myth. It only damages the neurons."

Marianne, now needing to know if it was true, pulled out her phone and did a quick search. Finding out that what he said was indeed true.
"I stand corrected," she said as she went back to her textbook. "But that doesn't mean I'm going."

Bog, meanwhile, had opened his laptop and sent his friend a message.

[DarkGoblin: So how was your first day at school, SmartyPants?]

She wasn't on, but he was sure he'd receive a reply before she went to bed.

"What, you need permission from your boyfriend to do anything fun?"
He turned back to his roommate and saw that she was glaring daggers at him.

He held his hands up in surrender.
Clearly, she wasn't the joking type.

"Okay, I'm sorry," he said. "I won't force ya. But I will say, it'll be a great way to meet everyone else here. Look, Thang even made flyers." He smoothed out the paper he had shoved in his pocket and showed her.

She stiffly accepted his apology and the paper. Trying not to look directly at him.
It still felt weird when he was near.

She smiled at the flyer, Thang was a total nerd.
Maybe she should go and say hi.

"You can't hide your nose in your books forever," Bog said as he left and Marianne pursed her lips.
Or maybe she should stay here, away from that asshole.

After a few minutes of debating, she decided to go.
But not because Bog convinced her.

Chapter Text

She got dressed into something less drabby, piling her hair into a quick bun. Bog's stinging remarks echoing in her mind. She even put on a fresh coat of mascara. Each stroke filling her with determination.

She didn't need Roland's permission to have fun.
She didn't need anyone to tell her what to do.
Not even that Scottish asshole.

When she arrived downstairs, the common area looked very empty. The few students going to and from their classes paid her no heed as they went on their way.
The common area itself was moderate in size. Taking over the right half of the building when first entering the dormitory. The sunny yellow paint gave the area a cheerful feel.
The only group she spotted was a small group of gamers who had made themselves comfy on the plush couches on the farthest wall in front of two large tv's.

Glancing at her phone, seeing it was slightly past eight.
It was still early. The party just started.

She chewed on her lip as her steeled resolve ebbed, realizing she practically knew no one.
Glancing back at her phone, she wanted to invite Roland.
But then thought better.
Roland wouldn't like it here, she reasoned. He liked the more refined parties like the ones her father held.
And she wasn't going to stay for very long anyway.
Just go in.
Prove Bog wrong.
Then go back to her studies.

Looking back around the room again she found the familiar face of Theodore... Thang, sitting within a circle of plush chairs and couches near the windows. Next to him, a very round, very punk looking woman with a small speaker and a couple of large coolers.

And Bog...
Bog was there too.

He was sitting crosswise to them in a love-seat. Sipping from a bottle Marianne knew to be of an alcoholic kind. He looked relaxed and had a wide smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes as they conversed.

She thought it odd.
Seeing him so... happy.

Her stomach did a weird flip when their eyes met. And then another when his smile widened even further.

She really hoped she wasn't getting sick.

"Well, look who finally made it!" he called out, waving her over.
She steeled herself as she made her way over. Looking away from Bog, focusing more towards Thang who perked up when he noticed her.

"Marianne!" Thang exclaimed, "So good of you to come!"
He practically fell out of his seat as he scrambled out of his chair. Marianne couldn't help but smile as he bounded over towards her, much like an eager puppy. He grasped her hand and led her to the couch across from himself and the very punkish woman he sat next to.
She ignored Bog in her peripheral vision. Putting on invisible blinders.

"This is Stephanie," Thang gestured to the round woman, "from room two-o-five."
Stephanie gave her a nod.
"Marianne is Bog's roommate," he said to Stephanie and then sat back next to her.
Stephanie offered Marianne a drink from one of the two coolers beside her.
When Marianne looked at the can questioningly, Stephanie said, "It's non-alcoholic."

She thanked Stephanie and indulged in her soda, only to find it was lukewarm, grimacing when the after-taste kicked in.
"The sodas might still be warm," Stephanie said a little too late.
"Thanks for the update," Marianne said without thinking.
She heard Bog bark a laugh and ignored it.
"Ha!" Stephanie elbowed Thang. "I like her."

"So, who wants to play Charades?" Thang then suggested.
"Charades?" Marianne asked, not quite knowing the game in particular.
"Yeah," Stephanie added, "Last I checked, I wasn't ten."
Thang's head dropped a little in dejection.
"Well, uh, we could try a different game?" He then suggested.
"Well," Marianne said, "Maybe we could try a few rounds?"
"Or" Bog added, "We can add in alcohol."
Stephanie perked up at the idea.
"Yeah! Let's do that!" Steph said.
Thang quirked his head.
"You can do that?"
"You can add drinking to any game," Bog added with a smirk and took a quick sip from his bottle.
"Interesting," Thang mused. "Does everyone have to drink?"
"Yes"
"Oh."

As everyone else chatted back and forth over who was going to be on which team, Marianne shifted a little in her seat. Glancing around, there was still really no one else here she knew.

She took out her phone sent Sunny a quick message.

     'There's a party going on in my dorm. Although, it's not much of a party.'
She got a reply a few seconds later.
     'Say no more.' Sunny typed, 'Which one?'
     'Crossroads'
     'Alright, be there in a few!'

"Marianne?" She heard Bog call her. "It's your turn."
"What?" She looked up and blinked. "Oh, right."
She shifted uncomfortably when everyone looked at her.
"So, remind me the rules again?"
Thang immediately raised his hand.
Bog snorted, hiding his smile behind his hand.
"Would you like to do the honors?" He then asked.
Thang gave Marianne a wide smile.
"You get a word or phrase you have to act out, without speaking," Thang clarified, "that your team has to guess."
"Otherwise, losers drink," Stephanie added.
Seems easy enough, she thought.
"Okay, and how will I know this word or phrase?"
Stephanie rolled her eyes and smirked.
"He has an app."

So Marianne, who got stuck with Bog, spent the next minute flailing and failing at conveying her word, 'Free Bird'.
"How did you not get that?" She exasperated.
"You were flailing around so much, I don't know!" He said.
"I was trying to convey feeling free!"
She plopped down in her seat, defeated.
"Do we really have to drink?" She asked.
"Here, I'll drink for you."
He took her bottle and then took a swig.

"Thang, you're up."
"Alright!" Thang said, cracking his knuckles and shifting his shoulders. "I hope this won't be too difficult for you to guess."
"Pride and Prejudice," she said with conviction.
"What?" He exclaimed. "But how?"
She smirked and tapped the table in front of her.
"You left your phone opened."

Thang facepalmed and everyone shared a laugh.

Any new conversations were interrupted by the sound of old-school hip-hop music blaring in the entryway. Everyone turned towards the entrance of three newcomers.
"Look out crowd, the party's here!" Marianne heard Sunny say.
"Watch out for Riverside!" Another, much more baritone, voice said.

Marianne noticed, as they entered, a tall man behind Sunny hefting a large boombox on his shoulders with ease. He sported a healthy love of carbs with his round, yet athletic, figure.
The darker, shorter woman beside him was more of a flamboyant peacock. Sporting high-heeled combat boots, mermaid-scale leggings, and a dark green sequined jacket that covered a black halter-top. Half her head was shaved. The other half cascaded down like scales in various green, blue, and purple jeweled tones. Her makeup was just as bold and colorful.

Marianne smirked, thinking that the new girl and Stephanie would get along just fine.

Thang stood still, mouth agape. Stephanie cracked a smile.
"Aw yeah!" She said. "The real party's starting now."
"Way to make an entrance," Bog muttered and Marianne gave him a sharp look.
"Good to see you made it," she then said, waving them over.

Sunny had a beaming smile as the trio made their way closer. He gestured the tall guy to turn down the music.
"Hey guys, the name's Sunny," he said, giving a small bow, "and this is Pare and Lizzie."
Pare placed the boombox next to the cooler and Stephanie ever so casually turned off her small speaker.
"Can you guess which one of us is the art major?" Pare joked, thumbing towards Lizzie, and Lizzie rolled her eyes.
"I'm going out for a cigarette," she huffed and left as quickly as she came.
"Here," Bog said as he got up, pulling a pack of cigarettes from inside his jacket pocket. "I'll keep ya company."

Marianne felt a strange mix of relief and anxiety, as Bog walked further and further away.

As she contemplated heading back to her dorm room, her thoughts were jolted out of her when Pare's heavyweight and girth made her side of the couch jump abruptly.
"So," he said, as he settled more into his side of the couch, "Sunny tells me you're his crushes' sister?"
Marianne saw Sunny whip his head around to stare at the two of them. His mouth agape.
"Pare! C'mon man!" he said.
Pare's deep and jovial laugh put a small smile on her face.
He leaned in towards her and said, "It's true though. Once he saw your sister, he was smitten."
"Yeah," she said quietly, "I could tell too."

She looked back to see Sunny on his phone. His thumbs going a mile a minute.
"Tell Dawn I said hi!" she called out.
Sunny jolted. Hiding his phone behind his back, looking like a child that just got caught stealing.
A rising blush creeping to his cheeks.
"I have no idea who you're talking about," he said.
She and Pare chuckled.
Thang, oblivious, glanced up from his phone.
"What's so funny?" he said.
A sputtering noise came from Stephanie as she choked down a laugh, as well as her drink.
Then everyone shared a laughed.

Marianne laughed so hard that she had to wipe tears from her eyes.
A guy with a white beanie and casual hipster attire had joined the group without her noticing.
She frowned, vaguely remembering him being the one who had taken the last math book.
He tapped on a cooler, grabbing Stephanie's attention.
He made a few motions with his hands and then pointed to the cooler.
"You want a soda?" Stephanie asked with a slight frown. Not quite understanding.
He scribbled down a quick note and showed her.
She smirked and then gave him a beer.

Sunny smiled, greeting the mute newcomer.
"My man Imp. What is happening?" he said as they fistbumped.
Imp made a few more motions with his hands then thumbed towards the area with the gamers.
"You know I'm always up for the classics," Sunny replied, cracking his knuckles, then left with Imp to the couches with the small group of gamers.
"Alright guys, who's ready to get wrecked?" She heard Sunny call out. "Losers gotta take a shot!"

Now Marianne sat there with even fewer people whom she knew nothing about.
Anxiety welled up in her as she felt compelled to start some sort of conversation.
What should she do? What should she say?
And why did this feel so hard!?

"So, what's your major?" she asked no one in particular.
"Sports management," Pare said with a small nod.
Stephanie, somehow already on her third drink without Marianne noticing, handed Thang his second.
"I'm in arts and design," she casually said, "Mostly dealing with welding and ceramics."
Thang perked up.
"I'm majoring in mathematics and accounting," he said a little proudly.
Marianne raised her eyebrows.
"You're doing two majors?" she said incredulously.
He gave her a nonchalant shrug.
"Well. They're both similar. One just has more to do with money."
Marianne felt a pang in her stomach, remembering Roland was also in accounting.
"True," she said.

She felt the sting of guilt for not including Roland, fishing her phone from her pocket.
He would enjoy being here.
Wouldn't he?

"Mind if I join ya?"
Her roommate snapped her out of her musings.
She whipped her head up, hiding her phone in her lap. Setting her lips into a firm line and remembered why she didn't invite Roland.
But Bog was talking more to Pare than to her.
Pare shifted over, giving him room, but Bog was easily able to wedge his slim hips between the two of them.
Lizzie who had also returned hugged Pare from behind the sofa.
"You're an ass," she said, kissing his cheek.
"Love you too babe," he said, giving her an affectionate pat on the cheek.
She saw Bog's mouth twitch into a scowl. Looking away.
He flicked his gaze to her and forced a fake smile.
"Enjoying yourself?" He asked.

Being so close to him, she could pick up on the bold scent of leather, and a more subtle cedar scent, among the fading cigarette smell. It sent an electric tingle down her spine. Her arms flooded with fire and her face felt increasingly warm.
Her eyes flicked between his piercing blue eyes and his lips.
Words stuck in her throat.
Not sure what to say.
Not sure she could.
Her mind rebelled as these feelings continued to confuse and conflict in her.
As much as she wanted to, she resisted the urge to bury her face into his shirt and take it all in.

After taking a calming breath, only to find more leather and cedar, she blinked a few times, before clearing her throat.
"Uh, yeah. Good. I'm good," was all she could muster to say, also forcing a smile.

Ever so carefully, she got up and walked around the coffee table. Tension coiled in her body like a spring. Taking back the reigns of her control and focused.
She wasn't going to let others see.
She wasn't going to let Bog see.
How much he... unnerved her.

"Hey, Steph," she asked casually. "Can I get something more... alcoholic?"
"Sure." Stephanie rummaged through the second cooler, "What do you like?"
She had to think for a moment, thinking that Steph probably didn't have wine.
"Um, something fruity if you have it?" She then said.
She was then handed a hard cider.

She nodded a thank you as she left towards the couch where Imp and Sunny were playing Mario Kart. Their faces intently focused on the screen in front of them.
The area, since she last saw it, had gotten a little more crowded with more people. Still, she was able to find a comfortable spot on the floor near Sunny. She twisted open her drink and sipped as she tried to forget whatever happened back there with Bog.

As she watched the small pixelated racers dodge and weave through the racetrack, she marveled at how far everything had come since her childhood.

It seemed like such a long time ago when things used to be simple and easy.

The race finished and everyone cheered as Sunny won the final lap. He got off the couch and did a small victory dance that made Marianne giggle.
She felt a small nudge on her shoulder and looked to see Imp holding his controller to her.
"Oh. Um, okay," she said as she took the controller.
He jotted down a small note and showed her.
'Sunny likes to attack towards the end of the race'
His dark brown eyes twinkled with a mischievous glint as he smiled at her.
She couldn't help but smile back.
"Okay, thanks," she said and swapped seats with him.

"Don't forget to take your medicine," Sunny teased and handed Imp a beer bottle.
Imp took a large gulp and then gave an extremely sour look.
He signed something to Sunny, who laughed and said, "Alright, I'll get you something sweeter next time." And then sat back down next to Marianne.

As they went through the character selection screen, he turned to her.
"You ready to get your butt kicked?" He said with a smirk after choosing Toad.
"Ha," she laughed as she selected Princess Peach. "Maybe you should ready yours."
Sunny raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? It's gonna be like that?" He said. "You better watch yo'self."
She leaned forward in her seat, getting a firmer grip on her controller, a devious smile upturning the corners of her lips.
They awaited silently as the countdown began.

After three laps, and some serious smack talk between her and Sunny, Marianne won the final round.
She sagged into the couch and let out a satisfied sigh as everyone around her cheered.
It felt good to play games again.
It wasn't Realm of Faircraft, but it took the edge off.
She wondered what DarkGoblin was doing tonight.
She'd have to reinstall the game, but maybe she could get into a raid tonight, then study.

"Oh, I didn't know bookworms could play," she heard Bog's teasing from behind her.
Marianne failed to suppress her broadening smile.
She was too much into the game, she told herself.
"Well, there's a lot this bookworm can do," she said as she quickly glanced over her shoulder, seeing Bog give her a sly smile.
"Yeah, like lose."
He held a hand out for Sunny's controller.
Sunny hopped off the couch and took a large swig of his drink. Scrunching his face in bitter defeat, he handed the controller to Bog.

"Is that a challenge?" She raised an eyebrow.
His sly smile broadened.
"It is," he simply stated as he sat next to her.
Her cheeks warmed and her stomach felt all fluttery.

Focus on the game! She chastised herself and redirected her focus on the tv in front of her and scooched a little further away from him.

Back in the character selection screen, she chose Peach again and Bog went with Bowser.
"Trying to keep your 'bad boy' reputation?" She smirked.
He cocked an eyebrow at her.
"Is pink the only color you choose?"
"Ha!" She laughed. "It takes a real man to wear pink."
He let out a loud laugh and cracked a genuine smile.

As the countdown begun, they both quieted and leaned forward. Their previous banter tucked away for later.
Marianne failed to notice that Bog had leaned towards her.
"I'm coming for ya, Princess..." he murmured suggestively in her ear, sending a shiver down her spine.
She swore in frustration as that was enough of a distraction for Bog to begin the race in first.

The rest of the race carried on in tense silence. A heated game of cat and mouse. Sharing competitive glares with each other between rounds.

"Yes! Victory!" Bog cheered, fist-pumping the air as he just barely won the final round.
Marianne slumped a little in defeat.
He held her bottle out towards her.
"Cheers," he said with a sly grin.
Marianne reluctantly took a large gulp of her drink and then gave him a sour look.
"Aww. Is someone a sore loser?" He said and laughed.
She couldn't help but crack a smile and gave him a playful push.
"Maybe you're just lucky."

She went to give the controller to Imp, but then Bog's large hand held hers back.
Her breath hitched as she felt a shock run through her.
"Best two out of three?" He asked tentatively.

Every second seemed to drag on forever as she locked her gaze with his.
It felt like deja vu.
Unable to focus.
Unable to speak.
Eyes glued to his questioning gaze.
Fingertips tingling at his warm touch.
Hints of cedar and leather tickling her nostrils.

How was he doing these things to her?
He was like this catalyst to a new range of emotions she's never experienced before.
And it frustrated her.

"Hey guys. Pizza's here!" Thang announced and Marianne blinked out of her reverie.
And just like that, her inner frustration was forgotten.

She and Bog both glanced back to see a large pile of pizza boxes. Stephanie and Pare already eagerly digging into their slices. Some of the gamers were making their way over.
Marianne's mouth watered and her stomach grumbled.
She looked back at Bog and he seemed to be thinking the same thing.
"After pizza?" He asked.
"After pizza..." she agreed as she handed her controller to the nearest gamer as he did the same.

Bog was hoping to chat with Marianne a bit more, but she seemed to avoid his questions. Instead, she went and chatted with Stuff and Lizzie. Leaving him with the guys. She avoided his gaze when he glanced over towards her. He didn't give it any more thought. There wasn't anything he could do at the moment. Instead, he started a conversation with Imp and Sunny.

Eventually, Marianne came back when she finished eating, quietly waiting for Bog to finish.

By the time they went back, the gamers were packing up and leaving.
"Another time then," he said to her. Feeling a little disappointed.
He felt a tap on the shoulder.
'Want to play a different game?' Imp asked.
Bog quirked an eyebrow, curious.
"What kind of game?"
Imp then showed them the next note with an impish smile.
'Drinking card game.'

He glanced at Marianne, who was now reading the note.
"I don't know," Bog mused, rubbing his chin. "This little waif here already had a few drinks."
Putting her hands on her hips, she cocked an eyebrow at him.
"What," she goaded. "Afraid you'll lose?"
He licked his lips and grinned.
She was feisty, he'll give her that.

They stared each other down as they went and took their seats.
"So," he turned to Imp, "What are we playing?"
Imp grinned and wrote, 'Blackjack.'
Bog grinned when Imp then pulled a bottle of vodka from his backpack.
"I like how you play."
He glanced over to Marianne after they each received a small plastic cup.
"Last chance to cop out," he said.
She glanced at Bog, then at the bottle, then back to Bog.
Taking her cup, she set it down on the table.
She crossed her arms and gave him a smug smile.

He had to bite his lip to stop smiling so much.
Oh Gods, she was as stubborn as she was feisty.
This was going to be very interesting.

---
After being thoroughly beaten by Imp, they both rushed outside. Stumbling towards the nearest bush.
Marianne snapped a cold glare at Bog as he sidled next to her.
"Go find your own bush to puke in!" she yelled.
She clutched her stomach as it rebelled.
Oh God, why did she agree to that drinking game?

She cringed as she heard the liquidy splatter against the ground. Her stomach churned again, but she held firm.
"You're Scottish," she practically shouted in disbelief. "Why are you puking!?"
He was leaning against the sidewall. His breathing coming out in harsh pants.
"It's the Native American in me," he panted.
She tilted her head towards him and smiled.
"So, that's how you got those high cheekbones."
She tried to poke his cheek but ended up poking his nose.
He let out a breathless laugh as he straightened himself out. Wiping his mouth with his hand, then wiping it on his pant leg.
"What about you?" He then asked her.
She frowned.
"What about me?" She asked defensively. "I'm fine, I don't need help."
She took a step back and started to tilt, her arms waving wildly. Bog was leaning forward, grabbing her by her waist. She latched onto Bog's forearms to maintain her balance.

"Oh wow," she said, her eyes hooded as she leaned in closer. "I forgot how good you smelled."
She let go of his forearms and fisted his shirt. Burying her face into his chest, inhaling deeply.
He smelled like a forest on a rainy day.
"I wish Roland smelled just as good," she sighed.
She tensed, remembering something long forgotten.
"Oh my God, Roland! He should be here!"
She stepped back towards the entrance and got her phone.

Bog, still reeling from the initial contact, had to blink a few times. He was sure he smelled of vomit. He tentatively sniffed his shirt.
Ah, his father's signature cologne.
Well, his now.
There were a lot of things that were his now, he mused.

His fingers absentmindedly traced over where her hands had been. His heart hammering in his chest.
No one's ever really done that before.
He wasn't sure what to make of it.

"Roland? Ro-land?" He heard Marianne slur. "Hey, where are you? I love youuu~"
He felt a weird twinge in his gut as he envisioned his roommate sucking face in a corner with that blonde pretty boy.
When she fumbled and dropped her phone, he took the opportunity to snatch it up and end the call.

"Hey, wait." She swiped for her phone. "Give it back!"
"Nope, nope," he said, holding it high and hanging the phone. "I'm doing ya a favor."
When she failed to get her phone back, she punched him in the stomach. He grunted in pain, clutching his gut, but he still held firm onto her phone. He was glad he already vomited.
He'd hate to soil her clothes.
"You've got quite a punch," he said through gritted teeth and gently gave her back her phone.

She twirled in triumph, holding her phone high above her head. Then paused as she teetered. Finally, rushing over and vomiting into the bushes.

Bog, feeling guilty, started patting her back.
"You good?" he asked as she finished.
She shoved his hand away.
"This is all your fault," she accused, glaring daggers at him.
Bog felt a flicker of anger and then suppressed it. He raked his fingers through his hair in frustration.
Easy Bog, easy.
"My fault?" He asked, baffled. "What exactly is my fault?!"

She gave him an incredulous look.
"Don't you play dumb." Giving him a hard poke to the chest. "You convinced me to come down to this party. Got me real good n' drunk. Then you have the gall to keep me away from my fiance!"
She shoved her now slightly cracked phone into his face.
She took it away and leered at him.
"You want me to fail. You an' everyone else can't wait to see lil ol' me falls flat on her face."
She puffed out her chest a little, putting her fists on her hips.
"Well, let me tell you something. I--"
He watched as her face paled before she turned and resumed puking against the building. The sickening splatter just barely missing their shoes.

He felt uneasy as she started to sob.
"Hey, hey," he said gently. He tried to comfort her by gently rubbing her back. "Let's get you inside, yeah?"
He heard her sniffle as she wiped her face with her sleeves.
"Okay," she said quietly.

She wordlessly accepted his help as he brought a protective arm over her shoulder and gently led her back inside to the couches. Bringing her a bottle of water and a slice of cold leftover pizza and then sat down next to her.

Stuff paid them no mind, or at least didn't show it, focusing on tearing off soda can tabs. Her small speaker playing punk rock music again. Thang looked like he was starting to nod off. Sunny, Pare, and Lizzie had already left. He didn't know where Imp had gone off to, which was fine with him. He didn't want to look at any more alcohol for the rest of the week.

Bog sat back and recalled the last few hours. He had fun. Marianne surprised him. She proved to be a worthy opponent for certain.
He wondered what her major was.
He remembered seeing the spark in her eyes when she got competitive.
His fingers absentmindedly rubbed his shirt again.

He decided to break the awkward silence between them.
"I just wanted to know more about you," he quietly admitted. "If we're gunna be roomin' together, might as well have fun, ya know?"

He felt pressure on his shoulder and glanced over to see that Marianne had nodded off.
She looked peaceful as her chest softly rose and fell. Her lips slightly parted.
He smiled to himself and gently pulled the water bottle from her hands and took a sip.

He'd let her rest, for now.

---
"Hey, wake up."
A gentle nudge jostled Marianne awake.
"Whoops. Sorry, sorry," she mumbled, rubbing her heavy eyelids.
Marianne blinked, stomach feeling weird, her head fuzzy. She stretched, and let out a satisfying yawn.

The common room felt very quiet. Glancing over at the clock, it was well past midnight.
It seemed that almost everyone else had left.
Thang had fallen asleep on the sofa. Stephanie was precariously stacking cans into a large pyramid around him. Imp was sitting off to the side playing on a 3DS, occasionally glancing at the pyramid. Most likely waiting for it to fall.

And she had fallen asleep on Bog's shoulder.
She jolted awake, realizing what she had done.
She glanced over to him.
If Bog minded at all, he was hiding it.

Feeling more than a little flustered and embarrassed, she groggily got up. Letting out a sharp hiss as she banged her shin against the coffee table.
Bog chuckled.
"Need me to carry you, Princess?" Bog offered, holding out a hand.
"No, no, I'm good" she protested sleepily. "I'm a big girl."
He dropped his hand and gave a short laugh.
"I'm sure you are," he said. "Now, did you have fun?"
She smiled to herself.
She did.
Except for puking in the bushes.
Looking over her shoulder, she gave Bog a smirk.
"Now, I'm going to have even more fun sleeping."

Her limbs protested as she lumbered back up the stairs to her warm inviting bed.
She didn't really bother getting changed, dropping her cardigan and pants on the floor.

She noticed that she had a message from DarkGoblin and gave it a quick read.
     [DarkGoblin: So how was your first day at school, Smartypants?]
She smiled and typed a reply.
     [LightQueen: It was fun. Made a few new friends. Have a good night :) ]

Chapter Text

Marianne woke the next morning with a headache that throbbed to the sound of her alarm on her phone. She groaned as she tried silencing the loud irritant.

"Shit, Shit! I'm late!"

Throwing off her covers, she rushed out of bed, pulling on her previous night's pants. Throwing off her shirt and grabbing a new one from her drawer. She didn't have time to worry over whether Bog would see anything or not.

Her head pounded as she pulled on her shirt. She took a calming breath.
It's okay. It's just your second day.

When Bog's snore cut in, she pursed her lips.
She gave his sleeping form a glare and hoped he would have the nastiest hangover ever.

When she arrived a half hour late to her morning math class, she tried to slip into the classroom as quietly she could. All while munching on the blueberry poptart she had grabbed from one of the vending machines on her way over.

Sunny gave her a silent nod as she sat next to him. He scribbled her a note saying, 'I'll fill you in on what you missed later.' She scribbled back a 'thank you' and then proceeded to take out her own notebook and tried to follow along with the lesson.

Between classes, Marianne had scarfed down a sandwich from the cafeteria. She didn't see Roland today, but then again, she didn't really have time for chit-chat. She needed to focus on her studies and so should he.

After her second class, she met up with Sunny at the library like they did the other day.
"So, how was the party after I left?" Sunny asked her between questions.
Marianne groaned, holding her head in her hands, the vague memory of puking in the bushes crossing her thoughts.
"I'm never drinking vodka ever again," she said.
Sunny chuckled but didn't say anything else as they both quietly went back to focusing on their homework and note exchange.

---
Bog woke up a little later than usual. Massive headache, but no bother.
However, his mother was.

When he answered his phone, he didn't even get a chance to say hello.
"Why haven't you been picking up?" His mother got right to the point.
He sighed, it was too early for this crap.
"Sorry Mum. I've been sleeping." He said groggily.
"Sleeping with some girl I hope."
Bog blushed and sat up.
"Damn it, Mum! It's too early," he said, putting his palm to his face in embarrassment.
He heard his mother chuckle.
"Are you up now?"
"Yes," he groaned. "Thank you..."
"Have a good day at school sweetheart! Don't be a stranger."
And then she hung up the phone.

If his mother found out he was, technically, sleeping with a girl.
A... kind of cute girl. In her own way.
He shook his thoughts away as huffed got out of bed.

Damn it. His mother was getting to him.

He grabbed his clothes and then went to take a long, cold, shower.

While walking to his first class after breakfast, he caught a glimpse of Marianne walking with that short guy from the party last night. Bog remembered that he seemed like a very entertaining guy. He tried to jog his memory for his name.
Sammy? Sandy?
Sunny.
He felt a strange twinge in his gut as he watched the two smile, hug, and then part ways.

He frowned at himself.

If he didn't know any better, he'd say he was jealous.

He scowled as he immediately tamped down any and all feelings.

Why the hell would he be jealous of that?

He furrowed his brow as he trudged his way across campus and did his best to not give her anymore thought.

When he came back from classes that night, he had noticed Marianne went to bed early, so he crept quietly to his side of the room. He dropped his bag as gently as he could, eased into his computer chair and sighed.
It was a long day with a lot of homework to do.

But first, he was going to indulge himself with a little fun.
He cracked his knuckles and gleefully smiled to himself as he booted his laptop.
Now to play a little Realm of Faircraft.

He wished LightQueen was on, he missed their bantering, but she was probably busy studying.


Meanwhile, Marianne flopped in her bed for the hundredth time.
Damn her.
Damn her for being a light sleeper.

She laid awake in her bed as the light from Bog's laptop flooded her senses. She could even faintly hear music from Bog's headphones.
It was bad enough that she didn't get enough sleep last night. Now she wasn't going to sleep well this night either!

She glared at Bog's unkempt side of the room before she rolled over.
This weekend she was going to go out and buy a curtain.
Or maybe she'd build a wall.

***
The next few days seemed to fly by for Marianne as she got into her new routine. There wasn't another problem between her and Bog until one particular afternoon.

She had just come back from her lunchtime when a foul burnt smell hit her as she entered the room.
She wrinkled her nose and involuntarily gagged.
Oh God, she thought, what was that?!

She glanced over to see Bog sitting cross-legged on his bed, watching something on his phone with his headphones plugged in. Intermittently snacking on popcorn.
"Bog? Bog!" she said loudly.
He looked towards her and removed an earphone.
"Yeah?" he asked.
"What the hell is that smell?"
He ducked his head sheepishly.
"I might have burnt some popcorn in the microwave," he admitted.
She gagged and coughed as she went and flung open her window. She took in a breath of fresh air before she went to her top drawer and rummaged for some air freshener.
"Couldn't you have eaten that in the common room?" She asked.
"Then that would be a waste of a microwave," he said pointing to the microwave on the table.
She looked over at the small black microwave sitting clear as day on the table they shared.

Strange, she never noticed.

"When did we get a microwave?" She said.
"I've had it since we moved in," he said and then put his earphone back on and resumed what he was doing.
She gave him a hard look when he wasn't looking.
"At least open the window next time," she muttered and then proceeded to spritz the air with lavender air freshener.

---
That night after her last class she decided she needed to vent.
When she entered their room, Bog wasn't there. Most likely taking classes.
Good.

She flipped opened her laptop and saw DarkGoblin was online.
Also good.
Out of all her friends, a male friend would probably be the best to talk to, right?
She sent her friend some much-needed venting.

[LightQueen: My roommate is driving me crazy! He's so disgusting! Are all men like that? No offense...]
He replied a few seconds later.
[DarkGoblin: None taken]
[DarkGoblin: What's he been doing?]
Marianne gave it some thought, but then didn't really come up with much.
[LightQueen: It's mostly the little things. Like, keeping me up at night. He leaves empty bags and wrappers everywhere. The food he makes smells horrible!]
[LightQueen: At least /he/ doesn't smell. Thank God!]
[LightQueen: And the clothes! Left all over the floor! You have a dresser or something, USE IT!!!]
Marianne took a few calming breathes, feeling better.
[LightQueen: I'm sorry about venting, but I don't know if I can handle being stuck with him for the rest of the semester...]
It took DarkGoblin a minute to respond.
[DarkGoblin: Sounds horrible. I'm sorry.]
[DarkGoblin: I might not know the guy, but most likely, he's unaware these things are bothering you. Have you talked to him about it?]
[LightQueen: Well, no...]
[DarkGoblin: That would be a good start.]
[DarkGoblin: Alright, g2g. TTYL]
[LightQueen: Okay, thanks! See you l8tr.]
She got a reply a few seconds later.
[DarkGoblin: Come back to RoF soon, we miss you!]

Marianne minimized her web browser with a small smile. Maybe she'll go back on this weekend.
Then her smile shifted to a frown. She wasn't sure how she should start the conversation with Bog. She drummed her fingers on her desk and decided the now wasn't the time to think about that and then started reviewing her notes.

---
When Bog entered their dorm that night Marianne was already asleep again. He remembered his previous conversation with LightQueen and wondered if he was bothering his roommate in any way.

He decided he wasn't going to listen to music tonight.

***

'We're no strangers to love, You know the rules and so do I~'

Bog groaned inwardly. Why the bloody hell did she have to play that stupid music? It was bad enough that is was upbeat and preppy, but a love song no less!
He nestled further into his bed, covering his ears with a pillow.
It was the weekend and he didn't have any classes, but that didn't mean he had to get up early either.

But then he heard Marianne start to sing.

"Never gonna give you up, Never gonna let you down, Never gonna clown around and desert you~"

Bog was impressed, she had a good set of pipes. He wouldn't be surprised if she was majoring in music.

"Never gonna make you cry, Never gonna say goodbye, Never gonna tell a lie and hurt you~"

He peeked through his comforter to see Marianne at her side of the room wearing a grey tank-top and black shorts. Her hair in her signature messy bun. She looked to be tidying up with a dry dust cloth.
He smirked a little as he watched her do a little twirl and bobbed her head to the beat.
As she leaned over as her bed, he got a good view of her...

Nope. Nope! Forget sleeping. He was very awake now.

He groaned as he dragged himself out of bed with some effort.

"Oh good, you're up," he heard her almost-too-cheerful voice say.
She walked over to his side and plopped an empty garbage bag onto his area.
"I'm doing laundry today, and I suggest you do yours too," she said before she turned back around to her side.
He raised an eyebrow towards her as he picked up a shirt from his clean pile.
"What are you, my mother?" he muttered to himself as he pulled on his shirt.

She must have heard him because she turned right back around towards him with her hands on her hips.
"I'm may not be your mother, but I am your roommate. And I don't want to live in filth."
Then he heard her mutter under her breath, "Unlike you."
He jerked his head towards her, feeling the fiery spark of anger flare in his gut.
"I'm sorry?!" He said incredulously.
In almost one long stride he was in front of her.
He practically loomed over as he leaned in close to her face.
"Well, at least I'm not some bossy know-it-all who doesn't have tha bloody decency ta wear earphones while their roommate is sleeping!"

Marianne might have flinched, but she didn't cower under Bog's looming figure. Rather, it fueled her determined glare.
But then she remembered what her friend had suggested and she sighed, sagging a little in defeat.
She undid her bun and scrubbed her fingers through her scalp before tidying and smoothing her hair back.

"Okay, look," she said, "We need to make some sort of agreement here."
"Aye," he agreed, putting his hands on his hips. "Whaddya have in mind?"
She bounced a little on her heels before deciding.
"No staying up past midnight," she suggested.
"Alright," he agreed.
He crossed his arms and tapped his chin as he thought for a moment, "No bringing in significant others."
Marianne pouted, but then agreed.
"Fine. But no more popcorn in the room. Or that noodle crap."
Then it was Bog's turn to pout.
"Aw, c'mon now. It's a college student's staple."
She pursed her lips, but stood firm.
"Alright," she said, "how about only certain snacks in the dorm room?"
He gave her a sly smirk.
"Can we share?" He asked.
She glanced over at her bed, remembering her secret chocolate stash.
"Maybe..." she mused.

Bog then piped in with few ideas of his own.
"Oh. No playing love songs," he said.
She crossed her arms defensively.
"And why not?"
I don't want to remember, that's why, he thought.
"Oh, nothing really," he said dismissively. "I just don't want to have my brain rot from all your preppy, sugary music."
She wrinkled her nose at him.
"At least it's better than your screeching death noise."
Bog smirked.
"I'll have you know that I only occasionally listen to death metal. I'm more of a classic rock and heavy metal kind of guy."
He chuckled to himself.
But Marianne still frowned.
He cut his laugh short and sighed.
"At least wear headphones," he said in a gentler tone. "Especially in the morning."
She shifted a little but then agreed.
"Is there anything else you can think of?"
He shook his head.
"Not at the moment," he replied.
"So, we have a deal?"
She held her hand out.
"I think so."

He grasped her hand and ignored the strange tingling feeling at the contact of their skin.
"Feel free to discuss any changes," he added with a smile.
She gave him a small smile in return before going back to her side of the room to resume her cleaning.
He quickly rubbed his hands together to get rid of the tingling in his palm.
It lingered for longer than he'd liked as he took care of his own laundry.

Chapter Text

Marianne felt like skipping as she walked through the campus, plastic bag in tow.
It was her first full day off and she was going to relax and have fun!
She had just gotten back from finishing her laundry at the local laundromat. On her way back she might have splurged a little at a local mom-and-pop store.
Rummaging through the bag, she smiled from ear to ear when she pulled out the small heart-shaped picture frame. Inside held one of her favorite pictures of her and Roland.

It wasn't much, but she thought it would be sweet for him to have near his nightstand. She almost squealed at the idea of his reaction.

Those emerald green eyes shining with surprise and delight.
His golden hair doing that little curl thing that she liked.
He'd give her one of those dashing smiles.
Then he'd lean in and kiss her!

Speak of the devil himself.

She saw Roland's signature golden locks from a mile away as he exited one of the academy buildings further down. He was wearing his varsity jacket and a scarf due to the slightly colder weather. He looked like he had just walked out of a magazine ad.
She practically squealed.
How can that man look so good all the time?!

She watched as he walked further and further away.
And that ass...

She snapped to as she realized she was missing her opportunity. Smiling as she chastised herself. She must have looked so silly, practically gawking at such a beautiful... handsome... Amazing...

She frowned at herself.
She was doing it again...

"Roland," she called out. "Hey, Roland!"
She sped her walk into a brisk sprint until she nearly caught up to him.
He turned and looked surprised to see her.
"Hey Buttercup," he said with a small smile, "shouldn't you be studying?"
"Nope!" She said, barely containing her excitement.
"I mean, maybe later," she said a little more demurely whilst ducking her head.
She held her hands in front of her to help contain her excitement.
Shyly looked back up towards him. "I wanted to see what you were up to today."

"I'm afraid I'm a little busy today," he said.
"Gotta go study for my mid-terms." He patted his Polo messenger bag for emphasis.

Suddenly feeling bad for disturbing him, she tried to play it cool.
"Oh, right. Right. Sorry..."
She started fidgeting with a lock of her hair and chewing on her lip.
He patted the top of her head a few times.
"It's fine. Don't worry your pretty little head."
He tilted her chin up and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"I'll see you later, alright?"
Her heart swelled and she swooned a little.
"Okay," she said with a wide smile.

He gave her a nod and then he went on his way.

As he got further and further, the feeling of rejection crept in and soured her mood.
Feeling dejected, she walked all the way across campus back to her dorm, thinking that maybe she'll study today too.

When she reached her dorm room she swore under her breath.
She still had his picture frame with her.

She dropped the plastic bag with the rest of its contents unceremoniously on her bed and turned back to give Roland his gift.

As she walked back across campus, she was glad in a way that she and Roland were at opposite ends.
Roland did say she was getting a little chubby. And what a better way to lose weight than walking?

When she reached his room, she paused. He was playing music so loud that she could almost hear the lyrics from the other side of the door.

He wouldn't be able to hear her knocking.

She felt bad for just barging in while he was studying. Although, she thought it was a weird way to do so. But to each their own, she guessed.

"Sorry to disturb you," she quickly blurted out as she swung open the door. "I just forgot to give you... this..."

Everything seemed to slow as she took everything in.

Roland...
And another man...
Together in his bed...

The way they entwined. How their mouths met as they kissed each other.
It sent a weird sickening burning into her gut.

Roland never kissed her like that.

She heard glass shattering at her feet as her arms hung limply at her sides. Her heart felt a similar sharp stabbing pain.

The two seemed to acknowledge her presence and they looked at her with widened eyes.

Roland was the first to scramble out of bed, hiding his balant nudity behind a pillow.
"Now, Sweetness," he reassured, walking towards her like he was trying to calm some crazed animal. "I can explain everything."

She just stared at him and the other man, who had at this point pulled on some pants and was now making his way past her and down the hall. Clearly not wanting to be in the middle of this.

The sharp pain continued to swell in her chest as she looked at him. Tears pricking the corners of her eyes.

"You're... gay?" she asked him in almost a hushed whisper.

He flinched, either at the accusation or the truth, Marianne couldn't tell. His eyes hardened in a way she never saw before.
"Bi-sexual, thank you very much," he corrected.

"But then... why-?"

And then it hit her.

How could she have been so stupid?

It was never about her.

Marianne left, quiet and dumbstruck. Roland's calls out to her fell on deaf ears.
Everything seemingly passing by her in a blur.

She found her dorm room in her haze and crawled into the comfort of her bed. Grabbing the corners of her plush comforter, she wrapped herself up like she used to do as a child.

Then she cried.

All of the built up pain and sorrow spilling forth like a river.
Fresh hot tears flowed down her face as heaving sobs were choked out of her. The aching and sharp pain in her chest tore at her like an embedded knife being tugged out of her heart.

She didn't cry this much since her mother died.

It felt like a piece of her had died.

She was so swallowed by her ocean of grief that she jolted when her phone rang.

It was her sister.

She glared at the screen bitterly.
Of course it had to be her sister.
Of all the times she wanted to wallow and be alone...

With a steadying breath, she answered the phone.
"Hey Mari!" Her overtly-cheerful, overtly-annoying, sister's voice chimed in. "How's your week-"
"Tell Dad that the engagement is off," she replied curtly. She inwardly berated herself as her voice, low and thick from hurt, betrayed her.
"What?!" Dawn audibly gasped, "Marianne why-?"
She didn't let her sister finish her sentence and abruptly hung up the phone.
For extra measure, she put her phone on airplane mode so as not to have any more interruptions.
She didn't want to deal with the outside world.
It could wait.

As she calmed down, and her tears dried up, she went through her phone and started deleting anything and everything that reminded her of him. Bitterness swelling up with her tears as each song and photo now brought about a new painful twist to each memory associated with it.

Looking back now, he had looked more sorry about being caught than of actually hurting her feelings. She couldn't believe how stupid she had been. She wasted two good years of her life for nothing.

It was all a lie.
And she fell for it.
---

When Bog entered their room, he found Marianne sulking on her bed.
"What's the matter?" He joked offhandedly. "You get a bad grade on a test?"

He froze in place when she looked up at him.

Cocooned in her purple comforter. Bits of her long hair plastered along her cheeks. Her skin was red and raw from crying.
But it was her eyes that had stopped him.
Her eyes shined with a pained expression like she...

Like she just had her heart broken.

A strange, yet familiar, sympathetic pang stirred in his chest and stomach.
He knew all too well what this was like.
Knew all too well how dangerous love can be.
And now...

"Are... Are ya alright?" he asked tentatively. Shifting a little uncomfortably where he stood.

Despite her disheveled state, she still sent him a sharp glare.
"Do I look alright?" She said as she shrugged off her comforter.
He felt unsure whether to move towards her or not.
"Well, no," he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck, averting his gaze.
Knowing this stage of hurt all too well.
"Do... you want to talk about it?" He looked back at her more earnestly. His sincere question outstretched towards her where he could not physically do so.
He watched as a traitorous tear trailed down her cheek and she looked away.
"I...can't," her voice choked out as her lips quivered and more tears slid down her face.

Bog nodded slowly but stayed near the doorway.
"Would... would you like me to... leave?" he said.

Marianne jerked her head towards Bog.
She felt absolutely terrible that she was making him uncomfortable.
"No, no," she insisted. "You can stay. I'm just-"
Her voice cracked again, much like her heart had done, betraying her fresh hurt.
She cleared her throat, wiping the stray tears from her face and eyes.
She let out a long, weary sigh that seemed to draw out the strength in her bones.
"I need... I just need..." she said more to herself than to him. Looking around the room as if it had the answer she sought.

The room started to feel too small. Like the walls were slowly closing in.
Like she didn't even want to be in her own skin.
She felt as fragile and fragmented as a thin sheet of ice.
She couldn't be in the same room as Bog.

Or with anyone.

She needed to leave.

With more energy than she previously had, she shrugged off her comforter and thumped out of bed.
Grabbing her toiletry bag from under her bed and shrugging on her backpack.
"I'll be back later," she rasped as she walked past Bog and headed towards the bathrooms.

***

God, she looked terrible.
Her eyes are bright red and puffy, her nose too.
Splashing her face with water, it felt refreshing.
As she patted her face dry with a paper towel, she was glad she could cover up everything with makeup.

She unzipped her toiletry bag and got to work on her face.
After applying her primer, then foundation and adding extra concealer around her nose and eyes. She did a very light highlight and contour.
But then she frowned when she went to apply her eyeshadow.
It was Roland's most favored color pallet that she had.

Even her makeup reminded her of him.

She gazed back at her reflection and felt like this was the first time she was seeing herself.

And she didn't like it.

What had she become?

Her hair felt too long. Her clothes didn't quite feel right.
She didn't feel like herself.
She wasn't herself.
She had become someone else.

Because she fell in love.

"Never again," she declared to her reflection.

Never again will she fall in love.

She glanced at herself with more scrutiny and then got an idea.
"Well, college is the place for you to find yourself after all," she mused to her reflection.

---
It took her a few minutes to find Stephanie's room.
She tenetively knocked. Feeling awkward as she waited before the door cracked opened and Stephanie poked her head out.
"Hey, Stephanie," Marianne said, trying not to sound as awkward as she felt. "You wouldn't happen to have hair clippers would you?"
Stephanie's stoic face cracked a small smile.
"Need any help?"

---
After about a half hour of clipping and snipping, Marianne's long tresses were now scattered around the countertop and bathroom floor. Her hair was now short and wild. It made her feel like a fierce warrior. Proud and strong.

"Thanks, Steph, I really needed this," she said as she admired her new haircut. Grinning from ear to ear, she ran her fingers through her thick hair. Noticing the small upward curls that were starting to form at the edges. "And you said this was a pixie cut?"
"You're welcome, and more or less, yes," Stephanie said as she casually brushed off the remaining hair off the countertop and into the wastebasket. "And call me Stuff. All my other friends do."

Marianne gave her a small smile in the mirror.
"Thanks, Stuff," she said with a grin. "Wanna go shopping?"

***
Marianne had come back to their dorm room later that night.
When Bog looked at her, his eyes widened.

Her long hair was now a short, wild, unruly mess.
Black seemed to be her new favorite color.
Which was fine with him.

She wore a dark blue eyeshadow that brought out her eyes.
Bog never quite noticed how golden her eyes were until now.

He surmised she might have gone shopping with Stuff.

She looked...
He felt his cheeks warm and the tips of his ears felt like they were on fire.

Well, if he was honest with himself he'd say she was hot.

But he tucked that thought into a very far-away corner in his mind.

She had a few bags on both of her arms.

He cocked an eyebrow at her.
He wouldn't dare ask how much she spent. Probably a good hundred or more.
"Feeling better?" He simply asked.
She dropped the plastic bags near her desk and turned to him with the most pleased and cocky grin on her face.
"Much better."

Chapter Text

Bog woke up a little earlier than usual that Monday morning. Sending his mother a quick good morning text before she could call him. He got up from his bed with a slight groan. Giving his neck a satisfactory crack.

He had tried to stay quiet the rest of the weekend, giving Marianne her much-needed space.
She had seemed fine after her little shopping spree.

But he knew better.

He had heard her muffled crying that night.

He really hated when women cried.
It tore at his heart.

He had tried to shut out the sound and fall asleep, but it was hard.
He had wanted to comfort her.
Really comfort her.
Hold her, hug her. Tell her everything would be okay.
Some part of him had hoped that she would have accepted his sympathy.
But another part of him feared she would reject his help again.

He had fought with himself throughout the night and had eventually fallen asleep.

But that still didn't stop his worrying the next day.

As he left for breakfast he glanced over to her side of the room. Marianne hadn't left her bed yet. Curled up into her comforter like a large purple marshmallow.

She was most likely missing class, but he couldn't blame her. He would have done the same.

He felt compelled to say something to help her, but the words stuck in his throat. His mind listlessly searching for some comforting words.

"You should probably get up," he blurted out and left.
He sighed, mentally kicking himself all the way down the hallway for saying something so stupid.
He probably should have kept his mouth shut.

---
Marianne sat up, glaring at the door Bog had just left. She rubbed her eyes and frowned. She didn't sleep well and that always put her in a foul mood.
Bog's stupid comment wasn't helping either.

Unwrapping herself from her comforter, she stretched and then rubbed the dull ache in her lower back. She must have fallen asleep on top of her textbooks again.

Although, she had gotten so wrapped up in gaming again she had left her textbooks untouched.

She found her laptop shoved into the corner of her bed. No sign of damage, but she scowled as she found its battery completely drained overnight.

To add to her annoyance, her phone rang with another call from Dawn.
Like all the previous times, she sent her an 'I'm busy, I'll talk to you later' text.

But later never really came.

As she fumbled out of bed and saw that it was almost noon. She had definitely missed both of her morning classes. Although now she'd have plenty of time to catch up while eating a late breakfast.

She sent Sunny a quick text after she made her bed, retrieving her books from between the sheets and off the floor.
'Hey, I totally woke up late. Would it be okay to have another study-buddy session, even though I missed class???'
He replied a few minutes later.
'I got you. Don't worry. Same time as always?'
Marianne grinned and typed back a 'Yep!' and then carried on with getting ready. Taking a little extra time to do her makeup.
Things were starting to get back to normal!

---
After a hearty brunch, Marianne went to the library at their usual time with a slight bounce in her step.
Aside from her sister being annoying, things were looking better.
Sunny did a double-take when she arrived, his mouth agape. Marianne almost laughed at how wide his eyes were.
He shut his mouth and averted his staring when she flashed him a grin.

"Uh, so, nice haircut," he said as she got closer.
"Thanks," she said, ruffling her hair, "I've been wanting to try something new."
She plopped her bag near their table and started unpacking her things.

"Everything okay?" he asked with slight trepidation.
"Yeah," she half-lied, "I wasn't feeling well."
She plopped her new textbook on the table a little too loudly that it made Sunny flinch.
She watched him nod, but there was a suspicion in his eyes.
"O-kay," he said slowly and resumed his homework.

In the middle of unpacking, her phone rang with another call from her sister. If she wasn't in the library, she would have screamed in frustration.
"Why can't she just leave me alone?!" She grunted through gritted teeth.
At this point, she was about ready to throw away her phone.
Putting her phone on mute, she shoved it deep into her book bag, not wanting to see or hear another beep from it again.
"Dawn's just wants to know what's going on," Sunny said.
Marianne stopped and slowly turned her head back towards him and gave him a scrutinized glare. He looked at her with a mix of sympathy and worry.

She knew it was all too good to be true.

Her nostrils flared as her eyes bore into him. All the built-up frustrations and anger finding a new and unfortunate target.
"Bet she told you everything, huh?" she spat bitterly.
Sunny flinched, crossing his arms and turning away from her gaze, seeming fairly uncomfortable.
"Well?! Out with it!" She stood up and slammed her hands on the table loud enough to draw attention from a few nearby students.

Library be damned, she was pissed at this point.

"Well?" She prompted, "What did she have to say?"
Sunny's face drooped in defeat, becoming sad and forlorn.
"She told me that you told her that the engagement is off and that now you're ignoring her." He made the briefest of eye contact before continuing, seeming reluctant to continue.
"She also wanted to make sure that you're not... hurting yourself."

The weight of Sunny's last words felt like a sucker punch to the gut. Marianne eyes widened, aghast at her sister's way of thinking the worst of her.
"No, no," she said in almost a daze. Slowly sitting back down, her limbs feeling heavier by the minute. "I would never..."

While it was true that she did cut herself after their mother died, that was many, many years ago.
Their father had found out, she went to the best therapist money could buy, and then found better ways to cope.

A few stray teardrops fell onto her notebook, bleeding some of the ink together.
"Is it really that bad?" She asked herself, placing her head in her hands. The weight of everything becoming too much.
"Does she really think I'd stoop that low?"

The tough exterior she had worked so hard to build up was starting to crack as more and more tears slid down her cheeks, smearing her makeup, black pools ruining her notes.
She involuntarily sniffled and shoved her notebook aside, hiding her head under her arms.

She felt Sunny's small, but warm, hand give a tentative pat on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry-" he began to say.
"I don't want you to feel sorry!"
She batted his hand away. "Why does everyone have to feel sorry for me?"
She plopped her head against the desk. "I just want everything to go back to normal."

***
After his initial comment, Bog mostly avoided talking to Marianne. Tried avoiding her, in general, to not embarrass himself further. And it seemed like she didn't miss his presence.

He noticed, after a few days, she seemed to get back into waking up on time and she looked to be eating enough when he saw her in the cafeteria.

But he still worried when she wouldn't get out of bed for half the day.
Or when she spent all of her spare time holed up in their room. Usually on her laptop.

Much like tonight.

He would bet money that her grades were failing.

This particular night Marianne had gotten cozy at her desk. Mug of now chilled coffee off to the side, a few empty candy bar wrappers strewn about, all wrapped up in a black fleece blanket. She even sported a new pair of black and pink gaming headphones.

He smirked to himself and wondered if she played MMO's.
He was on his way to Thang's room for a few hours of Realm of Faircraft. He doubted she would leave and join him, but he had to try something.

He shook his head at himself.
Why did he care so much?!

"Um. Hey." He tapped on his desk to grab her attention. "Thang was wondering if you wanted to come to his room to play some games."
"I'm good," she murmured. Her eyes stayed glued to her screen.
Bog frowned a little but said nothing, finishing shoving his laptop and headphones into his backpack.
"Alright," he said with slight disappointment, "I'll be back later."
"M'kay," she mumbled.

With just a quick walk down the hallway and a flight of stairs, Bog arrived at Thang's.
He knocked and Thang promptly opened the door, ushering Bog inside with a wide smile on his face.
"Let the gaming commence!" Thang exclaimed as he raised his arms.

It was of little surprise to Bog that Thang's room looked very much like the one he remembered from their younger days. From the books being arranged alphabetically, to all his notebooks and desk papers being flush together. Even the few figurines displayed had a certain special arrangement only Thang would know.

"Your roommate okay with us gaming tonight?" He asked and Thang shook his head, pointing to the other side of the room.
"He actually plays too and wanted to join in!"
Bog turned to see Imp look up from his desk and wave.
Bog waved back.

"Hey BK," he heard Stuff's voice and turned to find her sitting on Thang's well-made bed.
He noticed how the sheets were getting wrinkled and quirked a bemused eyebrow as he saw this.
"Oh, hey," he said. "You're joining in too?"
Stuff nodded, making brief eye contact.
"Yeah. Thang roped me into it." Giving a small smirk. "Gotta say it's kinda fun."
Bog smirked as well.
"Looks like we're gonna have quite the party tonight. Now, where are the snacks?"

Thang, always one to plan ahead, had an arrangement of snacks laid out on the rustic, but well polished, coffee table. Bog claimed the space on the other end of the coffee table. A pillow 'conveniently' placed near that area.

"I think you'll be happy to know that LightQueen's on tonight too!" Thang said as he grabbed a bowl and filled it with popcorn.
Bog looked at Thang in surprise.
"No shit, really?" he said.

Tonight was just getting better and better.

"Yeah. Looks like she's been on all day," Thang said between handfuls of popcorn as he went back to his desk.
Bog felt an unease in his stomach and frowned. That didn't sound like a normal thing for his friend to do.
"Huh," Bog noted, and started getting set up.

---
It was after Marianne's her third raid when DarkGoblin messaged her.

[DarkGoblin: You've been playing a lot of RoF lately.]

Marianne glanced at the clock, it was almost two in the morning.

[LightQueen: Yep.]
[DarkGoblin: I mean, it's nice having you around...]
[DarkGoblin: How's school going?]

Marianne curled her lip.
He was acting very clingy tonight.
She didn't really want to talk.
But she hadn't talked to him in a while either, so she typed a short quick reply.

[LightQueen: Good.]

When she didn't say anything for another minute he tried to engage her again.

[DarkGoblin: You seem quiet tonight...]
[LightQueen: I'm fine.]
[DarkGoblin: I know you better than that. What happened?]

She grit her teeth.
Damn him.
So fucking persistent...
She glanced at Bog's side of the room and noticed him missing. Then she remembered he had left to go hang out with Thang.
Probably to go play poker or something.
She sighed in resignation.

[LightQueen: I don't want to get too much into detail. It still hurts too much...]
[DarkGoblin: Take all the time you need. I'm here for you.]

Marianne's eyes started to water and she gave a crumpled smile.
No!
She'd been so good this week!
Pressing her palms to her eyes, she tried to regain her willpower.
She wasn't gonna cry again.
She wasn't gonna cry...

After taking a few deep breaths and calming down she took a few moments to word her response.

[LightQueen: Someone who was close to me betrayed my trust. It was all a lie. I was lied to about... so, so much. I don't think I can trust anyone again.]

It took him a minute to respond.

[DarkGoblin: I'm sorry you got hurt, and I hope you can still trust me. I'll always be here for you if you need me.]
[LightQueen: Thank you, I think you're one of the few I still trust.]
[DarkGoblin: No problem.]
[DarkGoblin: And let me tell you a secret. I don't trust many people either ;) ]

---
Bog took off his headset and let out all the air he had been holding back. Rubbing his face with his hands.
Damn it, he wished he could be with her in person.
     [ImpMan: What's wrong?]
Bog glanced over to Imp.

"So, it looks like LightQueen is having a tough time." Bog grabbed a soda from the table and gave a couple good glugs. Easing the tightness in his throat.
Thang swiveled in his chair.
"What happened?" He asked.
Bog leaned back against the side of the bed, remaining impassive.
"It's not my story to say."

Thang nodded in understanding, then scratched his chin a little.
"Maybe we could cheer her up by pitching in and get her some really sweet armor?"
Bog shook his head and waved the thought away.
"Nah, she's pretty much has everything already."
     [ImpMan: What about a new pet?]
"Maybe," Bog nodded and started looking at the list of tradable pets in the auction house.
"I don't think she has a flying mount yet either."
Thang had an idea and spun excitedly in his chair.
"Or!-"
"Or how about you guys come and help me level up?" Stuff said with a glare towards Thang.
The three men looked at each other with dawning smiles.

---
Marianne was getting so bored waiting for the next raid queue to fill up. It was getting so long that she started skimming through her business textbook for tomorrow's class.
Halfway through reading the next chapter, her friend messaged her again.

[DarkGoblin: I wanna propose something.]

She raised an eyebrow and quirked a smile. Moving her textbook over to the side.

[LightQueen: Oh??? You're not getting sentimental on me now are you?]
[DarkGoblin: No, no. Never. I'm still the cruel, cold-hearted jackass you know and love.
But. Since you're playing RoF more often... Wanna create Alts together?]

Marianne gave a breathy laugh.

[LightQueen: Lol. You're such a dork :) ]
[DarkGoblin: Yeah, I guess I'm that too.]

[DarkGoblin: Feeling better now?]
[LightQueen: Yeah. I am. :) ]

Placing her fingertips on her screen, a fond smile spread across her lips.
She wished she could hug her friend right now.

She glanced between her textbook and the game. She knew she should get back on track and study some more, but the thought of doing something new with her friends was too great.
She canceled out of her wait for the next raid and typed DarkGoblin a reply.

[LightQueen: So, what are you thinking for your alt?]
[DarkGoblin: I was thinking of doing something different.]

***

"No, Dad. I'm fine. Everything's good," Marianne said to her dad on the phone as she slowly meandered back and forth on her side of the room. Sometimes lightly trailing her fingers along the dividing curtain she set up a few days ago.
She had finally talked to her sister about two weeks ago that everything was okay.
Just a small setback.
Dawn might have taken the hint, but her father didn't.
Now she had to placate her father, again, this morning.

"Roland seems like a good man," his voice filled with concern. "Are you sure that you want this?"
Marianne bit her lip in frustration.

She hadn't told her family about the fact that Roland had cheated on her.
Or how it was all just a lie to get to her father's company.
Or how he never loved her in the first place.
The pain was still too much.
But she wished she could.

"Yep, I'm sure." She ended with a weary sigh. "Besides, I need to focus more on my studies."

She could tell he wanted to add to the conversation but he instead gave a resigned sigh.
"I just want to see you happy," he said rather forlornly.
"I'm happy," she blurted out rather quickly, somewhat surprising herself in the process.
"I'm happy," she said again more to herself.

He gave a small unconvinced hum before changing subjects.
"Did you get your sister's care package yet?"
Marianne barked a surprised laugh.
"Another one?!" She said, giving a wry smile. "I'm still working on the last one."
She went to the table and blindly rummaged for a cookie and took a huge bite.
She gave a small moan of pleasure.
But then stopped when realized it wasn't one of her sister's signature double-chocolate chocolate-chip cookies.
It was more like a really soft, decadent gingerbread cookie.

And, Oh my god, they were so good.

She took a couple more chews then regrettably forced her bite down.
"Tell Dawn I'm sure I'll love whatever she gives me this time!" She said a little rushed.
"Gotta go, love you, talk to you later!" Then quickly ended the call.

Glancing back towards their shared table, she noticed a box of Bog's cookies left on her side.
Feeling guilty, she filled the vacant space with one of her own as an apology.

Then she sat back at her desk to resume 'studying.' She had finished some of her homework but then got so into her new Alt character. Plus, she had yet to get into Realm of Faircraft's new expansion!

Just as Marianne sat down, there was an insistent knocking on the door.
She eyed the door suspiciously.
"Coming," she called out as she got back up. Grabbing and hiding her small switchblade off the desk, hiding it behind her back.

Just in case.

When she opened the door, her jaw dropped.
"Suprise!" Dawn said as she held out a small box with a beaming smile.
Marianne quickly pocketed the knife and absentmindedly took the box, continuing to stare at her sister.
Dawn's face then shifted to glee and worry.
"Oh my god," she said glancing up and down Marianne's form. "What happened to your hair?! And your... Everything!" Gesturing wildly to her makeup and clothing.
Marianne blinked a few times, regaining her composure.
"Wait, wait, wait. Hold up." She tucked the box under her arm and gave her sister a scrutinous look.
"First of all, what are you doing here?"

Her sister gave her a mischievous smile in return.
One that Marianne really didn't like.
"I live here now!" Dawn said excitedly.
"Wait, what?" Marianne said, taken aback.

Marianne jumped out of her skin and practically shrieked when she was poked on her side.
"S'cuse me," Bog grumbled sleepily and slipped between the two women, heading towards the bathrooms.
Marianne internally thanked whatever gods were there that Bog was fully dressed this morning.
The last thing she needed was more problems.

"Wait. Who's he?" Dawn asked with increased curiosity. Craning her head down the hallway as she watched him leave.
Marianne cringed.
Fuck. She thought. She never told Dawn the truth.

"Don't be rude," Marianne chastised, poking Dawn in the stomach, bringing her sister's focus back onto herself.
"Well, who is he?"
Marianne sighed.
Well, no going back now.
"That. Is Bog. My roommate." She enunciated the last part.
Dawn made a slight face.
"Bog?"
"It's a nickname," Marianne sighed.
Dawn nodded in understanding, but then frowned.
"But, then, what happened to-"
"Don't say his name!" Marianne said a little more harshly than necessary, holding up a hand to stop her.
Dawn flinched, involuntarily taking a step back.
"Sorry," Marianne apologized, dropping her hand. "I just... don't want to talk about this here."

Marianne then 'treated' her sister to some lunch. Although, Dawn had surprised her with a cafe card of her own.
They both laughed it off, finding a nice booth seat near the windows after grabbing their meals.

Dawn refused to give any details until Marianne talked about what had happened. And it took Marianne great effort to open up about Roland's cheating.
She didn't exactly tell all the details. Just enough for her to get the idea.

After everything was said, Dawn gave her sister's hand a squeeze.
"I'm sorry that had happened to you," she said.
Not wanting to make eye contact, Marianne gazed out the window and mumbled, "Yeah, me too."
Dawn tilted her head in confusion.

But then it was Marianne's turn to grill her sister.
Getting right to the point, she turned back to her sister.
"So." She crossed her arms for emphasis. "Why are you here?"
She was answered with a coy smile.
"Going to school, silly." Dawn giggled.
"Right," Marianne deadpanned, raising an eyebrow. "Doing what exactly?"

Dawn seemed more than happy to share.

"So, Sunny and I have been talking a lot, and he got me into start taking some online courses for a general degree. He recommended getting all the boring classes out of the way, then transfer to something I really like.--"
Marianne started tuning out the conversation when Dawn started rambling on and on about the numerous classes she had to choose from. Instead, focusing more on her double bacon cheeseburger and fries.
She still paid attention as Dawn continued to explain the more intricate details on how she was able to transfer to the campus since it was still early in the semester.
"--But," Dawn finally ended with, "I think I want to focus on Music and Dance, like with Sunny."

Marianne took another bite of her cheeseburger before speaking again.
"Uh huh," she said after swallowing. "And Dad knows your here?"
"Yep!" Dawn said and then started digging into her own salad.
Marianne didn't quite trust her answer. But then she remembered her dad's voice hinted at something when she mentioned Dawn's next care package.
She sighed.

She always seemed to be the last to know about anything.

Dawn seemed suddenly interested in something, or someone. Intently focused towards the cafeteria entrance.
Marianne paled as she watched Bog just enter the cafe.

He looked more well-groomed than this morning. His hair had just the right amount of shine to suggest he had just gotten out of the showers. Wearing his signature leather jacket and jeans outfit with a thermal shirt this brisk fall afternoon.

Marianne painfully choked down her food.
"No, Dawn. No!"
She leaned across the table and slapped Dawn on the shoulder, sending her a warning glare.
Dawn yelped, wincing in pain.
"But why not?" she whined, briskly rubbing her shoulder. "He's hot!"
Marianne rolled her eyes.
"And so are about the fifty million other guys you've said about before."
Dawn gave her a salacious look.
"Really?" She teased. "Fifty million?"
Marianne slumped in her booth seat.
"That's what it feels like at least," she grumbled.

"But you gotta admit," Dawn mused, eyes briefly darting out towards the crowd. "He does have a sort of bad boy look."
Marianne sighed yet again.
She realized she was sighing a lot more lately.
"He probably is a bad boy," she said, trying to dissuade her sister.
Dawn gave an interested 'Ooh' and Marianne gave her an annoyed glare.
"I'm kidding, I'm kidding!" Dawn joked, waving it off. "Jeez, when did you become such a grump?"

They ate together in silence for a few minutes enjoying each other's presence until Dawn picked the conversation back up.
"So what about you?" She asked between sips of her soda.
Marianne frowned at her questioning tone.
"What about me?" She asked defensively.
"You and Bog?" Dawn's mouth formed a more and more mischievous grin with every passing second.
Marianne a raised eyebrow as she ate.

Dawn then sighed and leaned in closer so she could whisper.
"Maybe you two could... you know..."
She then made a quick sexual gesture and Marianne practically choked.
"What?!" Marianne coughed, pounding her chest a few times.
Her sister was going to be the death of her!

When she finally cleared her throat, she looked at her sister in bewilderment.
"Me and him?! You mean like, just go and fuck my roommate?"

Dawn just gave her a lecherous smile and nodded.

"Dawn," she said incredulously. "I don't know what kind of world you came from, but I just ended my engagement with Roland."
"But he cheated on you!" Dawn argued. "You at least deserve someone nicer!"
Marianne pinched the bridge of her nose and let out a frustrated huff.
"Okay, even if that is true," she calmly added, "I don't think Bog likes me."

Dawn's eyes widened.
"What? No!" Dawn reached across the table and grabbed her sister's hand. "No! Why would you say that?! You're totally... Likable!"
Marianne gave a small unconvinced laugh and slipped her hand out Dawn's grasp.
"Really?" She said and then crossed her arms.
"Okay. Here are a few reasons why he's not for me," she said, and then started counting on her fingers.
"He's not my type,-"
"You don't know that," Dawn interjected.
Marianne gave her a glare.
"He's a slob," she continued.
"So aren't all men!"
"He barely talks to me,--"
"So go say hi!"
"The last time we spent time together, I threw up all over his shoes!"
"Ew." Dawn wrinkled her nose in disgust and then said nothing else after.

Marianne scanned the cafeteria and found Bog sitting towards the other end eating a large slice of pizza.
He must have felt her staring and locked eyes with hers.
He gave her an acknowledging nod and a small wave and she felt a jolt run through her.
And then she was brought back to the memory of the morning when she first saw him shirtless.
How all those feelings came rushing back now.

Her face felt flush and she shifted uncomfortably shift in her seat.
"He also makes me feel... weird." She admitted.
"Weird in what way?" Dawn asked.
She paused from sipping her soda and leaned in to listen.
Marianne felt silly about talking about her feelings. She wrung her hands to try to calm her... whatever this was.
"I don't know..." Marianne said, "Nervous?"
She tried grasping for a word that described how she felt around him.
"I... can't quite describe it. Warm and tingly? But, also frustrated and angry?"
Dawn smiled knowingly, squinting her eyes in thought.
"Hmm," she mused. "That sounds an awful lot like attraction to me."

Marianne recoiled slightly.
"What? No it's not! It's--"

But then she stopped and her heart gave a thud at the thought.

Oh God, is that what was happening? Was she falling for Bog?!
Was this a rebound? Is this what it felt like???

No, she thought to herself, she wasn't going to do this again!
She didn't want to get hurt again. She made a promise to herself!

Marianne grit her teeth and slammed her hands on the table.
"No." She said with determination. "I need to focus on my studies! And now, so should you!"
Dawn cowered under her sister's glare and nodded meekly.
"Yes Ma'am," she whimpered.

Chapter Text

Oh my gosh, Dawn thought, this was going to be the best day ever!

Because she was going to finally meet Sunny!

In person!

She was so excited she could burst!

It was going to be so awesome!

She had finished having lunch with Marianne and things were mostly okay there.
She would totally beat up Roland the next time she saw him.

But right now, it was time to part-ay!

And that required Sunny.

He had told her to meet him at 'The Arbetorium'.

Whatever that was.

Even though she was super excited to see Sunny, she grumbled at how far she had to walk.
This place was larger than she had thought. And every red brick building she passed seemed to look like she was passing the same library over and over.

She was glad Sunny was going to give her a tour because she felt like she was going to get lost.
She had to often consult the map of the school on her phone to see if she had taken a wrong turn.

Fortunately, she was still going in the right direction.

Her phone then conveniently dinged with a message from Sunny.
'Did you get lost?' he had written.
She smiled to herself as she typed her reply.
'I'm almost there!'

She continued to smile as she walked down the sandy dirt path that slowly meandered along a lazy stream.
They had been talking almost every day to the point where it seemed like they've known each other for-ever!

It was crazy!

And awesome!

She looked up from her phone to see that she arrived at her destination and frowned when she didn't see any building. Just an archway and a whole bunch of trees.

"Oh," she said when she saw a sign that said 'University of Maine Arboretum'.
"Why the hell didn't he just say the park with a bunch of trees? Jeez!"

A bubble of laughter burst from her as she excitedly entered the area looking for Sunny.

---
Sunny was practically shaking as the time to meet Dawn drew nearer.
After receiving Dawn's text saying she was here that morning, he could barely focus on anything.

He had tried to play it cool when he saw Marianne earlier that day, even though he almost spilled.
She had said good morning and he jumped and panicked saying "I'm fine! Nothing wrong here!" Mariane then had quirked an eyebrow at him and he had then given the excuse that he had a lot on his mind today. Then she had nodded, saying nothing after.

Dawn was here!
And it was killing him!

Every single passing second seemed to drag on for an eternity.

His phone buzzed in his hand and he almost fell into the fountain he was perched upon.

He became slightly disappointed when he read it was from Marianne.
And she didn't seem too happy.
'You knew she was coming. Why didn't you tell me?!'
He cringed and replied,
'It was supposed to be a surprise... Srry!'

He looked at his clock again.
Texting Marianne had saved about... a minute from Sunny's tortuous wait.
He groaned for about the millionth time.

Maybe he should have asked her to meet up in the cafeteria or something closer to inside campus?

But, he wanted his first time meeting her to be special.

And first impressions count!

Even though they met on the phone already... And have been talking almost every day.
But still!

He heard the crunching of gravel and looked up.

And there she was.

Her sunshine blonde waves were pinned to her head with tiny cute clips.
Her sky blue eyes sparkled with joy. Her radiant smile brighter than the sun.
Sunny swallowed when he noticed how her light blue dress exposed her shoulders.

God damn, this girl looked hot without even trying!

"Oh my gosh! Hi!" Dawn gushed, shyly waving as she moved closer.
When he jumped down from his seat, she did a sort of double-take.

"You're... a lot shorter than I was expecting," she said.

"Hey, I'm not short," he argued, "I'm fun sized."

Dawn laughed so hard she did a cute little snort.

Then she lifted her eyebrows and grinned.
"You ready?" she said and held her hand out.
He smirked as he grasped onto her wrist.
"Always..."

They slid their palms down their wrists, shook hands, slid their hands into a fist bump.
Their fluid hand movements then fumbled midway as Dawn and Sunny then did different hand gestures.

"Wait," Dawn said. "Isn't it fistbump, hot-potato, then slide, then the spirit fingers?"
Sunny chuckled.
"We'll get it eventually now that we can practice in-person."

Sunny's heart leaped in his chest as he was tightly embraced.
"This is going to be the best day ever!" Dawn squealed.

Sunny gave a wistful sigh, easing into her hug.
"It already is," he said with a warm smile.

Dawn let go sooner than Sunny would have liked and put her hands on her hips with excited determination.
"Okay!" She said, "I'm ready for my tour. Where to first?"

"Alright," he said. "Let's start here."
He gave a grand flourish with his hand towards the canopy above them.
"This is the Arboretum," he stated.
"Forest management and environmental science majors usually work and study here. There are a few trails that pass through here that the bikers and joggers use."

Dawn perked up.
"Ooh, exciting! Are we gonna walk around here?!" She said.

Sunny shrugged.
"If you wanted to. Although, the trails span for a few miles."

Dawn made a face of displeasure, remembering how much she walked already.
"I'd rather not sweat in this outfit."

"Alright," he said. "Maybe head back through the campus then?" He then offered his arm.
She accepted his arm gracefully.
"So, where to?" She asked.

"I was thinking of starting with the cafeteria. Get us something to eat." He suggested.

"Oh," she said. "I already had lunch with Marianne."

Sunny dramatically clutched his chest, widening his eyes in disbelief.
"And you didn't invite me?!" He said with a mock hurt that made Dawn giggle.

She waved it off.
"We were talking about girly stuff," she said. "You wouldn't have been interested."

"Fair enough," he said as they walked out of the Arbetorium. "How about I show you the most important place first."
"The malls?" She asked excitedly.
"The library," he said.

Dawn looked as displeased as a toddler being told to eat their vegetables and Sunny had to laugh.
"Relax girl, it's not as bad as you think," he said. "They even have a section where you can rent out magazines."

Dawn perked back up again.
"What are we waiting for? Let's go!"

She let go of Sunny's arm and dashed ahead. Then stopped when she realized she didn't know where to go.
Sunny shook his head with a smile and Dawn laughed at herself.

Together they walked back through the campus and started with the library.
Dawn found the magazine selection rather impressive. There was also an adult fiction section she would browse through at a later date.

Sunny then acquainted her with each of the many campus buildings, giving a brief history or fact that Dawn was sure she would forget when all was said and done.

She became disappointed when he told her that the dance and art studios were in a different location. But her disappointment vanished when Sunny started talking about his upcoming music writing assignment with the idea of her assisting.

Sunny ended their tour with her dorm building, along with helping her get her things up to her room. Dawn decided to cart one of her luggage bags whereas Sunny grabbed two of her heavier boxes.

Dawn was surprised at how strong Sunny was, despite his size. His biceps were actually pretty decent that Dawn made a comment.
"Dang, you got some muscles."

"Gotta stay strong so I can lift my dance partners." He said with a sly wink.

Dawn felt a blush rise to her cheeks as she held the door for Sunny to enter.

"So, you've got the Common room. Complete with a kitchen and gaming area."

He shrugged his shoulder to the far corner where Dawn could see a rather paltry kitchen by her standards.

She got so caught up in thinking about whether she could bake that she almost missed him saying, "There are bathrooms and showers on each floor."

Sunny gave a nod of thanks as she pushed the elevator buttons for him.

They found her room on the third floor with very little hassle.

He set the first set of boxes on the floor next to her room.

As they went back down and out through the common room Sunny made a comment.
"Oh. Don't be surprised if you see your neighbors walking around half-naked in the morning," he said.

Dawn blinked in surprise.
"Wait. Are the bathrooms are co-ed?!" She asked.

"The showers are anyway." He said, giving her a sly wink.
She looked away with a blush rising to her cheeks, giggling.

"It sucks we're not in the same dorm building," she then sighed.

With an off-handed shrug, he said, "Maybe next semester."

With the last of her boxes near her room, Sunny sighed.
"I guess this ends our tour for today," Sunny said with a slight hint of sadness.

Dawn nodded with a slight pout.
"Maybe we could have a party later tonight?" Dawn hinted.

His face cracked into a boyish smile.
"Sounds like a great idea!" he said with more energy and enthusiasm in his voice. "I'll whip something up in a few hours."

Dawn crushed Sunny in a bear hug before he turned to leave.
"Oh my gosh, you are the best friend ever!" She said.

He hugged back just as hard before letting go.

"I'll call you once I figure stuff out, okay?" He said.

He then rubbed the back of his head, looking away, reluctant to leave.
"Until then," he said, "I'll... uh, leave you to unpacking."

"Okay," Dawn said a little wistfully as he watched him leave, "Later!"

Dawn stared at the luggage bags and boxes stacked on the floor with disdain. She probably should have done this step first, but meeting Sunny was her highest priority!
Now, she can relax and...

Her phone buzzed with a text from her sister.
'Don't forget to do your homework...'
Dawn rolled her eyes and typed a reply.
'Okay Dad... ;p
BTW, you wanna help me unpack?'
It felt like forever until she received a reply.
'No.'
'Pwease???'
Dawn added a bunch of sad emoji's for extra measure.
'I'm in class rn. Besides, this'll be a great way for you and your roommate to bond.'
'Okay...'

She can relax after she finishes her homework.

But first, she has to unpack.
And meet her new roommate.
And then go back out and meet up with Sunny tonight.

Ugh... So much to do!

She hoped her roommate would be nice. Or at least not a slob...

She tentatively knocked and the door swung open to a petite, well-developed woman. Maybe a few years older than her.

Although, she couldn't quite tell due to rather her cherubic face.

"Oh, you must be Dawn," she said as she gave Dawn a once over. "You're later than I was expecting you to arrive."

Dawn ducked her head slightly and gave an apologetic smile.

"Yeah, sorry about that. I was meeting some friends before coming here. Your name's Violet, right?"

The woman in question adjusted her horn-rimmed glasses quickly.
"Yes it is," she said matter of factly.

"Is that also your favorite color?" Dawn joked.

"No," Violet said flatly. "If I had a dollar for every time someone said that, I'd be able to pay off my student loans and then some."

Dawn giggled as she walked inside and glanced around the room.

Her side was barren.
But not for long!

Violet's side was neat and tidy with a pastel pink color scheme. The few wall scrolls added some flair, depicted some cute cartoons. She also had some figurines that matched on her desk.

A couple of stuffed animals lined the bed near her pillows.

One particularly round and squishy white bunny caught her eye.

"Oh my gosh," she squealed as she picked up the bunny off her bed. "You're as cute as this bunny plushy!"

Violet blushed, becoming rather meek and shy.
"Oh no," she denied, bashfully plucking at one of her brown curls, "No, I'm not."

Dawn squinted her eyes at her, giving a playful hum of disbelief.
"I beg to differ."

Violet did a shy laugh and Dawn grinned, placing the bunny back in its respectful place.
"Think you can help me bring the rest of this stuff in?" Dawn asked.
"Sure," Violet said.

After a few minutes of lugging and boring work. Dawn wanted to know all about her new roommate as much as possible.

Homework could wait.

Most of her boxes were unloaded onto her bed, sorting everything into piles.
Half of her clothes were in her drawers and she put the rest back into her luggage bags.

She might have brought too much now that she thought about it.

She smiled when she found her iPod and mini speaker.
She turned to Violet and motioned to it.
"So what kind of music do you like? Mind if I play something?"

Violet shrugged.
"I listen to mostly anything, mostly J-pop. Although, could it be something instrumental while I study?"

Dawn beamed.
They were going to get along just fine.

"Sure thing!" she said and put on some instrumental pop music.

***
About an hour later Dawn's phone rang with a call from Sunny.
"Hello," she said, happily answering the phone.
"Hey Dawn," he said. "You ready to party?"
She cracked a smile.
"I sure am!"
"Great!" He said. "Head on over to Riverside's common room."
"Of course!" she said, her excited smile warming her cheeks.

She then asked, "Can I bring a few friends? Maybe my sister too?"
"The more the merrier," he said. "See ya soon."
"Kay, bye!"

Dawn happily hung up the phone and hummed as she grabbed her outfit she had already set aside for the party and looked over towards Violet.

"Hey Violet, wanna go to a party?"
Violet startled, looking up from her textbook.
"What?" she said, a little taken aback.

"Wanna go to a party?" Dawn asked again a little more slowly.

Violet squinted, looking unsure.
"What kind of party?" she then asked.

Dawn gave Violet a confident grin and said, "The best kind."

Chapter Text

Dawn stood in Marianne's dorm, arms crossed, mouth in a tight line, staring at her sister who had failed to budge from her seat for about a ten minutes now.

"C'mon Marianne, let's go!" Dawn said for what felt like the millionth time. "Violet's waiting!"

"Who?" Marianne asked, her eyes still fixed to her laptop.

Dawn gave a short huff of frustration.
"My roommate," she said.

She then pulled the outfit she had picked out for her and plopped it onto her lap.
"Look," she tried to persuade. "You don't even have to decide what to wear. Now, will you hurry up and get ready?!"

Marianne sent an irritated glare towards Dawn after she threw the clothes back onto the bed.
"I never said I would join you," she said firmly and went back to focusing on her laptop.

Dawn let out a frustrated groan.
"Come on," she persisted. "You can't just hole yourself in your room studying. You gotta live a little!"

She noticed the corner of her sister's lip quirked a small smile.
"Who said I was doing homework?" Marianne commented.

Dawn, now curious as to whatever the hell she was really doing, peered over Marianne's shoulder to see she was playing a game.

A very familiar game that Marianne had failed to get Dawn into when they were younger.

Dawn now was furious.

"Don't tell me you're playing that game again?" Dawn said with a hint of disgust.

Marianne then leered at Dawn from over her shoulder.
"It's not just a game," she argued. "I play with my friends and we socialize."

Dawn then went from frustrated to coy.
"Like that dark and mysterious stranger?" She asked with a quirked eyebrow.

Her sister gave a shy smile that intrigued Dawn.

"He's more of a friend now," Marianne said with a telltale blush that told Dawn that there was something more to her words. "I talked to him not that long ago."

"Oh come on now," Dawn said. "You once got so mad at that guy that you punched a hole in the wall."

Marianne then crossed her arms and gave a playful smile.
"I fixed the hole didn't I?" Marianne said, then they both laughed.

Dawn's intrigued smile wavered to a frown of concern.
"Back to my first question; Have you been playing this game in your free time?"

Marianne at first didn't say anything, but Dawn remained firm, until finally, Marianne caved in with a sheepish, "Maybe?"

Dawn sighed, both in resignation and anger.
"Okay, now I have to get you out of this room."

Marianne let out a yelp of surprise as Dawn then proceeded to pull Marianne's chair towards the door.
"No," Marianne whined, "I'm trying to level up!"

"You can level up later!" She argued back.

Dawn actually found it surprisingly hard to budge her sister as she gripped her desk for dear life.
"Have you been working out?" Dawn asked, giving her sister's bicep a small feel.

"Just a little," Marianne grunted, staying firm in her grip.

"Maybe we should go to yoga together sometime," Dawn commented and her sister let out a discouraging groan.

The sound of the door clicking and swinging open perked Dawn's ears and she thought Bog had perfect timing.

"Oh, hey Boggy!" she said as she turned towards him, quickly letting go of the chair.

She heard Marianne let out a surprised cry, as well as a thump from the chair, and a few small clatters and inwardly smirked.

Bog stood in the doorway and looked between the two of them warily.

"Um, It's Bog," he said cautiously.

Dawn heard the squeak of the desk chair turning and a frustrated huff from her sister.
"Please, don't mind my sister," Marianne said. "In fact, don't even listen to her. At all!"

Dawn looked back to see she was receiving a well-directed glare. To which she playfully stuck her tongue out in retaliation before turning back to Bog.

"Hi, I'm Dawn," she greeted, holding her hand out. "And, don't listen to my sister."

She added in a flirtatious wink.

As Bog cautiously shook her hand, she found it odd when he remained unmoved.

Much like someone else who wouldn't come with her to the party that she should have been at about fifteen minutes ago!

Being this up close to Bog, She realized that Bog was almost abnormally tall. Probably close to seven feet. He also exuded a subtle inner strength she couldn't quite put her finger on.

She took note as she shook his hand the intricate details of the tattoos that went up his arms and continued under his shirt. She also admired the slight bulge of defined muscles beneath his well-fitted shirt.

His clothing choice wasn't bad either; dark shirt, dark jeans. She had seen him wear a leather jacket before, and she wouldn't be surprised if he said he owned a motorcycle too.

It wasn't quite her cup of tea, but she could see how he'd easily be able to attract women.

Unless Marianne had an amazing poker face, Dawn was dumbfounded at how she wasn't already drooling and fawning over this guy!

Dawn decided to up her game by giving a slight, but cute, pout.
"Boggy-"
"Bog," he enunciated.

Dawn shrugged it off, getting back to her point.
"Would you mind helping me get my sister to socialize?"
She even batted her eyes at him, acting as innocent as she possibly could.
"She's been playing games nonstop," she added.

Marianne then angrily piped in, "At least I do my homework!"

Dawn cringed while Bog smirked at her.

"Now, I dun't want ter get between siblings," Bog said before adding,
"But, Marianne, you really should get out of our room more."

Marianne sighed in defeat.
"Alright, fine!" She grumbled. "I'll go to your stupid party..."

Dawn cheered with a celebratory fist-pump.

"However!" Bog then held up a finger with a smirk towards Dawn. "You shouldn't put off yer assignments."

Dawn shrieked in surprise when she became trapped in a rough headlock by Marianne.
"See, Dawn?" Marianne said with a playful yet wicked grin. "Even Bog says you need to do your homework."

Dawn heard Bog break out into laughter while she was then assaulted with a playful, yet rough, noogie that didn't stop until she finally gave in.

"Okay, okay!" Dawn relented. "I'll go do my homework!"

Of course, Dawn wouldn't do her homework until after the party.

***
While Dawn fixed her mess of a hairstyle, her sister quietly grumbled in an adjacent bathroom stall as she was changing into something more presentable than yoga pants and a ratty t-shirt with holes in it.

After applying the finishing touches, she sent Sunny a selfie with an 'Almost ready' caption.

He sent back a pic of what looked like to be some sort of small turntable.
     'Brought the best out for you.'
Dawn let out a small smile and felt a blush rise to her cheeks.
     'OMG so AWESOME! Can't wait!!!'

She put her phone away and leaned against the bathroom counter.

Dawn was surprised when, after getting her sister to finally come along, that Bog had wanted to tag along as well, saying that he's always down for a drink.

But Dawn secretly hoped that it was to keep Marianne company.

In the meantime, he was waiting in the common room with Violet.

Dawn smirked to herself as she remembered how Violet had become more shy and demure in Bog's presence after she had waved away Dawn's profuse apology.
Stating that she didn't mind waiting a little longer and to take as long they needed.

All with a telltale blush to her cheeks and shy glances towards Bog.

Whereas Bog, at that point, had kicked back in a chair, propping his long legs out onto the coffee table, and had begun digging at the dirt under his nails with a small pocket knife.

Which Dawn had thought was a little barbaric and gross.

She had given Violet a knowing wink and a coy smile, which had made Violet blush even further.
"I'll be back down sooner or later," she had whispered and gone back upstairs to fix her hair.

When Marianne finally popped out of the bathroom stall, Dawn gave a cursory glance at the outfit she had picked out; a dark rose crop top, with dark brown leggings, and a leather cord bracelet.

Dawn frowned at her sister's choice in combat boots, but then shrugged it off.

At least she was coming to the party.

"You know, you're new wardrobe is... not what I'm used to working with," Dawn commented. "But, I gotta say, the new look's growing on me."

Dawn watched as Marianne admired herself in the mirror, giving her hair a quick scruff.
"I think you did pretty well," Marianne admitted, giving herself one final once-over. "I just might make this one of my regular outfits."

***
When they entered, the Riverside common room was extremely crowded.
And bright.

Dawn wasn't sure what kind of stunts Sunny had to pull to set up a small DJ booth, with strobe lights and a huge speaker, but she was beyond impressed.

Speaking of Sunny, he was in the DJ booth talking to a very trendy looking hipster.

Most of the common room furniture was moved to the periphery to make a makeshift dance floor. Which was currently very crowded.

Dawn had to skirt around the gathered throng to get to the small DJ platform.

When she finally arrived, Sunny smiled and gave her a nod towards the thin, pale guy beside him.
"Hey, this is Issac," he said. "But you can call him Imp. Don't worry if he doesn't say anything, he's mute."

"Hi," Dawn said, slowly and loudly enunciated her words as they shook hands, "Nice to meet you!"

Imp made a face of displeasure.

Sunny chuckled as Imp did something with his hands towards Sunny.
"He says he's mute, not deaf." He said.

Dawn cringed and whispered, "Sorry!"

Imp's dark brown eyes crinkled in the corners as he did a sort of raspy chuckle and did a few more signs to Sunny.
Sunny smirked and said, "He says 'I don't bite. Much'."

Dawn blushed a little as Imp gave her a wink.

Imp then did a few more signs towards Sunny, who waved it off, saying "Yeah, yeah..."

Dawn looked between the two, "What'd he say?" she asked.

Sunny gave a wave of dismissal and said, "Nothing important."

With a small hop off the stage, he offered his hand towards her.
"Wanna dance?" he asked her with a small boyish smirk, which made her stomach get all fluttery.

"You know it!" Dawn said excitedly, taking his hand eagerly. She glanced over towards everyone else and quickly retracted her hand, "Just a sec..."

She motioned for Sunny to find a place on the dancefloor as she went back towards the rest of the group.

Dawn frowned as everyone else seemed to settle into being wallflowers.

Bog was at least drinking and looked like he was enjoying himself. Marianne seemed quite the opposite, slumped against the wall with her arms crossed. And Violet, who looked to be out of her element, stood near Bog and Marianne, fiddling with her large, yet cute, purse.

Dawn grabbed her sister by the wrist and dragged her into the crowd of dancers.

Marianne yelped in surprise, then tried to free her hand.
"Wait, Dawn-" She protested.

"C'mon, it'll be fun!" Dawn reassured. "I'll even request our favorite song."

Marianne rolled her eyes but cracked an ever-broadening smile.
"Ugh, No!" Marianne playfully groaned. "Not that one!"

Dawn unwavering smile brightened.
She was glad she could get her sister to smile again.

"That's the spirit!" She said. "Now c'mon, show me your moves!"

Dawn looked towards the other two and waved them over.
"You too, Violet and Bog!"

They both then looked at her, startled, either at their names being called or the idea of joining them on the dance floor.

When neither of them budged, Dawn put her hands on her hips and cocked an eyebrow.
"What's a dance party without some dancing?" Dawn rhetorically asked.
"Definitely not a party."

Violet seemed to warm up to the idea, giving a small smile she joined Dawn and Marianne.

Bog, feeling very reluctant to join as these three women stared at him, held his solo cup a little more closely to his chest.

"Bog, come on!" Dawn persisted.

Marianne turned towards him, also putting a hands on her hips.

"Yeah Bog. What's the matter?" She goaded with a quirk of an eyebrow and a smirk. "You've never danced before?"

Bog felt a slight blush rise to his cheeks.
"I-I have," he said a little nervously and mentally kicked himself.

'Don't need the girls to think I'm a total loser,' he thought.

An unease in his stomach squirmed as Dawn and Marianne quickly glanced at each other mischievously and practically sauntered over towards him.

"Well then, what are you waiting for?" Dawn said with a semi-sultry look.
"Yeah, let's go!" Marianne added giving her own semi-desirous look that agitated his stomach differently.

Together, with Dawn wrapping herself on one arm and Marianne on the other, they tugged him towards the dance floor.

Bog had given them some slight resistance at first, but then allowed to be brought to the middle of the dance floor. Marianne was surprisingly stronger than he'd originally thought.

Also, he was sure they'd pester him further until he gave in any way.

He'd only dance for one song.
Just one!

But he wouldn't really dance. Blaming it on trying not to spill his drink.

Everyone met Sunny and gathered in a small close-knit circle towards the center of the floor. They all danced in their own way as the music pulsed through their feet and filled their ears with upbeat, too-cheerful, electronic dance music.

Bog hoped he could request a few songs.
He wasn't really one for this raver crap.

He swayed to the music as he drank and watched everyone else dance. Dawn and Sunny seemed to be quite the couple as they spun and weaved around each other effortlessly.

Marianne bobbed and weaved as if she were a skilled dancer.

"You take dance lessons?" He asked her half-jokingly.
She did some sort of pirouette and gave him a smirk and a wink.

She started to say something when she was suddenly knocked forward into his chest.

Bog felt a jolt as his cold drink splashed down the front of his shirt.

"Oh my gosh," she gasped with widening eyes, "I'm so sorry!"
She snapped her head back to yell, "Dawn! Watch where you're going!"

"Sorry!" He heard Dawn yell back then laugh.

Probably to laugh at him.

Marianne gave a frustrated sigh.
"I'm so sorry," she apologized again. "First your shoes, now your shirt."

He shrugged it off.
"S'Alright," he joked, "You can't stain black."

"No, it's not alright," she insisted with a frown. "Here!"

Bog froze as Marianne brought herself flush against him and started blotting out the mess with her own shirt.
He gulped as the way she pulled at the fabric gave him brief glimpses of her black lace-lined bra.

Suddenly, everything felt too close.

Too close and too hot.

His mind froze, his breathing quickened, his skin prickled, and his stomach roiled with a sudden nervousness, almost to the point of nausea.

He needed space.

"It's fine," he said a little more roughly than intended. He saw the small flicker of hurt in her eyes as he gently pushed her hand away.

Right now, he didn't care, as he moved past her through the crowd to the kitchen, to grab another much-needed drink.

He dried the rest of what had been spilled on his shirt with the stray napkin he'd found on his way over to the 'bar'. Stuff was just sitting near a pile of coolers, taking money from anyone who wanted a drink.

She saw him and gave a questioning raised brow.

"Got spilled on," he said as he thumbed towards the crowd of dancers.
He handed her a dollar and she gave it to him, refusing to take his money.

She waved it away again and said, "Friends always drink for free."

He put his money away, feeling a twinge of happiness towards being called a friend.

And the free beer.

After he found a good vantage point, he leaned back against the wall and watched the party.

Like he had originally intended.

He scanned the crowd, enjoying watching everyone from afar.
He found that every person became their true selves when they thought no one was watching.
And he liked to sort out anyone who was going to cause him the most trouble.

He watched for a good song or two, but then he noticed when his gaze kept getting pulled back towards Marianne. Always back towards her.

What was it about her that pulled at his attention?

The next song was more upbeat and, as Bog would hate to admit, lyrically sexual. He kept his focused gaze on her and ignored the music.

Despite the cheerful environment, Marianne's dancing became more wistful, with forlorn glances and longing outstretched arms.

Despite dancing with her sister and friends, she danced as if she were alone and lonely.

He remembered the time he had found her crying in their room. How kindred he felt to her at that moment.
He knew. He understood what it was like.

Maybe that was why he was drawn to her?

Because they were so similar?

In her absentminded searching, her eyes made contact with his and they both froze.

He stared like an idiot as he became caught in the wildfire that lingered in her eyes. The wildness in her soul.

Then he understood.

She was afraid.
Afraid to express her true self.

He forced his gaze to the floor as his stomach began to roil and burn.
Clutching his stomach, he swore at himself for not eating before drinking.

He checked his drink, saw he had only drunken half, and ruled out that he wasn't overly drunk.

So, maybe he was getting sick?

He looked back towards the crowd, but couldn't see Marianne, and felt the unease in his stomach twist his gut again.
Chugging down the last of his drink, threw it away, and walked towards the door.

Forget drinking.

He needed a cigarette.

***
After Marianne had locked eyes with Bog across the room, she turned away as she felt... weird. In that shared moment, it felt like Bog had stared into her soul.
It gave her goosebumps that she tried to rub away.

When she looked back again, Bog had disappeared.

She wasn't sure whether to feel relieved or disappointed.

Dawn had stopped after a twirl to give her a concerned look.
"You okay?" she said.

Marianne gave a slim smile and an, "I'm fine."

She knew her sister knew better, so Marianne came up with a quick excuse.

"Just... need to get something to drink. I'll be right back," she said and hurried away.
And that seemed enough to placate her sister to go back to dancing with Violet and Sunny.

Mostly just Sunny.

Marianne pushed through the crowd, thinking that maybe a drink was really all she needed. Until a very familiar blond, that she had almost completely forgotten about, grabbed ahold of her arm and spun her towards him.

A sense of fear and dread sunk heavy into her gut as Roland gave her a sleazy smile that made her skin crawl even more.

"Hey there, cutie!" Roland drawled. "Wanna dance?"

Marianne snapped her arm back and said nothing as she quickened her pace towards the exit, ignoring the calls behind her.

"C'mon Buttercup," she heard behind her, "I said I was sorry."

She continued walking out the door with a sickening mix of fear and anger boiling in her gut.
Each step forward brought a new wave of past hurts and memories flashing before her mind's eye as Roland continued to 'apologize'.

It wasn't until he pleaded, "Can't you forgive me?" that she sharply turned on her heel to finally face him.

She glared at this idolized asshole with so much heated anger that she hoped his hair would catch on fire.

"You really expect me to forgive you after you cheated on me?!" She snapped.

Roland flinched, then looked offended, but Marianne could see through his tricks.

"It was just a little college experimenting," he excused with a lopsided smirk. "I didn't mean anything by it!"

He then gestured towards her outfit and makeup.
"I mean, look at you!" He added. "We're both trying new things."

Marianne had to blink for a second to process that she had heard him correctly.
"This isn't a phase," she said with held back anger. "And I don't think yours is either."

She saw the very real fear in his eyes behind the mocked hurt he displayed as he went down on one knee, giving a dramatic flair as he clutched at his heart saying, "Life hasn't been the same since you left."

She gave a small venomous smirk.
"I'm sure it hasn't," she said and walked away without looking back.

Her movement was abruptly halted as her wrist was grabbed and she was roughly tugged back to face him.

"You're the only one who has my heart," Roland added, but she could tell by the increased fear in his eyes that he was grasping at straws.

He ended with a twirl of his lock of hair and pouting for good measure.
"Please come back?" he practically begged.

Marianne tugged her hand back, disgusted by how fake everything was. She wondered how she ever fell for such a sleazeball.

Did he really think she would fall for the same tricks?

She simply turned and walked away. No further waste of words were needed on a person who didn't listen to them.

"C'mon, Marianne." She heard him call out. "Don't leave me hanging!"

She heard the heavy footfalls of Roland behind her and Marianne wanted to run. But she didn't want Roland to see her fear.
Her heart hammered in her chest at the thought of him catching up to her. Of what he could possibly do next to try to get his way.

She pressed on in quiet frustration. Her pace quickening, her lips hardening to a firm line, and her right hand comfortingly gripped with the small switchblade in her pocket.

She just wanted him to leave her alone.
Forever.

She was so focused on getting away from Roland that she had failed to notice Bog as he exited the smoker's gazebo.

She collided into him a little roughly, landing with her hands on his chest. She quickly retracted her hands. Hiding her hands behind her back, and her blade into her back pocket.

He looked down at her with a very concerned look.

"Is everything alright?" he asked.

For a moment Marianne lost her voice, trapped in the memory of those blue eyes staring at her from across the dancefloor.
"Um, yeah. I'm fine!" Her voice cracked with a rising panic. "Perfectly fine," she said as she slowly backed away towards the dorms.

The sound of footfalls catching up behind her weighted her stomach with dread.

"There you are Buttercup!" Roland said and Marianne cringed when she heard that dreaded nickname.

Sighing an exasperated sigh, she squared her shoulders as she turned around to face him.

However, Bog had already stepped around Marianne to block Roland from herself.

"S'cuse me," Roland said, as he attempted walking around Bog. "I need to have a chat with my fiancee."

Bog simply stepped further in his way, blocking any and all attempts to get to Marianne.

"I think you should take the hint and leave," Bog said in a dark tone that sent shivers up Marianne's spine.

Marianne watched as Roland then sized Bog up. Then, giving her a cocky grin, thumbing towards Bog and said, "Don't tell me you traded me in for this ugly loser?"

She watched as Bog smirked darkly, cracking his knuckles and neck before responding.

"Whether she did or didn't," he said, shifting into a fighting stance ever so slightly, "I think this ugly loser can damage that face of yours pretty easily."

Roland flinched with a faltering backward step, holding his hands up near his face in surrender and protection.
"Hey now," he said, taking another tentative step back. "Let's not be so hasty! Can't we talk about this like adults?"

Bog advanced one step, and Marianne could have sworn she saw him break out into a full smile.
"Oh, I think you've done enough talking," he said, then offered a fist. "Unless you'd like to talk to my fist?"

She watched with morbid glee as Roland paled as he stuttered, stumbling backward, and not saying another word as he turned and ran out of the area.

Bog then turned back towards her with a pleased lopsided smile, almost as if he enjoyed the idea of getting into a fight.

How rare, she thought as she looked, to see him smile so genuinely. Like she was given a rare gift in those few seconds.

Her heart and stomach began to flutter oddly and she internally waved those feelings away.

"You okay?" he asked and she almost didn't hear it.

"Y-Yeah," she said, letting out a shaky exhale, hugging herself in unconscious comfort. "I think the adrenaline is starting to kick in."

Her heartbeat spiked when he wrapped a warm arm around her shoulder, guiding her back towards the party.

"Here. Let's get you a drink," he said. "My treat."

As she leaned into Bog's warm embrace, Marianne affirmed again in her head that the increasingly warm and tingly feelings were just adrenaline.

Not love.

***
After what felt like the hundredth song or so, Dawn decided she had done enough dancing.For now.
Everyone else seemed to be thinking the same thing as she seemed to be one of the last few left on the dance floor.

She glanced around to find Sunny sitting at a table with Violet. Imp, who seemed to be taking a break from the DJ booth, was also sitting nearby.

When she sat down between Sunny and Imp, she saw that Sunny and Violet were intensely focused on a card game.

"What ya doin?" She asked Sunny as she rested her head on his shoulder and looked at his hand.

Sunny rotated a few cards on the table, then placed a card down in front of those.
"I'm winning with my awesome fairy and elven deck," he said as he glanced over to her with a pleased smirk.

Violet discarded a card, then drew a card. She also rotated a few cards and placed three cards down.
"Last I checked," she said while placing the last card down with a smirk, "my goblin army was annihilating your Archdruid."

Dawn tried to bite back her smile as Sunny's face then turned disappointed as he discarded the said card.
"Not my Archdruid. Damn it."

Dawn smiled and nodded respectfully as she leaned back and away.

She wasn't one for nerdy games.
Even if the artwork was kind of pretty.

She glanced at Imp who was playing some handheld video game and she inwardly sighed.
Maybe her sister was doing something fun since she didn't come back after getting a drink.

She glanced around to find Marianne being a wallflower near the kitchen.
But then she saw Bog walk over to her, with a drink for each of them.

Interesting, she thought, as she split into an elated smile and she propped her head up with her arms.

"You know," Dawn mused idly and loudly for the others to hear as she continued to watch the two with glee, "I think Marianne and Bog would make a good couple."

The others, now curious each in their own way, looked to Dawn. She nodded her head towards their direction.

At this point, Bog and Marianne seemed to be deep in conversation as everyone watched them from afar.

Something Bog had said made Marianne crack a playful smile and punch his arm. Bog feigned hurt, rubbing at his shoulder, all with a lopsided smile of his own.

She then leaned back against the wall next to Bog. Inching herself a little closer so they were almost touching shoulder to shoulder. Her fingers toying with some strands of hair that fell past her ear as she awkwardly glanced down and away.

And Bog was glancing at her every now and again when she wasn't looking.

Sunny, who had known Bog and Marianne a little more than the other two, then nodded.
"I think I see what you mean, yeah," he said.

There was a nudge on Sunny's shoulder and Imp made a few hand signs.
'Wanna make a bet?'

Sunny gave his friend an incredulous look.
"Man, you know I ain't good at those things," he said.

Imp just snickered and said, 'I know.'

"Not good at what?" Dawn asked, quirking her head back towards the two.

Sunny smirked and nodded towards Imp.
"Imp wants to make a bet."

Dawn's eyes widened, almost comically so, towards him. Her overly excited smile made him feel a little uneasy.

"Oh my god, Yas!" she practically squealed. "We should bet on when Marianne and Bog will hook up!"

Sunny looked to her questioningly.
"You really think they'll bang?" He said.

Dawn confidently tilted her chin up.
"Oh, I've got a pretty good feeling they will." She said. "It's more a question of when."

Sunny's brow furrowed in thought.
"But how will we know if they did or didn't?"

Dawn smirked with a wink, "Oh, I've got my ways..." she said.

"Betting on someone's intimate lives seems a little morally wrong," Violet said as she shuffled her deck.
"Are we going back to playing?" She asked Sunny.

"Oh, yeah," he said as he turned back towards the table and shuffled his own deck. "One sec..."

Dawn rolled her eyes and gave Violet a smirk.
"They're not gonna know," she said as she sidled up next to Violet. Wrapping a reassuring arm around her friend. "It'll just be between us."

When Violet didn't say anything, Dawn nudged her and said, "Don't you wanna make a little money? I'm sure it'll help pay for snacks or maybe even your student loans?"

Violet squirmed under Dawn's intensity but then gave in.
"I suppose I could use the money towards something for myself," she said and began another game with Sunny.

Dawn then focused her attention on Sunny.
"What about you," she asked with a hint of mischief. "Are you in?"

Sunny glanced around as everyone stared at him. He shrank a little as he felt pressured.

"I'm not the best when it comes to betting," he tried to dissuade. "I usually lose."

'We could team up,' Imp suggested and Sunny hung his head and sighed in defeat.

"Man, why do you always have to be so convincing?" he said.

Imp snickered with a wide toothy smile.
Dawn smile broadened as well.

Violet looked to be in thought with a slight frown.
"What if they don't end up together?" She said.

Dawn's smile slightly deflated.
"Then we split the winnings evenly," she simply stated and folded her hands on her knees.

"I want in," a baritone voice said behind her and Dawn yelped.
She spun around to see a very plump punk woman grin at her.

Or at least it looked like a woman.

"Dawn, this is Stephanie," Sunny introduced.

Stephanie waved and said, "Call me Stuff."

Dawn frowned slightly.
"Why's that?" She asked.

"Originally," Stuff said with a grin, "It was because I love double-stuffed Oreos. But, hey, who doesn't want some of this 'Stuff'?"

She then provocatively gesturing to her body which made Dawn blush and Imp snicker.

"Where's Thang?" Sunny then asked.

"Couldn't make it," she said. "Trying to finish an essay and study for his mid-terms."

"Aren't mid-terms, like, about a month away?" Dawn asked.

"Yeah," Stuff said with a slight grimace, "You can tell him that."
She then popped opened her can of beer and got comfy between Imp and Sunny.

"So," she asked as she settled between the cushions, "what are we betting on?"

"Whether or not Bog and Marianne are going to get together," Sunny said.

Stuff's eyes widened along with her smile.
"Ooh, now that's something I'm sure will happen. Here's five bucks. Who am I handing this to?"

"No, no," Dawn corrected Sunny with a wag of her finger. "When they'll hook-up."

Stuff shrugged and said, "Either way, I'm in. Any specific rules?"

Then everyone looked to Imp.

Imp, who had done this thing way too many times to count, pondered for a minute before deciding on a few 'fun' rules.

He signed to Sunny, who then interpreted.
"'Place bets at the beginning of the month. No intervening to get yourself to win'."

Dawn leaned forward with a slight questioning frown.
"So, like, no interrupting if they're together sort of thing?" Dawn asked.

"'Right'," Sunny answered, then added. "'Or sending fake love letters and such,'"

Dawn's frown turned into a pout.
"But, that's no fun," she said.

"We should have some type of group chat." Stuff suggested, "Keep everyone informed."

Dawn excitedly turned to Imp with glee.
"Oh! Could we maybe, conveniently, place them together in public situations?"

Imp cackled a strange raspy laugh.
'I like her,' he signed to Sunny.
"I knew you two would hit it off," he replied.

Dawn quirked her head towards the two.
"What'd he say?" she asked.

Sunny grinned then said, "He said he likes your idea."
Imp gave Sunny a sour look and then signed, 'That's not what I said!'
Sunny smirked.
"Maybe you should get a different interpreter."

Chapter Text

Roland wasn't one for losing. It just never happened to him. He always won, or he let others win.
And he wasn't a quitter neither.

That big brute last night was just an unexpected roadblock.

So, this morning, he sat outside the cafeteria working on his new plan.

"Roland," one of Roland’s cousins loudly whispered from the nearby bush, snapping him from his focus. "Why are we doing this again? I have class in an hour."

"Shh!" Roland hissed towards the bush, "You're distracting me."

The door to the cafeteria opened and Roland straightened up, acting casual, as a few women left. He flashed them all a dazzling smile and a flirtatious wink as they passed, sneakily glancing at their handbags.

He leaned back towards the bush when the coast was clear.

"I saw this new girl leave with Marianne's group last night," he said a low whisper. "A short gal, brown curly hair, and a big grey bag that looks like a cat."

He offhandedly scribbled some nonsense into his notebook, making himself look busy, then went back on the lookout.

"I'm gonna make Marianne so jealous!" He bragged. "Once she sees me with one of her friends, she'll remember what she's missing and'll be begging to take me back."

The other bush rustled slightly.

"What does that have anything to do with us hiding in these here bushes?" His other cousin complained.

"You're keeping a lookout for Marianne." He then sneered, "and that thug."

He threw his wallet on the ground. "But, since you're so eager to leave, go get me an iced latte."

Roland looked on in amusement while he watched two of his three cousins; most likely Harry and Thomas, get into a small scuffle. It ended quickly with one punch to the gut.

"Fuck you, Tom!" Harry wheezed as Thomas darted off.

"Be sure it's a mocha with three Splenda!" Roland called out.

"And you," he ordered, snapping his fingers and pointing towards the bush, "Back in the bushes."

Thomas, still rubbing his stomach, grimaced slightly up at him.

"Can't I just sit with you?" He whined.

"Of course not," Roland scoffed. "You'll block my view. And distract the women from having eyes only for me."

The farthest bush shook with urgency as a waving hand emerged.

"Hey, hey Roland," Richard piped in, his hand pointing towards a woman in the distance. "I think I see her!"

Roland’s eyes followed to see a woman who fit the description.

"Good eye, Dick!" He praised, smiling.

Quickly smoothing his hair, to ensure his front curls were perfect. He then gave Harry a waggle of the eyebrows, "Time to make my move."

Everything was coming into place he thought as he jogged towards her.

He noted she wore leggings and a large sweatshirt, her hair in a messy bun.
Typical casual campus outfit these days.

When he finally reached her, he grabbed her shoulder to spin her towards him.

"Hey, there g-Ah! AH!!! AHH!!!"

He dropped, screaming in agony, his hands failing to soothe his now burning face.

Richard was the first to get to them.

"Oh, we're so sorry about that!" He apologized, trying to hide his amusement with a polite smile. "Our friend just wanted to ask you out."

He tried not to grimace at the, frankly, homely obese woman before him. Instead, glancing to see how Roland was faring.

The screaming had quieted to loud complaints as Harry held a wet paper towel against Roland's eyes. His brother gave him a thumbs-up.

So, not too bad, he guessed.

"He- He did?!" the woman in question asked, lowering her small can of mace, a clear telltale blush to her cheeks.

"Oh yeah," Richard confirmed, grunting as he hoisted Roland up between their shoulders. "He had mentioned a date, later tonight?" He glanced at his brother, giving him a not-so-subtle wink.

"Yeah," Harry agreed, winking back, matching his twin's mischievous grin. "Yeah. At that fancy Italian place downtown, maybe around eight?"

"You mean the Olive Garden?" She asked.

"Yeah, that one!"

She squinted suspiciously at each of them, before entering something into her phone.
She then held her hand out.

"I'll take his watch," she stated.

Richard brow creased in confusion.
"Wha?"

"For collateral," she explained, motioning again for the previously asked item. "He'll get it back when we meet up tonight. If not, then," she shrugged, "I have something worth my lost time..."

Richard's grin widened even further, enjoying this turn of events very much. He liked this girl.

"Hey-" Roland protested as Harry slipped his Rolex off.

"Hey, man," he interjected. "You heard the lady."

Richard then gladly handed over the watch, watching her inspect it briefly before pocketing it, finding it suitable.

"Thanks," she said, smiling. "I guess I'll see you at eight. Oh, my name is Violet, by the way."

Thomas then returned, passing by Violet on his way out with four drinks in tow, one of which he was casually sipping.

He quirked an eyebrow, glancing between everyone.

"So, what'd I miss?"

***

Violet didn't intend to startle Dawn when she slammed opened the door, but she just couldn't wait.

"I have a date with a hot guy!" She blurted excitedly before Dawn could ask anything.

Dawn, who had been sitting on her bed with her tablet, leaned forward in interest.

“How hot are we talking?” She asked

“Oh, he’s an eleven out of ten!”

Dawn’s eyes widened.

“Damn gurl, that’s awesome!” She then sighed. “Now if only I can find someone like that for me. Does he have a brother?”

Violet had been on dates before, but not ones where the guy is practically an Adonis. She flung open her closet, trying to find something fairly decent.

She groaned in dismay when all she seemed to have were t-shirts, comfy sweaters, hoodies, and more t-shirts. She tried her dresser drawers.

She found one dress. Or rather, an old cosplay that could be a dress. Why she had this still was beyond her. It probably didn't even fit anymore.

"The date's tonight," she said with increasing panic. "I don't have anything fancy, can you help?"

Dawn came over and gave her a reassuring side hug.

"Of course I will, silly!" She said, "Makeup too?"

Violet nodded enthusiastically.

"Yes please!"

***

After a quick trip to the mall; getting a casual, yet fancy, dress; a proper push-up bra; some Spanx; and some foundation for Violet's fair skin tone. Dawn then spent that evening doing Violet's makeup, giving her a basic tutorial along the way.

She gave Violet the works; darker, fuller lashes with mascara and glued on falsies; sultry red lips; a rose gold eyeshadow and black eyeliner made her hazel eyes pop; and just a tint of blush.

Violet looked stunning.
Ravishing even.
But that was the whole point.

"Ooh," Dawn mock swooned, fanning herself, "I do believe I need some air. It's getting a bit hot in here."

Violet giggled, smiling with embarrassment. She attempted to hide her blushing face with her hands, but Dawn quickly smacked them away.

"Ah-ah!" She chastised. "No touching your face yet! Actually, don't touch your face at all while you wear makeup... Now, close your eyes. I still need to do the setting spray."

A few quick spritzes, to which Violet grimaced, and she was done!

"Okay," Dawn said, satisfied with her work, handed Violet a hand mirror, "What do you think?"

Dawn watched with delight as Violet gazed at her reflection, blinking a few times.

"Oh wow," Violet whispered in astonishment.
"Oh wow, It's like magic," she said, her eyes welled up slightly. "I'm as pretty as a shojo heroine!"

"Oh, don't you start crying," Dawn warned. "You're gonna make me cry! Blink it away! Quickly!"

***

*BZZT! BZZT!*

Marianne yelped as her phone angrily buzzed beside her, jolting her from her intense focus. She glanced away from her laptop to give it a slight glare.

Quickly becoming conscious of her body's discomfort, she stood from her desk chair with a groan. Stretching her arms overhead then bending forward to touch her toes, her arms and lower back muscles protested with a slight ache.

Well, that's what you get for gaming for several hours straight, she chastised to herself.

She reconsidered taking up Dawn's offer to do yoga.

After a quick message to her guildmates, she grabbed her phone and strolled down the hall for a quick bathroom break.

There was a message from Dawn; a selfie of her and a very dressed up Violet in the background.

/Violet's got a hot date tonight!

Marianne's mouth curved into a bittersweet smile.
At least some of her friends had successful love lives.

/Awesome!
/Tell her I wish her good luck!

After a quick piss, she ambled back to her room a little dejectedly, frowning to herself.
She didn't know why she was letting such a little thing get to her.

She was genuinely happy for her friend...
But, in a way, she had to admit she did miss some aspects of being in a relationship.

But she could be fine on her own.
No more needing to please anyone other than herself.

When she entered back into her room, she grimaced at the mess that had accumulated on her side. She could blame it on Bog being a bad influence, but she knew better.

He was actually getting better at keeping things tidy. Despite that one pile of clothes on his side that still irked her.

Her face twitched to a slight frown.

Actually, when was the last time she saw Bog for more than a few moments?

He wasn't here again tonight, stating he was playing games with Thang.

Maybe next time she'll tag along.

Maybe she can even get them into Faircraft.

Speaking of which, she shouldn't keep her other friends waiting, she had a long enough break.

Moving her laptop to her bed, she decided to get a bit cozier.

[LightQueen is no longer AFK.]

[LightQueen: Back]

[DarkGoblin is no longer AFK.]

[DarkGoblin: Took you long enough, thought you said you were taking a piss?]

[LightQueen: It's late and I needed to get comfy...]

[AnuraThing stopped dancing.]
[FrogGrl stopped dancing.]

[AnuraThing: Welcome back!]

[LightQueen: Thx]

[MausMan: Let's get back to raiding...]

[DarkGoblin cheered.]
[LightQueen clapped.]
[FrogGrl did a fist pump.]

***

Roland waited inside the Olive Garden lobby dressed in his most basic business casual for such a paltry restaurant. His eyes still stung, but most of the redness was gone. A few drops of eye solution quickly remedied that.

He checked his watch, then realizing it wasn’t there, he dug out his phone with slight irritation and checked the time.

It was still early, but she was due to arrive any minute now.

He ran through his plan in his head three times before he was interrupted by a woman in a dark blue dress. She gave him a demure wave.

"Hey there," she greeted, smiling shyly.

Roland smiled to himself.
Even out here he was a chick magnet.

"Sorry pretty lady," he apologized, flashing a charismatic smile, "I'm waiting for a Miss Violet."

She procured his watch from her small purse and offered it to him.

"Yep, that's me," she said.

He inspected his watch thoroughly for any scuffs or damage, finding it in pristine condition. He glanced at the woman before him in slight confusion as he put it back on.

Curvy, but not obese like his cousins had warned.
Her eyeshadow took away from her interesting eye color.
She should have put more effort into her hair instead of her makeup.
Her tights should have been black instead of beige.

"You know," she mused as her eyes wandered down his form, "I still don't your name."

He feigned embarrassment, laughing at himself. "Oh, right. How embarrassing." He did a quick hair twirl and a gentlemanly bow. "Roland Knight, at your service."

With a gentlemanly flourish, he held the door open for her.

"After you," he said, gesturing for her to enter.

He noted her slight swoon and smiled to himself.

All going according to plan, he thought as he followed her in.

***

With another successful raid completed, loot and XP finished getting handed out, the guild was now back in town.

[AnuraThing: Great raid!]

[FrogGrl cheered.]
[FrogGrl: Whoot! I lvl'd up!]

[MausMan clapped.]
[AnuraThing cheered.]

[MausMan: Nice]
[Soon, you'll be able to multiclass!]

[DarkGoblin: You should multi into a Barbarian]

[LightQueen: Nah, I think she'd make a better Assassin]

[DarkGoblin: Ah, no... She's from the goblin faction, so she'll get a race boost if she becomes a Barbarian]

[FrogGrl: What's the difference?]

[MausMan: Different stat trees...]

[FrogGrl: I don't know what that means...]

[AnuraThing: Oh, I have a guidebook you can borrow!]

[FrogGrl: Thx, I'll borrow it ltr]

[LightQueen shook her head in dismay at DarkGoblin.]
[She's still a noob, becoming a tank might be too hard...]

[DarkGoblin: Oh, and you think that a DPS class will be better???]

[LightQueen flexed her muscles.]
[LightQueen: Well, since I'm the guild's best tank, I think I have a say in that matter...]

[FrogGrl: Uh oh...]

[MausMan: What?]

[FrogGrl: Here we go...]

[DarkGoblin chuckled in amusement at LightQueen.]
[DarkGoblin: Oh really? The best tank you say?]

[LightQueen put up her dukes.]
[LightQueen: Yeah, I do]

[DarkGoblin smirked at LightQueen.]
[DarkGoblin withdrew his weapon.]
[DarkGoblin: PVP for it?]

[FrogGrl facepalmed.]

[LightQueen smiled at DarkGoblin]
[LightQueen: I thought you'd never ask...]

***

Roland thought everything was going quite smoothly.

Halfway through dinner and they had already gone through at least one bottle of wine.
Well, she did. He was still working on his second glass.

He thanked the waiter when he came back with a second bottle.

"Oh gosh," Violet gushed. "You're just... Just so... Good looking!" She averted her gaze, fiddling with her napkin on her lap, "I don't know why you'd want to be on a date with me."

He smirked.

"Well," he drawled, taking a sip of his wine. "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and you-,” he raised his glass to her, “-definitely have caught my eye."

Her blush became redder than the wine.

And now to get her on his side with a little more help from his friend Moscato.

"So, tell me about yourself," he asked as he poured her another glass of wine.

She took a chug of liquid courage before protesting.

"Oh, no. No," she said, suddenly interested in moving what was left on her plate around. "I don't want to bore you. Let's talk more about you."

Roland mused for a moment.

"Tempting, but no," he said. "C'mon now. I asked you out on a date to get to know more about you. So spill it, honey."

"Well, okay," she gave in, putting her fork down and taking another sip wine. "I'm from upper New Hampshire. Come from a big family. Six brothers and two sisters--"

Boring, Roland thought. He fought the urge to roll his eyes.

"What made you come here?" He asked, leaning back, steepling his fingers.

"I want to get into the cosplay industry," she answered with a smile, "And the college has a great fashion and arts program."

He frowned.

"Cos-play?" he asked, unsure of the word.

"'Costume play'," she explained. Setting her glass down, she rifled through her phone for a minute before showing him a few pictures of people dressed up in fancy costumes posing.

He recognized a few characters from a few cartoons he used to watch as a kid.
He scoffed.
"Well, I could do that!"

She put her phone back in her purse.

"Actually, yeah," she agreed, a coy smile quirked her lips. "I think you'd make a great cosplay model. They can get paid a lot of money in competitions..."

Roland quirked a brow, his interest piqued.
A way to make money just by looking good?
That sounded too good to be true.

"You think I could?" he asked.

She gave a firm nod.

"Oh definitely. I could help you out if you’d like!”

“Hmm,” he contemplated. “I’ll keep that in mind. So when do you graduate?”

“Two more years to go.”

Okay, Roland thought, so he had some time to build up some tension between them and Marianne.

Their waiter came back with dessert. A chocolate lava cake for her and tiramisu for him.

He watched her dig into her desert with a gusto.
Using this opportunity, he 'dropped' his fork on the floor, sneakily dropping a few extra eyedrops to his eyes before coming back up.

"So, I have something to admit to you," he said, getting into his role. "And I don't want you to think anything bad of me for saying this... but..."

She looked up from her plate in rapt attention.

"But?" She goaded.

He blinked, causing a stray 'tear' or two to fall.

"My ex left me last month after she found out I was bisexual," he stated with a firm line to his mouth.

She blinked, seemingly shocked silent.

"You okay there, darlin?" he asked, gauging her reaction.

"I'm sorry, I'm just… Ugh," she fumed, thumping the table in frustration. "The anti-gay community is the worst!"

Roland quickly regained his composure.
This was getting better and better.

"Some people just don't understand our needs, you know?" He said. "Sometimes I need a bit of masculinity."

"Would you ever want to do a threesome?" she blurted out enthusiastically.

Roland blinked. Maybe it was the wine, but she was not as prude as she seemed.

"With you?" he asked.

“You and two men, and I can just watch?”

Roland blinked again.

Very different than what he was expecting.

“Depends on the person, but I wouldn’t say no…”

Violet squealed and Roland felt his ego, and his nether region, rise a bit.
He scowled inwardly at himself. He was starting to enjoy this a little too much.

"I don't know about you," He checked his watch, wanting to wrap this up, "but you're pretty interesting. Would you like to go out-"

"Yes."

He smirked.

Getting Marianne back was going to be so easy.

"Alright," he said, taking out his phone. "It's my lucky day. When's your next day off?"

***
"Thanks for coming with me," Dawn thanked Sunny as they exited the campus. "I'd rather not get lost again."

"No prob," He replied with a smirk. "You seemed more than happy to not do your homework. Again."

"Oh, don't you start on me too," she grumbled, "I get enough from Mari. I’ve been doing better! I’ve even started making a schedule."

"Take a left up here," he instructed. 

"Thanks," she murmured, turning on her blinker.

They left the campus and got into the interstate to head to town. Dawn turned on the radio, switching channels until she heard an upbeat pop melody.

"I hope Violet's date went well," she said.

"Me too," Sunny agreed, although his mind was elsewhere.

“I guess the guy is really, really, hot,” Dawn smirked. “We’ll just have to see.”

“Heh heh,” Sunny nervously laughed, “Yeah… We’ll see…”

He fiddled with his phone, flipping it around in his hands, trying to give himself something to focus on.
Despite the music, Sunny’s thoughts seemed louder. Yelling at him to just tell her already.

He wanted to ask her out.
He wanted to tell her how amazing and beautiful she is.
That he’s in love with her.

He’d been wanting to tell her for about a week how he felt. The feelings would rise in his chest, and then she'd look at him with those baby blue eyes, and everything would just fall away and melt into the most warm, amazing feeling imaginable.

“Oh, there it is!” Dawn said and she turned into the parking lot.

They parked, and she gave Violet a quick call.

"We're here," she said, enthusiasm tinged her voice, "Come on out so I can finally see him!"

She hung up and they waited.

"Listen," Sunny gathered enough courage to ask, "I was wondering-"

Dawn's unbelievably soft hand pressed against his mouth, stunning him for a moment that he'd almost forgot what he planned to say.

"Hold that thought," she quickly said, retracting her hand and gripping the steering wheel tight.

Sunny glanced and noted that Violet had staggered out of the restaurant with her date. Dawn was practically shaking in her seat.

Then Dawn's excited smile faltered.

"Wait a minute," she said with suspicion. "Is that... Roland?"

"The chump that cheated on Marianne?" He asked.

"Yeah..." She said, squinting to get a better look, "I'd know that hairstyle anywhere..."

They watched as Violet and Roland seemed to talk about something. Then Roland bent down and gave her a kiss.

When they broke apart, Violet was clearly swooning.

Roland then seemed to have gotten a phone call, gestured for Violet to go on without her, indicating to his phone.

"Not even going to walk her to the car," Dawn muttered with slight judgment.

"I got it," Sunny offered, getting out of the car and assisting Violet the rest of the way.
He opened the door for her and helped shift Violet into the backseat before running around and hopping back into his seat.

"So... How was your date?" Dawn asked a little stiffly.

Violet leaned forward from the backseat, the scent of alcohol was almost palpable.

"It was so, so awesome !" Violet gushed. "His name’s Roland. He doesn’t have any brothers. He has a couple of cousins though. We talked about school, and cosplay. Oh, and we kissed!"

"So I saw," Dawn wavered in sounding enthused.

"Oh, he also bi and his previous girlfriend dumped him because of it," she added.

Sunny frowned.

"But didn't-” he began, before Dawn gave him a quick smack, “Ow!"

"Really!?" Dawn acted surprised.

Sunny quieted when Dawn gave her a look.

"I know, right?!" Violet slurred. "Some people just don't understand..." She yawned and stretched, rubbing her eyes, smearing her makeup in the process. "I have a date again next week," she happily sighed.

Dawn and Sunny exchanged awkward glances.

"I'm so happy for you," Dawn said through a forced smile as she put the car in reverse and exited the parking lot.

"Oh Sunny, what did you want to ask me earlier?"

"Uhm, I forgot," Sunny lied, having lost his nerve, and changed the radio station instead.

After a minute or so, the awkward silence between them was broken by Violet's sudden snoring.

Glancing at the backseat to see Violet completely knocked out, Sunny then looked at Dawn questioningly.

"So," he asked in a low voice, "do we tell her about-"

"No," Dawn said flatly. "Not yet..."

"But, didn't he-?"

"Yes, yes he did, and I want to be the one to tell her." She glanced in the rearview mirror before adding, "Later. I don't want to spoil Violet's happiness just yet."

Sunny shrugged and settled back in his seat.
"If you say so..."

***
Marianne clutched her left wrist as her tendons burned. She would have to wear her wrist wraps tomorrow, but it was well worth it.

She barely won this round.
But she had won regardless.

She had her fairy warrior, clad in her best, dyed-pink, armor doing her victory dance near the town square fountains while applying both her wrist wraps. She idly wondered how her friend was faring as she finished tugging on the last strap.

Meanwhile, Bog angrily flung his gaming mouse across the room at his defeat, panting.

When noticing everyone was staring at him, he sheepishly ducked his head, grumbling an apology as he went to retrieve it.

Stuff gave him a look as he walked across the room.
“She really gets to you, huh?” She said.

He exhaled a breathy laugh between pants.

“You could say she and I can get quite competitive with each other,” he replied with a slightly lopsided grin.

“I kinda figured,” she smirked.
“Okay, less talk, more game now…”

[FrogGrl is no longer AFK.]
[FrogGrl: That was awesome!]

[AnuraThing: Indeed, that was quite a match!]

[DarkGoblin bowed to LightQueen.]
[DarkGoblin: You fight well… for a fairy]

[LightQueen stopped dancing]
[LightQueen mused]
[LightQueen: I could say the same for you...]

[DarkGoblin gave a puzzled look.]
[DarkGoblin: What’s that supposed to mean?]

[LightQueen: I don’t know, I was expecting a bit… more?]

[DarkGoblin looked incredulously at LightQueen.]

[MausMan: OMG, you guys are the cutest couple!]

[LightQueen: what?]

[DarkGoblin: Umm...]

[AnuraThing: I agree! They're the best couple!]

[FrogGrl shook her head no.]
[FrogGrl: /Clearly/ they're just friends...]

[MausMan shrugged ]
[MausMan: I don't know, I see flirting from a mile away...]

[AnuraThing: Wait... So they're not in a relationship?]

Nearby players seemed to have noticed the conversation and turned towards their group in interest and approached.

[DudeBro47: Whoa, DG and LQ aren't a thing?]

[ButterflyBabe: DG is single?!!!]

[SomeRando: Hey, Queen, need a king???]

[DudeBro47: Nah, ignore that ass, try me instead]

[ButterlyBabe: DG, you looking for anyone specific?]

[LightQueen went AFK]
[DarkGoblin went AFK]

Bog got up, laptop in hand, his heart pounding as he rushed out of Thang's room.

"Bog," Stuff barked at him, "Where ya goin?"

"Bathroom!" He yelled back.

"You better be back in ten!"

Stuff sagged a little when the door shut.

"Dude," she whispered to Imp low enough so Thang couldn’t hear, "What about the bet?"

Imp shrugged.

[MausMan private messaged FrogGrl: Sorry, I love a good romance when I see it…]
[Perhaps we can use this to our advantage?]

"I'll make some more popcorn," Thang offered.

***

Bog swiftly entered the bathroom, going into the last stall. He opened his laptop on his lap. His heart raced more from nervousness than exertion.

[Private Message from DarkGoblin:]

[DarkGoblin: OMG, I can't believe that they said that.]

[I mean, for us to be... you know.]

Marianne swiveled uneasily in her chair, trying to cool her face with her palms.

They were finally going to have the talk.

She inhaled a steadying breath as she finished his sentence, feeling her cheeks redden.

[LightQueen: A couple?]

Bog chewed on his lip as he read her reply, quelling his urge to bounce his knee. He could feel his face getting redder and was glad that they couldn't see each other.

[DarkGoblin: Haha...]
[Yeah.]

Bog's attention perked as someone entered the bathroom, going into the adjacent stall.

He swore under his breath, popping his earbuds in and playing a random song with a slight grimace.

He decided to get to the point and get back to gaming.

[DarkGoblin: I mean, aren't you getting married in Feb?]

Marianne let out a sigh as her heart continued fluttering in her chest.

[LightQueen: No.]
[I mean, I was.]

Bog's eyebrow's shot up in surprise. Well, that was news to him.

He tried to play it casual despite his increased interest.

[DarkGoblin: Oh.]
[What happened?]

Marianne puckered her lips, drumming her fingers on her desk for a moment, contemplating how much of the Roland fiasco she wanted to dump onto him.

Might as well get all of her feelings out there.

[LightQueen: He never really loved me.]
[And, I wasn't his type.]
[/Literally/]

Bog's brow furrowed slightly.

[DarkGoblin: What do you mean?]

The sting of past memories flood Marianne’s thoughts for a moment. Exhaling a sad sigh, she continued to type.

[LightQueen: He's gay. Well, he said he's bisexual]

[But he looked totally gay when I caught him in the act with another man!]

She sat back, contemplating her friend's reaction. Most likely laughing his ass off at her.

Meanwhile, Bog's jaw dropped in stunned silence.

The smell from the adjacent stall started to waft towards him and Bog gagged.

"Good God, man," he swore. "The fuck did you eat?!"
"Sorry,” the guy in the next stall apologized, “I'm almost done!"

He lit a cigarette, taking a long calming drag, exhaling the smoke towards the next stall.
He was starting to regret choosing the bathroom for this talk.

[DarkGoblin: That's messed up. And you almost married him? I mean, how did you /not/ know?!]

Marianne rocked a little in her seat, mulling it over for a moment.

[LightQueen: I guess it's my fault. I fell for his charm and good looks.]
[He slowly molded me into his perfect girl.]

[DarkGoblin: Oh.]

With each flash of memory flowed a wave of anger towards Roland, but more so herself.
Her brow creased as resentment broiled in her gut.

[LightQueen: Maybe I couldn't bear to see that he was just a shallow, power-hungry, cheating, chattering, pig-headed son of a...]

She stopped. Lifting her hands away from the keyboard, she took a moment to take a deep breath in, smoothing her hair back.

She exhaled a loud sigh.
She wasn’t going to let her failures get to her.

[LightQueen: Ugh! I'm sorry! I'm really mad now...]

Bog quietly chuckled to himself.

[DarkGoblin: It's alright, I get it.]

The guy in the adjacent stall had finally left and Bog sighed in relief. He took another drag of his cigarette, tapping the ashes into the toilet.

[DarkGoblin: I was in love with someone who didn't return my feelings]

Her brow raised as she leaned slightly forward in interest.

[LightQueen: Really?]

Bog's lips thinned into a slight grimace.

[DarkGoblin: Yes...]

For a moment, Marianne wondered if that was all he was going to say but became pleased to see him continue typing. Resting her face in her hands, she eagerly taking in everything.

[DarkGoblin: Late teens, there was this girl. Love at first sight, or so I thought.]
[Part of the bad crowd. Didn't care. Would've followed her anywhere.]
[Joined her gang so I could be closer to her. Butted heads with my Mum. Left home.]
[She had me in the palm of her hand. Was at her beck and call.]
[Love made me so weak-willed and blind to see that she was just using me.]

Bog hesitated. Fingers hovering above the keys for only a moment.

The painful memory washing over him like an icy ocean wave.

He willed himself to type through the pain.

[DarkGoblin: One day... I proposed. But then...]

Marianne's heart twisted a little as she knew what happened next.

[LightQueen: She said no...]

The longer pause made Marianne's heart twist a little more.

[DarkGoblin: Yep.]

Bog scowled at himself when he failed to notice his cigarette had long since burned out. 

He sighed dejectedly as he dropped it in the toilet. He debated lighting another, but thought against it.

[DarkGoblin: Crushed my heart she did. Kicked me to the curb.]
[Left the gang, came back home. Mum made me go live with my Da.]
[He straightened me out.]

[DarkGoblin: Mostly ;) ]

Marianne had sworn she would never fall in love again, but she could feel the pangs of a silly, old crush resettling back into her heart.

"Ugh!" She groaned in frustration, flopping her head on her desk in defeat while she put her hand to her heart. "Why can't I just turn you off?"

She sighed to herself, mulling over her predicament. She chewed at her bottom lip, feeling knots in her stomach, her heart pounding so loud she could almost hear it, as she tentatively typed the question.

[LightQueen: Do you like me?]

[DarkGoblin: Yes]
[I mean...]

Bog swore at himself. He shouldn't be doing this. He knew better.

[DarkGoblin: You just left a relationship]
[And... you wouldn't want to be with me.]

Marianne's heart did weird thumps in her chest.
She tried to bite down her ever-widening smile, But she couldn't stop grinning like a fool.

[LightQueen: Well, actually...]

Chapter Text

Dawn was picking at her breakfast, fretting about the best way to tell Violet about Roland, when her sister decided to grace her table with her tired and dishevelled presence.

“Morning,” Marianne said happily as she flopped down opposite to her.

Dawn frowned slightly at her sister’s slightly chipper mood.

“You look like you slept well,” she said sarcastically.

Marianne stretched her arms overhead with a soft satisfied grunt.
“Only four hours, but it was well worth it,” she said.

Dawn perked at this.
“Oh?” she asked, intrigued. “So how was it?”

“It felt like not enough sleep…” Marianne emphasised with a yawn.

“Mari,” Dawn chided, crossing her arms. “You remember when we were younger we promised that we would tell each other when we lost our virginities?”

“Yeah, so?” Marianne said between bites.

Dawn raised an eyebrow.
“So who’s the guy?”

Marianne looked at her sister, baffled, whispering ‘who’s the guy?’ questioningly.

“Oh,” Marianne finally realized, waving her arms firmly in dismissal. “No, no, no, no. I didn’t sleep with anyone. I just stayed up really late last night with my friends.”

Dawn sighed slightly in disappointment, dropping her arms and going back to picking at her plate again.

“But you’ll tell me when you do, right?” She asked.

Marianne lips firmed to a thin unyielding line.

“You promised me,” Dawn restated.

Marianne let out a dejected sigh.

“Yes,” she promised begrudgingly, “I’ll tell you once it happens.”

Dawn began to speak but Marianne held up a finger.

“I will not give you any explicit details though,” she clarified.

Dawn pouted.
“Would you at least tell me who you do it with though?”

“I can do that at least,” she grimaced.

Marianne’s phone dinged and she hurriedly dug it from her bag. A broadening smile spreading across her face.

“So who is he?” Dawn asked.

Marianne clutched her phone close to her chest, leering at her sister.

“I swear you have the mind of a thirteen year old…”

Dawn gave her sister a raspberry.

“Aww, C’mon,” Dawn said, leaning over the cafeteria table with a widening grin, “I know that look.”

Marianne feigned ignorance, resuming texting her reply.
“What look?” She asked innocently.

Dawn rolled her eyes with an over-the-top exasperated groan.

“You’ve barely touched your breakfast,” she noted, gesturing to the untouched pile of eggs and toast, “texting on the phone almost nonstop, with dreamy eyes and a dopey smile.” Dawn mimicked the look, Marianne cringed.

“You’re in love!” Dawn excitedly stated. “Now, who is it?!”

Marianne internally squashed her emotions, exuding a stoic mask, as she began picking at her now-cold breakfast. Until her phone chimed. Her dopey expression quickly returning.

Dawn snickered and Marianne gave a quick, but softened, glare.

“I’ll have you know that it’s no one from this school, so you can relax,” She admitted with a shy smile tugging at her lips, relaxing back on her side of the booth. “So I won’t be stealing any one of your bazillion crushes.”

“I don’t have a bazillion crushes!” Dawn retorted.

“Oh?” Marianne quirked a brow. She then started counting on her fingers, “There’s Adrian, Bob, Charles, Damien, Ethan, Finnegan… Does it help that I’m going in alphabetical order?”

Dawn cringed.

Marianne flashed a winning grin.
“Should I continue?”

“No, no… You’re good.” Dawn said, slumping in defeat. She finished the last of her yogurt and then went back to their previous conversation.

“So, this guy...” Dawn casually asked.

“Yeah?” Marianne eventually answered.

“How did you meet?”

“Many years ago in the Realms…” Marianne smiled wistfully.

Dawn paused, rolling the word ‘The Realms’ around her tongue.
“Wait,” she asked. “Is it that DorkBloglord guy?!”

Marianne flicked her sister's nose.
“Dark-Goblin,” Marianne corrected, “And yes.”

"And?" Dawn pressed on.

Marianne nonchalantly shrugging, placing her phone down.
"And what?” she stated. “That's about it."

Dawn gaped at her and Marianne bit down a laugh.

"What do you mean that's about it?!" Dawn slapped the table a little harder than she intended, making her sister flinch.

"C'mon give me the deetz! What's his name?!"

Marianne's eyes widened slightly.
"I... I don't know," she said in realization, "I never really asked."

Dawn now looked at her incredulously.
"Wait," she paused. "Do you even know what he looks like?"

Marianne leaned back and fiddled with her phone.

"He... he doesn't like to post pictures of himself," Marianne rambled. “Much like how I don’t like to give out our names,” she leaned forward and whispered a little harshly, “because, you know- we’re basically walking royalty billionaires...”

Dawn sat back, folded her hands in her lap, looking pensive.
"So... you're in love with someone you don't really know," She began.

Marianne’s face furrowed in discomfort.
"That sounds awfully strange coming from you. And again… I’m not in love…"

"Yes it is…” Dawn quickly replied. “But you just said you don't know what he looks like!” She shrugged. “Or know his real name!"

She then leaned in really close to the point where they were almost touching nose to nose.

"What if it's a catfisher?" She loudly whispered.

Marianne gently pushed her sister back to a comfortable zone of personal space.

"A what?" She asked with a bemused frown.

Dawn rolled her eyes and huffed, plopping back down in her booth seat.
"Someone who pretends to be someone else on the internet?!" She explained with a scoff.

Marianne crossed her arms.
"I don't think he’s catfishing me," she defended. “I’ve known him long enough.”

“Spill that tea then!” Dawn demanded.

Marianne straightened up and thought for a moment, recalling all the little bits of info that she's gleaned over the years.

"Alright," she began, "He's a few years older than me. He’s lived in Scotland and Massachusetts-” Dawn ‘ooh’-ed and Marianne scowled her to silence. “His father passed away a few years ago and now takes care of his mom..."

Dawn sighed wistfully, “Aww, that’s sweet of him.”

Marianne’s lips quirked into a small warming smile.
“Yeah, it is.”

The movement of someone arriving at their table gave both of them a slight pause before they looked up to see Bog with a tray stacked with fries and pizza.

"Mornin’ ladies, mind if I sit here?” he asked.

Dawn perked up and turned to Bog excitedly.

"Oh, Hi Boggy! Yeah, you can sit with us, we were just talking about-Mmph!"

"Nothing!" Marianne hastily cut in, keeping a firm hand over her sister's mouth, sending a warning glare towards her sister. "We were talking about absolutely nothing you’d really want to hear...”

Dawn quieted into submission and Marianne quickly let go, giving Bog one of her best fake smiles.

"Just some boring girl stuff!" she added. “Nothing I think you’d really want to listen to this early in the morning...”

“Probably nothing I haven’t heard before,” he commented dryly before sitting next to Marianne.

“Oh,” Dawn’s interest piqued. “Do you have any siblings?”

“Nah,” Bog shook his head. “Only child. But the kids in my hometown think of me as a big brother and father figure.”

“Aw, that’s kind of sweet…” Dawn commented.

Bog’s phone buzzed, he dug out his phone, and Dawn burst out laughing.

“Oh my God!,” she pointed to Bog’s phone, “What is that?!”

Marianne had to blink a few times when she looked at Bog’s phone.

Or rather his ancient brick of technology that was Bog’s smartphone.

“Is that an Ephone five?!” Marianne asked. “It’s so… tiny.”

“Hey,” he defended with a glare, “I’ve had this for seven years and it can still make calls and texts.”

“Yeah,” Dawn scoffed, “but what about your camera?”

“Don’t need it.”

Dawn quirked a brow.
“Social Media?”

“Pfft. Social media.” Bog then scoffed. “What little I do is on the laptop.” He patted his backpack to emphasize.

Dawn’s face crinkled.

“Hey,” he retorted, “at least my phone bill isn’t sky high.”

Dawn’s cell phone rang.

“Speaking of…” Dawn chuckled and answered. “Hey Daddy, what’s up?”

Marianne's phone also rang with an alarm. She glanced down, then swore.

"Shoot," she groaned, "I forgot my appointment with my academic adviser! Sorry, guys, gotta fly!” She hurriedly grabbed her belongings, Bog stood up, letting her pass as she darted out of the cafeteria, waving a quick apologetic goodbye to her sister and roommate.

Bog grabbed Marianne’s half touched plate and began picking away at both plates. Dawn gave him a disgusted look.

“Not ‘bouta let this go ter waste,” he simply stated between bites.

“Uh huh,” Dawn resumed chatting with her father, “Everything’s going great here. Fitting in just fine! Marianne says hi...”

Bog smirked when Dawn made a face, using her hand to gesture yakking away.

She then paused, eyes widening.

“I’m sorry, what?”

===
The rather bleak, almost barren, hallway provided no comfort to Marianne's anxiousness this morning. Finals were just around the corner and she hoped she was still doing well in all her classes.

Fretting nervously with her leather wrist wrap and worrying her teeth into her bottom lip, she recalled the events over the last few weeks where she barely finished any assignments and played in the Realms almost non-stop.

And the few failed tests after that.

Then this week where she tried to make up for it by studying over-time and barely getting any sleep.

She rubbed her eyes with a tired groan.

She wasn’t going to do that again...

Pulling her phone from her pocket, she opened her calendar app and scheduled a 'Raid Time'. She then swiped away the few notifications she hadn’t had time to look through.

One particular notification from her Realm of Faircraft messenger caught her eye.

She opened it with a broadening smile.

[DarkGoblin: What’s my smartypants up to today?]

She sighed audibly. Her mind returning to her worries once more.

[LightQueen: I get to find out whether I actually am a Smartypants...]
[Get to choose classes for next semester too.]

The typing bubble floated up once again.

"Marianne Fairfields?" A woman's voice called out.

Marianne stood up and looked to see a very petite and curvy woman in a deep blue pencil skirt suit waiting expectantly. Her platinum blonde hair piled on top of her head resembled a swirled beehive.

Marianne tried not to stare and wonder how much neck pain she must be in.

"Yes?" Marianne snapped her attention back to the woman's face.

"Well, what are you waiting for?" The woman replied with a cheerful smile, gesturing for her to enter. "Come on in!"

Marianne’s phone loudly dinged in her hand, to which the woman gave a polite yet displeased smile.

“If you could silence your phone during this meeting, that would be greatly appreciated,” she said.

“Of course,” Marianne gave an apologetic smile, setting her phone to vibrate as she tucked it away and followed her adviser inside.

The small room she entered was decorated, to say the least. Looking and smelling more like a new age store than an office. Various chunks of colorful crystals spaced throughout the large bookshelf behind the desk, as well as a few questionable self-help books. A diploma for a Ph.D. in Psychology hung beside an image of a smiling Buddha.

To top it all off, there was an option to sit in a beanbag chair.

"I'm Ms. Plum if you didn't already know." The woman offered her hand and Marianne shook it. "A pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise," Marianne replied as she sat in the chair, giving the beanbag a side glance.

Ms. Plum settled into her own seat, taking a sip from a mug that read 'Spiritual AF'.

"Would you like some tea?" She offered. "Coffee?"

"No thank you," Marianne politely declined.

Her adviser gave a small smile, taking another small sip before she put her cup down.

"More for me then," she said, clearing her throat. "Now, let's pull up your file and see how you’re doing.”

The clacking of keys filled the uneasy silence as Marianne tried to patiently wait as her stomach began writhing with unease and her palms and underarms began to sweat.

Her phone buzzed in her back pocket and she wished for a moment that she was back in the hallway talking to DarkGoblin again.

"So it looks like your passing all your classes. Mostly B’s," Ms. Plum finally stated and Marianne blew out a sigh of relief.

"Oh, good," she breathed, placing her hand briefly over her heart.

Her adviser didn't look away from her computer but her lips quirked a small smile as she said, "You seem to be doing fine. Just a small dip these past few weeks.”

“Yeah,” Marianne admitted, “I got a little behind in my studies.”

“Well, if you ever need to vent, or feel your mental health is slipping, my services are available if you need them.” She offered Marianne her business card. “It’s free with your tuition.”

Marianne took it with some slight reluctance.
“Thank you,” she said. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

“You’re welcome,” Ms. Plum beamed, then casually said, “I heard your sister also enrolled this semester as well."

Marianne’s mouth tightened into a firm line at the thought of her sister blowing their dad's hard-earned money.

"Yep, she did." She curtly replied.

Her adviser briefly drummed her matching painted nails against her desk. A questioning gleam in her eyes as she leaned forward.

“What’s a wealthy girl like you doing here anyway?” She genuinely asked.

Marianne stiffened in her seat, glancing at the woman suspiciously.

“You could have gone anywhere!” Ms. Plum emphasised with a dramatic sweep of her arm. “Harvard. Yale. Maharishi University.”

Marianne cock an eyebrow at the last mentioned college.

“Yet,” the questioning woman continued. “You chose to come to this little podunk town’s college.”

She ended with a soft smile and curious quirk of her head.

“Why here?” Her adviser asked again and let her question linger.

Marianne crossed her arms defensively.

“I’m sorry,” she said with a glare. “I didn’t think I was also scheduled in for a therapy session.”

The middle aged woman’s scrutinous gaze relaxed as she leaned back into an air of professionalism.

“I just want to make sure you’re where you need to be in your education,” she said as she stared down Marianne in a calm demeanor. “I don’t want you to be settling.”

Marianne solemnly nodded in agreement, the tension in her body softening as she contemplated her reasons.

Ms. Plum focused back towards her computer.

"With this next semester, besides your course requirements, you’ll get to choose two electives," she said as she clicked and typed away. "I would recommend something fun and out of your major. Might I suggest creative writing or psychology?"

Marianne crinkled her nose at the idea of having to study mental disorders, having had her fair share of therapy herself.

"I'll think about it," she said and her adviser nodded in turn.

The sound of the keyboard filled the room once again for a few minutes, and the gossiping woman tried to strike up another conversation.

"So, how are things with your fiancee?" She asked casually. "Everything going well?"

Marianne’s brow furrowed at the particular change of topic.

"Why do you ask?" She asked cautiously, not wanting to fall into one of Roland's schemes.

Ms. Plum waved offhandedly.

"Oh, normally we don't do co-ed rooms," she explained. "Unless they're married or have an agreement in their paperwork."

Casually taking a sip from her cup, and giving Marianne an inquisitive side glance. "I just wanted to see if everything was going well.” She then added, “Problems in marriage and family is one common known factor for a decline in grades."

Marianne tried to process a good lie on the spot, but then thought better and took a deep breath.

"Actually," she slowly admitted, "I was assigned to room with Bog King."

Ms. Plum eyebrows raised, looking slightly taken aback.

"Bog King?" She clarified.

"Yes," Marianne replied with a small nod.

With a scrutinized gaze, Ms. Plum quickly scanned her laptop. Not finding what she was looking for, her forehead crinkled in a worrying way.

"Strange," she muttered with a slight frown and with sudden haste left the room.

"Gimme just a minute," she said in a falsely cheerful tone on her way out.

A few minutes later, Ms. Plum returned with a small stack of folders. She went through each packet in turn, muttering to herself as she skimmed through each file.

Marianne sighed lightly, starting to feel the draining effects of boredom. She began studying the stones and books along the bookshelf.

Her phone conveniently buzzed in her pocket and she felt very inclined to check her phone. She needed to reply to DarkGoblin anyway.

"Oh, wait, I see what happened here!" Ms. Plum exclaimed and Marianne's attention begrudgingly snapped back to her. "Looks like you /were assigned to room with Roland Knight."

Marianne internally shuddered at the name.

"And Brohain King-"

"Bog," Marianne cut in.

"-was meant to room with an Issac Chapman.”

She then paused.

“But then-"

Ms. Plum stood up again and left, coming back a minute later with a much larger stack of files.

Marianne repressed a groan and sneaked a glance to her phone. Glancing up to see if Ms. Plum looked almost done reading.

She wasn't.

-ten minutes ago-
[DarkGoblin: Sounds fun.]
-now-
[DarkGoblin: How's the roommate situation going?]

Marianne’s mind wandered to Bog for a moment before sending her reply.

[LightQueen: He still has piles of clothes everywhere, but at least now he only acts like an asshole.]

[DarkGoblin: Hey! Assholes can be nice...]

Marianne smirked.
[LightQueen: Your friendly neighborhood asshole, coming to a store near you...]

She bit back a smirk as she eagerly awaited his response.
[DarkGoblin: Think they'd sell well?]

With a flurry of taps she typed her counter.
[LightQueen: I don't think so. Assholes are pretty common... :)]

[DarkGoblin: Okay, you got me there...]

Marianne inwardly cheered as her smirk split to a cocky grin over her small victory.

The typing indicator bubbled up once again and Marianne hoped he was going to say something witty.

"O-kay," Ms. Plum's voice cut in and Marianne dropped her phone with a surprised squeak.

Marianne hastily swiped her phone up from the floor, glancing up to see her adviser’s strained smile as she gently placed the last packet on the top of her large pile.

"Looks like everyone at Crossroads has the wrong roommate," her adviser stated, flicking her hands up in surrender.

"Whoopsie!" She chuckled nervously.

Marianne blinked in slight confusion.

“I’m sorry, wh- AHHH!”

Ms. Plums head loudly banged on her desk, jolting Marianne in her seat.

"Fixing this is going to take forever!" Ms. Plum whined. "Not to mention the dean would have my head!"

Marianne sat and stared at the defeated looking woman before her in the awkward silence that followed.

Almost as quickly as her head dropped, Ms. Plum propped her head up in her hands. Her face dawning with some revelation.

"You know," she said, her voice carrying a conniving tone. "If I fix this terrible mistake, that would mean all of Crossroads- maybe even the whole campus- would have to move."

Marianne’s stomach twisted uncomfortably as the woman before her leaned forward with a coy smile. "And I'm sure none of you would want to be moving around right before finals week. You need that precious time to study!"

Her adviser paused to take another sip of her drink.

"But, this is your decision," she said with a reassuring pat to Marianne’s hand and a devilishly sweet smile snaking across her lips.

The dread in Marianne’s stomach increased.

"So, what'll it be?" The adviser practically purred and Marianne had to blink for a moment.

Marianne plucked at her leather bangle as her chair suddenly felt too cramped. Feeling the uncomfortable weight of responsibility upon her shoulders.

The answer was obvious. She shuddered at the thought of being stuck with Roland after everything that had happened.

But continuing to be stuck with Bog?

"Actually," Marianne said a little begrudgingly. "I don't mind rooming with Bog for a little while longer."

Ms. Plum's smile widened further in delight.
"Well, I think that concludes our appointment!”

Marianne glanced at the clock to see that, indeed, her appointment was running slightly over time.

She stood and barely had a moment to speak as she was hastily ushered out the door. All the while, Ms. Plum prattled on.

"Remember. You can change your classes any time until the end of the month,” she said. “Be sure to see the financial aid office and fill out any needed paperwork."

Marianne dug her feet and halted them both at the door frame.

"But," she said over her shoulder. "You didn’t even enroll me into any classes..."

The frenzied woman gave her a more strained smile, her left eye briefly twitching, as she not-so-gently shoved Marianne out into the hallway, shutting the door behind her.

"Don't be a stranger!" Ms. Plum called out from behind the door.

Marianne heard the click of a lock and gave the door an angry glare.

"Maybe I should ask Sunny for help," she grumbled to herself as left in a huff.

She sent him a quick question on how to enroll in classes. He replied, saying it was easy, and then they made plans to meet up after classes with Dawn who had also happened to need help.

She then opened her gaming messenger.
[DarkGoblin: So, since we can’t meet up in person… Do you want to try to go on a date in Realms? Maybe around 6?]

Her mouth split into a wide smile as she felt her stomach flutter with excitement.
But then she remembered her promise to herself.

[LightQueen: Actually, I’ve got some studying to do... Can we reschedule for 8?]

The typing bubble floated up and Marianne worried her teeth into her bottom lip. She hoped he wouldn’t be disappointed.

[DarkGoblin: You’re always worth waiting for. See you at 8 then ;) ]

She exhaled a slight sigh of relief and walked back to her dorm with an ever brightening mood. By the time she arrived back at her room, she had a smile that went ear to ear.

She entered to see Bog almost on his way out. He stopped abruptly when he saw her, quirking his head with a small broadening smile.

"What’re you so happy about?" He gestured towards her beaming smile.

Her attempts to dampen her smile only made her beam more. She put a hand on her hips and cocked an eyebrow.

"Wouldn't you like to know," she playfully teased.

His smile brightened as he sauntered over, leaning in, giving her a cocked eyebrow of his own.

"Yes,” he stated, “questioning minds would like to know."

She hesitated. Those weird feelings in her stomach and arms being so close to him barely budged her joyous mood.

Perhaps it even enhanced it.

She tapped a finger to her lips. Sealing her secret. Giving him a mischievous smirk.

"Fine," he sighed over-dramatically, making Marianne giggle. He slung his backpack over his shoulder and gave a small wave.

"Later," he said and left.

"Later!" She called out before she shut the door behind her.

She waited a few seconds, and as soon as Bog's footsteps were heard further down the hallway, she darted towards her bed with glee. Flopping onto her bed so hard it gave her a slight bounce. Giving her pillow a fierce hug and squealed happily into the fabric.

She had a date! Sorta…

With a wistful sigh, she hugged her pillow tighter, secretly wishing it was him.

“Okay,” she told herself, “time to get some work done.”

She grunted as she sat up, throwing her pillow behind her.

She looked at the garbage pile that had become her desk. With the few energy drink cans that had been accumulating for the past few days. Her pens and notebooks for tomorrow’s class are buried under chip and fast food sandwich wrappers from last night.

She flopped back down onto her bed and grabbed her pillow again.

“Maybe after a nap,” she reasoned and rolled on her side as to not view the disaster that was her desk.

Her mind quickly lulled into a dreamy state as she dozed off.

She was at the airport and she knew her friend was going to arrive very soon. She waited excitedly among the crowd that awaited the next incoming flight.

Shadowed figures walked past her with their luggage in tow, each finding their own welcome in the arms of their friends and family.

Marianne kept glancing around her. Darting her eyes among the flock of people exiting the terminal. He said he was coming. Where was he?

She spotted someone who stood out from the rest. A tall man in dark armor with a large spear and shield attached to his back.

She knew it was him.

She sprinted towards him, almost toppling him over with a fierce hug around the waist.

He smiled warmly and laughed as he hugged her back. His arms were strong and warm.

She pulled back to remove his helmet, looking at a shadowed outline of a head.

“What if he’s a catfisher?” Dawn’s voice echoed in the background.

The airport and DarkGoblin melted away into a misty dark void.

Desperate to find him again she clawed against the darkness.

“Where are you?” She called out, reaching in random directions. An unknown name lodged in her throat.

He doesn’t love you. No one could ever love you…

Green eyes alighted against the darkness.

He’ll only use you...

Marianne woke with a start. Body covered in a light sheen of sweat. She wiped her eyes to find tears.

She sat up and hugged herself, eyeing her laptop warily.

***
Bog arrived a few minutes before his appointment, staring down the office door to his therapist and now, inconveniently, his academic adviser.

He reluctantly knocked, and she swiftly opened the door.

Plum briefly glanced at him up and down before leaning against the door frame. A smug smile curling her lips.

"Brohain King," she marveled. "Haven't seen you in a while."

"Plum," he greeted curtly. A deepening frown marring his face.

"Now, now," she teased with a hand on her hips. "You know you can always call me 'Auntie'."

She flashed him a wink before she strode back into her office.

Bog groaned and rolled his eyes as he walked in after her.

“We’re not even related,” he grumbled quietly before shutting the door behind him. It gave a sharp click.

"How's your mom?" She asked over her shoulder.

"Good,” he said. “She's got the reservation under control until I get back."

“Great!” She said as she sat behind her desk. “That’s less time in my hair.”

She asked, almost with mischievous glee, "Does she still call you every day?"

He sighed wearily as he sat down, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“Yes.”

He heard her give a hearty chuckle.

"She’s worried about you, that’s all,” she said.

Bog scowled, crossing his arms.

"More like worries about me not getting married," he said with slight scorn.

The blatantly amused woman laughed again.

"Oh hush.” She reached over and gave his hand a quick admonishing slap.

“Ow!” He quickly withdrew his hand.

"She has good intentions,” she chastised. “And you know you wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for her."

The glare he sent her was ignored as her attention became diverted towards her laptop.

Giving his hand a quick, soothing rub and then eased back in his chair.

As he waited, Bog’s mind wandered towards LightQueen, and his lips upturned to a smile.

Her earlier quip played through his mind and he chuckled a little.

Plum eyes snapped towards him with a questioning quirk to her brow and a slight smile to her lips.

Bog quickly tried to stifle his good mood.

"So, I see you haven't gotten into any more trouble," she remarked.

Bog’s suppressed smile turned to a smirk.

"Of course I have," he joked. "You've just been too busy teaching people your 'psychic development' classes to notice."

She shot him a murderous glare and his smile dropped instantly.

She glanced back at her laptop and her glare morphed a spiteful smirk.

“Well, you’re indeed right about one thing,” she said, flicking a pencil in his general direction. “You’re in trouble. With your grades.”

Bog easily blocked the assailing object, gawking at the bitter woman before him.

“What?” He asked incredulously. “I’m failing?”

“Yep!” She said. “So you better listen to what I have to say.”

Bog rubbed his face in contemplation. Internally berating himself, recalling the low grades on his last test.

He was going to end up losing his one chance at making his life and home better.

“What are my options?” He asked begrudgingly.

“Pass your finals with an ‘A’,” she simply stated. “Or drop your classes and switch your major.”

He dropped his gaze to the floor, contemplating his options carefully.

He didn't see her look of concern but he heard it when she asked, "Are you sure you don't want to change your major from-"
"Yes, ’Auntie’," he snapped in frustration. "I’d like to stay in agriculture and life sciences."

The desk chair groaned slightly under pressure as Plum leaned back and gave her chair a spin.

"You know, your roommate's pretty smart,” she said. “She decided to keep you as her roommate, so you should get as much advice from her while you still can."

Bog straightened up in his chair.

"She wanted to keep me as her roommate?" he asked.

“Oh shit,” she gasped, quickly covering her mouth with her hands, a horrified look on her face.

She quickly smoothed her hair and skirt.

"I mean, the housing situation is fine,” she dismissed with a slight nervous tremor. "I totally didn't mess up. Nothing to worry about."

Bog said nothing, remaining stoic, watching with an almost morbid glee as his ‘aunt’-therapist-adviser became increasingly nervous.

"I mean, Marianne said she was fine rooming with you,” she continued nervously prattled on. “And I personally don't see anything wrong with you two rooming together, even though you're both not officially a couple."

Bog raised an eyebrow, quirking his head, now even more intrigued.
"So, our housing situation is illegal? Is that what you’re saying?" he asked as he leaned a little closer.

"Oh, dang it!" Plum swore to herself.

Beaming a fake smile towards him, she hurriedly closed her laptop.

"Well, that concludes our appointment for today!" She said and stood.

Bog pointed to the clock behind her.
"There's still fifteen minutes left," he stated and sat firmly in the beanbag chair.

She looked to the clock. Then back to him. Then back to the clock.

She lunged over the desk, grabbing his shirt, pulling him out of his chair with almost herculean strength. His face almost nose-to-nose with hers.

"Listen here you,” she warned through gritted teeth. “You can't tell anyone! If the dean finds out, it's my head on the chopping block."

She leered at him with a dangerous gleam in her eye.

“And I’m fine with taking you with me.”

Bog leered back as she peeled her hands off of his shirt.

"You have my word," he vowed bitterly.

She visibly calmed at his words as she backed away. Straightening her skirt and lightly smoothing her hair, smiling at him like the last few minutes never happened.

Bog smoothed out his own shirt and tried to ignore the nagging questions he had, shifting to a more professional stance.

"So you said I was failing my classes?" He stated.

"Yes." She nodded curtly. "And if you fail, you will have to re-enroll in those classes."

He blew out a breath, thinking about all the work he would have to do all over again.

And all the time he’d be away from his home.

"I'm fine with that," he said nonchalantly.

Plum sucked in a breath.

“Ooh, I don’t know about that,” she offhandedly warned. “You’ll have to take out another loan.”

He nodded with a grim frown and stood. Grabbing his bag and slinging it over one shoulder.

“I guess I’ve got some studying to do,” he said, turned, and then left.

"There's also a study lab that assists with math and english!" she yelled as he walked down the hall.

Bog exited the building, pondering over who his other potential roommate would have been.

***
Bog entered Thang’s bedroom that evening, like all the times before.

“Hey guys,” he said as he walked in and dropped his bag near the bed.

“Welcome back,” Thang greeted.

Imp waved.

“Did you get the cheese puffs?” Stuff asked.

“And some booze,” Bog added and placed the six pack near his spot on the floor.

Bog grabbed his first drink, popped opened the top, took a few deep gulps, and exhaled a weary groan.

Stuff’s impassive face quirked an eyebrow ever so slightly.
“Rough day?”

Bog grunted as he adjusted a few pillows.
“I might be failing all of my classes.”

Thang gasped, Imp whistled low, and Stuff let out a sympathetic grunt.

“That’s rough boss...” She said and then paused.
“Let’s forget all about that with a little leveling up!”

Bog nodded and took another two swigs before getting out his laptop. He gave a small smile.

“LightQueen says she’ll be on around eight,” he said.

“Yay!” Thang cheered.

“About time,” Stuff commented, pausing only to open the bag of cheese puffs. “I’ve been wanting to tag team with her against you three.”

Bog’s small smile became more sly and cocky as he looked towards Stuff.

“Bring it on,” he said.