Remi (Remita) Singh was a second-year violin and music theory major. Her sister and I went to the same pilates class and that was how we’d met. Sometimes we’d have lunches together between breaks, share stories and food, and sometimes have ginger tea in the early mornings before the fog cleared. She, Sydney, and I would sometimes stay late after classes and unwind, discussing everything from the latest fashion trends to intricate family drama. Remi was a pebble skipping across a stream, ice in the summer heat, she had a transient nature in every sense of the word. She had a far more fiery personality than Sydney and I, while we were raised to speak when spoken to and extinguish all potential fires, she was born to fan the flames and engulf everyone she encountered with it.
She was north and we were south, yet we fit like perfect magnets.
So I knew, being roommates with her would be rather fitting. I was looking forward to it.
The next day
Our studio apartment was the most beautiful space I had ever seen, and Remi and I had Sydney to thank for that—I should’ve known that she would never let us move into a plain space with no personality. Everything about it had little pieces of all of us engraved into it, I had to appreciate the sheer effort she had put into preparing this for our arrival.
It wasn’t by any means grandiose or luxurious in any way, it wasn’t even that spacious either. It had a bunk bed that extended to have another single bed beside it. The room was ornamented in pastels of pink, yellow, and white, it had a plush sofa with Sanrio characters as pillows. There were three white desks lined up next to each other as well, a Wi-Fi router in the corner next to them. There was one bathroom, with a mirror that lit up and could connect to Bluetooth and play music, the cabinets were already stocked up with essentials. There was a little kitchen with a stove, fridge, and microwave—all Smeg so I knew they were expensive. My jaw dropped at what she was able to craft within such a small space.
“Oh my god, Sydney!” Remi gasped, walking into the room and tossing her bag on the floor.
“That’s my name!” She smiled, placing her hands on her hips.
“Sydney, what the hell!” I marvelled at the scene, still taking it all in.
“Okay, now I’m scared. What did I do wrong?” She stared at us both, searching our eyes for dissatisfaction. "Is it too much, I can pack it all away—”
“You are a godsend, Sydney St James,” I assured her, grabbing a hold of one of her hands. “Only you would think to do something like this to a college dorm apartment.”
“Truly what on earth would we do without you.” Remi took hold of her other hand, “I’m convinced we already hit the lottery with the best roommate ever!”
“Oh girls, you flatter me, it was nothing really!” she dismissed, but I could sense the hint of sarcasm in her tone. “Just hours of renovations and a couple thousand dollars in decor.”
“You’re insane, truly,” I snagging the Cinnamoroll pillow from the sofa. “I claim dibs on this by the way.”
“Anything to see my favourite girls smile,” Sydney assured us.
“Thank you,” we both said in unison and we all laughed at that.
“By the way did you guys hear that we’re getting a transfer student for the year?” Remi asked us and we both stared at her blankly in evident confusion. “Oh you have no idea—”
“I mean I heard down the grapevine that someone would be taking Trent Mckinsly’s old room once he got expelled, but I didn’t know who,” Sydney explained rather vaguely, “I heard they’re from Europe or something.”
“England, yes.” Remi affirmed. “They’re going to be mentoring a few students.”
“As if we don’t have enough hot shots at this school, now we have someone who’s probably going to think they’re better than everyone,” Sydney whined, “I hope it’s a girl, you losers need more friends.”
“True,” I said. “Let’s not anticipate the worst.”
“Anyways, I have to catch lunch with my mom, I’ll see you ladies tonight?” Remi grabbed her handbag.
"Yeah, see ya!” I waved and she blew a kiss before leaving.
“Yesoh, my beloved?” Sydney smiled awkwardly in the corner.
“Uh oh…what do you want?” I deadpanned.
“Would I be the very worst best friend in the world if I ditched you to go to the park with Jax?" she asked, and there was genuine dismay in her blue eyes. That was the thing with Sydney, everything about her was so excruciatingly authentic. She really did feel bad.
“Yes,” I joked and her face fell in disappointment as I realized she probably really wasn’t planning on leaving if I said I’d feel alone. “Kidding, go on your date, Syd.”
Sydney is studying a BM in jazz because her parents are making her get a degree in order to access her trust—she chose it randomly on a magic eight ball senior year.
“I love you, Soh, I’ll make sure to call when I get there as always,” she reassured me and I waved goodbye.
And yet, just when I thought I was alone, I got a text message from my brother, asking me to meet him outside. I rolled my eyes in annoyance, because only Cahya would think to do something silly like that. I locked up and made my way down the elevator past the reception to the clear glass doors where I saw his car parked outside. The trunk burst forth with trinkets, blankets, and boxes.
