Their conversations were short lived and even surrounded by many talking students they walked in an awkward silence that seemed louder than the noise was. They used Google Translation to make sure they understood each other when words were necessary, but Daniel just wouldn’t understand why someone would come to university in English without speaking English well beforehand. Slowly, they learned how to understand general ideas without words during the day, and never would this way of communicating leave them.

But Daniel didn’t get Étienne’s curious eyes. The joy that seemed to never leave him. His enthusiasm when all he was being shown was the library, cafeteria and the main buildings. He chuckled a few times at the younger one’s twinkling eyes but managed to hide it well within the cuff of his shirt. The last thing he wanted was to have Étienne think he was making fun of him.

While walking in between buildings, Étienne would snap pictures with his cellphone. Of the brownish piles of snow, of the water that dripped off little glass stalactites. Of their reflection in one of the main building's window. Their first of many pictures together. Étienne had a way of seeing the world in an angle that made it beautiful in such a way that Daniel never would have noticed before.

And Daniel took his time. He even went all the way to the book club near the chemistry labs and other unnecessary classes to their major with Étienne, then asked him if he wanted to have lunch with him at one of the nearby restaurants. He got himself a small nod as an answer, the french guys curls bouncing slightly from the action. It had been so long since Daniel had been spending time with someone that he didn’t want to let go of him. The fear of bothering his roommate swarmed in a spiral over his head but he pushed it aside with all his might. He needed this more than he ever had thought he would.

As they were eating, Daniel got to notice Étienne’s sharp jaw but he didn't pay any mind to it and let the thought linger in the back of his mind for a few minutes. They made small talk, learning a few words in each other’s language. Of course, cussing words came first, but soon their heads were filled with new beautiful words. They’d eventually forget most of them, but still they enjoyed the moment and never would forget it, even years later.

They had to leave for their respective classes sooner than they thought they would have to, and Daniel started to worry that Étienne would not understand when the teacher speaks. He ran back to him to tell him that since he had already taken the first semester courses in computer sciences, he could help him whenever he needed. Étienne’s smile was so bright that there was a twitch in Daniel heart. He thanked him, but he’d never dare to ask for his help, not wanting to bother the older student.

And obviously the classes were fine. They were both above average students on a scholarship; not that it wasn’t hard. Their first night as roommates was spent in silence, studying each at their respective desk at opposite ends of the room. Étienne had a lot to catch up on, especially with his difficulties in english and the classes he missed on the first week. Daniel shut himself into his computer and the comfortable bubble music procured him.