Alix

The foyer of the auditorium seems less crowded after the presentation, people saying their goodbyes outside or hurrying to get to their dorms, the occasional people slowly meandering out, taking their precious time. I breathe in the fresh air that welcomes me once we get out of the doors. 

“Alright, this is goodbye for now, but I’ll call you later tonight. For now you need to get settled into your dorm without my help. I already drove you here.” Mom pats me on the shoulder, I can feel Connor behind me, buzzing with excitement to drag me away so we can start our college adventure, but patiently waiting for me and mom to part ways.

“Yeah, bye mom.” If the words had a different tone, they would sound like I couldn’t wait for her to get out of my sight, which wasn’t the truth. Me, mom and dad decided to do the full ‘emotional’ goodbyes at home and stuff so I don't need to worry about it now. When she turns and walks back to the carpark, it gets real though. I’m excited to live without the help of my parents. I am 21 after all, so I should be out of the house. 

Mom was worried I wouldn’t make any friends because of how anti-social I am, but somehow the first person I talk to seems pretty eager to be friends, which is good. Connor seems like an incredibly fun and nice person to be around, and I have a feeling he’s  a great friend, so that’s a plus for me,

But I don’t think I’m the best person to be friends with.

I’ve never really had close friends, so I probably don’t know what to do, realistically, because yes, I write about friends and relationships all the time, but it would be a great inspiration if I actually experienced those things in my life. 

We managed to find the dorm building, on the other side of the huge ass campus, barely a part of the school so it seemed more like an apartment complex. Our dorms aren’t on the same floor, because that would be too coincidental for my liking. 

“You got insta? Then we can message later.” Connor pulls out his phone, the case being one of those bulky, protective ones that can apparently withstand a 6000 feet drop or some shit.

“Yeah, hold on.” I respond, pulling my own phone out. 

After following each other on a few social media platforms, we part ways, waving a little as I get off the elevator first. Now that I’m alone in this corridor I take a deep breath and calm myself. I haven’t had a second to myself for hours. Now to find my dorm.

I’m glad that no one has chosen to roam the halls at the moment, and they remain a barren wasteland for me to perform my beautiful performance of tripping over every single thing around me, especially my duffel bag, who got multiple special mentions. All of this embarrassment just to get all of my shit to the right door. 75. That’s my dorm number, damn, so close to 69, I can only think what could’ve been. 

Of course as soon as I get to the right door, I realise that I have to find my fucking key to the door! 

After searching through all three bags I have with me, I remember that it is actually in my backpack that I had checked over and over, but in the side pocket ‘so I can find it easily.’ right. Sure, that's what happened. I found it without a hitch. I manage to annoy myself more because I realize that I should probably knock to see if anyone’s in there first, then use my key if it’s empty. 

I knock three times, loud enough to be heard through headphones I make sure, unless my roommate listens to screamos at full blast. Sure enough I hear movement inside and I’m glad I didn't just unlock it and barge it in. 

The door is yanked away from my face and a pissed off voice comes from above my head almost immediately after the door opens.

“The fuck you want-” The person looks down at me and suddenly i’m met with the living embodiment of the lesbian stereotype. Complete with short cut hair, multiple piercings and a loose, gray tank top. They raise a slit eyebrow at me and scan my face with eyes that would make straight people cower in fear. 

“You’re new.” 

“Thanks for the help but I already knew that.” This person did not intimidate me in the slightest and I was going to show that straight up without missing a beat. 

They scoff and then lean casually against the doorframe, pale, exposed arms crossed. 

“Don’t get cocky with me, I still don’t know why you’re in my sight right now.” Damn, they seem like they're already done with my bullshit. I haven’t started yet.

“This is my assigned room.” I deadpan, watching the way their face reacted, which consisted of slowly growing anger, presumably at the people who assigned the rooms. I extend my hand for them to shake and plaster an innocent smile on my face, knowing I’ve won whatever this was.

“Alix Morgan, she/her.” I appreciate when people introduce themselves with their pronouns, because then you don’t fuck up later. Plus it seems to piss off this person just a little more and that’s fine by me. 

“Jayden. she/her.” Jayden doesn’t move her hand until after speaking, when doing so, gripping my hand really fucking tight and shaking firmly one time, before dropping it like trash. While keeping her judgmental glare she snarls.

“You can stay here till you find another place, because it’s not your fault you were put here but you aren’t living here. So we won’t need to get acquainted.”

 She pushes off from the doorframe with a huff, retreating into the dorm, I guess I follow her? 

After dragging all my bags into the room and dumping shit all over the basic looking bed and collapsing on what was left of it I let out a sigh, Jayden had left the room immediately after I walked in so at least I didn’t have to put up with her right now. There’s a large window between the two beds that are pushed against the opposite walls, that overlooks the ocean. A beautiful view that I wouldn’t be around to enjoy for long. That is if I find another place. I let out another sound, this one being more of a frustrated groan than a soft sigh. First, I made a friend, which is good. Second, I have nowhere to live now. I hope Connor’s roommate isn’t as much of an asshole as mine. After laying here in an awkward position amongst my bags, I pull my phone out of my pocket and decide to text Connor, so we can meet up again and get lunch or something to take my mind off of this situation. ‘The city was right next to the campus, so we could explore around there for a bit and get food’ I tell myself. I open up snapchat and start typing.

Me: you busy? My roommate sucks and I wanna get outta here

Me: wanna get lunch or smn???

Connor: Yesssssss i’m starving.

Me: what room you in i’ll come get you

Connor: 37

And with that I took off as fast as I could, grabbing my backpack which was the reason I met connor. I'd never been more grateful for a backpack ever. I stop in front of a mirror in the room, taking my long-ish red hair out of its ponytail and hand-combing through it a bit, not missing my curtain bangs and checking over my clothes, before deeming myself okay to go out in public. 

I hear laughter when I approach Connor’s door, I stop to think before knocking. ‘Is this kid just that friendly and likeable? Or was he lucky and got himself an actually good roommate?’ 

It was a good question. 

I feel awkward knocking on the door and interrupting their fun with my depressing need to get away from here the moment I step foot in. my awkward feeling is weirdly immediately calmed as the door opens to the bright smile of Connor, that feels like I’ve known forever. 

“Let’s go yeah?” he says, sounding more happy and chipper than I have felt all day. 

“Yes please.” I say turning, to start walking again, eager to leave, I was now excited to see the city, hopefully there was a cafe or something nearby because we would be walking and I’m already hungry. Connor initiates conversation almost as soon as we start our journey. 

“ So what was your roommate like? Why do you hate them?” he tilts his head questioningly looking at me, hoping to get more details.

“I literally got there and introduced myself in a friendly way and she introduced herself in a rude way and then she kicked me out!” I rant, using my hands to express my anger.

“Can you believe that! Kicking me out of a room that she doesn’t have the rights to kick me out of!” my voice gets higher in pitch with outrage and Connor’s shocked face shows that I probably wasn’t overreacting. 

“God that sucks” 

“Yeah.” I breathe out the last of my tangent. 

“What’s your roommate like though?” I ask him, smiling slightly, hoping to hear something good right now. I did actually want the wholesome stories of other people's joy, it would be a nice break.

Connor’s genuine closed-mouth smile that showcased the dimple in his cheek returned.

“Great.” 

We arrive at a small cafe that wasn't exactly the coolest-looking place, kinda bland actually. I'll forgive it if they give us great food. After ordering and paying, I attempted to put my wallet back into my bag, struggling, due to the size of the bag and the fact that we were walking, searching for a place to sit. I finally succeed and sit down across from Connor at a circular two-seater table. I look back up at him to find an unexpected death glare directed at me. 

“You really brought your whole-ass backpack with you?” he lets out a short laugh, shaking his head at me. I just thank everything that it was a joking death glare. 

“Of course! It’s how you found me. What if there are other gays who want a friend?” I say putting an obvious tone on my voice to show this was a bit. He looks me up and down like a mean girl and snarks:

“I’m sure they’d still be able to tell.” I open my mouth to protest out of offense, but then realise how I look right now. A rainbow striped shirt, and jean shorts with doc martens, not to mention the way I'm currently sitting. I roll my eyes at the fact that I’ve lost the small argument.

“Shut up.” but I don’t get to finish properly without starting to laugh, Connor joining in in an instant. 

“Okay so we literally don’t know each other, what are you studying?” I want to actually befriend him, so we need to get to know each other. He perks up at the idea of this.

“Game design, I really want to learn how to make better video games. What’s your favorite game? Oh wait what are you majoring in as well, I haven’t asked yet. Are you even into video games? Sorry. You talk.” he looks up at me sheepishly. 

“I’m studying English, specifically writing. I've written so many stories that have been left to my google docs, unpublished forever, collecting dust. As for my favorite video game… Probably ‘The Last of Us.’ The art is so pretty and the story is so good.” I drag out the word ‘so’ and the boy across from me starts getting restless. 

“I love ‘The Last of Us’!” he practically shouts, but no one else in the cafe really seems to notice.

“Right? Like I cried a lot. Sure I cry during books and movies but video games?!” He nods very enthusiastically. He then calms down a bit and sighs, resting his chin on his hand and smiles softly at me.

“I want to be able to create something as beautiful as that someday.” I smile back at his wish, I hope it comes true.