Chapter six: First encounter and lingering expressions

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• Royalty College    New Roommate

  The next morning, I woke up smiling, reliving last night’s events. I cleaned my room—even though it didn’t really need it. I was just in such a good mood from the night before. No, we didn’t kiss or anything. She only leaned her head on my shoulder, but that had to mean something… right?I played romantic music all morning, letting it fill the space around me, and before I knew it, afternoon had rolled in. The excitement couldn’t stop my stomach from growling though. I was about to head out to grab something to eat when I remembered—I’d be getting a visitor today.Actually, would it still count as a visitor if we’d be living together? My roommate was arriving today. I’d heard he was a first-year too, just like me. I figured I’d do something nice to get us off on the right foot. We’d be sharing a space for the entire session, and I really didn’t want bad energy. Plus, I was trying to make some new friends.I decided to cook.“But what should I cook?” I asked myself.I had no idea what

• Royalty College    getting to know each other

  Later in the evening, she texted me the place and location. I hadn’t even asked—guess she knew I’d show up either way. Around 7 p.m., I made my way to the school’s mini stadium. It wasn’t a fancy place, just an old practice ground with creaky bleachers and a handful of flickering floodlights. Some of the bulbs weren’t working, casting strange shadows over the field. Still, it had a vibe—quiet, hidden, ours for the night.I spotted her under one of the working lights, her face softly illuminated. She was on her phone, legs crossed, headphones dangling from one ear. A couple of silhouettes made out further down the stands—clearly busy with their own private rendezvous. I chuckled quietly. Aalia didn’t notice me. I crept up slowly, intending to spook her, but right before I reached her, she raised her head.“Caught you,” she said, eyes twinkling with amusement.I laughed. “Damn, how’d you know?”“I didn’t,” she said, shrugging. “I just felt someone coming. I’ve got good instincts.”“Make

• Royalty College    Dorms

  ---“Hey Collins, I waited for you yesterday at our usual spot, but you didn’t show up. Is everything alright?”After she ghosted me the whole day yesterday while chatting with her boyfriend right in front of me, she expects me to act like everything’s cool? That’s what I wanted to say so badly. But instead, I said, “I was really tired from the screening.”“Did you get in?” she asked.“Of course I did. Did you?”“Yessss! I did! And I’m already interviewing to be one of the fashionistas to represent our school,” she said excitedly.I was surprised. Is she that good?“Wow, congratulations! What about you, Jeffrey? You got in?” I asked.“Yeah, I did. I was the first person,” he said.Another shock. This is crazy.“Tell us about your interview. I’ve seen some videos going around,” he added.“Videos? What videos?” I asked.Apparently, some guy recorded more than half of my fight in the boxing club, and it’s been gaining some traction.“Let me see, let me see!” Aalia said, trying to get a v

• Royalty College    Choosing a Club

  Aalia waved.“Why is she waving?” I wondered, then turned to see Jeffrey walking toward us.They must’ve been texting.“Hey,” he said to me.“What’s up, gee?” I replied.“Looks like you two have been hanging out for a while,” Jeffrey said.“Not that long. We’ve just been waiting for you—class is about to start,” Aalia said, then grabbed Jeffrey’s hand.I felt a pang of jealousy in my chest.I thought she liked me. Now she’s holding Jeffrey’s hand? We only just met—how could I have been so naive?I walked behind them, feeling like the third wheel.Class soon started, and it was so boring half the people around me fell asleep. Meanwhile, Jeffrey and Aalia were laughing and talking through the whole lecture like I didn’t even exist.“Collins? Collinsss!” Aalia suddenly called my name.I’d zoned out.“Everyone’s heading for the club tryouts. Have you picked one yet?” she asked.I told her yesterday I picked boxing… she doesn’t even remember. Maybe she never liked me. I was just fooling my

• Royalty College    Her text

  I got home and saw Uncle sitting on the couch eating Doritos—lazy as usual.“You didn’t even come pick me up,” I said to him.“You're in college now. I can’t keep treating you like a kid,” he replied.I rolled my eyes. I wanted to tell him about the girl’s number I got, but she hadn’t texted me yet. If I told him and she ended up not texting, it’d be hell—he’d roast me all week.I went to the fridge, grabbed my lunch, microwaved it, ate, and went to bed.My alarm woke me up for boxing training. I took a shower, and Uncle drove me to the gym. Today's training wasn’t intense; I just did some mitt work, then sparred with two others. It wasn’t anything serious—just a standard sparring session. I wrapped up in under two hours, but Uncle made me do some road work before we got home. I wasn’t even tired. I’ve been through worse.I picked up my phone, which I’d left charging at home because Coach doesn’t allow phones in the gym. I opened WhatsApp immediately, hoping for a message from Aalia—b

• Royalty College    Her number

  The class representative walked to the podium and announced that classes were over for the day. I was surprised—I hadn’t expected just a single class. College is nothing like high school, where you'd sit through up to seven periods a day. “I’m already in love with this place,” I muttered to myself.“We have the school excos here,” the rep continued. “They’ll be telling you everything you need to know about the school before you leave. Please, let’s give a round of applause for the vice president of the student union of Royalty College.”Applause erupted as a tall, dark-skinned girl with striking beauty entered the hall and walked confidently to the podium, waving at anyone who cared. She looked like a supermodel and had an impeccable fashion sense. Raising her hand to quiet the room, she tapped the mic twice and spoke.“Thank you for that warm welcome,” she said. People clapped again.“You’re very beautiful!” one student shouted from the crowd.“I heard that—thank you, and you’re beau