"Hey Jase, y'up for pizza tonight?", Kirby called, suitcase open on his bed, clothes folded neatly in piles around it.

"Uh, no shit man. I'm always a slut for Domino's."

"And I'm the fag..."

Jason laughed, foot up on the frame of his bed, tying his laces. His black hair flopped down in front of his face as he bent over to tie his other shoe.

"Look, I know ya embrace the whole "gay 'n proud" thing, but if anyone calls ya that again, you come tell me, ya hear?"

Kirby smiled at his roommate, tossing a few bundles of socks onto his mattress.

"So you 'n Tyler can get sent to the Dean again? Not a damn chance. But thanks for stickin' up for me, ya know?"

Jason, laces now tied, straightened up and strode over to his best friend. Holding out an arm, the two started out with a fist bump that evolved into their special handshake.

"No problem, bro. We gotta look out for our own, even if that means I hafta beat the ass of every sum'bitch here."

Kirby pulled him into a strong hug, which was returned with a chuckle. Jason then sighed.

"Gon' be weird not seein' you for almost 2 weeks, man. Bet your Mama is lookin' forward to you bein' home."

Kirby grinned as they pulled apart, glancing over at the photo frame on his desk. Inside was a picture of him and his family.

"Yeah, they all miss me, apparently. She ain't told my sisters yet, wanted it to be a surprise. I'm headin' out tomorrow afternoon, gonna take the whole 4 hour drive straight home. On my way back here, I'm thinkin'a stoppin' in a few hotels, take my time, you know?"

Jason nodded, pulling on his white jacket and zipping it up to the base of his neck.

"Yeah, I know how that is. Ma, Pa and the brothers are always leavin' me emails about how much they miss me, 'n "when am I comin' home to Marietta for a weekend at least?" I've told 'em I'll be home in a few weeks, someone's gotta keep an eye on the dorm, you know?", he smiled as he swiped his phone from the desk.

"Yeah, I know Tyler has a spare key, but I would not be surprised if we came back to a smokin' wreck."

"Speakin' of Ty, he's bringin' beer for your lil' leavin' party tonight. I gotta go pick his ass up from the store, get the snacks while I'm there. Anythin' else we need, or nah?", he asked, hand on the door as he twisted the knob.

"Nah, you go get the snacks and our wayward disaster. I'll order the pizzas. And don't worry, I know it's pepperoni an' sausage for ya."

"Yes! You are a godsend, Bee! See ya in an hour or so!", he hollered cheerfully as he pulled the door shut behind him.

Kirby chuckled softly as his friend left their dorm. Setting down a new pile of clothes, he walked back to the desk and picked up the photo. Looking at the beaming faces of himself, his mother and younger sisters, he smiled softly.

"I'm comin' home soon, Mama. Just you wait."