Scent

Chapter 1: I Know It's Late, But...

“Hey, can I come in for a second? I know you’re probably busy—but um…can I ask you something?”

“Yeah? Okay, thanks.”

“Okay, well. It’s just that. Umm, I, and I know it’s getting pretty late. And, this is probably going to sound really weird and I feel like I have to apologize…”

“But, um—did you get like, a new cologne or body wash or something?”

“Like, some kind of new scent that you’ve been wearing these last couple of weeks?”

“I think this might sound a bit crazy, but I like did laundry a few days ago and when I went to put my underwear in the dryer, I noticed you’d left one of your shirts behind in the dryer. And like, I couldn’t help but smell it and—”

“Oh my god.”

“Like, it smelled really, really good.”

“And, when you’d walked past my room, like a half hour ago. I mean, I dunno. Oh my god.”

“It was really hard for me to concentrate, so I just had to ask you.”

“Yeah? You did?”

“What is it. Oh, a spray?”

“Can I see it?”

“Oh wow, I’ve seen that brand advertised online on those websites…”

“Umm, you might not realize it, but they like, use pheromones and stuff in that brand, right?”

“Yeah, it’s like supposed to umm, like drive the opposite sex wild.”

“Oh! I mean, it’s not like overpowering, or too strong or anything—it’s just…”

“Like I said, I mean, I don’t know. I guess it must work or something. Because…”

“It’s been living in my brain, and I’ve just had this craving. This wild craving. To like, just eat, you know?”

“Have you had that feeling, too?”

“No?”

“Maybe it’s just been me then, because…every time I smell it. I just…give into whatever is around the apartment, you know?”

“Oh? You’ve noticed?”

“Well, I mean. I know we share food in the pantry and stuff. And I’m not usually a big snacker or anything. But I might have been dipping into your side of the snack shelf.”

“Oh, nothing major. Just like a bite here, or a bite there. Maybe the ice cream in the fridge. I don’t know what that’s about though. I’m usually not a snacker and don’t really have a sweet tooth. But recently…”

“But that smell. Oh, my god…”

“I guess it must be working or something, because when I smell it. I think of food. And then, I think of you—I mean, you—you know me. I’m not…I have very little interest in…engaging in any kind of situation or relationship with anyone that I live with, but…”

“But…I think…I need you. You know?”

“I know, I know! I know this sounds crazy. I know this is really out of character for me, trust me.”

“Oh god, I’m pacing. Can I sit down on your bed for a second?”

“Yeah? Okay, thanks.”

“That feels better. My god, it’s so soft.”

“Okay, I feel really confused right now? And a but dumb, actually.”

“And I don’t know what the feeling is?”

“So, just can’t concentrate. And It’s like you’ve—you’ve done something to me?”

“Like, I can’t settle. Or stop eating?”

“It’s been really hard to sleep, actually these last few weeks.”

“Like, the only thing that actually helps me sleep…is food?”

“Yeah—I know this all sounds pretty crazy to you, your dorky roommate just barging into your room late at night and spewing all her crazy thoughts onto you while you’re in the middle of working.”

“No? I’m not bothering you?”

“M’kay, thanks for listening to me. I just feel like you’re the only one who could help me answer these questions I’ve been feeling in my head.”

“Thanks. You’re great for listening.”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Yeah?”

“Are you wearing it right now? You are? Cool. Can I just like—come over and smell it…on you?”

“I mean, I don’t want to be weird.”

“Yeah? Okay.”

“Oh god. Yes, that’s it. It’s making me insane.”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to do that, touching you just now. My god, your chest is so strong. Have you been working out?”

“Hey, this is going to sound crazy and you totally don’t have to answer, but—”

“Do you think…I’m pretty?”

“Oh, god. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked you that. Something so personal. No—don’t. You don’t have to answer. God, I’m such a dork!”

“Wait…you do?”

“I mean, I know you’re my roommate and my name’s on the lease, but you don’t have to butter me up or anything.”

“You..do? I am?”

“I mean, probably not lately though.”

“What do I mean?”

“Well, you probably haven’t noticed, but I’ve been…wearing hoodies and baggier clothes all month.”

“Yeah.”

“Well, it’s just, like I said…that smell. It’s done something…to me. Made me hungry all the time.”

“No, seriously, like all the time.”

“God, I can’t believe I’m about to tell my roommate this but…I’ve been eating like, non-stop.”

“What do you mean, ‘no way’?”

“Here, look at this—see when I push my hoodie against my body? That padding? Wasn’t there a month ago.”

“Yeah.”

“And here—look, see how squishy my stomach is?”

“And look, here—my chest. Bigger right?”

“And it’s like, now that I’ve gotten into this habit. I like, can’t stop. You know?”

“I mean, just before I came in, I was pigging out in the kitchen, eating snacks. I’m sorry, I ate the last of your family sized box of Pop Tarts.”

“But don’t worry though, I’m going to the store tomorrow to get more. And I’ll start buying some of my own, so that I don’t keep eating yours.”

“Oh, that’s so sweet of you to say, but I want to pay you back.”

“God, this is so embarrassing—you probably don’t want to hear about this kind of girly stuff.”

“You’re so sweet.”

“Okay, woah. I need to go. That smell is seriously doing something to me right now.”

“No, you don’t have to remove your shirt and change. It’s not you, its me—it’s that darn spray. It smells so…fucking good on you.”

“Oh wow. You’re really strong. Like, really built.”

“No, just—maybe leave the shirt off for a bit?”

“Hey, no. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t presume. Like, you’ve probably got a girlfriend or something.”

“You…you don’t?”

“I’m surprised, you’re so nice. You have a great job, you’re tall. You…smell really good.”

“Sorry—I didn’t mean to touch you again. It’s just—I’ve never seen biceps that big before. My last boyfriend had noodle arms. I like ‘em big.”

“Oh god—not what I meant!”

“Okay, seriously. I should go. Before I do anything else dorky. It’s just. Dude, I literally can’t sleep because of that spray.”

“I mean…I can stay if you’re comfortable with that. I know you’ve got to be up early and all that.”

“And it’s not like we’re doing stuff.”

“Is it hot in here? Cause I feel so…”

“Okay, wow. I—wow. I haven’t felt like this before. I don’t think I’ve ever felt like…”

“Like, I don't know what this is. I feel, I feel just.”

“Can I touch you?” God--that's dumb and like, desperate.”

“I can hear the voice in your head saying, ‘she's coming up to you and--just like wanting to be all over you’.”

“You…like it?”

“Woah. It’s nearly midnight. God, those muscles. This heat.”

“You can touch me too…if you want.”

“Yeah. There’s fine.”

“There, too.”

“God, I’m so embarrassed. I’m so squishy…”

“You’d like…to see?”

“God, I’m so embarrassed. I mean, I know we bump around each other when we need to use the bathroom, and like, I always have a towel wrapped high up my body—”

“But…I’ve changed.”

“You don’t care. God, I’m sure every guys says that.”

“’You’re not like other guys’?”

“Yeah, I know that. Okay, here. Close your eyes.”

“No, seriously, no peaking.”

“Now, put your hands there and lift. My hoodie’s a bit stuck.”

“Okay. Open them.”

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