The wardrobe door flew open with a loud bang. A girl in baggy gray sweatpants and a black crop top tumbled out, grimacing as she hit the floor.
"Ow!" she groaned, sitting up and pressing a hand to her nose.
James and Debby spun around at the sound.
James stared at the stranger on the floor, completely confused. Debby froze for a second, then her face turned bright red. She quickly stood up from the bed, clutching her robe tightly around her body.
"Tasha—what the hell are you—?! What are you doing?!" Debby stammered.
The girl on the floor let out a small groan as she rubbed her nose, a little dazed.
"Shit… that hurt."
She glanced up at both of them and her expression shifted slowly. She looked up at Debby with a dry stare.
"Debby, chill." she said. "He saw me. We're past hiding now."
James stood up slowly, frowning.
"Wait… what's going on?" He gestured at the girl. "Who is… why was she even in the wardrobe?"
Debby tensed up immediately. She stepped in front of James, trying to block his view. "She's… um… my roommate, and—"
"Relax, girl." Tasha got to her feet, brushed herself off, and gently moved Debby aside.
"Let me handle this."
She walked over to James, still smoothing her clothes, and stuck out her hand.
"I'm Tasha Cruz," she said. "Sorry for the uhh... dramatic entrance."
James was still trying to make sense of the situation but he shook her hand anyways. "James Morgan."
"I can see you're confused," she said, studying his expression. "well, actually I'm here to help Debby… uh, how do I put this… get closer to you. You know, like a wingman—"
Debby's hands clamped over Tasha'smouth before she could finish. Her eyes were wide with panic.
"Tasha, stop!"
Tasha giggled and gently pulled Debby's hand away.
"Oh my god, look at your face. You're bright red."
She turned back to Debby. "You weren't this shy earlier. You were saying some very bold, very... horny things not five minutes ago."
Debby's blush deepened. "You're the one who told me to say that!"
Tasha shrugged, grin widening. "I was messing with you. I didn't think you'd actually go for it."
James let out a quiet, awkward cough and pushed himself up from the bed.
"You know what… you two seem busy. I'll just head out."
Debby's shoulders dropped. She looked torn.
"Wait—you don't have to go!" she said quickly. "I mean… I don't want you to go, but… you can, if you want. I get it."
James stood there for a second, then nodded.
"Alright… uh… yeah. I'll see you later. Probably."
He turned and walked out of the room, shoulders hunched, without waiting for a reply. The door clicked shut behind him.
Outside, James shook his head and headed down the hallway.
He still couldn't believe what had just happened.
What just went down? One minute Debby was in her robe, the next that girl is falling out of a wardrobe. What won't I see in college?
He pushed through the main doors of the girls' dorm and stepped outside into the late evening air. The campus was still very much alive: groups of students scattered across the lawn, some on blankets, others standing around talking and laughing. Music low from a speaker, the smell of grilling hot dogs and weed drifting through the air.
Lights glowed in most of the dorm windows as people walked in and out. James held his head high and pace steady, strolling to his dorm.
Before long, he arrived at his dorm, climbed the stairs, and went through the passageway to his room.
As he walked, his mind drifted.
I wonder if Senpai is around.
When he reached his dorm door, he caught a faint odor. He paused.
What is that?
He opened the door and the smell was much stronger. James immediately covered his nose.
"Bro, what the fuck is that smell?!" he said, grimacing.
He stepped inside and called out, "Senpai! Senpai!"
A voice came from the toilet. "What?"
The bathroom door opened, making the smell even worse. Jacob stepped out, looking completely unbothered.
James waved his hand in front of his face. "So it was you."
Jacob's brow furrowed and he took a sniff. "Oh… is it really that bad?"
He reached for a can of air freshener on his desk and started spraying it around the room.
James coughed. "Damn, man. When was the last time you ate something green?"
After a while, the smell finally started to fade. James lay down on his bed and stared at the ceiling. Jacob was sitting at his desk, watching anime on his laptop.
James turned his head toward him. "Hey, senpai."
"What?" Jacob answered, still glued to the screen.
James paused for a second. "So… you're not gonna believe this."
Jacob didn't look up. "Mhmm."
"I almost… you know. Almost got laid today."
"...Mmm-hmm"
few moments passed before James sat up on his bed. "What are you watching?"
Jacob tensed up and quickly leaned sideways to block James's view of the laptop. "Just… anime."
James narrowed his eyes. "It's not one of those weird loli ones, is it?"
Jacob stiffened. "What? No, nah… I don't watch that. Shut up."
James raised his hands. "Alright, alright. Chill. I was just asking."
He lay back down on his bed and stared at the ceiling again. After a few seconds, he spoke softy.
"Senpai?"
"What?"
"Goodnight."
"Fuck you,"