Ignoring the chatter and bustle all around him, Kessex hunched over his herbalism text book, getting a head start on the chapter they'd be assigned later that week while he ate his lunch. He had discovered that most people would leave him alone if he looked busy enough. Most people.

"Hi, Kessex," Dorrance said, setting his tray down on the opposite side of the table and taking a seat.

"Hello," Kessex said, not looking up from his book, even though he was suddenly unable to concentrate on his reading. What did Dorrance want? Help with his homework? What else was Kessex good at? Nothing. He glanced across the table as Dorrance dug into a bowl of thick beef stew, for the moment not seeming to want anything. Dorrance looked up from his tray and caught Kessex staring. Kessex turned back to his book, but not before Dorrance shot him a quick smile.

"Whatcha reading?" Dorrance asked. Kessex's mouth was so dry, he didn't think he could answer, so he just lifted the book off the table, giving Dorrance a look at the cover. "Ah, herbalism. I got pretty good grades in that class, if you ever need some help."

"Thanks," Kessex said to his book. He didn't need help--he was smart and he studied hard--but even if he did, Dorrance would be the last guy he'd ask. It wasn't like Dorrance was an **** or anything. Just the opposite, actually. He was always nice and polite and friendly, and that just made everything a hundred times worse. Kessex hadn't been able to make conversation worth a **** before, and now that he had this stupid crush? Forget it. He might as well have been mute.

"Hey, Kessex," Dorrance said suddenly and Kessex cringed inwardly. What the hell did he want now? "I was wondering--"

"Dor! There you are!"

"Man, we've been looking everywhere for you."

"Who's your friend?"

Kessex tensed as three of Dorrance's friends walked up and took seats beside them, two of them eyeing Kessex while the third stole crackers off Dorrance's tray.

"Hi, guys," Dorrance said. "This is Kessex, my roommate."

"Nice to meet ya," one of the guys said, and they all three turned their attention to Dorrance, as though Kessex had ceased to exist, for which he was very grateful. He hated people staring at him. The three guys started talking to Dorrance about some sport, telling him about the game he had missed and inviting him to play with them next time. Kessex quietly closed his herbalism book and picked up his tray, slipping away from the table without even being noticed. He dumped what was left of his lunch into the trash and hurried out of the crowded cafeteria. As he reached the exit, he glanced back, where Dorrance was still sitting with his friends, and he was surprised to find Dorrance watching him leave, an unreadable expression on the metal mage's face. Turning away, Kessex tucked his book under his arm and slipped outside.