Evening classes recently finished, and the day was coming to a close. Professors and commuter students returned to their homes, and the residents, to their dorms. Rush hour calmed down, and the once congested streets of the city were filled with less vehicles.

Garfield was studying for a Pre-Calculus exam. His back was arched into a slight hunch as he perused through the material. He tapped his pen on his left eyebrow as he thought. His working area was strewn with crumpled papers, half-written sheets of looseleaf, candy wrappers, and his One Piece manga was tucked in somewhere in the disarray.

Rachel was reading silently on her bed. The girl was in the world of dark fantasy, as she was reading Where the World Ends by Geraldine McCaughrean. Just like music, reading brought Rachel to another world. She could physically be in a room, on a train, on a bus, or in an airport; but as long as she had a book at hand, she was mentally immersed in the dimension the author created.

"Okay," Garfield sighed, "This Pre-Calc is about to kill the only three brain cells I have left."

He closed his notes, turning to Rachel.

"Hey, Rae. I'm feelin' for some pizza tonight, you want in?"

She responded blandly, "Yeah, sure."

Rachel appeared to be back in that shell from a couple weeks ago. She was avoiding eye contact, and she seemed generally disinterested in conversation.

Rachel was uncomfortable, which made Garfield uncomfortable. It was evident to the both of them that there was a big elephant in the room that they kept circling around.

Garfield queried, "Rae, what's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Come on, tell me."

She squinted her eyes, focusing on her book, "Don't worry about it, Gar. It's alright."

"No, it isn't. You haven't been yourself since we... we... well... you know... since I put the pastry in the oven." he rubbed the back of his neck anxiously.

Rachel shut her book, the sound echoing off of the walls. She sat up, glancing at Garfield.

"Garfield," she exhaled deeply, raking her hand through her violet tresses, "Listen. It's more of a "me" problem, than it is about you."

"Okay, but I still want to know what's going on. Obviously, the issue is linked to what we did together."

Garfield moved from his seat, sitting next to Rachel on her bed.

"To be honest, I don't know what's been going on. A few days after we had sex, I was feeling queasy, fatigued, and my menstrual cycle came a few days later than expected. When it did, the cycle itself, was a mess."

Garfield's jade eyes widened, "Oh, gosh. Do you think you're pregnant?!"

"We went protected, so I doubt it. I'm assuming it's a regular response to my first time. The second time, that kind of stuff may happen again, but to a smaller degree."

His mouth bent into a frown, "I'm sorry. I had no idea."

"It's not your fault. I kept all of that to myself, as well as how I felt about this whole thing."

"Me, too. All of it was looming over my head for days, and I didn't really want to talk about it. In fact, I didn't know how to."

"Same here. I'm sorry for acting so awkward and not communicating my feelings."

"Hey," he gently touched her shoulder, "It's alright. There's nothing to apologize for. Having sex for the first time brings out emotions that we never knew we had. Dealing with them by ourselves can be difficult. But together..." he traced his gaze up to hers.

"It'll be easier."

"I'm just so used to handling things on my own, and hiding my feelings. Gar, I loved it. I loved feeling so connected, so close, so loved, and like the night of the party... excited," Rachel smirked faintly at her roommate, "I love doing those things with you. I'd love to do it more, if you'd like." a dense sheet of pink settled in her cheeks.

He winked, "Well, yeah, if you're down for it."

"Sure. However, I want us to be more than that. I don't just want to have sex with you and make out with you. I want to talk to you, get to know you more as a person. The thing that I feel for you, it's more than pure desire."

"I understand totally. I think those two times, we were just in the heat of things and never thought through the debris we'd have to deal with. I get what you mean though, just because we're roommates doesn't mean we should do the dirty constantly. We should know each other personally as a priority."

"Exactly. Now, we're in clearer mindsets and can move forward logically."

"For sure. Alright, uh..." Garfield chuckled, unconsciously slipping Rachel's hair behind her ear.

He studied her for several seconds. His emerald eyes matched perfectly with the violet in hers; just like thunder and lighting. In the darkness of her pupils, Garfield was able to spot a thin thread of light. Her lips were parted, lightly reddened. They were silent and still, as usual.

Garfield angled himself a few centimeters and planted a short, candied kiss on Rachel's lips. This was probably the purest he's ever kissed the girl. Neither of them were overtaken by sexual fantasies or lust. They kissed, and they did it simply.

Through the gesture, the couple could tell that they were more aligned. They were on the road to understanding each other, and expressing each other's needs.

Rachel's fingers crawled through Garfield's nest of hair. She pushed her tongue a bit further in his mouth, finding herself wanting more of his flavor. Rachel got a hold of herself, and parted the kiss.

"Woooooo-weeee!" Garfield exclaimed, shaking himself a bit, "Okay, that's enough kissing for the week." he joked.

"Hehe." Rachel giggled, elbowing him playfully.

Garfield smiled warmly, then took out his phone.

"I'mma order some plain pizza and veggie spring rolls. What do you want?"

"Pepperoni pizza and if they have garlic knots, those, too."

"M'kay. What should we get to drink?"

"Anything's fine by me."

Garfield made his eyebrows dance, "Herbal tea?"

"They don't have that." Rachel deadpanned with an eye roll.

"Juuuuuust kiddin' with ya, Rae. Let's go with lemonade. Anything else?"

"Nope."

"Okay."

Garfield made his order over the phone, and within a half hour, the pizza was delivered to their dorm.

"Ooooh, yeaaaah, baby, we in business." Garfield rubbed his hands together in excitement as he scanned over the pizza pie. The duo took whatever they pleased and began their meal.

"Thhiiiiiis is gooooooood." Garfield commented, snarfing down a slice.

Rachel replied, "Pizza, for the most part, is good."

"Noooo, that ain't completely true. Some pizza tastes like cardboard, but some are divine. A slice that's cut into three, clean angles, the cheese melts right onto your tongue, the amount of salt is just right, the tomato sauce is poppin', the crust ain't too chunky. Baby, I know when pizza's good, and this is it."

Rachel chuckled, "Your tastebuds are really invested in pizza, aren't they?"

"Yuh-huh. I could say the same thing about you and tea."

"Leave me and my tea alooooooooone, stop teasing me." Rachel covered her face adorably with one hand.

"Awww, you're so shy, it's cute."

"Thanks for this, by the way."

"Oh, no problem. I'll order pizza for you anytime. "

"No, I mean... I mean, yes, thank you for the pizza, but the other things, too. Like listening to me earlier and allowing the both of us to set things straight."

"Of course, Rae. I'm glad we talked this out. How's school going for you?"

"It's alright. Finals are in a few weeks, so once I knock those out, I can finally take a breather."

"Tell me about it. I'm practicing for a Pre-Calc, test tomorrow, and I hope I pass, aha." he chuckled dryly.

"Whew. All of these professors want projects, and group assignments, and this and that before finals week, and it's just... ugh."

"Tough, very tough. It'll be over before we know it, though."

"Yep. Do you want a bite?" Rachel offered her pepperoni slice to Garfield.

He rejected instantly, "Nuh-uh, no. Garfield no do meat."

"Really? I didn't know that."

"Yah. I don't eat meat and certain diary products. Pizza is the one exception, 'cuz y'know, cheese. I'm all for saving animals and the planet."

"Dang. You're missing out on the world of ice cream, do you need a hug?"

"There's always vegan ice cream and other alternatives, Rae." he grinned, taking a sip of his beverage.

"Ooooh, yaah," Rachel laughed, "I forgot."

Garfield stated tenderly, "I'm always open to hugs, though."

"Ah, I'll give you one after I finish eating."

"Deal."

Garfield and Rachel advanced through their evening, talking, eating, and laughing. Even though they had their shy moments, the pair was able to bounce back and remind themselves that they could be comfortable with one another.

Being roommates, and roommates with sexual experience, was going to take time to adjust to. Nonetheless, Garfield and Rachel were going to go through the process together.