'Drew 1

The setting is the ballroom, carpet floors, maybe like a hotel lobby, where? Well- I'm trying to describe the room on the second floor of that campus building, where myself and my friend Osman were eating at. Swirly dark blue colored- carpet floors, freckled by specks and flecks of gold and peach over  streaks of purple.    

"And that's how, you know, have I ever told you, really"

He's from Sudan, handsome guy, funny English. 

"-That's how you know their plans, because of the patch that they wear on their shoulders."

"That they're going to keep expanding?"

"Exactly and you know what they call it right? Really. They call it the Greater- "

Bosman walked by, we waved, what a Santa, a gift, one could even say. Tall, puffy, and sweet. I'm not sure if He's on the fruit spectrum though. I remember He cursed me out during the first week of classes. Osman likes to talk geopolitics.

"...and where do you think they got the gold from? Really. There are no gold mines in the UAE"

I wasn't always sure what he was talking about all the time but I know some of it was informed by real and painful memories. His country was going through a lot during the weeks He left to study here in America. He has some strong opinions on what parties He thinks were involved. I try to remind him, by asking him, if He can appreciate the differences between members of a certain religion and a particular State. He gets it, but I understand why He doesn't get it. We made our way back to the cafateria with empty trays.

I saw, sitting at random tables throughout the café; Benjamin, Molei, Andrew, not that Andrew, not yet- Taylor, Flanders, Smith, and some other default characters. It was a small school you'll see the same sets of faces everywhere. 

We dropped our trays at the rotating conveyor wash belt and exited out the Cafe back door, down a set of steps and out the back of the building. In the parking lot Oz stopped to smoke a cigarette. 

"You know, this guys, I never understand this types of guys"

"Who? the union?"

"No, them, look at them running, the cadets, what do you call them?"

"The mugs"

"Yeah, I could never do that shit...What about you? What trouble are you getting in? How's you roommate"

Andrew. He meant Andrew. The wind blew, apricity. Dead leaves shuffled and I realized I was looking down.

"He's good, It's been interesting. You know He's very interesting"

"Are you guys fucking or what?"

We laughed

"What are you talking about, no I mean He's very conservative and we talk a lot"

"Ahh, He's a lot of `Hoo ya and yes sir` right?"

"Yeah."

He pulled some more on his cig. We chatted some more and split. 

"Alright I'll catch you man"

"Be easy"

Him headed back to his car and me back to my dorm hopefully to study. From the lot, to the dorm building, everything is right next to each other, it's a small school. Into the elevator I mash the 7 button. Rising. A stop on the 4th floor. 

"Jesus Christ."

The doors opened. No one waiting. The faulty wiring in these surely wont be used as a plot device later I thought. To seven, finally. Rounding the corner, past the bathroom door and water fountain. My room. Our door, its distinctive squeak. Inside. Closed curtains make for low light, for relaxed vibes. I threw my things off, deal with that shit later. My roommate was out. I could enjoy my own energy for a bit. I shuffle my chair in closer under my desk. My computer showed 2:22 on the clock. 'Mmm' with a stretch reaching for the ceiling. 

"Where do we start"

Above my desk lined books, probably starting to accumulate dust by now. A Russian dictionary, Nuclear reactor engineering, something by Jung, a Bible, Chemistry, Elementary Differential equations, An introduction to Africana Philosophy. Wiping my face:

"God that assignment for journalism club is due"  

Alright got that done. Anything else? Or can I dream about boys again? Might as well book the next Russian lesson, fine let me do that. Done.