“How can I forget, Tweety? I tawt I taw a puddy tat!” Ollie chuckles after giving him a perfect imitation of theLooney Tunesbird.
“Fuck off! I was the sexiest canary they’ve ever seen.”
“If I lie and say yes, will you help me with these shelves?”
“I already feel like the walls are hugging me in this tiny, microscopic room. Why do you want to make it even more…meh?”
Lori used to live in a one-room apartment before Gabe tricked him into moving in with him, so what gives? Did his fiancée spoil him so rotten that he can’t demean himself to visit a simple dorm bedroom anymore?
“Sully decided to give it a go at the whole dorm experience. He already missed so much, and I don’t want him to have more regrets.” And that’s one of the reasons why Ollie is the best big bro I could ask for.
“Fine, but next semester, he needs to move in with Ren. He has an extra bedroom and they seem to get along.”
That’s actually the plan. Ren’s already asked me a couple of times to go live with him. His house is very nice and just a few minutes away from campus. Plus, he could use the rent money.
After a pause, Lori continues, “Being with Ren could help him…experience more. I mean, it doesn’t smell like dude or dudess in here!”
I wince at his words. Not because I haven’t told them about my sexual orientation. I don’t think it’s something that needs to be announced. Straight guys don’t; they just introduce the girlfriend to the family, and that’s what I’ll do one day, when I have a boyfriend. What makes me sigh right now is the fact that Lori is right. I’ve been living in this dorm for six months, and apart from studying, volunteering, and shooting the shit with Ren, I haven’t really made an effort to socialize. Maybe I should go to that party. There’s a chance that I could meet someone. Or just relax a little.
“It must be due to his obliviousness. Because Sully-doo is sexy-ooh—even with those baggy clothes. That crooked incisor? Those eyes? Thick black hair, lean body, and glasses? He gives Clark Kent vibes all around.”
“You mean clumsy vibes.” Ollie ruins the encouraging pep talk.
“Rubbish! Sully-doo is like that huge funny bird…the albatross, a little cumbersome over land but graceful and agile through the air.”
“Until it crashes into the dorm and turns his room into a bomb site.”
I know it’s a bit messy. I didn’t have time to tidy it up, I’m always studying. But there’s a method to my madness.
“Ugh. What’s the thing with the three dirty teacups?” Lori asks. “Some kind of witchcraft?”
He’s ridiculous with his hexes, voodoo stuff. I made some tea and forgot about it. It became cold, so I made a coffee, and then another one. It turned into a mug debacle.
“You are a loon. And should I remind you that living with you was like sharing my space with an obnoxious chihuahua?” Ollie usually doesn’t restrain himself, especially with Lori.
“Come off it, you horny squid! Can’t keep your tentacles away from your boo, that’s why you wanted me out.”
“I saw you getting hot and heavy with Gabe two days ago.”
“It was Gabe and Bez, and we were in aclosedroom, peeping Tom!” Lori raises his voice.
My brother counters with an equally loud volume. “The elevator in Michael’s building?”
“The doors were closed until you called the elevator and forced them open.”
“I didn’t know you were dancing the rumba inside, and I didn’t force…”
I can’t take this anymore. They are going to get me in trouble with the RAagainif the other students on the floor go complainingagainabout the noise. I push the door open, ending the heated discussion as both of them turn my way.
“Sully-doo!” Lori exclaims. He tosses his designer bag on my bed to embrace me.
I look at my brother over Lori’s shoulder, and we have one of ourlook conversations.
Lori is giving me his boa-constrictor hug.Help me, I communicate through my gaze. My already aching body is screaming to be released.
I have to put up with that every day. Now it’s your turn. Endure,Ollie gives back. He crouches down near the wooden boards on the floor to slide a shelf into the small book rack he’s building.
“How have you been?” I ask Lori, hoping he’ll let me go. But that doesn’t happen.
