Chapter 56 Do You Actually Love Her?
Andrew laughed again— bright, unstoppable. “I woke you up for a good cause. You should be happy. You’re just beefing because you don’t have a girlfriend.”
Josh’s mouth twitched. “Beefing? Fuck you. Ain’t nobody beefing you and your talking stage.”
Andrew leaned back on his palms, grin turning sly. “At least I have a talking stage. What do you have?”
Josh grabbed a pillow and swung it at Andrew’s head— light, playful. Andrew ducked, laughing harder.
Josh tossed the pillow aside. “Bet with me— this phase lasts less than two weeks. She’ll turn you down, say she only sees you as a brother, and not a lover.”
Andrew’s smile dropped— just for a second— then snapped back, sharper. “I’ve got game, man. That will never happen.”
“Game doesn’t work on babes like that.” Josh’s grin widened, teasing now. “She’s just using this date to while away time, that’s all. Don’t come crying to me when you discover what I’m saying is true, ’cause I won’t hear it.”
Andrew leaned forward, elbows on knees, eyes narrowing playfully. “Fuck you. You watch and see if I don’t make her my wife.”
Josh barked a laugh. “You wish.”
Andrew gave him a light elbow to the ribs— quick jab. Josh yelped, shoved him back. They tussled for half a second— elbows, shoulders, muffled curses— then both collapsed back against the wall, breathing hard, grinning like idiots.
Josh shook his head. “You’re so gone, bro.”
Andrew stared at the ceiling, smile softening into something quieter, almost reverent. “Yeah. I know.”
Josh’s voice dropped. “I hope she doesn’t break your heart.”
“She won’t.”
Josh studied him for a long moment, then sighed, resigned. “Fine. You look good. Shirt’s clean, trousers hit right, shoes sharp. She’ll notice. Happy?”
Andrew turned his head, met Josh’s eyes. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet. I still think this gonna end in a disaster.” Josh flicked Andrew’s watch face.
“It won’t,” Andrew said.
“I hope so.”
“I know so.” His voice carried a stubborn resolve.
Josh gave a small shrug. “Alright, if you say so. I just pray she’s half as excited as you are for this date.”
“How am I supposed to know that?” Andrew shot back.
“You don’t. That’s the point.”
“So what are you driving at?”
“Nothing. Just— be wise, my friend.”
Andrew chuckled, softer now. “Shut up, man. Keep your advice to yourself.”
They laughed together, then let the quiet settle— lamp buzzing faintly, footsteps echoing in the hallway outside, early risers drifting toward the gym or the library.
Josh finally broke the silence. “You nervous?”
Andrew exhaled through his nose. “A little. Mostly… excited. Stupid excited.”
Josh snorted. “You’re gonna be a mess. I can see it.”
Andrew’s smile turned dreamy. “Man, shut up. I’m not you.”
Josh shook his head, fond now. “Hopeless.”
The dorm room settled into a softer quiet after the banter died down. The desk lamp still burned low, throwing warm yellow pools across the rumpled sheets and the posters curling at the edges. Outside, the campus was only beginning to stir— distant footsteps in the hallway, a car engine turning over somewhere in the parking lot, the first pale grey light seeping through the half-open blinds.
Andrew stood in the middle of the floor for a moment longer, hands on his hips, again staring at his reflection in the narrow mirror as though he could will the next four and a half hours into fast-forward. His smile had softened from triumphant to something quieter, almost reverent. He exhaled once— long and slow—then reached up, gripped the side rail of the top bunk, and pulled himself up in one smooth motion.
The mattress dipped under his weight. He stretched out face-up, arms folded behind his head, loafers still on because he couldn’t be bothered to kick them off yet. The ceiling was close— white paint chipped in one corner, a faint water stain from last year’s leak that maintenance never quite fixed. He stared at it anyway, tracing the familiar shapes like they held answers.
Josh rolled onto his side below, voice muffled against the pillow. “You’re really gonna lie there fully dressed until eleven?”
Andrew didn’t move. “Maybe.”
“You see? That’s exactly what I’m saying— you’re a fool, and will definitely mess this up. So let me get this straight: you’re gonna lie around in your date outfit for over four hours, bro? You don’t know that shirt’s gonna wrinkle?”
“I’ll iron it again at ten-thirty.”
Josh snorted. “You don’t even own an iron.”
“I’ll borrow yours.”
“I won’t give you.”
“Then I’ll steal one from the laundry room.”
Josh laughed— short, tired, fond. “You’re insane.”
Andrew’s mouth curved. “I know.”
A long beat of silence. The radiator hissed once, then settled. Somewhere down the hall a door slammed.
Josh spoke again, quieter this time. “Can I ask you a question?”
Andrew tilted his head, eyes still fixed on the ceiling. “Ask away. Don’t be weird— should that even be a question?”
Josh hesitated, then rolled onto his back, staring up at the underside of the bunk above him. His voice came out softer, almost careful. “Do you actually see yourself loving her?”