Jesper stood in front of his no longer barren room, finally having hauled the last of his moving boxes up the three flights of stairs to his new apartment. It fell in the perfect middle ground of not being overly spacious to the point where his severe lack of furniture made the room look uninhabited and too cramped to fit a quarter between his bed and the surrounding walls. The male was ripped from his mental checklist of future bedroom necessities, such as a shower curtain which was somehow forgotten during his previous week of packing and repacking, by a hard slap to his right shoulder blade.
"How's it look?"
Turning his head toward the owner of the hand he was met with the beaming grin of his friend, Kristoff. The male was almost twice his size, both in height and weight. Kristoff's Shaggy blonde hair was still damp and stuck to his forehead from having helped Jesper with moving. Jesper was more than grateful for his friend having lent a hand because it would've have taken him the better part of the day to do it alone. The two had met during Jesper's freshman year of college in his physical education class. Kristoff was a junior but had unfortunately waited before getting the mandatory credit checked off so he was stuck in a sea of baby, freshman faces. However, the pair had been thrown together once for a group activity and immediately hit it off. So, when Jesper needed a place to move Kristoff practically demanded he move in with himself and his girlfriend, Anna.
"Empty." He responded with a light chuckle. "Thanks for the help Kristoff, I'd still be climbing stairs if you hadn't been able to help. Are you sure Anna is okay with this? I know it's probably been nice to have the apartment to yourself after having to kick Hans out."
Kristoff gave Jesper a light shove and laughed heartily. "Of course it is. She's met you a few times and you're my friend so I can vouch that you're not some kind of serial killer. Besides rent will be even cheaper now and what college student doesn't love to pay less to live, right? Want a beer?" The blonde asked, though out of curtesy, and tossed the can of Miller Lite through the air just as Jesper was about to answer. The younger male caught the flying beer can mid-air and cracked it open with ease. Just as Kristoff followed suit the lock to the front door clicked and the door opened, Anna stepping into the apartment and looking between the two males as they were mid swig.
"Looks like I'm just in time for the party, huh?" Anna said with a wide grin on her face.
Kristoff pulled the can from his lips and swallowed the liquid down laughing as he finished. "More like late for the party. Could've used you to help move Jesper in then we could've finished and started drinking earlier." Anna hit his broad chest playfully and stuck her tongue out at him as she leaned up on tip toes to meet his lips.
"Well I'm so sorry that some of us have study groups that insist on meeting Saturday mornings. Do you think you can ever forgive me, Jesper?" The girl asked, turning her face toward him, still leaning against Kristoff, her hands on his chest. Meanwhile, Jesper had been chugging the entirety of the Miller Lite can and was taken off guard by Anna's sudden playful banter toward him. Choking slightly but managing to swallow the beer down, he wiped the slight dribble of liquid from his chin and smiled sheepishly.
"Uh, yeah. Yeah yeah, it's no big deal, really. We got it covered and I didn't have much to move." Jesper still felt a little weird having become the third wheel in their happy couple's home and didn't want Anna to regret letting him live in their extra room. Anna definitely picked up on this vibe and pulled from Kristoff and closed the gap between herself and Jesper. She looked him straight in the eyes and took his beer from his hand. Her eyes were stern but still playful and inviting. Anna was only about a head shorter than him but damned if she didn't act like she was taller than she was.
"Oh no. You're not about to act all weird about living here. I wouldn't have let you move in if I thought it was going to be weird. Any one is better than Hans but you're Kristoff's best friend and you're my friend too and that makes it even better. This is your apartment now too so make yourself at home and act as if you live here and not like you're staying with us. Got it?" Jesper was a little stunned at how direct to the point Anna was. She had always been open with what she was thinking and feeling the times he'd met her but he was never on the receiving end of it.
"Right." Jesper answered. It must've been obvious how at a loss for words he was because it immediately caused Kristoff to laugh loudly and Anna to giggle playfully. She handed his beer back to him and pat his chest.
"Then it's settled. Welcome home Jesper." Anna smiled warmly, turning on the balls of her feet, auburn braids swinging behind her, and joining Kristoff by the fridge to begin partaking in the drinking festivities.
Anna opened the fridge to grab yet another beer, already three deep since they started drinking a few hours ago, only to find the cardboard case empty. "Kristoff!" She shouted causing the blonde to jump and look over the back of the couch toward his other half. "We're out of beer." She watched him furrow his brow as he mentally counted just how much they'd drank. Anna growled and pulled the empty beer case out of the fridge, lobbing it across the room at the blonde. Kristoff swatted it away and joined in on her laughter.
"Okay. Okay. I'll go walk and grab some more from the gas station up the street. Maybe if Anna didn't drink like a fish-" Kristoff began and nudged the chuckling Jesper in the ribs.
Her eyes widened in faux surprise at her boyfriend's accusations. "Excuse me, Mr. 'Finishes-a-whole-twelve-pack-in-one-sitting' if I want to have a few beers after a long morning of studying. And you," She pointed her finger at Jesper who's laughter had increased as Anna argued in her defense. "Don't think you're off the hook either. I see you making a beer pyramid over there." She flicked her finger to motion behind him. "How many more do you need to complete it, huh? One?" That caused him to stop laughing, though the grin stay plaster on his face. "Exactly. So, if we're done pointing fingers there is a serious lack of alcohol in the apartment and Kristoff is the only one who can legally buy it." The red head crossed her arms over her chest to signal the ending of the discussion. Kristoff groaned loudly as he rose from the dark, leather couch and threw his hands in the air.
"Okay, okay. You've made your point. But when the two of you turn 21 I'm not moving from that couch to get anything." Kristoff spoke loudly, emphasizing his claims by pointing to his now empty seat. As he walked by Anna he leaned in to kiss her good-bye.
"Whatever you say, baby." She retorted and met her lips with his quickly. "Be safe. See you soon. Love, you." And with that the door closed and Kristoff was off on his quest. Jesper had returned his attention to the television and Anna took Kristoff's spot beside him on the couch. Anna and Jesper were the same age, 19, and both sophomores but not in the same major so they'd never met before Kristoff's introduction. Jesper had enjoyed each meeting that the two had, though. Anna was always the life of the part, making sure everyone was having fun and just generally bringing life and laughter to any situation. He'd always admired her constant optimism and energy. Though it dawned on him as they sat there, only the sounds of the TV filling the air, that the two had never interacted alone before. Kristoff and Anna were always a pair for the most part in any social gathering. Granted Jesper did hang out with Kristoff autonomously but never Anna without Kristoff. Suddenly the silence between them became more apparent to the male. Thankfully trusty Anna was always filled with conversations and broke it before long. "So, Jesper, why did you need a roommate so quickly? I asked Kristoff and he said he didn't know. Of course, when I asked why he said he hadn't asked you why, which honestly, in my opinion, is ridiculous. I get you both are friends but wasn't he curious? I'd be curious if one of my friends suddenly needed a roommate. I'd want to know if they were okay, ya know? Are you okay? Is everything okay?" Her initial curiosity quickly turned into concern as her word vomit caused her mind to wander causing Jesper to smile slightly in appreciation.
"I'm fine; nothing really happened. I just-" Jesper began but instinctively bit his lip. His eyes met Anna's who was hanging on every word. Something about how easily her eyes revealed to him her genuine concern for his well-being and how Anna, in her everyday life, was unfiltered about her emotions and thoughts, made Jesper want to open himself to her despite their limited interaction. "I've been in foster housing for most of my life." Anna's hand rose to her mouth to cover her sudden drop in lower jaw. "It's no big deal, promise. Once you've been in the system your whole life it eventually becomes normal. But because I turned 19 in the fall I was phased out of the system and my foster home was no longer obligated to keep me; so, they didn't. I'm grateful to you and Kristoff for allowing me to move in last minute." Anna didn't have words to respond. How could she? What does someone say to such a heavy topic? Another moment of silence floated between them before Anna dropped her hand from her mouth and held his hands in hers.
"That's really awful of them." Jesper went to respond but she cut him off. "I know you've probably heard that from anyone you've told so I won't continue with the pity party but I am thankful you felt like you could tell me. I can only imagine what that would be like. I know you were Kristoff's friend first but I also know that when it comes to talking about personal stuff a lot of guys, especially Kristoff, can be apprehensive to people opening up to them. Not that Kristoff isn't a great guy and wouldn't do anything for anyone, you know that, he's just a little foreign to emotions that aren't surface level. What I'm trying to say is that if you need someone to talk to you can talk to me. I'm like years too late because we're practically grownups now but even the toughest people need to talk sometimes. I talk to Kristoff about most everything and if I can't talk to him I talk to my older sister Elsa, she's great. I've started rambling now though. Bottom line is, I'm here for you Jesper." All Jesper could do was blink a few times. The silence was killing Anna but she tried her best to hide that, wanting to give him time to process properly.
"I don't think you've said that many words to me in one sitting before." He finally said. The red head's face dropped as she began to find herself mortified, the increasing redness in her cheeks not helping. It made the male chuckled and shake his head softly, squeezing her hands that still cupped his own. "I appreciate that, Anna. It's not something I'm ashamed of but it also isn't something I find myself telling many people." As he expounded on his initial response her mood swung back to normal and she smiled brightly.
"Consider your secret safe with me then."
"Thank you, Anna." At that Anna let out a content sigh and nod before sliding her hands from his.
"And now I will no longer pry into your personal life for the remainder of the night."
It was another fifteen minutes before Kristoff finally returned with more alcohol. By then the two had changed the channel from the previous reality TV series that had come on to cartoons. "Hey, children, I'm back with the shit and I've brought company." Kristoff boomed causing the two to look back at him and the two male guests accompanying him. It was Anna's cousin's, Rapunzel, boyfriend, Eugene, who had become friend with Kristoff through their continuous encounters through Anna and Rapunzel, and Kristoff's other friend Eric.
"Eugene!" Anna squealed happily as she ran to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. He was practically family at this point having dated her cousin for almost five years now.
"Hey, Anna." Eugene responded warmly and then motioned to Eric. "You remember my sailing buddy Eric?" At this Anna nodded and hugged him quickly as well.
"Nice to see you again, Eric." The red head then copied Eugene's motion and directed the two older male's attention to Jesper, who still sat on the couch.
"Guys, this is Jesper. I think you've met him before, Eugene. He just moved in with us in Hans' old room."
"Yeah, I remember. Hey, Jesper." Eugene waved to the male as he was ushered into the apartment more by Anna. "So you finally kicked that creep, Hans, to the curve? Good. That ex-frat, douche deserved it."
"Ex-frat?" Eric inquired.
"Yeah. He joined a fraternity his freshman year but not only did his grades suck to hell he was preying on drunk girls at their house parties. He even tried to force himself on An-"
"Eugene, please!" Anna shoved the palm of her hand against his chest abruptly, cutting him off. Eugene coughed a few times and ran his fingers through his hair before rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.
"Sorry. Any way he got the dean called on him and expelled from school. I guess Kristoff finally wised up and kicked his ass out." Kristoff was pulling out beers from the fresh box as Eugene pulled him into the conversation. He pulled out from the fridge and chuckled, cradling the beers against his chest.
"Well, yeah. Had I'd known the whole story from the start I would've beat his ass to a pulp as soon as I found out about, well, you know." Kristoff began distributing beers to everyone, making his way to his self-designated spot on the couch beside Jesper handing him one as well. Jesper was thankful for the cold liquid and began to chug it as soon as the fizz settled after popping it open. Eric took notice of the younger male chugging his beer and laughed.
"Wow we have a professional over here. No messing around with this guy." The statement made everyone laugh and caused Jesper to feel a sense of obligation to finish the beer in one shot. He gasped for air as the last drop was drank and stacked the can atop his now finished pyramid of beers. Eugene cheered, taking the spot on the empty recliner, leaving Eric to sit on the floor. Anna sat in Kristoff's lap with phone to her ear, ringing noise loudly echoing from the speaker.
"What're you doing?" The blonde asked her.
"Calling some friends over. I'm A) Not going to be the only girl at this party and B) Not going to let this momentous occasion be celebrated improperly. Besides when has Eugene ever needed an excuse to relive his college years." Everyone sans Jesper and Eugene laughed at this.
"Hey! I only graduated last year." This caused the laughter to grow.