What's the Matter with Megan? – Chapter One (Commission)

Thanks to our great Gold-tier patron Samantha for commissioning this brand-new, multi-part story!

***

Moving back into college really is such a drag, isn't it?

I mean, it's whatever. I'm decently fit, being on the tennis team and all. I can lug my fair share of storage boxes and blankets and dorm-size fridges. So maybe it's really just the chaos of it all that gets me. You know, the shit stacked everywhere, the confusion about where the heck to put stuff, the need to be nice to your dorm mates and not piss them off right out of the gate…

Speaking of…

"Hey! I'm Natalie," I offer, rising from the box I've been leaning on and extending my hand to the girl who's just walked in the door. "I, um- I guess we'll be dorm mates this year, huh?" She's staring at me, sharp eyes beneath heavy eyeliner and a jagged fringe of jet-black hair. "Yeah," she says simply – and then, almost as an afterthought, gives my hand a brief shake before quickly dropping it and taking up her shopping bag once more. "Anya."

Oh, okay. "Um, nice to meet you!" I manage, already wondering what on earth I'm going to have in common with such a seemingly terse, unfriendly girl. "So, Anya. I, um- I saw you had some stuff in here already. Which is cool. Now I guess… were you planning on using the single bed?"

"Got a problem with that?"

"No, no!" I assure her – and it's the honest truth, I guess. "It actually works great. See, I already know the other girl who's with us. We shared a dorm last year over in the Southwest quad – you know, back when they weren't doing triples? So it'll be fine. My friend Megan and I will take the bunk bed no problem…"

"Don't know shit about this place," Anya observes laconically, clomping over to the single bed in the corner and tossing her grocery bag – apparently full of snacks and toiletries – onto the covers. "Transferred in from UC Davis." She shrugs and glances around the room. "But yeah, do whatever you want. Cool with me."

Well, then. "Oh, okay!" I manage, turning to the bunk bed that apparently will be home base for me and Megan this year. Triples have always kind of sucked, I guess. I mean, no one really wants to be in a bunk bed if they have a choice, right? But I'm lucky that at least I know Megan, through and through. She's fine. We got along just fine last year, and I don't see why this year will be any different…

***

And here she is at last! Though, much to my surprise, she's not alone.

"Hey, Megs! Long time no see!" I'm genuinely excited to see that familiar red hair glowing in the late afternoon sun, and I run to give her a quick hug. "Oh my god, it's so great to see you again! Ready for another year of shenanigans, hey?"

"Hey, Natalie," she breathes, and as she pulls away I can see she's clearly happy to see me. But now she's turning back to the car, where I can already see the figure of a tall, dark-haired guy straightening up from inside bearing a giant box in his bared arms. "Oh, Dan – here! Let me help-"

"I got it, tater tot," he rumbles, and as he strides confidently up the sidewalk I'm feeling a wave of giddy admiration and envy sweep over me. God, that chin! Those blue eyes! Those gleaming muscles! Is this… a neighbor of hers? A brother? But Megan didn't ever say anything to me about a brother – and she certainly didn't say anything about dating…

"Uh-" I'm stuttered as he passes me by and heads through the open door. "It's, uh, down the hall. First staircase on the left. 238…" But he's already gone, and as Megan trots after him, I scramble to keep up. "Hey… Megs! Is- is that… who is he?"

"Oh… Dan?" She's blushing now, and in that blush I can read it all. "Wait, shut up. Is he your boyfriend? Are you two dating?!" She's nodding as we head up the stairs, biting her lip in that adorably shy way she has. "Uh… I guess? He's- he's transferring here, too…"

"Girl, I had no idea! Why didn't you tell me!" But fortunately for her, we're there now, and my questions go unanswered as she hurries forward and directs Dan on where to put it. Back down the stairs Mr. Hunk goes again, and down she trots, clearly anxious to spend as much time with him as possible…

Which, you know. Makes sense. But also kinda hurts just a tiny bit. Because, you know… I thought Megan and I were best friends, you know? So why on earth wouldn't she tell me she was dating someone – much less such a drop-dead handsome guy?

Whatever. Maybe I can find out more from him once they're done hauling everything in.

***

"So," I begin a good half-hour later, flashing a smile and handing the can of Coke over to our manly guest. "So how was the ride? Long trip?"

"Seven hours," Megan offers, and as she sips at her iced tea she's glancing up at Dan as if for affirmation. "It- it wasn't too bad…" "Not bad at all," he agrees, and the can cracks open under his probing fingers. "Bit of traffic in St Louis, but nothing worth worrying about." He leans confidently against the bunk bed, slipping his other arm around Megan and pulling her close with practiced ease. "Did my best to get the lady and me here safe and sound."

Oh, did he? I can't help but notice that hand of his slipping down Megan's back, coming to rest on the seat of her faded jeans. Their backs are mostly to me and Anya, but in the reflection of the mirror we've just hung from the open closet door, I can easily watch the way his hand caresses her. A soft squeeze… An affectionate pat, followed by another, and another…

It's nothing too lewd of course. On the contrary, it's almost… what shall I even say? Comforting? Gentle? Paternal? It's almost as if I can see a parent cuddling their little kid in a strong and gentle embrace…

But of course, shy sweetheart that she is, Megan's blushing and pulling away – or at least, as much as she can when that beautiful bicep is wrapped around her. "Dan," I hear her murmur, and she's squirming visibly as the blush heightens in her cheeks. "Stop it…" And then, in a louder voice. "Shouldn't you be moving into your dorm, too? I- I can help-"

Of course she can, bless her. Off they go, hand in hand, leaving Anya and me once more to our own devices. I'm burning with curiosity, of course, and I can't wait to have a good gossip with Megan to find out how the hell she ended up dating without telling me. She has a lot to tell me about, believe me…

But for the moment, I simply have to mull it all over. I'm left to reflect on the lovely, muscled form of my best friend's new boyfriend. On the adorable blushes in Megan's cheeks. And yes… on the strange sound I could have sworn I heard when he was patting her booty.

"Hey, Anya?" I begin, almost before thinking. "Did you, umm…" And then, even as she turns her heavy-lidded, goth gaze toward me, I find my sudden flash of curiosity fading. It's absurd. No, what kind of question is it, anyway? 'Did you notice something weird about my old roomie's ass?' She'll think I'm some weirdo-

"Did I what?" she asks, terse as usual. And so I stammer my chicken-hearted way out. "Umm… oh, nothing. I- I found it…"

Oh, stop it, I tell myself, picking up my phone's charging cable and pretending that it was really what I'd been after. You're imagining things. And anyway – even if you really did hear some weird crinkly sound – so what? She's probably on her period or something. Don't go poking your nose into your best friend's business, especially not when you're feeling hurt that she didn't tell you about her new crush…

(To be continued!)