Conrad got off his bed standing next to his friend clarifying “It’s good you know how to show your manners golden boy. But since we’re roommates no need to call us sir yea? Our names will do just fine. And we’re friends now ok so no telling the outsiders on what goes on in here.” His phone buzzed stealing both of their attention to the phone peaking at the screen like they were afraid or hesitant of something from the call or caller. Lekan reached out to grab it when the caller ID flashed but Conrad was quick enough to get away from his friend’s side answering the call on his way out of the dorm “Riley thanks for calling, man I was….” His tone on the phone sounded sweet and flirty Lekan looked worried which only probed me to ask “Girlfriend drama?” he sized me up with his eyes and replied with his back turned to me going back to his bed “Something like that. Exactly” the last word delivered like his tongue had caught on aloe Vera juice when he clicked it. I felt a pang of jealousy hit me it was also sliced with my curiosity. A curiosity I could control but regardless of whether he meant us to be friends or not which probably hasn’t, Lekan gave out an air of friendliness at the moment one I took as my opportunity to probe for details.

With one last look cast to the door, I threw myself on my bed asking “ex-girlfriend?”

He shot a look at me; I say look because it dripped of an answer even though his mouth was closed shut.

“Oh he was in love with her wasn’t he?” I pushed.

He pushed back on the bed, ran a hand down his chin, cast a worried look to the door and said “That fool still thinks he is but it’s been over with Riley months now, just won’t accept it I guess” he got up off the bed towards Conrad’s closet and dug out a bottle of tequila then said “No tattle telling golden boy ‘k?” before I could reply the door was opened revealing a disheveled looking Conrad who by all standards still looked like a dream to me. He motioned towards his friend who took a swish from the bottle and with a knowing look exchanged between the two he received the bottle and took two full sips.

Knowing that they would appreciate the time alone I meant to get out and leave them alone but I shifted deeper into my bed making sure to be comfortable in it prodding with the screen on my phone.

Conrad’s deep voice sounded demanding “Liam, room 93 get Evan for me will you.” Without much thinking if at all I got off the bed heading for the door with a nod and Conrad added “Just tell him to get here at eight for a smoke break ok?” he ordered.

“Make sure you ‘eight for the smoke break’ got that Luthor?” Lekan cast me a stern look next to Conrad’s hard unreadable stare. Hiding my insecurity under their gazes I sarcastically gave them a salute “Yes captain.” And left for Evans room annoyed and in complete disgust at their rude behavior towards me, not that I expected to be best friends with the guys but I figured they could at least pretend to be cordial with me as we were roommates for the year. On my way to Evan’s door I ran into a handyman who was asking for our room and I directed him easily knowing he would have company and hoping he would catch the two drinking.

I dreaded going back to the dorm room after study. The three hadn’t shown up speculations were that they had each gotten sick. I knew that was a lie very well aware they had either been caught drinking and were now camped somewhere in the principal’s office waiting for the lawyers their parents always sent first or they wanted to stay behind smoking.

Eventually I returned back. They were all sat on the bed freshly showered, looking suspicious when I entered the room. Evan tried making light of the room by cracking jokes and asking what we had for dinner. And I knew that was all to make sure I hadn’t said anything to anyone about their planned witching hour. The boys were clad in freshly pressed casual clothes one could wear on a day out, the room also smelled of cologne the expensive kind. It was almost as if they wanted to go out somewhere after hours and with their past I knew that was a strong possibility. The siren signaling it was bedtime rang just as I left the shower Evan looked down at his wristwatch and said “It’s eight. Goodnight Liam.”

“Goodnight.” I replied as I went under the covers.

As did Conrad and Lekan, still clad in their nice clothes. Soon after the boarding master came in and switched off our lights.

Soon as he left the two got up, checked for their phones and wallets and went for the door.

With one hand on the handle Conrad spoke to me over his shoulder in his deep, seductive and scary voice he said “Hey golden boy, cover for us will ya? We’ll just be a second.”