I put my book bag down on the couch, sitting down with a deep sigh.
My roommate, Thad, looks over at me from his bedroom doorway, "Something on your mind?"
"You could say that." I huff, my eyes on the floor.
He walks into the room and takes a seat beside me, "What's going on?"
"It's nothing, really," I lie, "Nothing worth talking about much."
He raises his eyebrows, "Well that sounds like dishonesty at it's finest, if I do say so myself."
I roll my eyes, "The worst part is that it really isn't all that much that actually happened. I just can't stop thinking about it."
"So..." he pries, nudging me to go on, "What happened?"
I sigh, deep in thought, "Okay, okay. I met somebody. He was just this guy that I ran into on the street."
"Was he a hot guy?"
I nod, eyes widening for emphasis, "Oh yeah. Hot would be an understatement. But I don't know. I think he was hitting on me, you know, in that slightly irritating playful way. But there was something about him...I don't know if it's a good idea."
"Like what kind of something about him?"
"Well, I could be wrong, but I'm 98% that he might be kinda...dangerous, you know? Not the kind of guy that's probably safe to go around with."
He nods, thoroughly intrigued, "How was he unsafe, though? Do you mean he was like a man whore or married or..?"
"I think he was some kind of gangster. Like a legit one. You know, not just the kind that wears hats and overly loose jeans."
He raises his eyebrows, "Like guns and drugs and stuff?"
I nod, a worried expression on my face, "He didn't straight up say it, but I think it was implied pretty well..."
He leans in a little, "Well, how hot was he? You know, was he like a sexy bad boy type, or was it just one of those things where his attractiveness doesn't add up to all the risks involved?"
I shake my head in frustration, "Truth be told, I love a bad boy. I'm all into the thrill seeking, sexy allure of the whole idea. The only thing is just, I mean, unless we're just gonna have a one night stand or something... I like, I like him. Like I would date him, I don't just want to fuck him. And if I'm actually with him I'll worry about his well-being and safety 24 hours a day."
He looks a little shocked, but not taken off guard, "Honestly, I feel like go for it if you think it's worth it. And well, if not..."
I shrug, "Fair enough...Good God, I'm getting way ahead of myself. For all I know I'll never see him again."
"Did he give you a name?"
I nod, "Yeah, why?"
"Did you ask him first or did he ask you?"
"Um, he asked me first and then I asked his. What difference does it make?"
Thad grins, "If he asked you for your name it means that he has every intention of seeing you again, so why don't you relax? It seems to me that this guy is into you. And if he actually is than he'll make sure that he runs into you again. I want to meet him at some point, but maybe you should give it a shot. Just don't end up getting shot, cause that would suck a little bit."
I kick his shoe, "That's not even funny!"
He smirks, "Why, because it's relevant?"
I raise my eyebrows, "That's exactly why. I'm seriously nervous about this, don't fuck around with me."
"Sure, sure, just cool it, okay? It'll be fine, I promise."
"How the hell would you know?"
He shrugs, "I don't know, I've just got a good feeling. Call it a sixth sense or whatever."
I throw myself dramatically onto my back, "Thaaad, you don't understand my troubles."
He rolls his eyes, trying to pull me up by my arm, "I do, that's why I'm so damn helpful in telling you how to deal with them. I get what it's like being head-over-heels for someone. Just do as I say and you'll be happily married to the man of your dreams in the next 5 years."
"Five years?" I exclaim in theatrical horror.
"You're not even 20 years old, here, Bas, let's be realistic..."
"Fine," I grumble, sitting up, "But if this back fires and kicks me in the ass-"
"Then I'll have lots of liquor ready and I'll let you cry on my shoulder." he interrupts before I can threaten him.
I shrug, "That'll have to do for now. I'm gonna head to bed, I'm totally beat." I mutter, standing up and stretching my arms.
"Fair enough," he replies, "I'm going out tonight. I'd invite you to come but I have a feeling that you won't want to come."
I shake my head, "As great as getting totally hammered sounds, I'm exhausted and I have class again tomorrow, so I'd better turn in."
"Suit yourself," he says, grabbing a jacket, "I have class tomorrow but you're only young once, so..."
I smile at him, "I'll probably tag along next time. I've got a lot on my mind right now."
"Alright, well, sleep well, I'll see you tomorrow." He replies.
I nod, "Have a good night. Don't do anything I wouldn't do."
He grins, "I don't think that's even possible."
"Don't do a lot of things that I would do."
"Sure, goodnight." he mutters with a wave, walking out the door.
I walk into my bedroom and get ready for bed. I'm wide awake until 2 A.M. obsessing over Hunter and all the possibilities that our relationship could ever amount to, the good and the bad. I know that it's probably damaging for my mental health to think about somebody this much when you barely know them, but I can't help it. My mind refuses to go anywhere else.
