Oluo didn't know what to make of the short, dark-haired man at his door. It wasn't a friend of Erd's, his roommate. Oluo was sure the man wasn't a classmate. Maybe a new RA? Oluo was ashamed to let the RA see his dismal room. The lack of nagging parents lead to the lack of order in anything in the room. There were clothes everywhere – even on the desk. Papers filled a few of the gaps – some lying on the bed and Oluo was sure there were a few sheets in his closet.

He opened the door with a "who are you," deciding that the stranger's identity was the biggest concern.

"Levi."

Oluo had expected something more from the short man – especially if the man were to be his floor's new RA. "What would you like, Levi?" Oluo said, hoping his hypothesis was incorrect.

"There's a girl in your chem. class I think you know vaguely."

"Who?"

"Petra." Oluo did not have a look of recognition. "Short, ginger, kind." Levi stopped short of saying "perfect."

"Oh yes."

"Be good to her."

"I'm sorry?"

"That's all. She cares for you. Be good to her. Or else."

Oluo would have laughed at the threat – especially if it were made to him in high school. But this was college – he didn't yet know who to avoid. And how was Petra mixed up with those types? He decided that maybe he didn't know Petra well enough.

The short man had left.

It wasn't even three hours before Petra came to him. "She cares for you," echoed in his head. It made him feel nicer. He couldn't deny a crush on the girl, but the stakes seemed rather high. She did appear interested, he reflected – now that his small fantasies had some credence. College was the place where virginity was lost – or so he thought. With that ginger, it was worth a try. That too: in his first semester!

There was a knock on his door. Levi sighed quietly. The person would leave in a few minutes if he didn't respond. It had worked on everyone except Furlan – his roommate who had the other key.

"Levi, if you want me to get the authorities, I will," a female voice yelled through the door.

Levi would have fallen off his chair. Instead, he groaned and stumbled to the door. He unlocked it. He would have said "fuck the police," if he wanted to try to be funny. He wasn't doing that for her anymore. He then sat and continued staring at the wall and laptop in front of him.

She had walked in. "When was the last time you let some light in?" She paced over to the blinds on the opposite side of the room and raised them, blinding Levi.

Levi groaned.

"You know what Furlan had had to tell me?"

Levi nodded his "no."

"Somebody's been crying himself to sleep. And that Oluo has been getting advice from the same person."

"Why are you mad at me?"

"Because you should talk more."

"I tried, trust me."

"Why didn't you tell me you loved me?"

"Who told you?"

"Furlan did." Levi glared. "He tried to hide the fact. It's my fault." Levi sighed. "Why did I have to pull that out of Furlan?" Levi didn't respond. "Answer me!"

Levi finally turned to face his guest. "There have been things we couldn't talk about."

"I would've-"

"Probably termed it an 'advance' and gotten pissed off."

"So instead, you-" She stopped. "You went and- got Oluo to- be perfect?"

"Did it work?"

"No."

"But you were happy?"

She blinked. "What?"

"Were you happy with him?"

"Is that what you wanted?"

"Seeing as I'd never be happy." Levi would've implied more of a "without you," but decided that that would've been seen as an "advance." She probably understood that that was his meaning.

"You should have told me."

"If I weren't a coward."

"It's my fault. You felt that you couldn't."

"No. I could've tried."

"So it's all your fault? You happy?"

Levi let himself smirk. He was surprised that it wasn't a very bitter smirk. His guest sat on his bed. Of course she did so gracefully. "Anything else, Petra?"

"I broke up with Oluo."

"Great. Who's next?"

"I said I was focusing on-"

"Only to fall for-"

"I didn't! I was wrong."

"OK. Let's help you get the next guy."

"There'll be no next guy."

"OK. Just tell me when-"

"Shut up Levi." Petra got off the bed and paced to the window. "I just need space," she said to the glass.

"Tell me if I can help."

"You're over whatever depression I got you into?"

"Almost. I just have hopes about who the next guy will be." Petra sighed. "Out of curiosity: how did Oluo fail?"

"Some curiosity." Petra turned to face Levi, knowing that he wasn't just "curious." "I asked what he most looked forward to with me. He talked about kissing, but I knew what he really meant." Petra paced toward Levi and the room's door. "What would you have said?"

"Don't get pissed." Petra smiled. "Me being like 67 or so and us celebrating 50 years of knowing each other. Maybe with grandkids, but well. Preferably married."

"Work at it," Petra walked to the door and opened it. "Next time you're mad at me, or you need me or whatever, just tell me." Petra left. Levi wasn't surprised that he was smiling.

(I hope y'all liked it.

I'm not going to be able to write much nowadays, but I'll churn out what I can.

Have fun!)