There was a knock at the door, and I felt my pulse jump. Everything felt very out of place; the door seemed further away, the time of day seemed to pass my mind, and for some reason, I answered the knock without question. 

I didn’t expect it to be anyone in particular but when I saw him I rush of heat hit my chest.

“Islington-” I started to say as the taller boy brushed past me, stepping into the room. 

He was very close to me and as I closed the door behind me I watched as Islington stared at me, taking slow steps to close the gap between us.

I swallowed hard while looking at him, I didn’t think Islington knew where my room was. He was wearing pajamas; loose sweatpants and a thin t-shirt, and from the looks of it his hair was… wet? 

“Is everything o-’ before I could finish the sentence I felt soft lips land on my own and arms wrapping around my neck. Islington pressed his body against mine, and I felt myself reflectively gripping onto the other boy’s waist.

I pulled away for a quick breath, words suddenly vanishing from my mind as Islington began planting kisses on the side of my neck to which I could only respond with held-back moans.

“Islington-ha… what are you doing?”

With a hot breath, Islington pressed his cheek against mine and whispered “I want you to fuck me.”

I grabbed Islington by the wrists and pushed him against the wall, letting out a breath onto Islington’s neck. I then moved my hands to Islington’s cheeks and pulled his face close to my own. Our lips met and I could feel Islington’s tongue slide into my mouth as his hands moved down my chest. Soon, Islington’s hands were at my pant buckle and I felt all the blood from my body rush towards where his fingers were.

I slid my thigh between Islingtons legs and pressed softly, Islington, in turn, letting out a quick gasp while gripping tightly onto my belt. I moved my hands down to Islington’s hips and pulled his pants down in a swift motion before hosting Islington up and pinning him against the wall. 

Another gasp escaped from Islington’s lips when I finally-

A wack to the back of the head soon brought me back to reality. A sharp pain spread throughout my and body and I reflexively placed my hand to the source of the pain. I winced and looked to my side to see Katerina staring daggers into me.

“Don’t fall asleep, shit face,” she grumbled.

I blinked a few times before finally coming to my senses. 

I was in class, and thankfully it was dark, with the only thing illuminated being the projector screen. The professor’s monotone voice spoke through the speakers of the lecture hall, other students frantically taking notes, some typing away while others decided playing the sims was the best way to use this time.

“Sorry I… didn’t sleep well,” I whispered

“That’s what you get for drinking on a Sunday,” Kat took a bite of her bagel, the crunch echoing loudly in my ear.

I winced and recoiled back at the sound.

“Damn, I’m sorry Logan didn’t want to invite you,”

Kat picked up her pen and pointed it dangerously close to my eye, “Fuck Logan, don’t you dare bring her up in front of me,”

“Sorry,” I chuckled looking down at the long continuous stream of ds spelled out on my document.

I turned to Katerina, “hey, kat can I-”

“Yes, you can copy my notes later, now shut up,” she hissed, “this is our last class before break”

I nodded and pressed my lips together. She said this as if we didn’t have the rest of the week class full.

 I looked up at the ceiling for a moment as the professor continued her lecture on the importance of the sphenoid… or something.

The sound of slow typing on a keyboard hit my ears and I soon found myself staring across the rows to see him. His face illuminated by the glow of the computer screen. Pale blue hitting the stray wisps of his dark hair. 

-

We were always the last two to leave class. Kat always had questions after the lecture and insisted I tagged along in order to get the “best bang for my buck”... whatever that meant. Katerina was the kind of person who liked to take her notes by hand, which meant she had a bookshelf full of notebooks in her room, most of which were empty just in case a situation for writing ever came up. In fact, she had a separate notebook just for questions to ask the prof. 

“You have lap right?” Kat said, stuffing her notebooks into her bag.

“Yea with Avery,” I said, walking in front of her so she knew where to go.

We always use to walk this way, even back in high school. Kat was so small, and tended to have her head down most of the time, that it seemed best to assume this walking position to ensure she didn’t fall over or walk into something. That’s the kind of friend I was.

She let out a humph, “You don’t think it’s weird that you still call her Avery?”

“She’s only two years older, the fact that she’s a TA still fucks with me,”

“She’s smart, it’s not that weird,”

I sighed, turning to step down the stairs “It’s kinda weird since that’s what I have to compete with.”

Kat gripped onto my arm to balance herself from the sudden plane shift.

“Don’t know why you want Foss for your internship, or why you’re applying so late?”

I swallowed with the sudden memory from last Thursday.

He was in Avery’s office. To be more specific he was sitting in front of Avery’s desk, where she sat somewhat disapprovingly, and to her left, leaning in the corner of the room was a tired Islington.

Avery sighed and began typing into her computer, “This hasn’t been easy to figure out, but I think I can make it work.”

“Thanks for all your help, Wind,” Islington said while stepping towards Avery’s desk, “You can’t imagine what this means to me,”

Avery simply smiled and continued typing away. She was helping the two of us get internships. Islington because they’d been in the same year before his break and me because I may or may not have been waiting for Islington to choose a professor before deciding.

She seemed exhausted, I’d heard the story before, it passed through campus hundreds of times, in a million different ways. Four students, one disappears in the first year, the second in their third year, then one taking a break after a huge scandal, and the last becoming TA immediately graduating and getting into Grad School. Islington and Avery were always talked about, whether prompted or slipped into conversation. It’d clearly taken a toll on both of them.

I scanned the room again and saw that her exhaustion was starting to show in the lack of organization in her office. Shelves that were usually put together to a T were now out of order, leaving books and papers scattered on the desk and floor. Her usually opened curtains were now closed giving the room a gloomy atmosphere. Even Avery herself had begun to look sullen. Her hair knotted and tied up as well as her usual put-together attire replaced by a hoodie and tights. She’d even switched from her usual contacts to glasses.

My eyes slowly shifted to Islington who now had his hands planted on Avery’s desk. His slender arms extended and his slim physique curved towards the monitor. The light from the monitor shone a faint blue light onto Islington’s face which reflected beautifully in his eyes. 

I hit something and in turn, Kat slammed into me when I realized I’d stopped walking. 

“Ouch,” a soft voice said.

“Ah sorry I didn’t-” my voice caught in my throat when I realized who it was I’d bumped into. Of all the people in this school.

Kat slapped my back, “Well you should be. Damn, I’ll see you at lunch,”

And with that, I was alone with him.

“Are you ok?”

It was Islington. Of all the people in that room, it had to be Islington. Of course. Thanks, universe. 

Islington turned slightly to face me and I felt my worries melt when I met the other boy’s eyes. 

I immediately turned my attention to the ground and shook my head, “yea, I’m- I’m” my voice cracked, but then I collected myself, “I’m fine…”

Islington gave a slight nod, “Well good,”

Islington opened the door to the lab room, and smiled, “Ready to go?”