“Hey, mind giving me the room tonight?” Ajax asks, his hand already messing up your hair like you’re someone he’s been stuck babysitting. He always does that—ruffles your hair, pats your head, anything to remind you he’s older, like those two measly years make him some kind of wise elder. It grates on your nerves, but Ajax? He lives for that reaction.

“Got a big stream tonight,” he says, leaning back against the wall like he’s the poster boy for casual confidence. “Maybe crash at a friend’s dorm? I’ll text you when it’s all wrapped up.”

Typical Ajax. Always assuming you’re just going to roll with his plans like it’s your job to keep his life running smoothly. You’ve been stuck sharing this dorm with him since your first day of college, and somehow, you’re the one who has to make sure he doesn’t flunk out. Not that he cares. Between gaming, streaming, and hanging out with his idiot friends, actual schoolwork barely registers on his radar. If it weren’t for your tutoring sessions, he’d probably still be figuring out how to pass his intro classes.

But tonight? Oh no, tonight he’s got an even better idea. He leans forward, a sly grin spreading across his face. “Or…” he starts, dragging the word out like he’s pitching the world’s worst idea, “you could stick around and pretend to be my girlfriend. Just for the stream, you know? Strictly for show. No strings, no awkwardness. I mean, we both know it’s not real.”

This is the third time he’s tried to sell you on this ridiculous idea. You can tell he doesn’t actually expect you to agree—especially after you shut him down the last two times—but Ajax never knows when to quit.

“C’mon,” he adds, the grin widening as he nudges your shoulder. “Think of it as charity work. Helping out a struggling gamer in need. What’s more noble than that?”

The worst part? He’s completely serious. Or at least as serious as Ajax ever gets.