and then i met you

2.ROOMMATES

Wright sits on the bed opposite to Braylon's. Left and right, his curious hazel eyes watches as Braylon fills his arms up with dirty laundry and wrappers from the floor. Braylon sprints to the bathroom, dumping everything into the bath tub.

"Do you have a phone charger?" Wright holds his phone in his hand, calling out to Braylon," I left mine back at my friend's place."

"Let's see," Braylon opens his cabinet drawer," aargh, here we go."

He picks up a white bent chord that's almost close to death.

"Yea, about that," Braylon studies the almost dead charger, then looks at Wright. He goes to his bed and takes his phone, offering it to Wright," it's not fancy like yours but it works."

"Don't worry about it," Wright smiles and lies back, while rubbing his arms. Then notices Braylon staring, "Why are you looking at me?"

"Just wondering why you're not covering yourself," Braylon fell onto his soft bed," you're obviously cold with that thin long sleeve on."

"I don't want to sleep in someone else's bed. Who knows what people do in their bed," Wright protests," it's bad enough I'm sleeping in a complete stranger's college dorm."

"A kind complete stranger's college dorm," Braylon corrects him, whilst staring up at the ceiling, head on his hands. He sits up and unzips his warm top, removing it and throwing it at Wright," Here, I won't just let anyone wear this, it's my favourite warm top."

Wright catches the warm top, feeling its soft texture through his fingers and slips it on, the hood covering most of his face, as the long sleeves make him look like Dopey. He rolls them up and removes the large hood.

"Thanks," Wright combs his hands through his long hair that covers most of his face. With his hair out the way, he smirks at Braylon, "for allowing a complete stranger in your room. I mean, I could be a crazy lunatic."

"As if," Braylon gushed," you're too adorable to be a lunatic."

"Adorable?" Wright questions, raising his brow and shaking his head. He falls back, his head landing on the pillow, as he gushes the words, "pervert."

"But a nice p*****t, right?" Braylon keeps his eyes on Wright, when covering himself with his blanket," ... don't leave me hanging."

"Mmmh," Wright wonders carefully, sharing a smile with Braylon, finally giving in," sure, the kindest."

"OK," Braylon agreeably nods his head,"I will take what I can get."

Wright turns his back to Braylon, putting the large hood on and holding himself, calmly breathing through his nose and closing his eyes.

"Goodnight," he whispered.

"Goodnight," Braylon watched him, a smile on the side of his face, that couldn't be wiped off. He turns to his back, looking at the ceiling, closing his eyes for a restful night.

MORNING;

A bright light shines into Wright's barely open eyes. He's quick to use his arms and shield himself from the blindening sun.Wright forces himself off the bed, yawning and standing up to his feet. He slips into his shoes.

Walking out the bedroom, a wicked smell attacks his nostrils. His hand immediately covers his nose, as he courageously walks toward the dreadful, soul-sickening odour.

"What the hell is that smell?" Wright enters the mini kitchen, watching Braylon place black, overcooked scrambled egg on two fresh plates.

"Breakfast," Braylon stands on the spot and holds up two plates. He's still in long sleeping pants and no shirt and showcases a shiny, welcoming smile, with wild messy hair, as if he just got out of bed," care to indulge?"

"Umm..." Wright closely looks at the so-called scrambled eggs, trying to find the right words," I... I think I want to live a longer, happier life."

"Yea," Braylon, satisfied with Wright's honesty, throws the scrambled egg into the dust bin, right where it belongs. He puts the plates down and smiles at Wright,"so... takeouts?"

"You're terribly kind," Wright puts his hands on Braylon's firm, bare chest and smiles at him," maybe even sweet, but in what world do you have takeouts for breakfast?"

"I could name a-"

"Breakfast should be a sit down at a cafe or homemade," Wright hisses, then quickly taking his hand off Braylon's chest and leans against the counter," seems that you kindly failed, leave that to me."

"Your hands are really small," Bralon says, in a giggly remark," and soft, very soft."

"I'll make us something," Wright rolls his eyes,"while you get a shirt on."

Braylon grins, pinching his warm top that Wright wears.

"I failed to mention," he stated," you look good in my top."

Wright lets out a cough and hits his fist against his chest. He shakes his head, while his cheeks turn red and his eyes dig deep into Braylon's brown eyes.

"I know, I know," Braylon begins walking to his room," I'm a pervert."

"No," Wright clears his throat," I was just going to say, you don't look too bad yourself."

"Whoa," Braylon spins around, hand on his heart," I think I'm in love."

"And you ruined it," Wright sighs bluntly.

"Eggs are in the fridge," Braylon informs, before disappearing around the corner," I expect my breakfast served when I get back."

"i***t," Wright drags his feet to the fridge and opens up, taking out a tray of eggs," perfect."

MOMENTS LATER

Braylon's cheeks puffed up, his mouth full with scrambled. He grunts and moans in pure pleasure. Wright watches closely as the pig across the table devours his food as if there's no tomorrow.

"This is-" Braylon's voice is muffled, his mouth still full off food.

"Did your mother teach you any table manners?" Wright puts the last bits of his scrambled egg in his mouth. Once swallowing he continues," it's-"

"Aye," Braylon points at Wright, chewing the bits in his mouth, "I am complementing you. Take the credit."

"Fine," Wright strains and puts on a fake smile," thank you for the compliment."

"You're welcome," Braylon slightly bows his head, pushing his empty plate aside, sitting back and tapping his belly," we should do this again."

"You make it sound like we're friends," Wright gushes, finding the suggestion a rather ridiculous one, "but yea, this was fun."

"It could be more fun," Braylon licks his lips and leans forward, his face moving closer to Wright, who gives him a suspecting stare," maybe you and I could-"

Then there is a knock at the door. Braylon gets up quickly from his seat and runs to answer the door. Wright watches as Braylon rushes off. Left alone in the kitchen, his eyes wander around and judge the rather small, messy kitchen.

"Aila," Braylon opens the door wider, welcoming his friend," what's up?"

Wright hears the voice of a female having a back-and-forth conversation with Braylon's unforgettable, lively voice. Unzipping the warm top he wore, Wright removes it, hangs it on the back of the chair and walks out the mini kitchen, journeying to the bedroom, to collect his phone, accidently forgetting his wallet on the bed side counter.

Braylon walks into the kitchen, curiously shifting his head. All he sees at the table is empty seats and his warm top on the back of one of them.

"Did you have someone over?" Aila, light brunette hair, in a tight ponytail, wearing running gear, studied the two plates on the kitchen table. She nudges her shoulder into Braylon's ribs," Do you have someone over, a hooker?"

"No," Braylon chuckles, then clears his throat," no, I-"

"Hey," Wright's gentle tone cuts in, his head down and his eyes barely making contact with Braylon's, while he stands at the doorway of the kitchen," I'm meeting up with my friend."

"Who's this," Aila grins at Wright, her hand on her and a bright smile on her face," wow, you're cute."

"Wright, Aila," Braylon introduces them to each other," Aila, Wright."

"Wright," Aila smiled at him, happily shaking his hand with her sweaty hands," you look so familiar, have we met?"

"I don't recall," Wright shrugs his shoulders, while taking back his hand and secretly wiping it on his pants.

"You look really familiar," Aila, continues smiling at him," you're really cute."

"I'll be off, I need to catch my train in time," Wright began to back away and veer closer to the front door. A small smile appeared on his face when looking at Braylon,"thanks, thanks for everything."

"Wait-" Braylon steps forward quickly, with the intent of asking him something, "Wright-"

"Braylon," Aila pulled him by the arm," I need your advice on something serious. Well, someone more so. That best friend of yours."

Wright waits by the front door, his hands on the handle. He watches patiently, waiting for Braylon to show himself, but with no sign of him, he makes up his mind, opens the door and walks out, shutting the door behind him.

Moments after the door closes, Braylon comes around but there's no sign of Wright anywhere. He rushes out of his apartment and into the passage, but still no sign of Wright anywhere. Braylon lowers his head, with a vivid smile on his face.

Wright's knuckles hit against the white door for the ninth time. Finally! A pale-faced Jen opens up. Her eyes are red and barely open, her hair looks like a hag and she sways left and right as if she were a zombie.

"Where were you all night?" She slurs,"d- did you hook up with someone. No, you're too boring for that."

"You actually locked me out," Wright enters the house, slipping through the small gap between the door and Jen," I'm just here to get my stuff and I will be out of your way."

"Why?" Jen groans, walking behind him," it's not even the end of summer."

"It is for me," Wright makes his point clear.

He walks into Jen's bedroom and makes his way to a black bag on the side of her bed. Kneeling down, he zips his bag open, taking out a spray can, a fresh t-shirt and a shower kit.

"The hot water doesn't work," Jen sits on the bed and shares that point with Wright," assuming you'll shower."

"OfCourse," Wright removes his tshirt," I smell awful."

"I feel awful," Jen lies on the bed and closes her eyes," this is the last time I do this."

"Pfft," Wright had heard that one before,"that's what you said last time... don't see me out, you clearly need the rest."

Wright looks at Jen, when walking to take his much-needed shower. She's already stone cold knocked out. He rolls his eyes and enters the bathroom.

Wright stands in front of the train station's ticket booth, looking at a large man behind the counter, who spoons cereal out of his bowl.Uncertain if the man can see him, Wright knocks on the counter.

"Excuse me sir, could I get a ticket, please?" Wright spoke up, immediately getting a reaction from the man, who looks at him, while chewing his food disturbingly.

"Yea, yea, one ticket," the man grunts and swallows his food, burping and puts his bowl aside. He stands up and puts out his hand," You got cash, kid?"

"Sure," Wright reaches into his pocket, only feeling his phone. Then the realization quickly kicks in. He gives a little chuckle and smiles at the man behind the booth," shit... Umm."

A dull, dead expression meets Wright, as the man, not batting an eye, stares at him. "Hey," Wright comes in closer," I left my wallet at a place not too far away, could I run off and-"

"We close in five minutes," the man yawns and looks at his watch.

"It's only a fifteen-minute walk, there and back," Wright shrugs his shoulder and curiously looks at him," didn't you just open up?"

"We close in five minutes," the man repeats to himself, then glances at his watch," actually we close right now."

"Can't you just wait-"

"Comeback at nine thirty," the man sighs, no energy in his tone," that's when the last train takes to the rail... don't hate me, hate the system kid."

The booth window shuts closed right in front of Wright's face. He turns away from the booth and looks up at the sky, feeling as if the bad luck bat struck him dead in the skull.

"Thought I'd find you here," Braylon stands seven feet away from Wright, throwing a wallet up and down," I think you left something behind."

"Thank goodness," Wright's face lights up, as he walks closer to Braylon, a little skip of excitement in his step, his eyes aiming at his wallet and nothing else." Truly, you're a lifesaver." "Hold up," Braylon puts his hand in front of Wright's chest, blocking his immediate path," how about a deal."

"A deal?" Wright backs away, almost forgetting how absurd this stranger can truly be," fine, whatever, just give me my wallet."

"Summer fest," Braylon excitingly prances around Wright and repeats," summer fest "No... not the last day of summer fest," Wright shakes his head," it's really not what everyone makes it out to be. Sure, you had good times and memories with your mom."

"Wow, you remember that" Braylon swoons," I feel so special. Come on, what's so bad about it? Did something happen? Some pretty girl break your cute boy's heart?"

"No," Wright tried to find the words," I actually have good memories, but does that really matter when events in your present... I dunno, shift your past and maybe you realize it was all bullshit."

"Damn," Braylon changed his tone, becoming more serious," I know what you're saying."

"Yea," Wright slowly walks closer to Braylon and suddenly sprints forward and swipes his wallet out of Braylon's hands. He chuckles to himself and bows down," thank you."

"You can't use me like that," Braylon stares at his empty hands," I got really emotional for you."

"I wasn't joking though," Wright admits, looking at Braylon and wiping a strand of hair away from his eye,"my family and I had the best time on the last day of summer fest, but... good things can't last forever. Nothing ever does."

"But neither can be bad," Braylon jesters," sooo, why don't you create new memories."

"You are a complete stranger," Wright gushed at Braylon, giving him a look as the sun highlighted his hazel eyes,"I guess we should have one last good memory. Considering I won't see you again after the end of the day."

"Someone wise said the best times in your life will be with those you don't know," Braylon walks by Wright's side," something along those lines."

"Who ever said that?" Wright questioned.

"Some one wise," he had no idea.

"So, it only starts at five," Wright informs Braylon." what should we do to kill time?"

"Follow me," Braylon leads the way," I have a few ideas. For one, I'm still starving."