One of the people I trust most is my childhood friend, Kieran. I met him in middle school, it was an instant connection, and we’ve been best friends ever since.

  Things have been so stressful that I took it upon myself to visit Kieran at his home; I needed someone I could rant to about these roommate interviews without feeling bad.

  “Who the fuck comes onto someone during an interview for a roommate?” I spat out angrily as we played a video game together. Kieran is a giant and hefty man; the deep laugh he let out mirrored that.

  “You’ve always attracted the crazies,” Kieran chuckled. “Pick a fucking roommate so I don’t have to listen to you bitch anymore.”

  I elbowed Kieran with a groan, “I’m trying!”

  “Are you?” Kieran asked with a devious smirk.

  “Of course I am,” I growled back.

  “Then what about your book? Can’t you put off moving for a year until it’s published?”

  “I’d rather go to Korea sooner rather than later; plus there’s no guarantee the book will make money,” I sighed as my character died in the game. Was this a premonition?

  “Dude you fucking suck at this game,” Kieran laughed loudly; “ask your parents for help, if you want to move so badly.”

  “No way, I’m doing this myself,” I replied firmly.

  “Then stop being so dramatic and whiny, go pick a roommate,” Kieran scoffed as he turned off the game. “Have you heard from Yoni yet?”

  “Damn, are you that hungry?” I grinned.

  “Yes,” he answered very seriously. I chuckled to myself as I pulled out my phone. The three of us had planned to get dinner once Yoni was done with class.

  He’d been claiming in our group chat that he wanted to try a new burger place, he’s been preachy about the online reviews. Only Kieran and I gave in to his pleading from group chat.

  “Group chat is still empty, but let’s get going now. His class does end soon,” I explained while scratching my chin. When I looked at Kieran he was already waiting by the door with my car keys. I’d like to say this is a first, but… it’s really not.

  Yoni was already waiting for us outside the college when we arrived, and then drove downtown to the new burger place. The inside of the restaurant was packed but lively and fun.

  Watching Kieran wait for the table had to be the best part of the night so far; watching a man almost seven feet tall pouting seemed to amuse quite a few people. As soon as we sat down all of Kieran’s attention went to the menu and Yoni ordered beer for the three of us.

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  “Sooo-” Yoni started.

  “Don’t even bring it up,” Kieran cut in, “he hasn’t stopped complaining since lunch.” I felt myself glare at Kieran who’s eyes were still stuck on the menu.

  “Haha! I wasn’t going to talk about that, but it’s funny. Maybe we should talk about it?” Yoni grinned devilishly. “Well? Roan?” Yoni began to giggle as my irritation was apparent. “Do you wanna talk about it?”

  “Do you want to pay for my dinner?” I asked with a glare. “It seems like you want to pay for my dinner.”

  “Hey!” Yoni pouted, “Don’t be mean.”

  “Then shut up,” I rolled my eyes. The hostess came by to take our orders and give us our drinks.

  “Well, how is cosmetology school going, Kieran?” Yoni asked curiously.

  “I love it,” Kieran replied warmly. “We are preparing to work on real people soon, I’m so excited.”

  “That should be easy enough for you, right?” I asked with a tilt of my head.

  “Yes, yes,” Kieran grinned confidently.

  “What do you mean?” Yoni asked with a raised eyebrow.

  “I used to do our hair in high school. Bleach, color, styling, you name it.”

  “Did you ever dye your hair, Roan?” Yoni’s eyes lit up with excitement while he asked.

  “I’d have to bleach to dye it,” I frowned. I ran my fingers through my hair, “I’d do no such thing to this ravishing mane.” Yoni and Kieran looked at me in disgust.

  “Don’t ever do something like that again,” Kieran cringed.

  Throughout dinner we conversed back and forth about mundane things: new shows, movies, and games being released. Ranting back and forth about different interests.

  I felt like I finally had a moment of peace away from my worries. Kieran’s girlfriend, Maeve, picked him up to go home leaving myself and Yoni at the restaurant.

  “Let’s go drinking!” Yoni pleaded loudly.

  “Uh,” I grimaced, “no.”

  “Come on! There’s a new LGBTQ+ bar that opened a month ago! It’s called ‘Galaxy’, doesn’t that sound cool!?” Yoni asked excitedly. His offer was tempting but thinking about actually being there already made me feel tired.

  “It sounds fun but I don’t think I’m up for it tonight,” I looked away from Yoni, a feeling of guilt rushed over me. I felt a hand on my shoulder, it was Yoni smiling at me.

  “It’s okay, I understand,” he grinned. “I was only excited because there’s a new bartender there that’s 100% your type.”

  I raised an eyebrow, “you already know I’m not looking for that kind of thing right now.”

  “I know, but Cece said you don’t have to pursue something seriously to enjoy it,” he nodded confidently. A wave of irritation ran through me, Cece does this all the time. She knows Yoni will go out of his way to give relationship advice to his friends, even though he’s never had one nor has any interest in one.

  “Only if both people are on the same page, but it will always come with complications. I don’t have enough room in my head to deal with one more stressful thing.”

  “That makes sense,” Yoni replied thinking about what I said deeply. “I feel kinda bad, saying stuff like that without thinking.”

  “Don’t worry so much, I know your heart is in the right place. We should head out, other people want to eat.”

  Yoni met my words with a reassured smile, “don’t let what I said stop you from going to ‘Galaxy’!”

  “I won’t,” I agreed with a grin.