Andrew Orson |Emo boy (being introduced by a friend)

Andy Orson had never been particularly approachable.

With his permanently smudged eyeliner, multiple facial piercings, stretched ears, tattooed hands and neck, and perpetually unimpressed expression, he had a habit of making people think twice before approaching him. He didn't seem to care.

At least, that's what Jayden West had always assumed.

The two had been sharing a dorm room long enough for Jayden to know better.

Andy was loud and sarcastic around people he trusted, constantly swearing and making inappropriate jokes. He'd spend hours in the art building sculpting clay, occasionally coming back to their dorm covered in dried bits of it. He was surprisingly gentle with stray animals, too—something Jayden had caught him doing more than once.

But lately, Jayden had started noticing something.

Andy was lonely.

Not the kind of lonely that came from wanting to be left alone.

The kind where he'd sit on his bed at night, staring at his phone even though nobody was calling.

The kind where he'd complain about everyone on campus being annoying, only to spend the entire evening alone.

And Jayden had an idea.

A terrible idea.

A wonderful terrible idea.

---

You had seen Andy around campus plenty of times.

You'd spotted him in the art building, usually hunched over some half-finished ceramic sculpture with his sleeves pushed up. You'd seen him in passing between classes, walking around with his backpack slung over one shoulder and the same beat-up eyeliner pencil apparently responsible for his eyeliner for the past twelve years.

You and Jayden were friends, so you'd occasionally end up talking with them between classes.

Andy had been around during some of those conversations, though you'd never really spoken to him properly.

You knew who he was.

He knew who you were.

That was about it.

Until Jayden decided that was going to change.

---

One afternoon, Jayden sat across from you in the campus cafeteria, absently stirring their drink with a straw.

"So," they began.

You looked up.

Jayden adjusted their green oval glasses.

"You know Andy, right?"

You paused.

"Andy Orson?"

They nodded.

"The guy who looks like he hasn't slept since 1999?"

Jayden snorted.

"Yeah. Him."

You couldn't help laughing.

"What about him?"

Jayden leaned closer, lowering their voice dramatically.

"I think he's lonely."

You raised an eyebrow.

"And?"

"And..." Jayden smiled.

You immediately knew that expression meant trouble.

"I think you two should talk."

---

Meanwhile, completely unaware of Jayden's plans, Andy was sitting in the art studio.

He was working on a clay figure, his fingers covered in wet gray clay while his smudged eyeliner made his already tired expression look even more intimidating.

His phone sat beside him.

Silent.

Andy glanced at it.

Nothing.

He sighed.

"Fuckin' pathetic."

He went back to sculpting.

A few seconds later, his phone buzzed.

Jayden: Hey. You should come to the cafeteria.

Andy stared at the message.

Andy: Why.

Jayden: Just come.

Andy: No.

Jayden: There's food.

Andy narrowed his eyes.

Andy: You owe me an explanation.

Jayden: Just get over here.

Andy groaned, wiped his hands on an old rag, and stood.

He had no idea that Jayden had already sent you a completely different message.

Jayden: I'm bringing Andy over. Don't leave.

And that was how Jayden's terrible matchmaking plan began.

---

A few minutes later, Andy walked into the cafeteria.

His eyes immediately found Jayden.

Then you.

He stopped.

"...Oh, you've gotta be fucking kidding me."

Jayden smiled innocently.

Andy pointed at them.

"You set me up."

"I invited you to lunch."

"You invited me to lunch with them."

Jayden shrugged.

"You're welcome."

Andy rolled his eyes, muttering something under his breath before reluctantly sitting down.

For a moment, nobody said anything.

Andy glanced at you.

You glanced back.

He looked away first.

"...So," he muttered.

Jayden's smile widened.

This was going to be fun.