I’ve lived with a male roommate for almost six months now, and I’ve heard it all. People assume that if two straight people of the opposite gender live together that there must be something going on there romantically; people assume you find that other person attractive or that at some point you two have done something physically. Not always the case, and it’s definitely not mine. I love my roommate, but I am not in love with him. Living with a boy is different, but not in the ways you’d think.

1. Your apartment will smell like boy.

It’s not his fault, but between the overly fragrant shower products, the deodorant and the fact that no boy knows how to apply fragrance, there will be a part of your apartment that smells like guy. I’ve tried my best with candles and air fresheners, but it never goes away.

2. He will eat your food.

My roommate is not trying to be mean when he eats my food, but he still does it. He has a larger appetite than I do so I often come home to half or none of the food I was planning on eating.

3. You will pick up after him, constantly.

He’ll leave food wrappers, cups, clothes and more dishes lying around than what you ever anticipated. Boys will be boys is not an excuse, but clearly his mom didn’t mind cleaning up after him.

4. Xbox is life.

I have an older sister and we did not grow up gaming, but boy did my roommate. There are so many days I come home and he’s been sitting there all day playing Dark Souls III or Destiny or whatever. I don’t get it, but he plays all the time.

5. You finally live with someone who will also kill bugs with you.

Most of my female friends and family are afraid of bugs. I’ve never cared. I will squish anything no problem. My roommate doesn’t shriek or jump onto a chair because he saw a spider. He just kills it and moves on.

6. He tries, but he can’t cook.

I can always tell when he’s been cooking because the apartment is smoky or it smells like something has burnt. He tries his best, but it doesn’t usually go very well for him.

7. He will always try to protect you.

I’m a big girl and can take care of myself, but he’ll always be there. He’s like a big brother trying to keep you from getting hurt or dating some jerk. He’ll never let someone mess with you. You mean too much to him.

Living with a male roommate is different than what I thought, but it’s nice to see someone with a different view point, someone with different thoughts and someone who is a true bro. We’re not in love and have no intention of that ever happening. He’s pretty cool I suppose and he’s always up for a sports movie. I got pretty lucky.