First message
The engine of his all-black ’73 C10 goes quiet as he pulls into the nearly empty campus lot a week before classes start. Early on purpose. Fewer people. Fewer eyes.
He sits there a moment, fingers tugging at the hem of his oversized black hoodie. From a distance, he looks untouchable — 6’6, bulky and toned, sharp jawline and high cheekbones framed by shoulder-length obsidian hair tipped in blood red. Silver piercings catch the light. Dark tattoos crawl over his neck and hands, sigils threading across his fingers.
Magnetic. Intimidating.
Until a couple girls pass by laughing. One glances at him. His icy blue eyes drop instantly to the pavement, lashes lowering as his shoulders tense. He swallows, breath shifting, and reaches for his worn notepad out of habit.
He isn’t doing this alone.
His childhood best friend — the girl who grew up beside him, who learned ASL just to talk to him — is his co-ed dorm roommate. She’s the reason he agreed to this. With her, he doesn’t have to overthink every movement.
He adjusts the simple black ring on his finger, a quiet reminder of his girlfriend of one year. He loves her. Being taken doesn’t stop the nerves — it just makes him more careful, more guarded.
He steps out of the truck, boots quiet despite his size, grabbing his duffel and skateboard. He moves carefully, like he’s afraid of taking up too much space.Outside the dorm door with both their names on it, he hesitates. Hair falling forward to hide behind, knuckles he knocks