Warning: There is some light Spanish usage through out the story. If you want me to translate please let me know.

         Venus was Angel's only friend since the start of his spring semester at university two weeks ago. Which was more than he could say out of the four years of high school and the one year at community college. They had developed the routine of talking between classes in the lounges. Venus talked a lot, about anything, and it worked out since Angel was more of a listener anyway.

          "I was thinking of being forward. Just asking her out after we study. We kind of do this flirting thing where I can't tell if she's interested in me or really nice, but I think it's mutual?" She scribbled in her notebook, making shapes and pointless patterns, "Kai asked me out though. Said no real fast. I think he has like a fetish or somethin'. I want a Valentine's date, but I'd take a razor scooter to both my ankles before I go out with that guy"

          She looked up at him through her lashes and he could tell she was about to ask him something uncomfortable, "You got a date for the fourteenth?"

          "No, gracias."

          "In dating at all, or the prospect of being vulnerable with a living, breathing human being?" She straightened her posture from hunching over the table and crossed her legs in her chair, "Are you, what's it called—aro? Ace?"

          He shrugged and tipped his head, nonchalantly, "No. I'm not. But I've been here a few weeks, who am I goin' to ask out?"

          She raised her phone showing him the dating app installed on her screen, "Try it"

          "Didn't say I was interested anyway"

          "You ever been in a relationship? I'm curious as to what you even look like in one" She said to him like she already knew the answer.

          Which as a nineteen year old sophomore in college, not having had any experience at all was not a fun fact he enjoyed exposing. He wasn't a liar though, "No. Never"

          "You ever been asked out?"

          He nodded, flustered, "My momma never really liked me dating in high school. She was always afraid I'd do what she did and fuck up. I'm too shy. And awkward"

         Venus laughed, both at seeing such a bulky man blush a rosy red and at his mother, "That's messed up. She damn called you an accident"

          He rubbed his neck. Venus took a lot of firsts from him. He had shared more things with her than he ever had to anyone prior to his transfer to this university. He'd never told anyone about his romantic life.

          "Well, if it makes you feel betta', you're doing alright with me. I'll help you if you want. I know some who are more your speed"

          "No, I'm-Im good, Venus. Ima ride the solo gig for awhile"

          "You've been riding the solo gig since birth, my guy. It's okay if want some guidance. I ain't goin' to judge you"

          He believed her. She was really kind and the type of person that quickly adapted to people's boundaries. But he didn't know what he was looking for in a relationship. Would there be anyone to understand him and his reservations?

          She went back to doodling letting go of the topic and working on a cat-like cartoon at the end of her notes,  "Is your mom going to call you again?"

          His phone vibrated, making a harsh buzz on the hard table and answering Venus' question.

          "Hola, mijo! ¿Como estaba la escuela?"

          Angel's mother was initially apprehensive about her son leaving the state for school, being miles away and on his own. She knew what kind of kid he was and did her best to love him more than enough if he ever felt he wasn't at school. His father sometimes felt that how his mother treated him wouldn't help but hold him back from outgrowing the nest; however, when he decided to up and go, he considered maybe he was wrong.

          She didn't call every day but she called frequently enough to expect her at passing periods. She started with her day, what his little sister was doing, making sure he was eating and if he had money (then sending him more anyway). But she made sure to ask if everything was alright, was he comfortable there? Any more new friends or old faces?

          And he would remember the surprise of seeing Jeremiah there. It was three days into the start of the semester. He was also on the phone with his mom in the gaming lounge where some of the school's free lockers were, putting some textbooks away and others back in, when he heard a deep, familiar laugh. He raised his head, picking up his phone from between his shoulder and cheek, and made eye contact with the one and only. A moment of cinematic pause.

          That alluring laughter quickly stopped, surprised, and Angel nearly dropped his phone in a fumble. He was with some guy he didn't know, but Jeremiah was frozen in his tracks, "Angel?"

          He swallowed and cleared his throat, "Hey"

          Jeremiah gazed at him like he was witnessing an anomaly, or how people look at full moons and shooting stars, "You go here?"

          He didn't reply, awkwardly looking at his phone where his mom was calling his name out, "Ma, te llamaré más tarde"

          "Are you on the track team?" Angel felt a mundane ache at the hopefulness in his old teammates voice he hadn't experienced since senior year. He pushed the nostalgia away, refusing to be the dumbass he was in high school.

          "Yeah. I'm on the team. I start Monday"

          "I thought you quit track."

           He turned slightly around, organizing his textbooks, but really just wanted to avoid holding the eye contact, "I did."

          "Why'd you change your mind?"

          Angel licked his bottom lip moistening the dryness, "Hard to quit something you can't help but love"

          He raised his dark full eyebrows and smiled in satisfaction, "I agree with that. I'm glad you did, man. You...still have my number?"

          A simple nod from him to Jeremiah's way and he could tell not much had changed Angel since a year and a half ago. Angel was Angel.

          "I'll text you. Te veré en la práctica, Ángel"

          And Jeremiah would do the same thing he did before. Approach him in the halls, text him late in the day, ask him if he's excited for practice and the season. He would be so inviting.

          It was moderately annoying and enough for him to resent Jeremiah a little bit. He wanted no anxiety this time around. He had done so well at community college. Everyone had moved on from their hometown and he was left alone. Now that he was far from home, he had to figure it out. It was time. Jeremiah couldn't ruin that.

          His mother's voice woke him up from his thoughts. She spoke louder over the phone for some reason in case no one could hear her even though he was sure people in the lounge could hear their entire conversation.

         "Make sure you talk to those counselors when you can if you need to, Ángel, me escuchas?" She said affirmatively. She could get him to do anything in that tone.

          "Si, Ma. Claro"