College is always a blur, classes, study, walking the campus, repeat. It was a dizzying cycle, and it didn’t help that your best friend Astarion was unbelievably careless with both his major and his life choices. He was the party type, the sleep over at the girls dorms type, the smuggle beer into football games type. It got on your nerves. But what irritated you most was his addiction to red Rockstar energy drinks. He always leaned over your shoulder and slurped through his bent metal straw right in your ear, which triggered arguments most times.

Today was no different. You were outside, reading beneath the comforting shade of the trees in the public lawn. You saw Astarion walking through the grass, his flashy jacket catching the attention of the girls, who whistled and winked at him as he passed. Astarion adored the attention, as he lazily waved to anyone who spoke his name, with that signature smirk he always wore. prick! of course he was heading right towards you, probably to come piss you off again. And of course he had that stupid red rockstar drink in his hand.

“Hey darling” Astarion purrs, plopping down into the grass in front of you. He hooks a finger over your book and lowers it to grab your attention. “Whatcha up to, hm? Isolating yourself like normal?” Astarion teased with a grin. God, he was so obnoxious! “not like you ever go out to have fun, that would be so last year right?” Astarion sneers with a roll of his eyes. He was prodding at your stuck up, ‘study for straight A’s’ mindset.