Ripple

You awake the next morning still in Kaleb’s bed, the man in question nowhere to be seen. Feeling somewhat torn about the night’s events, you take the opportunity to slip out of the room unseen. The door hinges seem to creak especially loudly as you slowly pry them open. Peaking out, you’re relieved to find the hallway free and clear, leading an almost straight shot back to your makeshift room. Slipping out, you close the unexpectedly noisy door behind you before making your way forward. You can’t help replaying the events from the previous evening. You’re not sure what came over you to cause such an uncharacteristically bold advance. Ever since you came to fraternity you’ve begun to feel something shifting inside you.

Your thoughts are abruptly interrupted when you round the corner of the corridor only to come into contact with something unexpectedly solid. Gasping, you stumble back slightly and likely would have fallen were it not for the hand that swiftly reached out to grab your outstretched one.

“Sorry!” A deep yet slightly tremulous voice exclaims as you’re effortlessly pulled back onto your feet. “I should watch where I’m going. Please, go ahead”

“Huh?” You blink in surprise as you take in the stranger.

Though he’s another upperclassman, he seems just as startled and uneasy around you as you are around him. This confuses you as he appears just as, if not more, attractive than all the other members of the house. Tall and athletically built, the lanky man nervously brushes a lock of ash blond hair away from his pale, almost amber-colored eyes. His sharp jaw flexes lightly as his forehead creases in concern. You realize he is waiting for you to either speak or walk around him.

“No, I’m sorry!” You quickly blurt out as your cheeks all but burst into flames. “Please, go ahead.”

The man’s brow now raises as his expression changes to one of confusion and then to one of amusement. You’re perplexed at first until you realize you’re both making the same polite gesture for the other to pass.

“It’s nice to finally come across someone with manners.” He remarks, the smile spreading across his face only seeming to enhance his captivating eyes. “I’m Valin.”

The hand, which still clasped around yours, squeezes it lightly before he releases it entirely. You open your mouth to reply but are unexpectedly cut off.

“There you are.” You feel the blush return to your cheeks as you recognize Kaleb’s unmistakably cheerful tone from behind the man. “I’ve taken the liberty of whipping us all up some breakfast.”

Your expression turns more skeptical as you can only imagine what the man constitutes as breakfast - likely a smorgasbord of pop-tarts, eggos, cereal, and whatever other easy and unhealthy items he could round up. With few other options, you find yourself following Kaleb and the new housemates further away from your room.