“Give me the big bedroom,” he interrupted.
“What?”
“I said, give me the big bedroom.” He took a step forward, crowding my space. I could smell his deodorant.
“No!” I replied. “You can’t boss me around. I’m not your little bitch.”
For a moment, he almost looked surprised, his eyes widening ever so slightly. Then, he did that eye thing again, looking me up and down, making me feel hot and flustered.
He took a step back. “Whatever. I’m going to ask to change rooms tomorrow morning, first thing.” With that, he left the kitchenette.
“Good!” I yelled at his retreating back.
As soon as he disappeared into his jail-cell bedroom, the door slamming shut after him, I slumped against the kitchen wall, my legs feeling weak. I felt like I’d run a marathon, and all I’d done was have a single conversation with Taylor. The whole thing had lasted less than five minutes, so why did I feel like this?
I decided not to think about it, and returned to my room. I watched the sun set through my huge window, seeing the way the water turned a gorgeous shade of orange. I wiped down my desk and bedside table, even though I already cleaned everything. When the sky turned dark blue, I had a shower. I made sure the door was locked twice, because part of me was afraid Taylor would storm in and start another fight while I was naked and dripping wet. I wasn’t sure where that worry came from, because he’d never done anything like that in the past — even when we showered after soccer games, he never so much glanced at me when I’d gotten naked. Nonetheless, I washed myself quickly, brushed my teeth and returned to my bedroom.
With not much to do, I crawled into bed at 10 PM. Even though I wanted to fall asleep, I kept my ears pricked, listening for Taylor. But I didn’t hear anything, and eventually, I fell asleep.
I jolted awake at seven in the morning. My bones ached, like I hadn’t gotten enough rest.
For a moment, I stared at the unfamiliar ceiling as morning light streamed in through the window. After a few seconds I remembered where I was: Valentina Hall, Halverton University.
Then I remembered my roommate. No, temporary roommate. He’d reassign himself to another room soon enough. Sure, the email had said that roommates werefinal, but if there was one person who could get them to bend the rules, it’d be Taylor. Despite being a massive dickwad most of the time, all he had to do was smile, and he could charm the grumpiest of grumps.
I got out of bed and washed up in the bathroom, then crept into the living area. When I couldn’t see Taylor anywhere, I relaxed my shoulders.
After pouring myself some water, I fell onto the couch and pulled out my phone. I wrote my to-do list for the day — I was obsessed with to-do lists and calendars and anything that could maximise my productivity. Besides, there was a lot I had to do: I needed to buy groceries, pick up my student ID and confirm my classes.
I was in the middle of writing a detailed grocery list, which so far consisted of broccoli and chicken breast, when the front door opened. Taylor stalked inside, holding a scrunched up piece of paper in one hand and a scowl scary enough that I had to fight the urge to hide under the coffee table.
“What’s with you?” I asked.
He walked over, looming over me because I was sitting down. “I talked to reception,” he gritted out, “and they refused to let me swap. They said if they did, they’d be setting a precedent and then everyone would be allowed to change.”
“Did you tell them you’d keep it a secret?”
“Yeah but they still didn’t budge. I’m stuck with you.”
My stomach sank like a rock. “You’re joking.”
“You think I’d joke about this? This is just my luck. I come to university and of course I’m stuck with…” his nose crinkled, as if he smelled something rotten, “you.”
I huffed. I don’t know why he was complaining about this being “just his luck” — the way I saw it, he already was the most privileged guy in the world. One moment of bad luck was what he deserved. I just wished it didn’t involved me.
“So,” he continued, looking at me expectantly.
“What?”
“We need to figure out the room situation.”
“There’s nothing to figure out. I arrived first, I get to choose which room I want. It’s fair and square.”
“Come on, there’s no way I can sleep in that jail cell.”
“And I can?”
“Obviously. You’re smaller than me.”
