Office Hours

Fashion Showcase

I had just come back from afternoon basketball practice, sweaty and exhausted. Returning to my single person room. I didn’t want any roommates this year, so I paid extra for this room, just so I could have my own space, privacy and somewhere to get away from all the chaos of campus life. A space that was just mine. The Pros of staying in a single room.

I noticed my door was slightly opened. Wait, I’m sure I locked it,I never leave it unlocked.

Pushing it open, I was shocked to see Jamal on my bed with some girl, half-dressed and locked in a kiss that was way too aggressive.

“What the hell?!” I shouted before I could even process what was going on.

Now these are the cons of staying in a single room. Guys frequently ask you to use your room for make out sessions with girls. I always say no but they still get in anyways.

How the hell did you get into my room? I yelled

Jamal looked up grinning, completely unbothered. “Bro, relax. uh.. I kinda duplicated your keys.”

I stared at him. “You… duplicated my keys? Why?

“You know I can’t use my room I have a bunch of smelly roommates,” he said.

The girl left awkwardly without a word, and slammed the door behind her.

I turned back to Jamal. “Dude… on my bed? How often does this… happen?”

Jamal stretched lazily. “You know Yhh… when you’re at basketball practice, or tutoring.

I felt disgust. “Wait. That’s basically every day. On my freaking bed? Ewww! What the hell, man?!”

And I’ve been sleeping on the bed ever since oh my gosh!

Without thinking, I grabbed my bedsheet and threw it at him. “Here, take this to get it dry cleaned.” Then I snatched the duplicated keys from him.

“Leave!” I said, pushing him lightly with my foot toward the door.

Jamal threw up his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright! Uhh do I have to book an appointment next time”, he said with a smirk.

OUT! I yelled as I shut the door.

I stared at my bed, my sanctuary, it was suddenly feeling like it had been violated in the grossest way possible.

I knew I should lie down, rest my legs after practice. But I couldn’t. Not after… that ugh.

So I layed on my couch, let my body sink in and tried to forget the mental images in head. I needed to take a nap before the showcase started tonight.

I woke up abruptly, it was already dark. s**t, the fashion showcase!” I muttered, throwing off my blanket. I was still so exhausted but somehow I made it out the door, dressed, trying to put on my watch.

When I arrived at the hall, the crowd was already filling the room. The decorations and banners, all in medieval-style, the chandeliers were fake enough to look kind of authentic. The place actually looked like it had been ripped out of an ancient story.

I spotted Elara seated at the back roll, a clipboard and pen in her hand probably writing observations and feedbacks, she’s too cute!. She sighted me as well, you finally came!” she said and smiled.

Of course”. I said as I sat down.

The first models stepped onto the runway, their medieval outfits flowing, layered with clothing materials that felt heavy and historic. Someone explained the origin of each outfit as the models walked. Elara had told me earlier that her idea was to make the fashion show educational as well.

I chuckled quietly. “Oh this was your input.”

Elara laughed softly, “Naturally, it’s actually so much better though.” She said with a smile that showed she was proud of it.

Then came the knight, walking down the stage. This guy was on full armor, his fake sword was raised. He swung it into the air with an exaggerated woosh, woosh, woosh as he spun his sword like a pro. The audience applauded loudly, some laughed, but he stayed in character, straight faced and dead serious.

I leaned toward Elara. “Uhh I think he’s taking this knight thing way too seriously.”

She laughed quietly as she whispered to me. “He’s trying his best.”

I smirked and she laughed again, and for a moment, it was just us and the ridiculous knight.

Then… I saw the next models. The way they dressed was kind of familiar. This felt like something my dad had shown me in some old books when I was little.

“This looks… familiar,” I whispered.

Elara glanced at me. “Familiar how?”

“I’m guessing these models are portraying what people from Yorkshire would wear right? Northern England. My dad’s from there, he used to tell me about it and read the ancient stories to me.”

“That’s… so nice,” she said, “Wait, are you from Yorkshire?”

“No,” I said quickly. “I was born in London but I grew up here in America”.

Her eyes widened. “Whoa. So you’re British?”

“Technically.” I shrugged. “I grew up in the States, so I don’t have the Harry Potter accent.” I said jokingly.

She giggled.

“That’s crazy.” She smiled at me. “I would have never had guessed that.”

“Yh I get that a lot, not a lot of people know as well, so what about you? where are you from?” I asked.

“A Small town in Minnesota,” she said casually. “I Grew up there. It wasn’t the city life, it has just been my family and I for years. Then eventually college brought me here.”

“Minnesota, huh?” I said. “I also would have never guessed that.”

“Really?”, she said. I nodded.

The show continued, models still parading, the hall echoing with applaud. Everything was going smoothly and the crowd was loving it.

The final model left the runway, it was over, applause still echoing in the hall. I was about to start up another conversation with Elara, then I sighted Mr. Dorian walking towards us. He was perfectly composed, he wore sharp suit and a confident smile that always somehow provoked me.

“Good evening, Miss Elara,” he said completely ignoring my existence, extending his hand towards her for a hand shake. Elara smiled slightly.

I leaned back, hoping he would just go away.

“I heard this was all your arrangement. He continued. “You’re absolutely brilliant, this is actually very impressive.”

Elara smiled politely, withdrawing her hand carefully. “Thank you. I’m just glad it went well.”

And may I say… that you look particularly dazzling tonight.” He gestured at her outfit, she was just wearing a sweater and a long skirt, I mean sure she still looked amazing but it was an effortless fit, definitely not for that kind of compliment.

“Oh thank you”, Elara said.

Oh, come on… I thought, my jaw tightening.

Then he leaned in slightly, voice low but smooth. “Aren’t you heading home now? do you need ride?.

Elara’s smiled calmly and said “No, thank you I have a car and I know my way home”. She was polite, but firm.

“That felt good to hear,”I thought.

“Okay then have a good evening” Dorian said defeated as he walked away.

We stepped outside the hall together.

“Thank you Ethan for helping when you didn’t have to. I really appreciate it”

I’m glad that I did I learned a lot so no problem,I said.

“Awesome, well Good night, she said as she waved and walked away.

Good night, I said.