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 he liked—or didn’t like. What if he was vegetarian? My head started to hurt just thinking about it. I considered scrapping the idea altogether, but I went with it anyway. I made Jollof rice—who doesn’t like Jollof rice? I even cooked the chicken separately, just in case he was vegetarian.

I finished cooking by 3 p.m. and had already eaten. By 5:30, he still hadn’t arrived. Maybe he wasn’t coming today?

Tired of waiting, I decided to hit the school gym. Unsurprisingly, the place was packed—it was Saturday evening, after all. Half the people there weren’t even working out; they were scouting for potential spouses.

I scanned the gym and finally spotted a free machine—a treadmill. I walked toward it, but just as I was about to reach it, some girl stepped on and started using it.

“Maybe I should just leave the gym and go for a jog around campus,” I thought. “I haven’t really explored the place yet anyway.”

I turned to leave when I heard a “Hey!” from behind. I ignored it, thinking she was talking to someone else. But then she called again. I turned.

“Hiii,” she said.

“Hey,” I replied.

“You wanted to use the mill, right?” she asked.

“Yeah, but it’s okay. I was thinking of jogging instead. Same workout, different vibe,” I said.

“What do you mean?” she asked with a flirty smile. She flipped her long purple hair to the side, revealing a tiny dildo tattoo on her neck as she walked slowly on the treadmill.

Instantly, I got the ick. This wasn’t someone I wanted to be talking to.

I was about to tell her I planned on jogging around campus, but there was a high chance she’d tag along. I’ve met girls like her before. So instead, I said, “I’m jogging back to my dorm. Too many people here. I don’t like crowded gyms.”

“Me too,” she said, “but one has no choice but to stay fit, yeah?” She laughed and arched her back to show off her ass, which was practically spilling out of her shorts.

“Yeahhh,” I said with an awkward chuckle.

“Let me join you,” she said. “I know a café that makes amazing burgers. It’s kind of far, so maybe we can jog there?”

She made a puppy face that had absolutely no effect on me.

“I’m vegetarian,” I lied.

“Don’t worry, they have veggie burgers,” she replied.

This pick-me girl was annoyingly persistent.

“Okay…”

We left the gym and started jogging. She kept trying to start conversations, but I wasn’t interested. I gave short replies that made it obvious I didn’t want to talk. But then she hit a nerve—boxing.

“Your physique is impressive. Do you play any sport or just work out to impress girls?” she asked.

“Oh, I box,” I said, smiling. I couldn’t help it—I liked compliments.

She must’ve caught on.

“Wait, are you the guy from that boxing video—the one who knocked out two guys and almost hit his coach?”

“You’ve seen it too?” I asked.

“Who hasn’t? It’s trending on the school forum.”

“You’re on the forum?” she asked.

“I am,” I lied again, “but I don’t check it much.”

“Oooh, you should. So many juicy gossips. There was even a video of a girl kissing her best friend’s boyfriend to get revenge.”

She laughed. I laughed awkwardly.

“Is this how girls feel when guys they’re not into talk to them?” I wondered.

We got to the café. It had black-and-orange accents, with a classy wooden interior. It had this cool blend of modern and ’90s vibes. It was beautiful.

Maybe I should bring Aalia here, I thought, smiling.

“Are you gonna stand there admiring the place, or are you coming inside to eat?” the girl asked.

I walked in. We sat at a table and ordered burgers and smoothies. I made sure to order a vegetarian burger to keep up the lie. The food came quickly. We were eating and chatting when I suddenly felt something moving up my leg. I froze.

I looked under the table.

Her foot was sliding up toward my crotch—and then she touched it.

I let it happen for a while. Yeah, I got aroused. I’m human. But I didn’t like it. I didn’t even know her name—and she didn’t know mine. We just met today and she was already doing... that?

It was disgusting.

I faked an important call, walked over to the waiter, and paid the bill. I glanced back at her, signaling I’d be right back. She nodded and bent seductively, pushing her boobs together.

It wasn’t seductive. It was cringe.

As soon as I stepped outside, I ran.

Once I was far enough, I slowed to a walk until I reached my dorm. I inserted my key, twisted it—and realized it was already open.

“No one else has the key to this room... Have I been robbed?” I thought.

I heard movement inside. I opened the door slowly, my heart racing. Someone was rummaging through a bag. I tiptoed in, planning to grab him from behind.

But he turned around and saw me.

I charged, throwing a hook meant to knock him out. He stumbled back and fell on the bed—the punch missed him by an inch. I was about to swing again when he screamed:

“Wait! Wait! Wait!”

I paused.

“Collins?” he asked.

“Yeah?” I replied awkwardly, wondering how he knew my name.

Then it hit me.

This was the guy I’d been waiting for—my new roommate.