No, you will ask him later!

You decide not to ask him about the party just yet. There will be enough time during the car ride. Still, if you’re honest with yourself, you can’t help but feel excited. Your first American college party, so soon after arriving. It’ll also be a great opportunity to meet the remaining members of the BSA and get to know everyone better.

“Okay, so Justin just texted me. He’s getting ready, so I think we should head out since he lives closer to the mall,” Jamal says, glancing up from his phone.

“Great, then let’s go. I can’t wait to get some new stuff and finally burn these old jeans,” you reply, tugging at the fabric with mock annoyance. “You think this is a good idea, right? Getting new pants that fit better and… show off a little more?”

“Of course it’s a good idea.” Jamal gives you a warm smile. “You want to feel more confident in your body and your features, so starting with clothes makes perfect sense.” He points at your lower half to emphasize his point.

You try to sound more assured, but it isn’t easy for you. “Yeah, you’re right. I just hope they actually have stuff in my size, and that I don’t end up feeling too exposed.”

“Don’t worry about it, Emile,” Jamal reassures you. “They’ll fit you, and perfectly, too. And man, with a body like yours, you’ve got to show it off. Not for anyone else, but for yourself.”

His words strike a chord. He’s right, you don’t want to impress anyone else. You want to do this for yourself, to feel more confident. Taking this step feels like the right decision.

What you can’t see is how pleased Jamal is with how easy it is to guide you in the direction he wants. If things keep going like this, he knows he’ll have you exactly where he wants in no time.

Closing the door to your room, you follow Jamal out to the parking lot. His car catches your eye: a sleek black SUV. You’ve never known much about cars, so you can’t place the make or model, but it looks nice, expensive, even. You didn’t realize Jamal had that kind of money, though maybe it was a gift from his family. You could ask about it later if if anything related to the car comes up.

Instead of heading straight to the driver’s side of the car, Jamal walks to the passenger door and pulls it open. You pause, surprised, before walking over. He stands there with a nod, waiting.

“Come on, get in. I’m trying to be a gentleman here and you’re leaving me hanging,” he teases.

The stupid joke makes you laugh. “Sorry, sorry. You don’t have to hold the door for me, I can do it myself.” Still, you slide into the seat through the open door. “But thank you, kind sir. You’re a real gentleman.”

Jamal laughs along with you and closes the door gently. As he walks around to the driver’s side, you don’t notice the thoughts running through his mind, the way he lingers on how you called him “sir,” and how much he wants to hear it again in a much different context.

For you, though, it’s something new. No one has ever treated you like this before. Why would they? You’re not a girl. And yet… something about the small gesture makes you feel warm inside. Even such a little act makes you excited to spend more time with Jamal. Outside of your family and Emma, you’ve never been treated so kindly. Most of your interactions with peers back home were unremarkable at best, frustrating at worst. Even dating had always been hard, no matter how friendly you were, no girl ever seemed to want a real relationship. Eventually you gave up, choosing instead to focus on school and just surviving the bullying.

But now, so far away from home, on another continent, maybe this is your chance to try again. You’re only here for one semester, but that could be enough to build deeper connections. Maybe even more. And who knows? Maybe you could extend your stay to a full year, though you’ve heard that’s a bureaucratic nightmare. Still, that’s a problem for later. It’s only your second day here, and while everyone has been incredibly kind so far, you remind yourself that doesn’t mean much. Things can always change with time.

You’re pulled back into the moment as Jamal slides into the driver’s seat and starts the engine. The soft purr of the car hums through your body, strangely comforting.

With a grin, you glance at him. “So, are you going to put my seatbelt on for me too, or do I have to handle that myself?”

“Oh, sorry, madame. Where are my manners?” he says with a mischievous smile. To your shock, he leans across you, his body so close you can feel the heat radiating off him, and buckles your seatbelt himself. When he finishes, he looks at you with a broad grin. “Everything to your liking, madam?”

You stammer, cheeks burning. “Y–you didn’t have to do that. I could’ve done it myself…”

“I know,” he says smoothly. “But it’s way more fun seeing you this flustered.”

He laughs, and you swat his shoulder with a playful punch. “Fuck you,” you say, laughing with him.

It’s easy to joke around and spend time with Jamal. You can’t wait to see what the rest of the day brings.

With that, he pulls out of the parking lot. You watch his face for a moment, he looks calm, his black skin seems radiant, and his dark eyes are focused on the road, before turning to the window. The campus quickly gives way to the bustling city, and you find yourself wondering what life here will bring.