The evening sun cast a soft glow across the apartment as Justin stood in front of the mirror, carefully adjusting the collar of his black satin shirt. It had just arrived along with John's outfit, a sleek two-piece wine-red suit with gold detailing that complimented his rich skin tone. The boys had been buzzing all afternoon with energy, pacing between the mirror and their wardrobe like it was a runway show.
"Bro, look at this!" John said, stepping out of his room, spinning once for effect. He wore his outfit proudly, pairing it with black boots and a gold chain. "I'm not gonna lie, I might just cause a little heart damage at that party."
Justin chuckled, leaning on the wall. "You're not serious."
"I'm always serious when it comes to a party," John replied with a wink. "Now show me yours."
Justin rolled his eyes with a small grin and stepped forward. He was dressed in a crisp all-black outfit, fitted dress pants, a designer shirt, and clean sneakers that gleamed under the room light. His hair had just been trimmed, the sharp taper giving his face a fresh, more confident look. Even Justin had to admit he looked good but of course, John said it first.
"Man, okay!" John hyped. "Justin! Who's this fine dude, and what did he do with my quiet roommate?"
Justin laughed, shaking his head. "You're so extra."
"But seriously," John said, walking toward the mirror and dabbing his face with moisturizer, "I knew we'd slay. This party won't even be ready."
They had both gone to the campus barbershop earlier that morning. It was buzzing with students , boys trying to get sharp fades and clean lineups, girls popping in to ask if their brothers or friends were around. The energy was electric, and it felt like something big was brewing. Even Justin, who usually avoided crowds, found himself enjoying it.
The barber had done a great job. Justin's haircut was low and clean with defined waves, and John had gone for a mid-fade with neatly styled curls at the top. When they left the shop, heads had turned.
Justin's phone rang, breaking their self-praising commentary. It was Austin.
He smiled, answering the call and putting it on speaker. "Hey."
"Yo, what's up, superstar?" Austin's voice boomed through the speaker, playful as ever.
John leaned closer. "That's your brother?"
"Yep," Justin replied, sitting on the bed.
"I heard you're going to your first party in college!" Austin teased.
Justin rolled his eyes. "Please don't start."
John laughed from across the room. "It's true though. I practically had to drag him."
"Good. Someone's gotta get this boy out of his shell," Austin said. "But real talk, bro, you're gonna have fun. Trust me. You only get one first party in college."
"I don't even know what to expect," Justin admitted.
"It's gonna be chaos," Austin replied with a chuckle. "But the fun kind. Just don't let anyone pressure you into doing something stupid. Keep your eyes open, but enjoy yourself. You might even meet someone…"
Justin shook his head. "Now you sound like John."
"I like this guy already!" John called out.
They talked for a few more minutes . Austin cracking jokes about campus parties, giving Justin pointers on what not to do (like accepting drinks from strangers or dancing with two girls at once), and asking about their classes. The bond between the brothers was evident, and it made John smile.
"Thanks for calling, man," Justin said after the call ended. "It really helped."
"No stress. You got a good big bro," John replied. "Now we just need to figure out our cologne situation."
They both picked out their favorite scents. Justin's was cool and woody while John's had a warm vanilla and spice mix. They didn't want to overdo it, but they definitely wanted to leave an impression.
Later, they laid on their beds, scrolling through the party details again. The theme: Glitz and Afterglow, A classy name for what was probably going to be a mix of chaos, music, and good vibes. The hall on campus where it would be held, Eden hall, was already buzzing on the freshmen WhatsApp group. Everyone was talking about their outfits, what time they'd arrive, and who they hoped to see there.
"I think I might pull tonight," John said, eyes on his phone.
"You think you'll meet someone?" Justin asked.
"I know I will," John smirked. "I mean, who wouldn't want a man this fine?"
Justin laughed, shaking his head. "We'll see about that."
The room was filled with laughter, music, and good energy. Tomorrow was going to be big. Whether Justin wanted to admit it or not, he was starting to feel the buzz.
And somehow, deep down, he knew… this party might just be the start of something unexpected.