"Hey, Knox. Get over here," commanded Charlie, one of the headstrong boys who had been involved in the Dead Poets Society situation the year before. They sat in the dormitory commons, absorbed by their respective projects. Charlie was busy with a chemistry assignment while Knox paged through a novel assigned to the boys in their English class. "Say, when is this due?"
"You're actually doing homework? That's one for the books," laughed Knox.
"Very funny. Answer the question," Charlie snarled.
"The chem? Not until next week. Shouldn't you be worrying more about getting those lipstick stains off of your chest?" Knox punched his shoulder and began to walk away.
"Wait," Charlie started. The other boy pivoted his heels in his direction. "Have you seen Todd lately?"
"Well yeah, he lives here... It would be weird not to -" Charlie pulled him in closer, aligning his plain of vision with his own.
"No, I mean look at him. He's sitting over there by the fireplace alone. He hasn't taken his eyes out of that book for hours," whispered Charlie.
"Yeah, so? He's a quiet guy, and he likes to read. You could probably learn a thing or two from him, come to think of it."
"Since the year started he hasn't talked to anyone but Neil. It's like he's got some sort of problem." Knox's face softened into an unconcerned look.
"Charlie, everyone's got problems. Let him be, and for god's sake, stop staring." Knox straightened out and put his arms above his head in a full body stretch. "I'm gonna go hit the hay. I'll see you Tomorrow, 'Nwanda.'" Charlie wore an unsatisfied expression as Knox left the room. He looked at the three pound textbook resting below him in disgust and slammed it shut. He sat back in his chair briefly, but grew alert when he saw Neil's head peeking around the door in search of his roommate.
"Neil! C'mere a sec, will you?" Neil peered at Charlie, saw his assignments scattered across the table and grinned, amused. He walked over and gave Charlie an expectant nod.
"What is it?" He asked.
"What's going on with Todd?" Charlie prodded.
"What do you mean?" questioned Neil hesitantly. He worried that someone had found out about their complicated relationship as "more than roommates" and was spreading the story around the school.
"He's been really quiet. I mean, quieter than normal, and he won't talk to any of us like he'll talk to you. Has he said anything about it?" Neil turned to observe Todd, who sat scribbling into a dark blue notebook. He looked back at Charlie with an unconcerned demeanor.
"I think he's just busy," Neil assured. "Some people actually get ahead on their work in the beginning of the year, Charlie." Neil walked towards his room, and took a backwards glance at Todd. 'Crap,' he thought, wearing a puzzled expression.