Prologue:
"Do you have your lotion for mosquitoes already?" Mom asked, handing me the flashlight. I chuckled at her reaction "mom as if it's camping! I'm going to my dorm to start my college life." I playfully rolled my eyes.
"Even so," she double-checked my bag before going out to ready the car. I grabbed the keys from the cabinet before following her.
Today is my first day as a college student, I can't wait to meet new friends! Though I hope they are good at studying like me, I'm not bragging anyway.
"Are you excited?" She asked again. I nodded attentively as an answer that I am excited, beyond excited actually. I saw a lot of students passing by with their group of friends, I can't help but smile wide in amazement.
"What room are you in? I hope your roommate is just like you, you know..." She shrugged while looking at every room. Yeah, I just hope my roommate would be like me, a study monster one so we can vibe.
"Oh! Here it is, room 65!" she exclaimed, pointing at the dark brown door in front of her. I made a step before smiling at her, "let's get in?"
She gave me a nod. My mouth fell open the time I entered the room. A girl with a mix of green and blonde hair darted her eyes on us. I tried to smile back, removing at the back of my mind the loud music that welcomed me. She must be my roommate.
"Oh, hey! I am Marinella! " She threw her hand in front of me. I smiled and reached out for her hand, "I-I am Aliana, call me Ali."
"She is?" She looked at my back where is my mom standing. I looked at my mom before to her again, "she is my mom, she sent me here to make sure I am safe..." I laughed a little, awkwardly.
"Oh, hi!" She waved her fingers. My mom just nodded her head. I put the box I am carrying on the floor before my mom pulled my hand out of the room, I heard chuckles from them because of what my mom just did.
"I can't believe those kids! Seriously? Partying inside the school dorm knowing that you are coming today? We should tell the school principal about this!"
"Mom! Mom! Mom! " I tried to make her calm. I feel so embarrassed with the students who are passing by "Mom, I think that's just normal..." I held her hands, "for the students like them of course." I added. I don't want her to think that I like a roommate like Marinella, of course, I don't want but do I have a choice? Nothing.
"Just trust me, ok? I will never hang out with them." I smiled, assuring her. She sighed heavily before hugging me, I hugged her back. She caressed my back as she uttered the words, "don't you ever hang out with her and any of her friends, get it, Ali?" She raised a brow.
"Rest assured."
She kissed the side of my head, "I'll go now, Ali. I'll be missing you."
"I will miss you too, mom. I love you."
"I love you too." She smiled again before turning her back to me. I fixed the strands of my hair that are falling. I once again opened the door of my dorm, and their eyes fixated on me once again too.
The girl beside Marinella kissed the guy beside him who's staring at me dangerously as if I did something wrong to him. His dark brown hair fell as the girl ruffled it with her fingers.
"We're heading now, Ali! BA-bye! " Marinella said and grabbed her black shoulder bag with a chain. She threw the bubble gum she was chewing in the trash can before she waved at me.
The guy with dark brown hair looked at me once again before exiting the room. I surveyed the whole room. Marinella's clothes are everywhere on the floor. My god, can't she fix it first before leaving? It's just easy to get it and put it in a laundry basket!
I shook my head, I guess, starting from now I need to use with this mess. She's my roommate and I need to, at least, understand that she's like that, she chose that path.
I picked up her clothes one by one and put them in her laundry basket. Once I'm done fixing my things, I will go out to go to the mini grocery store to buy some food.
I stopped piling up my books when I heard three knocks from the outside. Is Marinella home? Thirty minutes after she left with her friends and she's back? Too fast, I am not even done.
My eyes widened when I saw the man standing in front of our dorm. I thought it was Marinella! What is he doing here? Did he leave something inside? Or...oh my god! I almost shake my head because of the wild pictures flashing in my mind.
"Are you planning to just stand there?" His deep baritone voice almost made my knees tremble.
I blinked twice before clearing my throat. "Did you leave something in here?" I asked, trying to make my voice cool.
"I don't want to go with them, that's why I'm staying here."
"What? I mean, don't you have your place that you still need to be here? " I laughed. I can't believe he has the guts to stay here! I mean, there's nothing wrong with that, but can't he see me? I am already here that's why he or they can't just go here anytime they want!
"I have Marinella's permission, damn! I don't even need permission at all." He licked his lower lip, making the earring twinkled because of the light that illuminates.
"Well, you don't have mine, so turn your back now and leave because I'm not yet done fixing my things. If you don't mind, may I close the door already? " I smiled politely. I don't even know where I got all the courage to say those words to him.
He stared at me with his piercing eyes. I gulped.
"Are you that rude to your visitors?"
"You're not my visitor."
"Fine, but can't you just let me in? You're pissing me off, young lady."
"I am not young! I'm already eighteen and I am already in college! I'm a grown woman now! " I hissed louder than I expected. Wow, I never shout like that in my whole life, ever, seriously. This man is pissing me off, geez! And this is our first day meeting each other and it went all like this! Great! Just, great!