"This is your room," said Dean Williams as he unlocked room 1210. He handed Darien the keys and stepped inside with him. The place was a wreck.
There were two beds, one of which was covered in old snack bags and wrappers, textbooks, dirty laundry and even some chargers and headphones. The other bed was clean, but the sheets were messed up, as if someone had just rolled out of bed.
"Your roommate is.. uh.. usually much cleaner than this. I'll have a chat with him next time I see him. I hope you'll at least be comfortable once it's cleaned up, yes?" Dean Williams said with a joyful smile.
"I'm sure it'll be very nice, thank you," Darien replied.
"If you need anything, give me a call. Oh, and by the way, your roommate's name is Seth. Try to get along. Your classes start up on Monday. You have one day to relax, Mr. Malloy! My expectations still stand," the Dean said.
"Of course, sir. Have a nice night."
"And the same unto you."
Darien sat down on the corner of the somewhat cleaner bed and sighed. He wondered if he should unpack his things, but he didn't want to risk losing his stuff with his apparently messy roommate's.
To: Teagan: "Well, I'm here. I haven't even met my room mate yet and I know he's a slob. There's shit everywhere."
From: Teagan: "Oh my god, you must be going insane. I'd hate it there."
To: Teagan: "I just hope it isn't like this all the time."
From: Teagan: "Chin up, Love! It'll be fine. I gotta go, time for dinner! :)"
To: Teagan: "Eat up, I'll talk to you later xx"
Darien looked up quickly as he heard the door swing open.
"Who the hell are you?" asked the unfamiliar character.
"My name is Darien. I'm your roommate, and you are?" Darien asked.
"Hello Darien, I'm wondering why you're on my god damned bed," he said.
"I'm sorry, I thought the other bed was yours."
"It is. They're both my beds."
"What? Well, where do you expect me to sleep?"
"You can have the floor. It's comfy enough," he said with a careless expression. Darien just stared at him with a look of dislike, but he got off his bed anyway. He was never one to pick a fight. Not only that, but it was late, and he wanted to sleep.
"You don't have to be so rude," he said quietly.
"If you don't like it, you can sleep in the hallway," the boy said.
Darien just let out a frustrated huff of air as he moved to an open spot on the floor. He watched the boy crawl into his bed and fluff up his pillow.
This boy was really pale, but he was a lot taller than Darien, maybe by five inches. He had dark hair and bright blue eyes, along with very visible arm muscles. He was actually quite attractive for someone who was a complete asshole.
Darien curled up on the floor, awfully cold, but he didn't even bother asking for a blanket. He pulled a big hoodie out of his suitcase and used it as a pillow instead of wearing it. He'd survive a night before he could go and buy a blanket.
"Can I at least know what your name is?" he asked.
The tired boy sighed and said, "it's Seth. Can you go to bed now?"
"Sorry," Darien said. He rolled on his tummy and tried his best to get some sleep. He tossed and turned and shivered throughout most of the night while Seth was wrapped up in his bed. He sighed and moved closer to the heater in efforts to warm up a little.
After a hopeless, chilly hour of trying to fall asleep, he decided to text Teagan.
To: Teagan: "Are you awake?"
Darien almost lost hope when Teagan didn't respond for ten minutes, but then he got excited when his phone lit up with a reply.
From: Teagan: "I'm awake. What's up? Do you need something?"
To: Teagan: "I met my roommate, and he's a total dick-wad. He's so rude.. And a total slob. There is trash EVERYWHERE.."
From: Teagan: "Oh my gosh, you must be going insane. Do I need to come see you?"
To: Teagan: "You don't have to do that. It's cool."
From: Teagan: "I wanted to surprise you.. The only reason I'm up is because I'm coming to see you while you have a day off! My flight leaves in a few hours."
To: Teagan: "You're so cute, Tegan! :) I'm really excited now. xx"
From: Teagan: "Haha.. Do you need me to bring you anything?"
To: Teagan: "For God's sake, please bring me a blanket!!"
From: Teagan: "Gotcha, buddy. :) x"
Darien smiled and put his phone down. He'd never admit it, but he missed being Teagan's boyfriend. Ending it wasn't his decision, it was Teagan's, but he promised they'd always stay best friends.
Now excited, he curled up and tried to get a little sleep. It was almost one in the morning, and he was awfully tired. He looked over at Seth, who had been asleep for an hour and a half already. He was snoring, and curled up like a bunny in a nest. Darien sighed and slowly drifted off to sleep.
***
Darien woke up a few hours later, still shivering. He'd do anything for a blanket or some extra warmth. He curled up into a ball on the floor and tried to use some body heat.
"Were you like that all night?" said a familiar voice.
Darien rolled over and saw Seth, who was sitting up in bed. Groggily, he replied, "yeah, kind of."
The look on Seth's face changed. Darien wasn't sure if he was just feeling bad or wondering why he was so weak. Seth rolled over to look at the alarm clock, which read 7 a.m., and he got up and grabbed a towel to go to the showers.
"Do you have class today?" he asked Darien.
"No, today is my day off," he replied. "My classes start tomorrow."
"What are you majoring in?"
"Acting."
Darien studied Seth's face. He seemed to be smirking a little, maybe even a grin.
"Me too."
Darien thought Seth was actually really kind, until he ruined it for himself.
"Be out of here until 8:00. I want the space to myself before I have class," Seth ordered.
Darien rolled his eyes and got up, lacing on his converse and got ready to go out on campus. He had to go meet Teagan anyway. He brushed his cinnamon hair into his perfect little quiff and went out the door, not saying another word to Seth.
He walked outside and sat by a big water fountain in the middle of the campus. He loved it very much, mainly because it was big and beautiful and only a five minute walk from his dorm. He let his fingertips fall in and glide through the clear water and kicked his legs back and forth like a child at a playground.
With nothing better to do, he decided he'd read about current events in Los Angeles on his phone. It was all about celebrities and celebrations until one thing peaked his interest.
City of Los Angeles: Real Life Villain?
Los Angeles is known for it's celebrities and movie sights, but is an action film coming to life? There are reported sightings of a masked man in all black stealing from civilians and destroying public buildings. He is nameless and shows up frequently.
Darien sort of grinned at the article. It was the perfect opportunity to try to get back to the whole superhero career, again. He loved it, although he pretty much wiped out all of the crime and issues back in Florida. Now, he had a new job to take care of.
There was much to consider, though. He had a roommate now, a suit that needed washing after a use or two, and a school schedule. He would have a little trouble getting around those things, but he was certain he'd manage.
He was more than ready to meet justice in Los Angeles, but even more ready to meet Tegan.