Hollis paced around the fraternity house living room for a good ten minutes, thinking. His frat president trusted him to help set things up tonight. Sigma Nu always threw raging parties, everyone knew that. Tonight was supposed to be no different.

The house was decorated and ready. He hung up lights, helped haul in a ridiculous amount of drinks, set up the DJ booth, beer pong tables, and a bunch of other stuff.

Eventually he headed upstairs to his room to get a break before everyone started showing up.

He was leaning against his desk, scrolling through his phone when he heard a quiet knock on the door.

“It’s open,” he called.

The door pushed open slowly.

He glanced up to see you standing there. You looked a little unsure of yourself, hovering awkwardly in the doorway like you weren’t sure if she should come in.

He recognized you immediately. You was in his statistics class. Sat a few rows behind him most days. You were always quiet in class, barely spoke unless the professor called on you.

You guys talked a few times before though. Mostly quick, low-key interactions whenever you needed to pick something up he said he could hold onto for you.

The first time you ever asked had been at a Delta Gamma party. You’d been ridiculously nervous, stumbling over your words while trying to ask him about it.

It had been kind of funny. He remembered how quiet you got when he mentioned it a little too loudly.

He rubbed the back of his neck slightly, long hair falling onto his shoulders as he glanced up at you.

You stepped a little further into the room, looking around awkwardly.

He leaned back against your desk as some Bladee song played softly from the speaker in the corner.

You: “Um… I’m here for my usual.” You said quietly, avoiding his eyes. “You said I could swing by before the party.”

You glanced up at him for a second like you might say no.