Silent Longing | Straight Until Him |

Chapter 1

After two weeks of settling into dorm life, Oliver had started getting used to the classes, campus life and late-night study sessions, but the two things he had not fully adjusted to was the constant noise and lack of personal space for relaxing.

That afternoon, he was sitting in the lounge near his dorm, going through his phone while sipping on an overpriced iced coffee. The group of guys at the next table were conversing and their voices were so loud that it filled the quiet space.

“Yeah, Sebastian’s still looking for a roommate,” one of them said. “You’d think people would be jumping at the chance to live off-campus instead of being crammed in these tiny-ass dorms.”

Oliver wasn’t paying attention at first–until he heard that. He tuned in instantly, though he kept his eyes on his phone to not look like he was eavesdropping.

“Isn’t his place, like, insane?” someone else asked.

“Dude, he's so rich.wouldn't be shocked if it looked like a penthouse”

Oliver glanced up briefly, now curious. A penthouse? For a college student? Who the hell was this Sebastian guy?

Slowly, their conversation drifted into other topics but Oliver’s mind was already working. He had not really planned to move out, but… maybe he should at least check it out.

A few hours later after asking around and confirming the rumor, he found himself staring at a written flyer pinned to the dorm bulletin board:

ROOMMATE WANTED – Off-Campus Apartment. Spacious. Private. Interested? Call or text.

A phone number was scribbled below.

Oliver stared at the number on the flyer for some time, contemplating if he should call the number or not. He wasn’t desperate for a new place, but the idea of living off-campus had its advantages like more privacy, no communal bathrooms, and an escape from the constant noise of dorm life.

Without overthinking it, hehe decided to send a quick text:

Hey, I saw the flyer for the roommate offer. Is the place still available? – Oliver

After sending it, he let out a quick sigh, already second-guessing himself. What if the guy was weird? What if the rent was ridiculous? What if—

His phone buzzed.

Yeah. You free to check it out?

There was no name or any extra details, just straight to the point.

Yeah, when? Oliver replied.

Now.

That was fast. He thought. He hesitated a bit before requesting the address.

The reply came instantly, and a few minutes later, Oliver was standing outside an upscale apartment complex.It was definitely nicer than any college housing he had seen. He checked his phone again to confirm if he was at the right place.

The elevator door buzzed open before he could press anything, like someone had been watching for him. The ride was oddly long and his stomach felt weird, maybe it was his curiosity, he thought.

Then, the doors slid open, and the first thing he saw was him—

Tall, broad-shouldered, leaning casually on the kitchen counter. The guy barely spared him a glance before looking back down at his phone.

Sebastian.

Oliver was not sure of what he had expected, but it wasn’t this. Tousled dark hair, sharp jawline, a quiet confidence that came off as cool. The kind of guy that turned heads without even trying.

“You’re the one who texted?” Sebastian asks, without looking up from his phone.

“Yeah. Oliver.”

Sebastian glances at him, then back at his screen. “You’re a freshman.”

Oliver frowns. “Is that a problem?”

Sebastian scoffs, pushing off the counter. “Yeah. Freshmen are messy. Clingy. Don’t know how to handle their own s**t. I don’t have time to babysit.”

Oliver blinks, taken aback. “I’m not—”

“Look, it's nothing personal,” Sebastian cuts in, finally giving him a real look. “But I need someone who won’t be in my way. No offense, but you don’t look like you’d fit in.”

Oliver’s jaw clenches. “Right. Well, thanks for wasting my time.”

He turns to leave, but Sebastian doesn’t stop him as the door clicks shut behind him.

For the next few days, Oliver keeps hearing about the place,how perfect the location is and how much better it would be than his tiny dorm room. The thought irritates him more than it should, even though he wasn't sure if he could afford it.

Then, out of nowhere, he receives a text.

Still need a place?

Sebastian.

Oliver stares at the message for a while, the rejection still fresh in his mind.

Why? Changed your mind?

After a few minutes.

Someone else flaked. You in or not?

He felt the urge to say no because his attitude the previous day irritated him till now, he was not even that desperate to move yet. He should tell Sebastian to find someone else. But instead, he exhales sharply and types back:

I’m in.

And just like that, things take a turn neither of them are ready for.

____

Oliver walks into the apartment with his suitcase in hand and the first thing he sees is a girl adjusting her shirt while tugging her skirt down as she walks past him toward the door. The air feels heated, maybe even a little awkward—but Sebastian? He doesn’t seem to care. He sits on the couch in the living room looking exactly like someone who has just rolled out of bed.

“You’re early,” Sebastian says as he turns towards him.

Oliver shrugs. “Figured I’d get settled.”

Sebastian lazily stands as he gestures toward a door. “That’s your room. Bathroom’s down the hall.” There was no enthusiasm, or even a simple welcome—just facts.

Oliver nods and drags his suitcase inside, taking in the clean space. It’s nice, definitely better than his old dorm, but something about sharing an apartment with him suddenly feels... loud. Even in the silence.

He exhales, dropping onto the bed. At least he's only paying 40% of the rent.

***

Living with Sebastian was something else.

Oliver had his own room, but he never fully felt like he belonged. It was more like Sebastian’s space, and Sebastian lived like he did not have a roommate—there were different girls every day, loud music, his friends making themselves at home whenever they wanted.

Most mornings, Oliver woke up to the sight of empty beer bottles and random clothing pieces scattered around. And then there was Sebastian himself who'd walk around almost naked or with a small towel hanging low on his hips like some kind of model who didn’t even try. His hair was always a mess in the mornings and sometimes he would have a faint smirk on his lips like he knew Oliver was annoyed.

“Morning, roomie,” he would say, voice rough with sleep, stretching his arms over his head.

Oliver would roll his eyes and focus on making his coffee, pretending not to notice the way Sebastian would lean against the freezer, watching him like it was some kind of morning entertainment.

Sebastian didn’t cook and he barely even ate at home. His version of breakfast was chugging a bottle of water and eating a protein bar before heading to the gym. Sometimes he'd be gone for hours,until the afternoon.

At least the apartment was comfortable and cozy especially when it wasn’t filled with noise. And the one good thing about Sebastian? He didn’t mind spending money on food. Oliver never had to worry about an empty fridge.

When Sebastian wasn’t out partying or working out, he was relaxed on the couch playing video games or lounging on the balcony with a cigarette between his fingers, radiating a graceful charm.

Oliver hated that he noticed Sebastian this much.

He hated that, despite the chaos and noise, or how annoying Sebastian could be, he was also starting to get used to it.

He was starting to memorize the way Sebastian laughed when something was actually funny. The way he ran his hands through his hair when he was thinking. The way he would offer to get him food occasionally or in rare moments of stillness, sit on the couch with a beer in hand, scrolling through his phone, looking… almost peaceful.

Oliver hated that those moments made his chest feel weird.He hated that living with Sebastian Carter wasn’t just chaotic, it was in fact starting to feel dangerous. Because somewhere in between the mess and the noise and the late-night glances in the living room, He was actually starting to like it here.