"I am so serious, Aelita," Sissi mumbles through a makeup wipe as she wipes her lipstick off for the night. "I did not realize how hot he is until today. Okay, that's not true, 'cuz I've definitely thought it before," she says with a snicker.

"Mhmm."

"Are you even listening to me right now?"

"Mhmm."

"You're definitely not," Sissi says with a snort.

"No, I am," Aelita replies, "I just don't know what I'm supposed to say to that."

"Well, for starters, you could agree with me because I'm correct. William is lowkey ripped and hot as fuck, and you know it." A smirk makes its way onto Sissi's lips. "That's why your cheeks are the color of your hair right now."

Aelita covers her face with her hands and turns away from Sissi. "Shut up."

Sissi laughs and tosses the makeup wipe into the trash can. "I'm not trying to embarrass you, girl. I'm just saying."

"Yeah, yeah."

"Just admit it, Aelita. You find him attractive! Nearly every girl at Kadic does. It's not that big of a deal."

"You know," Aelita starts, trying to change the subject. "I don't think Odd would appreciate knowing that you talk about other guys like this. I know I wouldn't."

"I promise you, Odd does not give a shit what I say to my friends about whoever, as long as he's the only guy I'm throwing it back on."

At that, Aelita can feel the pink tinge in her cheeks deepening into a red-hot hue. She swipes a makeup wipe across her entire face in an effort to get her blood vessels to calm down.

Being best friends with Sissi has always yielded... interesting conversations over the years, especially when it comes to the topic of relationships. Aelita has always lived vicariously through the details of Sissi's love life, from the sweet little romantic gestures to the raunchier, unmentionable happenings behind closed doors. In fact, it had been Sissi who had coached her through what it would be like to "lose the v-card" when it came time to hit that milestone in her relationship with Jeremie, and it was also Sissi who was there for her when everything came crashing down after she overheard Jeremie admitting to Ulrich - of all people - that maybe he wasn't as attracted to Aelita as he thought.

"Look. It's been months since things ended between you and Jeremie. A little birdy that may or may not be named Baptiste told me that Bastien told him that William allegedly has the hots for a girl with pink hair."

Aelita sighs. "I'm not really the biggest fan of men right now."

"I know. And I don't blame you. You just got out of a relationship with a guy who discovered something about himself but lacked the emotional maturity to work through it with you. I can't imagine what that feels like." Sissi tosses another makeup wipe across the room. It bounces off the wall and into the trash can. "But the longer you dwell on that idiotic mistake of his, the more fish in the sea you miss out on."

"I highly doubt that there are that many fish springing for me, anyway."

"With that body of yours? You must be joking," Sissi scoffs. "I promise you I've sniped William taking a peek at dat ass after I talked to Baptiste. I literally watched him turn his whole head mid-convo at lunch today."

Aelita's cheeks heat up again. "Really?"

"Really."

"I guess I'll think about it then."

"Good, because you have to do something. I beg of you."

"Define something, because I'm not as... sexually liberated as you are."

"Hmm. My birthday camping trip is coming up, right? Why don't I invite him along? Or better yet, you could invite him!"

Aelita snorts. "I'd rather drive over myself with a school bus."

Sissi cackles at that. When her laughter subsides, she says, "I happen to know that Mr. Tall-Dark-and-Handsome studies in the library at this time of the night. Usually. And we've both got some books to return."

Aelita sighs. "I thought I signed up for a lowkey, drama-free night of lo mein and Sailor Moon reruns."

"Pfft. Drama-free? Don't know her," Sissi says with a mischievous smirk. "Anyway, the worst that could happen is that he says no. I just wish you'd put yourself out there sometimes, Lita. Damn."

Aelita frees her hair from the messy bun its in atop her head. She reaches into her duffel bag and pulls out sweatpants and an oversized graphic t-shirt as she ponders Sissi's words in silence. Halfway through changing into her comfier clothing, before she fully pulls the sweatpants over her derriere, she turns to face Sissi. "Do you really mean it? You caught him looking at my butt?"

"Full-on drinking it in, almost. But again, not in a creepy way. Knowing him, he'd never even admit to doing it."

"Okay. Fine. Let's go to the library."

"YES!" Sissi pumps her fist in the air. "Let's go, girl!"

William takes a glance at the wristwatch on his right hand. 22:35. The library will be closing in a little over forty minutes. With a horse-lipped sigh that vibrates his lips, he forcefully shuts his psychology textbook and stands up to stretch. He turns to face the window behind him, staring wistfully at the moonless sky.

Before he can get too lost in his thoughts, he hears two familiar female voices enter the library. Without turning around, he knows right away that it's Sissi and Aelita. He can't quite make out what it is they are saying, but he knows that his night just got a whole lot more interesting.

He watches them in the reflection of the window as they approach the librarian's desk. They are laughing and giggling about something, and William can't help but smile. He watches as they hurl a large pile of thick novels into the return chute. Once done, they stand around and continue talking to each other in hushed tones.

William takes a seat back at his table and opens his psychology book again. He pretends to read the page he was on, but his ears are focused on the girls behind him.

"Lita," he hears Sissi whisper. "Go ask him."

"No."

"Please?"

"Why can't you do it? I didn't even want to come here."

"Shhh. Keep it down, or the librarian will kick us out."

"Ugh. Fine. I'll go."

William can't help the smile that tugs on the corner of his lips.

Aelita approaches him from behind. "Hey, William."

He turns to face her. "Oh. Hey, Aelita."

"How's studying going?"

"Eh. Could be better. How are you?"

"I'm okay. Actually, I'm glad I ran into you. I wanted to ask you something."

"Sure. What's up?"

"I was wondering if you're free during the first weekend of October. I usually plan a camping trip for Sissi's birthday. Only a couple of people come along." Aelita averts her gaze as she continues. "I was wondering if, this year, you would want to come along with me? Um... with us, I mean? No pressure, though."

William can't help the grin that spreads across his face. "I'd love to. Thanks for the invite."

Aelita blinks in surprise. "Great. I'll text you the details soon."

"Sounds good."

"Cool." Aelita absentmindedly plays with a loose strand of her hair. "Well, I'll see you around."

"See ya." As Aelita walks away, William can't help but notice the way her sweatpants hug her hips and her rear. He chuckles to himself as he returns his attention to his textbook.

"Did he say yes?" Sissi asks as they walk out of the library.

"Surprisingly... he did."

"Hell yeah! I'm so proud of you, girl."

"Yeah, yeah. Can we go now? You owe me lo mein and Sailor Moon."

"You're shitting me." Bastien's mouth is agape in response to what he just heard his roommate tell him.

"I shit you not," William replies as he folds his arms across his chest. "So?"

"You want me to lie to Coach Dragonov so you can possibly get some ass?" Bastien asks incredulously. "Honestly... I'm proud of you, Dunbar. It's about time."

"The fuck is that supposed to mean, Roux?!"

"It means," he starts defensively, "that you haven't been the same since all that shit with Tiffany. You've needed to get you dick wet for ages, bro. Of course I'll fib to Dragonov for you! I feel like a proud older brother right now."

"Tch. That's where you've got it wrong, though. I'm not going to make this a booty call or a one-and-done thing. I want this to actually mean something."

"Oh? So, you're gonna try and date her?"

"If that's what she wants, then yes."

"Damn. You've got it bad, William."

"I do not."

"You're lying to yourself, man. But, whatever. I'll cover for you. Just don't get your hopes up, okay?"

"Thanks, Roux."

"No problem. Now, can you please shut the fuck up and let me finish my homework?"

"Whatever, dude."