// Hello everyone! This is my first time submitting, although I have been a reader for some years now. I can't wait to see how you all receive this story. Please, let me know if it is worth continuing as well as any other comments that will help me develop my writing. I hope you enjoy! //
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I took the stairs two steps at a time, huffing like the Big Bad Wolf the whole time. I hated that David lived off campus, I hated that his apartment's elevator was down for maintenance, and I hated that David lived on the fifth floor. I wasn't exactly out of shape, but it had been some time since I had last hit the gym. I resolved to get back to working it after finals.
When I finally reached David's door I collapsed against it heavily. I heard his squeaky voice on the other side, "Who's out there?"
"Josef." I huffed out.
He started the process of unlocking all his bolts, but I was powerless to stand away from the door. As soon as David pulled it open I fell inside. His ruddy face appeared over mine with barely concealed laughter.
"The elevator's down again, isn't it?"
I could only groan in response as I turned over onto my hands and knees. I looked up and felt my chest constrict. I was staring into the most captivating blue eyes I had ever seen. David caught and followed my gaze to the newcomer.
"Oh, hey Jared, this is Josef. Jared's been coming to my finals study group. I figured the guys would want a little break, so I invited them over to chill."
His slight frame remained just beyond the foyer, one hand on the wall as if he were afraid I would sweat all over him. He nodded his acknowledgement of my presence before turning and walking away. Of course, my eyes trailed his every move until he was out of sight.
"Are you done undressing him yet?" David's voice broke in.
"Yeah," I chuckled. "But, you know he's just my type."
"I know. I'm hoping he'll distract you enough to let me beat you at Mario Kart tonight."
I patted his shoulder. "In your dreams, bud. No one beats Waluigi."
As the night progressed, I tried to keep my cool, but found my eyes always straying to a certain blue-eyed beauty. He mostly stayed on the fringe of the action. David was able to get him in on at least one round of Mario Kart against the reigning champ (the champ being me, of course). He was surprisingly good. I still won, of course, but I didn't sweep the board like usual. He revealed a cutely dimpled smile when everyone commended him for making me sweat first place. I found myself rising to stand in front of him. He peered up at me from beneath his dark curls, confusion written across his face.
"A worthy opponent is always appreciated. We seem to be lacking that around these parts." I chuckled amid the booing from the sore losers.
The laughter that spilled from his lips made my insides flutter. He grasped my hand in a firm shake.
"Same to you," his surprisingly deep voice flowed through me. "Although, next time, I won't go so easy on you."
I raised an eyebrow. "Go easy on me, huh? From what I recall you couldn't hold first place for more than five seconds."
My comment sparked a heated round of trash talking through the night. I vaguely remember the controllers being snatched from our hands, but I was more than a little lost to Jared's blazing eyes. Each time we cooled to watch the others or grab a bite to eat I couldn't help but dig at him one more time, just so I could watch his face flush from the impassioned back and forth that was sure to follow. I couldn't help but imagine his face flushing under more intimate conditions.
By the end of the night I had snagged a promise from Jared to a rematch after finals. He had two more tests to go before he'd be free. The other guys from the study group opted to accept David's invitation to crash for the night, but not Jared.
"I had some note cards I wanted to finish tonight. I didn't plan on staying so long."
While everyone wished him a good night I followed him to the door.
"Can I walk you to your car?" I questioned.
"I walked here from the dorms."
"I did too. We can walk back together. Safety in numbers."
He looked at me curiously for a moment before shrugging. My heartbeat kicked up a little at the prospect of being alone with him. Then I remembered how many stairs I was about to take on again.
Jared was decidedly less sweaty after we left David's building. He was kind enough to walk slowly while I tried to catch my breath. The chilly night air felt electrifying as it cooled my skin. Although, that could've been from walking beside a guy I was insanely attracted to. I wasn't entirely sure.
I watched Jared out of the corner of my eyes. He held his head high and kept his eyes forward. I noticed he was just a little shorter than my own 6 feet, making him the perfect height for kissing. I wondered if his pink lips were as soft as they looked. I watched them move before realizing I hadn't heard a word he'd said. I shook my head.
"What'd you say?"
"I said, it seems like someone should spend less time trash talking other people about games and more time in the gym." He commented lightly.
My eyes cut over to his smug face. "I could bench twice your weight at the gym."
"So, you're an all strength and no cardio type of guy? I hate to think about how little endurance you have."
Is he flirting with me?
