**College Guy's Unexpected Shopping Surprise**

Brandon was pretty sure his last clean pair of underwear had died somewhere between the third and fourth question on his Chem 220 midterm. By the time Friday rolled around, a week’s worth of grind behind him, he could practically feel the elastic giving up on life. He’d avoided laundry day twice, but there was no escape anymore. He needed new underwear, and a trip to the big mall beckoned—not as torture, but as a reward. The mall was bustling, as usual. Somehow wandering beneath its lights always felt a bit dreamlike, especially with his earbuds in, his playlist shuffling between lofi remixes and top-40 bops. It made the task at hand—walking into the big department store and picking out a fresh multipack of boxer briefs—feel almost cinematic. Boxers acquired, he lingered a moment at the checkout, relishing the final swipe of his card and the knowledge that soon, *soon* he’d no longer have to pretend three holes in the same pair was some kind of fashion statement. As he stepped back into the mall’s main thoroughfare, a voice stopped him. “Excuse me? Hi—do you know where the Apple Store is?” The girl asking was probably his age, with a kind but slightly lost look in her eyes, clutching a pastel shopping bag. Brandon pointed her down the escalator and offered a friendly grin. “Straight down, then left at the fountain. Can’t miss it.” “Thanks!” She hurried off, and Brandon plugged back in, swinging the plastic bag as he made for the bus stop. The walk back to the dorms felt lighter. He barely noticed when his bag felt a bit heavier than before. Kicking off his shoes, he flopped onto his bed, triumphant. Time to upgrade. He reached for the bag, pulled out the receipt…and froze. Victoria’s Secret. Peeking inside, he found an array of lace panties and bras—they spilled across his comforter in shades of rose, pale blue, and daring black. For a minute, he just stared. He must have swapped bags with that girl when he set his down to point her to the Apple Store. A burst of laughter escaped him. Only he could go to the mall for underwear and end up with—well, still underwear, but the universe clearly had jokes. On impulse, he picked up a pair of pale pink panties and held them to his hips experimentally. They looked like they'd fit—sort of. He smirked at his own reflection in the window. These were silk, delicate, and actually kind of…nice. Like wearing a secret. Underwear was underwear. He needed new ones, and these were definitely new. He shrugged, folding the receipt back into the bag, and set about sorting his unexpected haul. Life after midterms was finally getting interesting. If anyone asked why he was suddenly more comfortable in his dorm, he’d simply tell them: some things, you just have to try for yourself.