Pete stayed at Melissa’s place for a few days. He was too embarrassed to face Derek again. He missed him in an odd way. Sometimes at night he wondered what music he’d listen to at the moment or if he still held his promise and had it toned down. On the first October weekend Pete moved back into his dormitory room. He was glad when he passed the entrance and didn’t find Derek smoking. Now he just had to make it through the corridor with no sudden appearances of his attractive but uninterested neighbour. The elevator doors slid open and Pete sighed in relief. The hallway was empty. He quickly rushed towards his door and almost trampled his mail. Pete picked it up and unlocked the door faster than he ever had. Only when he threw himself onto his bed did he feel safe again. He cuddled his own blanket and then scrunched his nose. When was the last time he’d done the laundry? Pete sat up and examined his room. It was dirty. Just the way he left it but suddenly the scattered clothes and notebooks bothered him. He picked up his shirts one by one and started cleaning.

Pete’s gaze was fixed on a small pile of clothes before him. It was the outfit Derek had given him for the exam. It still smelled like him, cigarettes and ancient cologne. No young person had such a scent. He gulped. What was he supposed to do with it? After their horrendous ‘date’ and Pete practically moving out for two weeks he couldn’t just knock on Derek’s door as if nothing happened. On the other hand, he couldn’t keep the clothes and he didn’t want to wash them out of fear of doing something wrong. His shirt looked very expensive. “Come on Pete, you can do this.” He took a deep breath and gathered all his courage. Pete picked up the clothes and checked several times if he had his keys before heading out and knocking next door. There was no reply. His chest began to ache but Pete had to push these thoughts away. He’s out for a smoke. He’s not ignoring you. “D-derek?” He knocked again and raised his voice. “I have your clothes.” Nothing. He’s out for a smoke. Or he’s at Uni. On a weekend? His thoughts were starting a war with each other so Pete decided to leave before he got a headache. When he turned around the elevator door opened and Derek stepped out. Next to him was a brunette girl who pinched his cheeks and laughed loudly.

Not good. Pete dropped the clothes to the ground and when Derek reached his hand out to stop him he dodged and quickly fled into his apartment. The date wasn’t a date. Derek isn’t interested in being more than neighbours. His girlfriend- “Shut up mind.”