On Thursdays Pete didn’t have any lectures. He used the time to study Melissa’s notes from econ and skim through the topics for the upcoming exam. He felt unusually confident. Then suddenly a knock on his door interrupted his study session. He furrowed his brow but got up either way. He wanted to stay seated and ignore whoever was visiting him at the dorms this early in the morning but after the third knock he decided to check it out. Pete opened the door carefully and almost gasped. “Uhm,” Derek scratched the back of his neck. He smelled like cigarettes and considering he was wearing his coat he must have just been out for a smoke. Why was he knocking on Pete’s door? Did he get the wrong room? Sure, Pete, before going into his own room he knocks or what? “Can I help you?” He asked and opened the door wider. Should he invite him in? “No, I just wanted to apologise for yesterday. I fear I have reacted rather sensitively.” Derek adjusted his glasses and folded his hands in front of his body. “Don’t worry about it.” Derek was examining Pete. His gaze felt hot on Pete’s skin. What was he searching for? Why was he still standing there? Wait, do I really have to invite him in?

“Would you like to come inside?” Derek’s lip curled up into a one-sided smile. “What for?” He asked and tilted his head. “T-tea?” Pete stuttered and realized that the heat he felt didn’t come from Derek’s gaze but his own blushing cheeks. Shit. He hoped that Derek didn’t notice them. Damn it. He avoided looking at Derek and took a step back to hide in the comfortable darkness of his room. “Hm. Now that you mention it, I wouldn’t mind a cup of coffee. Do you offer that too or do noisy neighbours only get tea?” “I actually worked at a coffee shop so I’m quite confident in my coffee making skills.” Pete rambled before thinking and then cleared his throat. “And for the record I never called you noisy. Just your music.” Derek hummed and walked inside. Pete’s heart was beating rapidly in his chest. He tried to calm his breathing as he closed the door after his neighbour. What had he done? He didn’t clean in days and his notes were clattered everywhere. Did he even have coffee left?

“You can sit wherever you like.” Pete said quickly and rushed into the part of the one-room apartment that was his kitchen. Derek looked around for a moment and then turned towards Pete again. “I’d rather not sit down.” This is embarrassing. Pete nodded. His trembling fingers were fighting with the coffee machine. As soon as he managed to turn this metal monster on he tried to find a clean cup. His sink was filled with dirty dishes and the shelves were empty. Derek glanced at the state of the kitchen and his left eye twitched again. “On second note,” He began and Pete sighed. “You have to leave. I get it. Sorry. I spoke before-” “Would you not interrupt me, please?” Derek bit down on his lip, probably to not snap at Pete and then looked up at him with a sorry expression. “How about we have that coffee at my place?”