Alexander couldn't help but smile during the entire shopping trip. Peggy had just talked and talked and talked, piling the shopping cart with chips, mini cocktail sausages, candy bars, chocolate and whatever else she could get her hands on.

She explained that she called John 'Lauren' because his last name was 'Laurens' and she had misheard Washington when he was introducing the man to his new roommates and thought a girl was moving in next door. She told him about her roommates: her two sisters and a poor girl in an abusive relationship.

 She told him about Charles Lee. "An idiot," Peggy had said, "Always picking fights. He used to be Aaron's' other roommate before he got pretty drunk a month back and tried to pick a fight with John. Charles punched John and Mario attacked him - I'm pretty sure he's in hospital right now!"

"Woah," Alex breathed in surprise, "How much damage did that tiny dog do?"

"He literally jumped up and bit Charle's' stomach, then attacked his ankles. Mario is one violent dog, don't let the moustache fool you!" Peggy wagged her finger up at Alex, who laughed and promised never to attack John.

By the time they had left the store, Alex was pretty sure he knew every piece of gossip on the whole floor. He knew that Peggy's' sister, Eliza, and the abused girl, Mariah, were models and often helped Hercules and Laf, who ran a 'couple business' of homemade clothes. He knew that Thomas and Aaron were going to the same law school as him. He learnt that John's' father was even richer than Peggy's' dad, and that's why John always had the best things. He also knew that, once, Angelica, the oldest of Peggys' sisters, had pulled down a chandelier from the lobby and had to pay for a replacement. He now knew that Washington used to be a General in the army before retiring and everyone called him 'General' because of it.

Oh, and Peggy had an actual katana. She'd shown it off to Alex several times in the store, then had to explain to security that it was a joke and she was sorry and she didn't mean to hurt anyone.

This girl was trouble.

.:*:.

Alex opened the door and Peggy entered enthusiastically, dumping the several bags of snacks on the table. "Lauren! Food time, honey!"

John exited from his room, with a roll of his eyes. "Aaron isn't here yet, he had to pick up James because the bus is running late and James wants to check up on Charles."

"Honestly, it's always Charles making our DM late! That man; even in a hospital, he has to ruin our fun!" Pouted Peggy, folding her arms.

John laughed. "I agree! Laf is in his room, he can't find his character sheet and Herc is on the loo."

"Not any more, Johnny boy! I've finished and I'm here to see everyone's' favourite tiefling warlock!" Hercules appeared by the corridor that led to Laf's' room and the toilet with a bright smile. He wrapped Peggy up in a large hug, grinning. "Hello, Pegs. Please don't tell me we're gonna have to stop you burning every NPC with Agonizing Blast!"

"No promises!" She laughed back at him.

Alex smiled to himself before turning to John. "I'm gonna head to my room before the obvious madness of this starts. See you tomorrow, John."

"Come in if ya need any snacks!" John laughed, waving him off as Laf arrived holding a sheet of paper and the door opened.

.:*:.

Shutting his bedroom door against the explosion of noise, Alex wandered over to his bed. He pulled out a cheap laptop from the several cardboard boxes of things he'd yet to unpack. He opened up Skype and dialled his only other contact.

He was greeted very quickly by Natsuki yelling, "Alexander!"

.:*:.

At least three hours later, he was still trying to sleep as he had for the last half an hour, his laptop flicking to a black screen from the sudden lack of use. It would probably be silent if his roommates weren't still hosting a large campaign.

"Oh my god, do they know what time it is?" He groaned rolling over. To be honest, he thought, they probably do...