"Fair enough," Chris replied. Toward the back of the house, further from the kitchen was a private door, dclosed. "That's where Ms. Darlington lives; there's an outside entrance to her apartment," he added. He then took her by the television room, with a 54 inch plasma screen and more gadget than a Best Buy. There was a game room with a pool table and foozball table, and it was here that she met Stan and Andy and Mitch. Stan and Andy were friendly, but Mitch turned on the charm; he got a look from Chris... a look that communicated "she's mine," but that didn't matter to Mitch. He found Joann to be very cute, and she no doubt knew it. He let her know that he played as a guard on State's basketball ball team.
As they headed up the dark wooden staircase to see the rooms where the guys lived, they passed Chuck, who said hi. By way of explanation, once they were at the top of the stairs, Chris added, "He's gay... but not my type." He thought maybe Joann blushed at his comment.
Once upstairs, there were doors that were open, with rooms in various states of disarray. One door was closed, with muffled sounds slightly emanating out. "That's Aaron's room. He's with his 'girlfriend,' Kari; he happens to be African-American, and she's giving him a run for his money." Then quickly added, "just a figure of speech. No money's exchanged here." For the first time, Chris blushed.
Further down the hall, they met Chuck and his girlfriend Jessica coming out of his room. Jessica's hair was still wet, as though she had just taken a shower. Joann raised a questioning eyebrow to Chris. His response: "Hey, even horny people like to be clean." They could both imagine what that shower had been like, and wondered silently if there was any hot water left for the other residents.
Toward the end of the hall, Chris swung a door open; the action seemed to frighten his guest, who wondered what they'd find. "It's cool," he assured her. "I'm a senior, so I get my own room, if I want. I want," he added with a playful room. "Just a typical dorm room," he added, though it was tidier than most.
After all they'd discussed, he wasn't about to invite her into his room. But he had other plans.
"About that bite of dinner... you hungry? You free? I'd love to take you out."
Bing. The ball was on her side of the table now.