Muffled noises came from the laundry room, the sound of two feminine voices trying to keep from being overheard.

“Come on, Melissa! What’s this about?”

“Nothing!” An insistent voice came out.

“Oh really? Then why did you drag here in the laundry room?”

“Urm, to do my laundry?”

“And where, pray tell, is your laundry?”

Deep sigh. “You are way too smart for me, Tasha.” Another deep breath.

“So what’s the deal?” The voice, now identified as Tasha’s, came, sounding a bit annoyed but excited at the same time. Mumbling sound. “What’s that?” Tasha said almost cheerfully. “Can’t really hear you because of these washing machines.”

“Sssshhh!” Melissa hissed. “Do you plan to let the whole world know that we’re here?”

“Lis, no one in their right minds would be going to the laundry room, and,” Tasha’s voice paused briefly, “Even if we’re in a huge dorm, no one would be crazy enough to be here at midnight on a Saturday night.” Enough meaning dripped in her voice to imply that, she, at least, had other things better to do on what remained of that time.

“Ok, ok, I can take a hint.” Melissa’s voice came out, this time in surrender. Another deep sigh. At the rate she’s inhaling, she’ll be having an asthma attack in 10 minutes because of the powdered detergent. “I don’t really know where to begin…”

“Let me guess,” came Tasha’s voice again, and this time, there can be no mistaking her teasing tone, “It’s about Mark.”

“How did you know about…” Came Melissa’s shocked voice.

“Dear, just about everyone knows, except perhaps you and Mark.” Tasha’s voice ended in a giggle.

“We’re that obvious, huh?” Melissa sounded crushed.

“Well… Probably not,” Tasha said. “But we’ve known each other since we were five, Lis. You can’t really expect to hide these things from me. So spill.” She giggled again. “Anything happen between the two of you? Has he admitted his undying love already!”

“Tasha!” Melissa’s voice came out, but this time, she also had hints of laughter in her voice. “Of course not! There can’t possibly be anything that will happen between the two of us.” At this bit, her voice turned into a whisper, making it almost inaudible.

“What’s the matter?” Tasha’s voice came, sounding concerned. “He hasn’t acted like a jerk, has he?”

“Of course he has,” Melissa said, sounding bitter. “What more can you expect from a guy who thinks he’s got it all?”

“Well, he does have almost all of that,” Tasha pointed out.

“That’s not the point!” Melissa’s usual gentle voice burst out. “He is such a chauvinist, making sly remarks about how great he is! Who would want an arrogant pig like that? And why does he have to parade around with all these girls around as if they’re his harem! And don’t even get me started on…”

“You love him, don’t you?” In contrast to Melissa’s rising voice, Tasha’s became softer.

“God help me, I do,” Melissa’s voice came, just as softly. “I don’t even know why. I just do. He’s just such a great guy when he’s not acting like an idiot, and I don’t know why he still keeps on doing that. It’s like, he’s hiding behind this mask, and he only lets it slip when he’s with me, but when someone else comes, the shield comes up automatically.” Deep sigh. “I just don’t know, Tasha. I don’t know if I can continue waiting for someone who doesn’t want to admit that he’s human.”

“Ssshhh… It’s ok. Things are going to be ok,” came Tasha’s voice. “Everything will work out…”

Mark’s hand was frozen on the doorknob of the laundry room. He was going to sneak in some of his clothes while the rest of the co-ed dormitory was sleeping, but he stopped when he heard the voices inside the room. As the minutes passed by, he was surprised with what he heard.

She loves me? He wondered in puzzlement, and to add to his confusion, delight.