Just Chill.

We finished up dinner and everyone went their separate ways. That weird energy was still there: everyone really need to get rid of their stress and tension, so it wasn't surprising that we didn't want to spend any more thought or effort on getting ready and going out. A night in would be good for us. Emily and I lived in the same direction, so we left the dining hall together. It was a gorgeous evening and I commented that I didn't mind just walking around for a bit. Emily agreed, so we walked around campus together, just chatting. Emily and I had met the first week of college and had grown very close, so we talked about everything: school, family, interests, pop culture, etc.

Emily knew that college was the first time I had ever been away from my parents, and that I had spent my entire childhood avoiding trouble. I was a nerd in every sense of the word, so I had hoped college would be an opportunity to break out of my shell, find some confidence, and set myself up for a successful career. I'd been at school for 3 years but I had remained firmly in my little cocoon of safe, unadventurous, no-risk behavior. In that time, I hadn't hooked up with anybody or had a girlfriend: I just didn't have the confidence to make a move on anyone or try and convince a girl to date me. Even with Emily, I had never crossed that line, though I had certainly thought about it.

Emily, on the other hand, liked to push people out of their comfort zones and was always up for adventure and some shenanigans. I knew she had a pretty expansive sexual past and had gotten in trouble a few times at school over the last few years for drinking and other behavior. Despite those fundamental differences between us, I was closer to Emily than to my own sister: we discussed literally everything and had the same sense of humor and lack of filter. Emily was really good about both teasing me for my total lack of game and helping encourage me to put myself out there, though it had been futile to this point. She knew she could give me shit about it and I knew that she had my back if push came to shove.

Emily asked, "John, are you sure you don't want to do anything tonight? It's almost your birthday!" I said, "Nah, I'm really OK. Just need to relax and unwind after this week. Plus, aren't you going to be too busy building your OnlyFans empire?"

Emily chuckled. "I wouldn't even know where to start. You're the one who watches that JOI stuff, why don't you make one?" We laughed at the thought and kept meandering around campus. Eventually, we got close to Emily's apartment and she said, "Do you want to hang out here, or you really want to be alone?" I responded, "I didn't say I wanted to be alone, just need a low key night. I'll come up for a bit."