”Where are you going?” I hear him call out to me and a hand softly grabs my wrist as I try to off the bed and into my clothes. I slide out of his grip and reach for my blouse.

“I’m sorry, I have to go” I proclaim and find my underwear tucked somewhere under the bed. He’s silent for a moment. If he gets the hint, he’ll know it’s better for his pride not to inquire any further and just let me go. But apparently, he doesn’t have any because he asks me: “Did I do something wrong, was it not good for you?”

Oh god. I’m really not good with his type; those who need confirmation. Though they are easy to bend to my will they also have a habit of becoming clingy and annoying.

I’d much rather go for a proud and stubborn guy; There’s something exceptionally satisfying about breaking such a man and make him submit to me. I have no interest in those who are weak and needy and I kind of regret sleeping with this guy already. Even if he wasn’t half bad. Too bad he doesn’t have a backbone.

“No, you were fine. Had a good time” I tell him indifferently as I put on the last piece of clothing and make my way for the hallway of his small, dirty apartment. Needy and untidy; definitely not my type. I guess that’s what you get for agreeing to go home with a guy you met online.

“When will I see you again?” he asks from the bed and standing in the hallway, putting on my shoes, I hear a sound of rustling sheets like he’s getting up to go after me. Time to bolt.

“I don’t know, text me!” I tell him and barely manage to hear him call out: “But I don’t know your number…” I walk out and slam the front door behind me.

The night is slightly chilly and a shutter in my thin blouse. I should’ve worn something warmer. I just hope I can make the last train, so I don’t have to waste money on a cab.

…

“There’s also Mona from the IT department”

“Oh yeah, she’s got some pretty nice curves on her. I’d like to make her whimper under me!”

Whimper under you? Please. If anyone will be whimpering, it’s you.

“Nah, I don’t really like slutty girls like that.”

Well, can’t really argue with you there, but still; no need to talk behind my back like that. Besides, you’d probably buckle if push came to shove.

I turn around the corner to see who’s talking about me and my eyes fall on three guys loitering in the hallway. They jump a little surprised when they notice me, but I briskly walk past them. One of the guys blushes embarrassed.

A little further down the hallway I suddenly feel a hand on my shoulder. I hadn’t noticed the footsteps, so I jolt and spin on my heels. A girl with hair dyed black, a ton of dark makeup and several piercings, enter my vision.

“Morning!” she exclaims smiling.

“Oh, hey Jen. Didn’t see you there…” Jesus, she scared me.

“Sorry,” she giggles, “hey. Did you see that link I sent you yesterday?” her expression is eager; it must be some new hot thing she had been exited to talk about today.

“No, sorry. I was out yesterday and didn’t get home until late” I tell her sheepishly. She looks slightly disappointed but quickly recovers.

“Another guy?” she asks with a knowing smile.

I shrug and give her a smirk, my eyes saying ‘you got a problem with that?’. But my provocation doesn’t face her and she starts chatting away like usual as we walk toward the lecture hall.

“Oh man, I totally forgot to read the material for today” she says as we enter and find our seats.

“Don’t worry. We covered most of the material last semester. It’s just a bunch of repetition.”

She breathes a relieved sigh and sits down next to me.

During the lecture she leans in to whisper: “So, I’ve got a date next Sunday,” and she’s got this proud smile on her face that I can’t but help copy.

“Oh? That guy you met at the mixer last week?”

“No, actually. It’s a different guy. I met him through Cinders.” Oh, here we go. Another weirdo she picked up on an online dating platform. I mean, the girl does have a different…appearance… Which most of the guys don’t really appreciate. But come on; She’s such a nice girl. Though a bit naïve and innocent, she’s so sweet and always fun and interesting to be around. She should really learn to be a little pickier with men.

“Okay?” I eye her suspiciously.

“Oh, don’t look at me like that. I have a good feeling about this one” Yeah, you said that last time.

“So, we’ll be going to an art museum – you know, the one that just opened up. And he says he got tickets for a movie. It’s this tiny little theater over in the east district and they show all kinds of obscure and occult movies. It’s totally my jam.” That does sound just like her and I got to admit; kudos to the guy for being able to follow her interests. Maybe this one really will be different.

After the lecture we pack our stuff and make our way to the cafeteria. On our way I notice a couple of people giving us looks. The weird girl and the slut; what a pair we make. I don’t mind though. She’s the best friend one could ever ask for and she doesn’t judge my man-count or sexual inclinations; I can talk to her about anything.

We take a seat with our trays and she shows me a bunch of links and videos she’s gathered during the weekend. Most of her stuff really doesn’t speak to me, but I fake interest since she’s really into it. Sometimes I wish I could be genuinely interested in her more obscure interests, though I don’t think she minds as long as she gets to share it once in a while. I try to be a good friend as best as I can which is going okay…I guess… and I do give excellent dating advice – too bad she rarely follows it. I know she’d like me to take my own love-life a little more seriously. She’s the type who’d like to go on double dates and such, but that stuff’s just not my thing. I mean, relationships and all that.

“Oh, are we going to the welcoming party next week?” she suddenly asks excitedly. “I bet there’ll be some cute freshmen there!” Her smile turns mischievous towards the last sentence and she bats her eyelashes, giving me a look like I’m the one who wants to go.

“Hmm… I don’t know, I think I’ve had enough boys for while…” I answer, thinking of the summer break that just passed. It was mostly spent on work and sex and I could honestly use a break from both right now.

However I see her dejected look, so I quickly add: “But I guess we could go anyway. See the lineup.”

Her face lights up in a bright smile and she takes my hand: “It’s going to be so much fun! We haven’t been to a real party in ages!”

She suddenly looks at her watch and gasps. “Oh shit. I got to go! I’m almost late for my next class and my professor is like suuuuper strict.”

She quickly packs her stuff and then heads for the exit, giving me a little wave before she disappears out onto the hallway. I look at my watch; I’m not in a hurry, there’s till thirty minutes to my next class, so I pass the time scrolling on my phone.