Going to Bed

The pair of you make your way into the hall. In the common room of the third floor you meet Luiz who was kicking back and watching a movie. You introduce yourself and your too quiet roommate. Sitting down on one of the chairs you begin striking up a conversation with the man. Charlie fades off and heads to the room. You learn Luiz had been here a long time, this was his fifth year in the hall and he didn't seem to be in any particular hurry to get out.

You sit and chat learning a few things along the way. You learn that the big woman you met was the resident manager who kept things in order in the hall. She lived on the first floor. Everyone called her Mama Rose and she was a sweetheart who loved her boys as long as they followed the rules. She wasn't strict but she was no push over either. You learn Professor Williams, the Resident Dean that you had met earlier, was rarely seen. He was technically available for advice and guidance though few actually made use of him. You also learn that there was something of a rivalry with the dorm across the yard. It was something that stretched back almost a century. Finally you learn that the days of freshman hazing were over, but that you might have a rough time with some of the more senior students regardless.

You sit a while but the movie Luiz was watching was atrocious. You excuse yourself and head to your room. You hear Charlie just finishing a phone call as you enter. "Okay, love you to Mom. Yep, bye."

You close the door behind you and hang your jacket on a hanger on the back side of the door. Charlie had on a set of full on pajamas. Blue and white striped, loose button up shirt and pants that matched. Over the years of traveling around for soccer tournaments or swim meets you had never met a guy your age who actually wore old man pajamas like this. After a moment's thought...you would expect no different from Charlie.

"Going to bed already?" You ask, it was not quite 11 pm.

He shakes his head. "I can read if you want to stay up. I don't mind."

You shrug. "Eh, we'll see. I might watch a movie or something. Let me know if I'm bothering you."

He nods.

Peeling off your shirt you throw it in a ball at the base of your dresser. Looking in a mirror that was set up on your side, opposite the bathroom door, you take a quick look at your exposed upper torso. Fuck, while you weren't obsessed with your looks you had to admit that you were looking good. With only having your lame ass truck wash job this past year you had stepped up your workouts. Washboard abs, nice V taper, wide thick pecs, round shoulders, and definition everywhere. Add to this that all of the outdoor swimming you had done over the summer had given you a perfect bronze tan.

At the corner of the mirror you can see Charlie looking at you, staring at you. Eyes wide. Obviously admiring your fit body. You'd seen it before, that look of envy on guys who didn't have the discipline or desire to get into shape. You see a blush come his face as he turns away suddenly. He grabs the back of his desk chair with both hands and stares out the window.

You sigh. You knew this wasn't going to go over well. Charlie being as bashful as he was. But this was your space too and you'd be damned if you would be creeping around hiding yourself for however long you stayed here. It wasn't who you were and you needed to be comfortable as well. Charlie wanted his privacy and you would respect that, but that didn't apply to you. You were very comfortable with your body, it helped that you had nothing to complain about down below.

You unbutton your pants and slide them off, followed by your socks. Without a pause you then slip off your boxer-briefs. Charlie gripped the chair in front of him and wasn't moving a muscle. With it being dark outside you knew he was likely seeing what was happening behind him in the reflection off the window.

It felt good to be naked, you'd always enjoyed it.

"I'm hitting the shower." You say as you head into the bathroom. Once more you leave the door open behind you. He might have to take a leak or something in the meantime. You stop then return to the main room, you'd forgotten your bathroom kit. Charlie stood awkwardly in the middle of the room, his eyes darting everywhere but on you. You felt bad making him feel uncomfortable, but it was something he would have to get used to if he was going to live with you. You grab the kit then head back in.

You unpack your toiletries and take a quick hot shower. It was a small walk-in affair, no tub or anything. But at least the pressure was good and the water was hot. You then freshen up a bit at the sink. You put your razor beside Charlie's, you make a mental note that Charlie's razor looked brand new. You brush your teeth then wipe the steamed mirror with a hand towel and brush your hair. You look at your shoulder length hair...it looked so...small town. You'd get a cut tomorrow. Maybe a fade on the sides, keep some length up top.

Heading back out you see Charlie was sitting up in his bed, his legs under the blankets, pillow behind his back. He had open a thick plain looking book in what appeared to be French. Without otherwise moving his eyes quietly follow you as you walk across the room. Opening your dresser you pull out a fresh pair of undies.

"Whatcha reading?" You ask in a friendly manner.

"Sartre." He responds as he peeks once more your way.

"Oh." You had no clue. Some French biologist maybe. You pull on the underwear. "Good book?"

"Eh, I guess." He states flatly.

Not exactly a glowing endorsement. Why was he reading it then? You sit on your bed and look at your computer. Ah fuck the movie, you were going to turn in. Lying down on top of your blankets you put your hands behind your head and stare up at the ceiling. You say. "G'night Charlie. It was good to meet you."

Catching the hint your roommate puts his book away and turns off his reading lamp. The room falls into darkness, just a slight glow from the pathway lamps outside filtering in creating a dim lit corridor down the center of the room between the two beds. You hear him shuffle as he gets under his blankets.

Silence.

"Jonathan." His soft light voice floats across from the impenetrable darkness of his side of the room.

"Yes Charlie."

"It was good to meet you too."

"Thanks."

Silence.

"Jonathan."

You chuckle. "Yes Charlie."

"Um...nothing."

Silence.

"What is it Charlie?"

"Do, uh, do you want to have breakfast together?"

You chuckle again. He was a funny funny guy. "Sure Charlie. Good night Charlie."

"Good night Jonathan."