C'mon, Michael said, once they got to his apartment. I'll put you in one of my guest bedrooms. Curiously, she followed him into his place. It'll be nice for studying.

"Nice place," she mused, looking around. Knowing bachelor boys, he probably had some interior decorator do the place. Or girls in his family. She waited as he opened the door for her and stepped in. She looked around the sparse bedroom with only a black nightstand at the left side and a large king sized bed with ivory colored duvet. Guest room? More like the main bedroom.

Feeling eyes on her, she looked up and saw he had been talking. I definitely think you'll need a bookshelf, he said and shuddered at the huge stack of books in her backpack. Pointing to the left side, he said, there's a bathroom with a shower in there. Her own room and her own private bedroom? Although she had loved sharing an apartment with one of her best friends and adopted cousin Lina, only one bathroom before a long day of classes could be a bit annoying.

"I have classes starting at nine every morning. I can write out my schedule," Teodora said.
Scratching under his chin, he mused, I could have you meet me at the Garden. It's close to Columbia. If its dark I'll pick you up. But you're probably tired after everything today. You have a good night.

She waved and bid him goodnight, quietly going into the bathroom to brush her teeth and wash her face. Climbing into the blissful, cloudlike new bed of hers, she laid down and smiled.

Spreading her arms and legs out like a starfish, she giggled at herself, liking the space compared to her much smaller twin sized bed back at the apartment.

Quite comfortable and sleepy, she couldn't help but think about her new roommate. Maybe he was a partying bachelor but he still had a kind smile with warm eyes, eager to make sure she was okay. Maybe she would have to lay out some ground rules to ensure she may have hearing problems, but she was quite capable of doing everyday things. Soon, she drifted off to sleep, still sleeping in her new Rangers sweater.

The next morning, she woke up to the buzzing of her phone alarm and felt around for her hearing aid to pop in. "Oh. Wait," she said aloud. Poor thing was toast. She kicked off her covers and splashed water on her face and brushed out her golden blond hair until it looked presentable. I should be a good roommate and make breakfast.

Teodora padded softly into the expansive kitchen, pulling open the fridge to see practically nothing. All it contained was some beer, water bottles, Gatorade, a small milk carton and some takeout boxes. "Oh people in my family would faint!" She giggled to herself and pushed back some Chinese takeout boxes to reveal coffee grinds. "Some progress," she said aloud and started up a pot of coffee. In a cupboard she found some Cinnamon Toast Crunch and poured two bowls.

If she had still had her hearing aid, she would've heard Michael behind her. However when she was carefully poking around drawers for some spoons, she felt a shadow fell over her and yelped. "You snuck up on me!" She laughed, placing her hand over her heart.
Crossing his arms over his muscled chest, he said, we really need to get this hearing aid thing fixed, he smiled. Awesome, you got breakfast ready.

Wrinkling her nose, she teased, "Yeah, I did the best I could with your bachelor fridge. Job number one for me is get you real food. And Tupperware." Athletes ate chicken, pasta and stuff. Job number two was figure out his diet and see what would be best for games and workouts.

Michael brought out some sugar which she spooned into her coffee and they brought their bowls over to the table. As she focused on blowing on her hot coffee, he couldn't help but watch his new roommate. Her delicate hands holding her coffee cup, the natural smile tugging at her lips, her bright blue eyes always looking around to soak her surrounding in. He knew last night some of his teammates were checking her out and that made his blood boil. Despite being a natural beauty, there was a kind, thoughtful and serene vibe that she gave out and he really liked that.

Teodora glanced up and saw Michael looking at her. "Oh geez, you probably said something to me. Sorry." He laughed and shook his head, digging into his cereal. Checking the time on the oven, she saw it would probably be wise to get showered and dressed.

Go get ready, he gestured. I'll clean up.

She left him to jump in the shower, toweled off and slipped on undergarments, dark jeans and a coral blouse. No need to look like a slob around her famous roommate, she told herself as she slipped silver hoop earrings into her ear piercings. After quickly touching her face up with makeup, she beat Michael to the door by a few minutes.

Michael came out of his room finally, ending the call on his cell phone, while blinking profusely. Oh, my, God. I'm speechless that you have to pay so much for one hearing aid.

Cringing, she sighed, "Yeah. I'll say it again, it really isn't your fault about my hearing aid."
I have it coming quick here by express. We'll have you hearing in no time.

A bit of her was curious to hear what he sounded like. Maybe since he was a big and muscled defenseman he would have a deep and husky voice. Getting back into his luxury car carefully, she explained her schedule. "I have my math class at nine, Spanish at noon and then a quick study group after that."

He nodded thoughtfully. I have training at our center in Greenburgh. North of the city. I'll have to take you for a tour another day.

"Sure." Soon they reached her building and she promised to call him when she was done. "I'll just meet you here, make it easy for you."

He nodded and drove off. Her first class flew by with her advanced algebra test and got out of class early. Luckily she had spent a good deal studying over the weekend and Monday morning or she would've been dead for Tuesday's test.

Stopping briefly to buy a flavored water, she walked to class to warn her Spanish teacher. Hopefully they wouldn't have to do some sort of presentation or have the entire class lecture in Spanish because with no hearing aid, she would feel off. Upon reaching the class, she found him at his desk.

"Hola Profe Chavez," she waved and he turned to smile. "Bad news. My hearing aid's toast. I can read lips but I suppose you'll move to talk..."

I can email you notes. Poor kid, he chuckled and set aside some papers. Just follow along the best you can and I won't make you do much.

She sat down in her usual spot up front and soon Cara came flying in. Why did you ignore me earlier when I said hey? And who was that babe that dropped you off?

"Uh. Bad news. My hearing aid's gone for good." Cara gasped. "The guy that dropped me off accidently broke it. A biker nearly ran into me, it flew off, he stepped on it and it got wet from a puddle."

Oh my God!

"There's another interesting bit after that but when he dropped me off at my apartment, he found out about Lina and said eff no to living alone. Smaller town boy nearly had a heart attack little old me was by myself."

Cara snorted. Shoot girl. That guy's a babe. Go for it!

"Like I said, there's an interesting story," she snorted and turned her attention to Professor Chavez when Cara tapped on her wrist. To her surprise, a picture of a mountain appeared on the board. He started to lecture when he noticed her and wrote volcán en Mexico.

"Cool!" She breathed. The entire class was about different volcanos in Mexico. Despite not being able to hear, she remembered one particular volcano he was talking about, the one where the farmer noticed an odd hill growing in his field and weeks later he had a full fledged volcano. After class, Cara and Teodora discussed their shock of Mexico City being seated by a volcano that was technically still active. "Yeah, back home we may have earthquakes but no volcanoes."

Yeah, I'm from Nebraska girl. No volcanoes for me, she laughed and looked down to where Teodora's phone was ringing. She pointed as Teodora fished for her phone from her backpack. When she saw the number, she blanched.

"Oh crap!" She breathed. "My mom's calling!"

Tara gasped. Can you Facetime? She took her phone and considered it. No. You can read lips but the connection would be delayed and she'd be suspicious. Text her and say you're studying with me for a big test.

Feeling awful, she waited until the call ended and texted her the message. Try to call me back Teo if you can. XOXO. Don't study too hard.

Close call. Mailbox? Cara pointed and they walked to the post office. Taking out their keys, they went to their PO boxes and hoped for something interesting.

Teodora peeked inside and found a few papers. A thick envelope from her grandparents, a letter from Lina and a ticket indicating she had a package. "What'd I get?" She breathed, quite excited. Going to the window, she handed in her ticket and found it was a medical box. "What the?" It had her hearing aid brand stamped on it. "No way!"

Cara came by her side and peeked into her hands. How'd you get that so fast?

Astonished, she tore the box open, kept it enclosed in her hand to warm it up and then slipped the earmold into her ear. Holding her breath, she turned it on and the sounds hit her. "Yeah! It works!" She cried in surprise.

"How'd you get it so fast?" Cara demanded again as they set off for their study group.

"My roommate?" She guessed. It had to be. Maybe that coach of his pushed things along too. Jerking her head, she waited until they were in a quieter hallway. "So," she admitted softly. "Just so happens a New York Rangers hockey player broke my hearing aid."

"Seriously?" Cara laughed. "My Philly Flyers fan cousins would spazz!"

"Oh right. I remember you girls have a thing for that Richard or whatever guy on that Flyers poster of yours. Whatever that dude's name is. Oh that's funny. Wonder if your cousins know Michael then." As they walked to their Spanish study group, she couldn't help but pull out her phone. How'd I get my hearing aid so fast? Tnx by the way.

Torts pulled strings. Glad you can hear again.

"Rangers coach got it there for me," she said softly and Cara smiled. "Hoo man. Michael had me stay for the game and everyone was nailing him for breaking my hearing aid."

She sat down across from Aaron and Matt. "So. Double object pronouns?" They struggled as she did her best to help them out. "I really hope that's right," Cara sighed.

"Yeah. Let's steal the million languages girl's brain," Matt scoffed. "See you Thursday."

Teodora texted Michael who replied that his tape viewing had just finished. "Tapes of plays?" She asked herself as Cara zipped up her backpack. "This whole hockey thing's gonna need some getting used to."

Cara looked up with wide eyes. "Yeah. Will you get attacked by puck bunnies if you're rooming with your new friend?" Teodora stared at her, causing Cara to cackle. "Like groupies. They follow hockey players around. Bounce from player to player a lot of the time."

"God, I don't know. That's gross," she shook her head. "Well I guess there's no girlfriend or I would've gotten ambushed already." Puck bunnies, she laughed to herself as they walked to the meeting spot. To her surprise, he had beaten them and was standing by the hood of his Audi. "Hey!" She cried, heart skipping with anticipation. Now she could finally hear her roommate’s voice.

Michael smiled at the sight of her. "Hey girls," he said and Teodora was surprised. A light voice. Not gruff or deep. "I'm Michael del Zotto. Guess you've been informed of me."

"Cara Allen," she said and glanced at her phone. "And I'm late for my workout class! Crap! See ya!" She waved goodbye at Michael and hugged Teodora goodbye.

Teodora laughed at her sprinting as Michael nudged her playfully. "Want dinner? I'm meeting my teammates and they said drag you along. Italian sound good?" She nodded and they drove off in the car again. "Everyone wouldn't shut up about wanting to meet you. Except Hankie and Staalsy whom you've met."

"Yeah! I liked them!" Teodora laughed. Scruffy model Henrik and towering Marc. "So who's coming to dinner?"
He took a turn and said, "Ryan Callahan and Brandon Dubinsky. You'll like them, they're good guys."

When they reached the parking lot, Teodora unzipped her backpack to fish for her wallet when Michael pulled her hand away. "Ryan said he's paying already."

"You've already bought me a new hearing aid, food last night, and a Ranger's shirt!" Teodora protested.

"All my fault," he said simply. "You don't pay. Get used to it."

She snorted as she followed Michael in and saw the two slightly familiar players from last night. "Hello," she smiled.
"The famous Teo!" Ryan cried and shook her hand first. "Like the new hearing aid!"

Giggling, she shook Brandon's hand. "I was a bit surprised I got it so fast, so thanks a lot. And thank you for paying for dinner."

"My treat kid," he winked. "I don't envy you college kids one bit with all that stress and studying." To her surprise, a group of giggling girls approached the boys. "Hey girls," Ryan smiled and they obliged the girls with autographs.

Puck bunnies? Teodora waited for some backstabbing remark but luckily no one said anything. A waiter came and sat them down in a private back table. "So," Brandon said, after ordering a beer. "You're name is Teo."

"Teodora Ansary," she said. "Teodora's my birth name. Hispanic I guess. Ansary is my adopted last name from my Afghan American adopted parents."
"Woah!" Ryan cried, obviously wanting to pepper her with questions but Michael interrupted him with a solemn expression. "You're adopted?"

She nodded. "You know, I don't think it was safe for my parents to have me. My guess is one or both could maybe be Mexican or from Central America." Pausing for a moment, she considered Michael's protective nature and decided to lie. "So I had to be brought in for my yearly checkup and my parents saw me and promptly set out to adopt me. My Mom, Vida was the one checking up on me and couldn't help but adopt me. My Dad's name is Khaled. I have a little brother named Youssof or Joey is his nickname. Uh, I'm from San Francisco. I'm nineteen. And, I don't know much about hockey," she pouted sadly.

After Ryan was explaining his hometown of Buffalo, the food came. She gladly dug into her fettuccini alfredo.

"You know he's Italian?" Brandon asked over Ryan covertly raising his eyebrows at Michael. He glared back, knowing what Ryan was hinting at. He glanced over at the two as Teodora swirled her pasta around. Date her, he mouthed. Why not? Michael made a sharp gesture as Teodora looked up. "I can see it with the dark hair and like, blackish brown eyes. If you cook Italian food, I'll cook you some good Afghan food. Or Asian or Hispanic foods."

"Hey!" Ryan cried. "Me first! I'm buying you dinner!"
"I want to try Afghan food!" Brandon protested as Michael shook his head at them. "If its good, I mean. You look like a good cook Teo!"

"Man," Teodora laughed. "I have some family members that you'd get along with great. Always griping that I'm losing weight from college."

After the boys went their separate ways, Michael drove them home. "Damn! We forgot about moving stuff!" He cried furiously.

She shrugged. "I'm fine. I did bring enough clothes and I only have my lab tomorrow." Thoughtfully, she said, "Maybe I can still keep some things at the apartment. Because I can't exactly move out completely with Lina secretly being gone."
"Well. Maybe it'd be a nice place to study during the day. The day," he repeated over her wrinkling her nose at him. "But we should still move things and fill your room a bit."
He bid her goodnight again and she fell into another blissful sleep, thinking about how she liked these new friends of hers.

Notes