Pete woke up with a terrible headache and a stiff neck. Sleeping in the hallway really sucked. “Sorry, did I wake you?” Pete flinched hard and almost screamed at Derek. His heart rate was so increased that he feared it had jumped out of his chest. “Derek? What the hell-” Pete looked around. He recognized his surroundings almost immediately. He was in Derek’s room, cuddled into a blanket that wasn’t his on a sofa that he definitely couldn’t afford. “Why am I here?” “I went out for a smoke last night because I couldn’t sleep. I found you curled up in the hallway and figured that your friend had ditched you. So I took you in.” Pete’s stomach turned. That’s what he got for lying. If he said the truth now Derek will think the worst of him but if he didn’t explain the situation he’d only loathe himself for not being honest. “Derek, I never called a friend to pick me up.” He stopped in his tracks. The coffee ran through the filter and dark tears dripped into the mug. “I’m sorry. I felt bad because of my question and I didn’t want to cause you any more trouble.” “So you decided to sleep in the hallway? That’s stupid.” Derek huffed and shook his head. Pete thought he would be angry but he was smiling while picking up the coffee mug from the counter.

“Here.” He handed Pete the cup and sat down next to him. “I’m sorry for making you feel like you couldn’t ask me for help. Your question stirred up a few things I like to keep deep down. I know that I am a grumpy old man but if you don’t mind I’d like to have a fresh start with you,” he hesitated and then reached out his hand. “Peter.” This was huge. Derek wanted to be his friend. He called him by his first name. Pete wanted to ask him out right away but then he caught sight of Derek’s wrist watch. “Oh no no no no no.” He put down the mug and grabbed his wrist to read the time again. “Shit, I’m late.” Pete jumped up and spilled a bit of the coffee when his leg hit the table. “Sorry!” He stumbled through the room and tried to make himself look as fresh as possible. “What’s going on?” “I have an exam in an hour.” Derek got up from the sofa and rummaged through a dresser. Then he threw a bunch of stuff at Pete. “Take a shower and get dressed. You can make it in time. I’ll lend you a few pencils.” Pete picked up the clothes and stared at Derek. “Why are you helping me out?” “Love thy neighbour?” He frowned. “You don’t strike me as a Christian.” Derek adjusted his glasses. “Jesus said that? I thought it was a Michael Jackson quote.” Pete cracked up and hid his mouth behind his hands. He didn’t expect to laugh this carelessly for such a stupid reason. Especially not in front of his crush.

“You should hurry or you’ll really be late.” That was the moment in which Pete decided to put everything on the line. “Derek? Can I ask another stupid question?” “Is it about my age or the reason why I listen to loud music in the middle of the night?” “No.” They smiled at each other. “Then go ahead.” “When I’m back from the exam I have about two hours of free time. Care to go out with me?”