Chapter 2

The dormitory smelled faintly of fresh paint and nervous energy, there were boxes stacked all over the corridor and voices, someone was also laughing too loudly. It was a mess.

Sudan stood at the threshold of the dorm room that has been appointed to him, his duffel badge clutched tightly to him. He had always traveled light, “Gotta know when to run”, he would always say. All he brought with him were a few clothes, a stack of books and that was it. 

He had with him some foodstuffs and cash his adopted father had given to him, he didn’t want to carry the foodstuffs but his dad had forced him insisting that he needed to eat. 

He took a deep breath before he stepped into the room, this is going to be the starting of something new for him, he would build his life here.

He quickly scanned the room, it was a small room with two beds at the edges. It had a pair of desks beneath the window and a narrow wardrobe, guess they would have to share this he thought to himself.

He noticed the guy he was to stay with was already in school as one part of the room was occupied already, the bed was made, there was a vintage rock band poster on the wall and a big suitcase was suspended beside the bed. 

He stared at his side before he dropped his bag down, he brought out his bedsheets and sprayed it on the bed and was ready to call it a night, he hated moving days, they always made him sick. 

He was sitting on his bed scrolling through his file when a guy walks in all excited. “Hey!” He screamed excitedly immediately the door opened 

Sudan looked up, it was a boy who looked like he was about his age. He strode in carrying a box of things Sudan couldn't put a name to, he watched the guy, trying to analyze him.

He had a messy dark blonde hair, his face was tanned and he had an easy smile on him that could lit up a room. This was a chatty one.

“You must be Sudan, right? I’m Zach. Zach Musk.” He set the box on his desk and stuck out his hand, smiling at Sudan. 

Sudan hesitated for a second before shaking his hand, he noticed that Zach’s grip was warm, firm and strangely grounding.

“Yeah, the name is Sudan Flair,” he said, his voice even.

“Flair…” Zach grinned, tasting the word on his tongue. “Cool last name, it is way cooler than Musk and it sure does sound like you should be in a band or something.”

Sudan shrug not knowing what else to say, he wasn’t a social person. He preferred to keep to himself, it wasn’t also the first time someone was intrigued with his name.

Zach who was in his own world failed to notice his discomfort, he moved around the room unpacking with a high energy and singing. Sudan was left to wonder how someone could always be this excited. 

“Man, this place is smaller than I magined. Well it isn’t home so we can’t expect the same here” “So…where are you from?” Zach rambled on turning to Sudan. 

“California” Sudan replied curtly not wanting to talk about family, that was a topic he made sure to avoid. 

“California? That’s great, I’m also from California just a bit outskirts. For what it’s worth, you can lean on me for anything, we gotta look after each other backs” he gave a lopsided grin.

Sudan began to unpack his bag, arranging what needed to be on the shelf on the shelf in precision. His books were stacked by size, his shirts folded neatly, he was a neat one. He also enjoyed it because in those moments he was in control and he was busy with his hands.

Zach continued to ramble on, talking about the classes, the food they shared, the gym, the talked about his new soccer team he just joined and his love for soccer. 

Sudan found himself listening in to the conversations even though a part of him wanted Zach to shut up. 

“Hey, do you play any sports?” Zach asked suddenly, tossing a rolled up pair of socks into his drawer.

“No, I don’t”

“Music? Art? Anything??”

Sudan raised an eyebrow. “No.”

Zach laughed “Alright, brooding man. I guess we’ll have to find something for you soon. 

Sudan turned back to his desk, hiding the faintest twitch of his lips. A smile was threatening to appear at the corner of his lips but he wouldn’t let Zach see it so he doesn’t get encouraged. 

That evening Zach ordered in a box of pizza and he invited Sudan to join him, He had refused at first but Zach had threatened to ruffle the clothes he just finished arranging. It was a battle of stares, realizing Zach won’t back down he gave in. 

While they are, Zach talked about his family. His dad had a company, his stepmom bakes these really nice cookies every Sunday for them and his younger cousins who came over for barbecue during the summer, basically they were loaded. 

Sudan felt a pant in his chest, his mom had baked too. 

He couldn’t remember the last time someone had spoken about family with that kind of casual affection, his memories were not the best even though his dad had tried his best.

“Anyway,” Zach said, licking sauce off his thumb, “you’ll have to come visit sometime, my stepmom makes the best pecan pie in the state. Seriously, it’s life-changing.”

Sudan’s throat tightened “We’ll see.” He replied 

Late that night, when the room was dark and Zach’s breathing had slowed into the steady rhythm of sleep, Sudan lay awake staring at the ceiling.

Zach didn’t know it yet, but Sudan wasn’t like him. He wasn’t easy or open or warm, He was a collection of sharp edges held together by willpower alone.

He reminded himself of that as he turned on his side, closing his eyes. This was just a roommate, Nothing more. He wouldn’t let himself get too close. 

The warmth in Zach’s smile didn’t matter, no matter what happened, Sudan would keep his walls intact because the last time he let someone close it had ended in cold rain and taillights disappearing into the dark.

He wouldn’t make that mistake again.