by Aisha Brooks
Georgiana had insisted that Cory get into modeling. She knew her son would surpass all of them; after all, not everyone is born with such exquisite beauty.
Cory looked like he had been custom designed; his features were finely tailored, naturally. He was 5’10”, had a toned body from working out regularly, and his golden hair was silky, straight, and long, almost reaching his shoulders. His lips were pink, fresh, and always complimented his pearly white smile.
Every time he smiled, his upper lip would reveal a row of small, tiny, perfect teeth, kinda like Adam Levine’s smile. His skin was smooth, not hairy, and perfect for a model. And his eyes were absolutely beautiful. He got the best of both worlds from both of his parents, and, apparently, the perfect combo of genes that landed him with violet eyes. His mother was right; he would have been highly successful if he pursued modeling.
But, like he always said, it did not matter. What mattered was what he wanted, and what he wanted was a life far from politics and showbiz. A quiet, calm, content, and serene life.
Going to college, in that sense, might not have been the best idea, but Cory was passionate about learning. He wanted to be a writer, and although he already wrote very well, he insisted that he wanted to study writing to hone his skills. His plus point was that he didn’t really need the money, so it was all about learning, and he was privileged enough to pursue it without any financial strains. Living in a plastic world, a bubble of perfection, he wanted friends that were real. He was almost 20, but he could never really say for sure if any of his friends were real.
How many of them would stick to him and stay by his side if his family lost the wealth and influence? Cory was always questioning things. And while he was almost 20, he had never dated a single girl. He never wanted to go that far with anyone, at least not with people he didn’t deem original.
Cory shook his head and snapped out of his reverie. The sun had already set; the street lamps were on, the roads were bright with fast paced cars speeding in both directions, and the stars were beginning to appear. It looked like a time lapse, in slow motion. Cory sighed heavily, ready to bid farewell to this life.
“Goodbye,” he said to himself, and started walking home. On the way back, he called his father to make sure he made it home in time for dinner; he knew he needed someone to be on his side and support him.
“Coryyy,” said his mother delightedly as he entered the house.
“What’s up, mum,” he said without enthusiasm.
“Guess who’s coming for dinner tomorrow?”
“Who?”
“The editor of Vogue,” she squealed. “I think I can get your sister in, but what I want to do is introduce you to him. So, don’t miss the dinner!”
“About that…” Cory began, but Georgiana had already stopped listening and went on to oversee the dinner. She made a big deal out of Sunday dinner because that was when her ex-husband, Cory’s father, came home to eat with them. That was, as Georgiana put it, ‘quality family time.’
Chapter 2: The Dinner Debate
Cory sat at the dining table playing with his food, oblivious to the discussion going on and his mother’s chatter; the word ‘Vogue’ and ‘editor’ kept coming up over and again. But he was just waiting for an opportunity to break the news, but the timing just didn’t feel right. He didn’t want to ruin his mother’s happiness and excitement, although it was quite commonplace.
Cory looked at his father, who raised an eyebrow and gestured with his face to start talking to his mum. Cory shrugged, uncertain, so his father took the lead.
“Cory,” he said, “I believe there’s something you want to tell your mother about.”
“Is there, now?” said Georgiana. Then she looked at Cory and continued, “Good heavens, I don’t like the sound of this. What’s going on, Cory?”
“Dad…” Cory said, looking at his father, wishing he would tell his mother.
“Tell her, son, it’s okay.”
“Or you can tell me,” said Georgiana fixing her gaze on her ex-husband.
“I am going to college, mom.”
“What? Why?”
“Because I want to go. I want to study.”
“But, but, but… that doesn’t make any sense. People go to college to study so that they can get a job and make money. I can get you modeling jobs easily and you can make way more than you ever will by studying and those ordinary jobs. This doesn’t make any sense.”
“Mom, I want to study. I want to do this. It’s not about money or jobs; it’s about what I want. Please don’t make a big deal about it.”
Georgiana heavily dropped her fork and knife on the table.
“Don’t make a big deal about it? Don’t make a big deal about my son going away to college for no reason at all? Tell me what you need, what you want, is it a car? A computer? Just tell me.”
“For god’s sake, Georgiana, just listen to what he’s saying,” interrupted Cory’s dad.
“Did you put him up to this? Listen to him? He doesn’t make any sense. He’s a child and I know what’s better for him, I am his mother!”
“Mom, I am going to college. I am leaving tomorrow. Let’s not ruin my last dinner here.”
Georgiana’s eyes opened wide with disbelief.
“Leaving tomorrow? But how will you…”
“He’s taken care of everything already. He’s gotten admission in a college, arranged a place to stay, etc., so don’t worry. The boy is growing up, let him do things his way.”
“That’s fucking crazy, both of you, father and son, are going to drive me crazy,” said Georgiana, starting to lose her temper.
“Mom, calm down,” said Cory.
“Gina, relax, it’s only for a few years. He’ll be back for holidays and everything. Calm down!” said his father, trying to reduce the drama.
“This is all your fault!” shouted Georgiana and stormed off to her room.
“That went as expected,” said Cory’s father.
“Yeah.”
At night, as Cory was packing, there was a knock on the door.
“Come in,” said Cory.
Georgiana came into the room.
“Mom, please don’t start again,” he said.
“I won’t,” she said, resigned.
“Look, I just want what’s best for you. And I still don’t think you’ll be able to adjust into college life. It’s really different, trust me.”
“I know, mom, I know,” he said. “I know it’s going to be different, and that’s exactly what I want. I want to live my own life, in my own way. And that won’t happen here. Trust me, I have tried.”
“Well, if that’s what you want. I wish you all the best, but you have to come home during your vacations.”
“I will, mom.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
Georgiana gave him a hug and left the room. For a while Cory just sat there thinking. He wondered why he’d really wanted to go to college. Was it really because he wanted to learn or something else?
Deep in his heart Cory knew the answer, but he did not dare bring it to his lips. Somehow the words just failed to form, and every time he thought about it, it was like a storm inside him: turbulent, violent, and disturbing. It disturbed his inner peace and threatened to destroy the bubble he had been living in, so it was best when he just ignored it completely.
He just hoped that when he went to college, perhaps he will be able to find more people like him. People who could understand where he was coming from and support him, be on his side, and help him somehow. For most people it was really hard to understand because Cory seemingly had everything. He was gorgeous, had a famous mother and a super rich father, and enjoyed the ‘lifestyle of the rich and famous.’
Cory woke up in the morning, hopeful and dreadful at the same time. Today was the day when he left and began his new life, and he had no idea what awaited him.
Will he be able to become one of the popular guys, fit into the cool crowd, or will he be picked on
and bullied? Or will he become just another invisible kid in the college? But he calmed down by telling himself that the possibilities were endless and he will cross the bridges when he gets to them. He smiled to himself and went downstairs to join his family for breakfast.
Both of his parents were at the table, and his sister also made a rare appearance, although quite clearly hungover from the party she went to last night. They ate together and everyone wished Cory well. Then it was time to leave and his father offered him a ride. On the way to the train station, Cory’s father made a rare speech.
“Cory, my son, don’t be afraid; never be afraid of being yourself, no matter where you are or who you are. If people don’t like you for who you are, change the people around you, but never change yourself to become someone you are not.”
Cory looked at his father and wondered if he knew about Cory.
“And here’s your stop,” he said.
He gave Cory a tight hug and a pat on the back.
“Off you go, son!”
“Bye, dad!” said Cory, hugging him back.
“Bye!”
Chapter 3: The Jock
Cory had high expectations from the college and everything that came with it. He expected extreme professionalism, groups of intellectuals, fashionistas, etc., and a neat little room that he would be sharing with another guy. But all of that shattered as soon as he stepped into his dorm room.
The room was dirty, filthy even, with empty gin bottles and condoms strewn all over the floor. On one corner was a pile of dirty laundry. Two beds were placed together to make a double bed. Cory stood motionless as he took it all in, wondering how the hell on earth could someone live in a place so messy.
“And how the hell did he make such a mess so quickly, or do they not clean the rooms here?”
He was still standing there, wondering, when the door opened and a guy stepped in.
“Hey there,” he said, looking slightly startled.
“Hello, I am Cory.”
“I am Liam, your roommate,” he said.
“Pleased to meet you.”
Liam didn’t seem the least bothered by the mess he had made or was living in. He threw his dirty clothes on the already huge pile he had gathered and then turned around to get dressed. He threw his wet towel on the bed and turned around to look at Cory.
“You don’t mind, do you?”
“Of course not,” said Cory quickly.
He wasn’t sure what he was feeling. Whether he was disgusted by the filth around him, or aroused by the God standing in front of him. Liam was, without a doubt, the most handsome boy Cory had ever set his sight on. He was 6’2”, had blue eyes, a totally buff and ripped body, a six pack, and muscles that would be easily visible through whatever clothes he wore. His hair was dirty blonde, dark, and cut really short and messy. His lips were dark, indicating that he was a smoker. He had light freckles on his face, and slightly hairy body. And his cock was nearly 8.5 inches!
As he was putting on his boxers, he had a semi-erection and was struggling to fit his cock into his boxers. He turned to Cory again.
“Shit happens,” he smiled and then looked at his cock, “Go in, you hornmonster!”
Liam put on a pair of shorts with the university logo on it, ditched the shirt, and then collapsed on the bed.
“Don’t just stand there, buddy, come on, sit,” he said.
Cory sat in a corner on the bed, and then they started talking. Cory found out that Liam was a senior and played soccer in the university team. He didn’t ask Cory anything except what course he’d applied to. As Cory sat in bed talking, he noticed that Liam’s hand was in his boxers, moving slowly. Liam caught him looking at his erection.
“Welcome to college,” he said, grinning like a wolf.
“Thanks,” said Cory.
Liam broke out into a laughter.
“God, what’s your name again?”
“Cory.”
“Cory, you are so…naive. Or innocent or something. It’s weird, hahaha.”
Cory wasn’t sure whether this was a compliment or an insult so he didn’t respond.
“Anyway, it was nice meeting you, Cory!” Said Liam, and then forced his other hand inside his boxers as he pulled the bed sheet over him. “But I need to sleep now. Was up all night last night. Chicks, you know,” and started thrusting in the air.
Cory understood what he meant. He felt awkward as Liam started thrusting in the air. He had clearly taken his boxers off, because the tent he made with the sheet left nothing to the imagination.
“Alright, sleep well. I will go take a walk around.”
Cory closed the door behind him, and when he turned around, he saw two girls standing right outside his door.
“Hey, is Liam in there?”
“Yeah, he’s sleeping,” said Cory.
“Alone?” said the other girl and then they started giggling.
Again, Cory wasn’t sure what to say. One of the girls started banging the door.
“Open up, Liam!”
When Liam opened the door, Cory saw that he had a strip of condoms in his hand that he waved in front of the girls.
“These are flavored,” he said. “Who wants a banana-na-na?”
The girls went in and closed the door behind them, and Liam knew what was going to happen next. He left the dorm and walked out of the campus to see the area around. He wondered if coming to college was a good decision, because he was in the suburbs now and the town seemed like it was in the middle of nowhere. The life was quiet and peaceful, but also appeared very boring and dull. He walked to a small restaurant to have dinner and sat quietly as he ate alone. He spotted a few familiar faces, a group of guys that he’d seen in his college.
After dinner, he headed to a small bar nearby. The bar was nearly deserted. Whether it was because it was early, or because no one visited it, Cory wasn’t sure. He ordered gin, although he’d never had it before. He probably had it because he had seen so many gin bottles lying around in his room. Surprisingly, he liked the taste. It reminded him of the vacation he had taken with his family, of forests, and herbs and trees.
He was a bit buzzed and tipsy after a few drinks and decided to head back to his room. It was only 22:00, but he wanted to rest before starting classes the next day. He walked slowly, familiarizing himself with the town, looking at the new things he would soon grow accustomed to.
Chapter 4: Cleaning Up Your Mess
When Cory returned to his room, he was greeted by banging walls. He almost knocked but then stopped himself, unsure of how to react. Liam was clearly getting it on with someone, he was moaning and drilling someone, and the bedhead was slamming against the wall. Cory could hear a girl moaning in the midst of Liam’s grunts.
“I am coming, I am coming,” he finally heard Liam say.
A few minutes later the door opened and a girl left the room. She had a bed sheet wrapped around herself and was neither of the girls who Cory had seen earlier that day.
“Welcome back, bud. Sorry, I forgot your name again,” said Liam.
“Hey, I was out for drinks.”
“And you know what I was up to,” said Liam grinning.
“Don’t they mind, you having sex with different girls?”
“I don’t really care if they do,” said Liam. “I just get drunk and fuck anything that walks. What can I say, this is college and I love sex. It’s not like they don’t want it, or they would stop coming with me.”
“Makes sense,” said Cory.
“So, excited about tomorrow?”
“Yeah, I guess.”
“Yeah, I was excited for my first day here too.”
“Were you?”
“Yeah. Everyone is excited for their first day. Then it goes away.”
“Cool. Do you mind if I ask something?”
“Shoot!”
“Are you dating someone? Any of the girls you hookup with?”
“Nope. I haven't found the right one. I mean these girls are all
great. I am friends with most of them, but none of them is the kind I’d want to spend my life with. Know what I mean?”
“Yeah.”
“Anyway, I am tired. Sex is tiring. I am gonna sleep, and I think you should, too.”
Cory nodded. He was tired and wanted to crash. While they were talking, Cory noticed how Liam didn’t get out of bed. His clothes, including his boxers, were all on the floor. He felt a bit weird about sleeping next to a naked man. He had never pictured himself sleeping next to a man. Not like this, at least. He got over his awkwardness and got into bed, right next to Liam.
