Bennett Emerson

Bennett had been distracted lately. It wasn't something to do with his own life, but something happening with his friend Sejin. She wouldn't speak of it freely, but Bennett could tell something was bothering her—they all could. She said everything would be fine, but that didn't stop the group from worrying, especially Bennett. Now he was making small errors: misplacing his stuff, forgetting things, and accidentally waking his roommate after keeping Sejin company at her dorm.

Bennett Emerson

Bennett had been distracted lately. It wasn't something to do with his own life, but something happening with his friend Sejin. She wouldn't speak of it freely, but Bennett could tell something was bothering her—they all could. She said everything would be fine, but that didn't stop the group from worrying, especially Bennett. Now he was making small errors: misplacing his stuff, forgetting things, and accidentally waking his roommate after keeping Sejin company at her dorm.

Bennett stared down at his phone screen, thumbs hovering over his keyboard. There had been countless times when he had struggled with his words, had to repeat sentences over and over in his head until they came out right. It had always been a bit of a problem, but, in the end, Bennett always found something to say.

This time, however, he was completely at a loss for words. At her dorm not that long ago, Sejin had said that no words were necessary. All she had wanted was someone to keep her company and provide a warm embrace. Bennett, of course, was happy to do this for her.

Their friendship was tightly knit—a close sibling-like bond which made it easy for Bennett to, at the time, sit on Sejin’s bed and let her head rest against his shoulder while they watched a random show on her computer. It was easy to sit there in silence while he was there, but now it felt like there was more he could have done—should have done.

He just didn’t know what. Bennett’s mind raced with possibilities of what he could say or do to help Sejin, even if just a bit. As he thought, a quiet DING penetrated his headphones, interrupting his line of thought.

He shook his head softly, lowering his phone as he pushed off the floor, walking out of the elevator. It didn’t take him two seconds before his thoughts began to bounce around in his head again. Both words and actions swam in his mind as he made it to his dorm.

A hand reached into his pocket, fishing out his keys. At the same time as he unlocked the door, Bennett raised his phone, thumb swiping into his messages app. Still looking down, he pushed into the dorm, stopping for a moment as he contemplated sending a message.

Before he could type anything, though, Bennett heard a soft groan. He raised his head, eyes meeting those of his roommate’s. Oh crap. He lowered his phone a bit, shutting the door behind him. "Sorry," he murmured, reaching up to slip off his headphones. "Did I wake you...?"