Pete had his hands wrapped around the mug. The heat comforted his raging anxiety. He was just next door but Derek in front of him sipping his black coffee in a dress shirt and jeans was enough reason for his mind to go crazy. He was only in this situation because Derek felt pity after seeing the state of his room. How could he have even thought of inviting him in? Pete took a sip and burned himself. He tried to play it down but Derek noticed it. “You seem a little tense. Did I scare you last night?” “Uhm..” He cleared his throat to make sure he wasn’t accidentally whispering. “No, it’s my social anxiety acting up. Sorry.” “Social anxiety? Is having coffee with your neighbour a social event to you?” Pete glanced at Derek’s face and then looked away. “It’s not but you’re a stranger and I’m alone with you. That makes me anxious.” “What’s the worst that could happen?” He huffed. “I could do something even dumber than inviting you into my dirty apartment.” His comment surprisingly drew a laugh from Derek. Pete stared at him in shock. “You laughed.” “It was a good joke.” “I wasn’t joking.” Pete now smiled, too. “I didn’t think you could laugh. You seemed so serious until now.”

Derek leaned back, his fingers drumming against the table. “Really?” Pete almost choked on his coffee. The vibes were completely off all of a sudden. Had he ruined it again? “I mean, I only met you once and you blew smoke in my face and you were all grumbly.” “So you just assumed I was a prick who couldn’t laugh?” He opened his mouth and closed it again. Derek shook his head. He laughed softly. “I’m teasing you. I know that I don’t seem approachable. I prefer being on my own, if I’m being honest. Not a lot of people my age stay at the dormitory and most of the younger ones don’t want to associate with me.” He drummed his fingers against the table once again. Pete suddenly felt bad for mentioning his age right away when he first saw him. “I’m in no way trying to excuse my behaviour, I just wanted you to understand why I reacted like that, yesterday.” Derek got up and reached his hand out for Pete’s mug. “I-I’m not finished yet.” “You are. I’m going for a smoke now and you should head home as well.” Pete rolled his eyes and handed his mug over. “Didn’t you just come back in from a smoke?” “So?” “Smoking kills.” “So?”

Derek hinted a smile and Pete’s cheeks were heating up again. “Hey, can I ask a stupid question before you throw me out?” “Is it about my age?” “No.” “Then go ahead.” Pete fiddled with the ends of his sleeves and then looked up at Derek again. Are you gay? “Why do you listen to loud music in the middle of the night?”