Taming Desires

Silver Hall

Sterling College was huge. It was a well-known private school, and its grounds were massive. The parking lot was full of cars and busy students moving fast.

Ayla moved the car slowly into the available parking space and stopped the car engine.

"We're here," Ayla said.

Benny quickly got out of the car. Audrey got out too, taking a deep breath of the cold air.

"I'll wait here with the bags while you both check out what room she's allocated to," Benny said, standing beside the car.

Audrey and her mother walked toward a large board on the wall. This board listed the names and room numbers for all the new students. Ayla found Audrey's name quickly.

It read: "Silver Halls – Room 09."

Ayla wrote the room number down on a small piece of paper. They went back to the car.

"Room 09. We found it," Ayla said.

Benny picked up Audrey's bags. "Great. I'll help carry these."

They walked toward the building named Silver Halls. Benny carried the bags, and Ayla and Audrey walked beside him.

They found the door for Room 09. Ayla raised her hand and knocked.

No one replied.

Ayla tried the handle. The door was locked from the inside.

Audrey bent to check under the flower pot in front of the room to see if maybe someone had arrived before her. Just as she did, they heard a faint noise come from inside the room.

It was a laugh. It sounded high and quick, but it was edged between a long, noticeable moan.

Audrey froze. She looked quickly at her mother. Ayla's face, which had been calm and proud, was instantly different. Her eyes went tight, and her mouth set in a hard line.

Ayla looked down the hallway. "Audrey, I don't think you can stay in this room."

Audrey felt a lump form in her throat. Ayla took the bags from Benny's hand. "Mom, we don't know who that is." She didn't say anything but instead started to drag the bags down the hall, away from the door.

Benny reached out and gently stopped Ayla. "Ayla, wait. Let's not decide anything yet. We should at least be sure before we walk away."

Ayla dropped the bags. She walked back to the door of Room 09. She raised her fist and banged on the door much harder than before. The sound was loud and sharp.

A girl's voice shouted from inside: "I'm coming!"

A few seconds later, the door opened. A small girl with blonde hair stood there. She was very petite and looked young.

"Hi," she said in a high, bright voice. "Sorry, I kept you waiting outside."

A shirtless guy's face appeared over her shoulder. He poked his head out and smiled

"Hi," he said while putting on his shirt.

He walked out and pecked the petite blonde.

The blonde girl blushed bright red on her neck and cheeks.

"Come in," she said, stepping aside to let them pass.

Ayla bent down and picked up Audrey's bags. She walked into the room, displeasure written clearly on her face.

The blonde girl looked at Audrey. "You must be the new roommate, right?"

Audrey nodded, feeling nervous. "Yes."

"I'm Taylor," the girl said. She stepped closer and held out her hand for a handshake. Her hand was small and warm.

Taylor showed Audrey the empty side of the room. "This is your bed space."

Taylor immediately started helping Ayla and Benny unpack Audrey's things. Taylor was very nice and laughed easily.

Hours passed quickly while they unpacked. The room began to feel like Audrey's own space.

Finally, the unpacking was done. It was time for Ayla and Benny to leave.

Taylor looked at Ayla and Benny. "It was really nice meeting you, errrmmm…" She paused, trying to remember their names.

"I am Ayla, and this is Benny," Ayla replied simply.Taylor smiled cheerfully.

“Right! Ayla and Benny. I’m sorry. So many new names today.” She said

“It was really, really nice meeting you both. I’m glad Audrey’s family is so involved. I promise I will be nice to Audrey. We’re going to have so much fun.”

Ayla gave Taylor a long, careful look. “We hope so, Taylor. Fun is good, but focus is better. Audrey is here for her studies.” She didn’t want to be rude, but she wanted to make her point clear after the initial impression. “I hope you don’t lead her down the path of doom.”

Taylor laughed out loud, a high, clear sound. “Oh, you mean the path of parties and zero sleep? Of course not! We’re going to be the smartest girls in Silver Halls. I’m thinking we set up a study schedule on Monday night.”

Ayla managed a small, approving nod. “That sounds like a very good idea.”

Benny stepped forward. “Look after her, Taylor. Audrey is smart, but she forgets to eat if she gets too focused. Make sure she leaves the library sometimes.”

“I will watch her like a hawk!” Taylor promised, smiling at Audrey.

Audrey felt a deep wave of gratitude for Benny. “Thank you for the advice, Benny.”

It was time to go. Audrey walked her mother and Benny outside to the car.

“I’ll miss you guys,” Audrey said, her voice catching. She felt a sudden, huge wave of sadness and fear about being left alone in this busy new place.

Ayla stopped on the pavement and pulled Audrey into a deep, long hug. “Oh, my darling. You’re going to be wonderful. Don’t worry about me. I will be fine. I love you more than all the stars, remember?”

“I remember, Mom.” Audrey held her mother tightly. “I’ll call you the second my first class is over. Don’t forget to eat dinner.”

Ayla pulled back, holding Audrey’s face in her hands. “I won’t. Go and learn everything. I love you.”

Audrey pulled away from her mother to face Benny. They hugged each other tightly. This hug was quiet, strong, and full of all the words they didn't need to say.

“You’ll be okay, Aud,” Benny whispered into her ear. “It’s a big world, but you’re tougher than you think. Don’t forget your eggs.”

Audrey laughed, tears pricking her eyes. “I won’t. Thanks for everything, Benny. Truly.”

Benny and Ayla got into the car. Ayla gave Audrey one last wave. Audrey watched them drive away, her mother’s car slowly disappearing into the college traffic until it was completely out of sight.

Audrey turned back around. She looked at the huge building, Silver Halls, and the door to Room 09. She lifted her chin, took a deep breath, and walked back inside. She had to face her new roommate.

She walked down the hall and pushed open the door to Room 09.

Taylor was already sitting on her bed, scrolling through her phone, humming a small tune. She looked up when Audrey walked in.

“Hey, roomie! You’re back,” Taylor said, putting her phone down. “So, I was thinking about dinner. There’s a place called ‘The Grill’ that everyone talks about. We should go there tonight. You know, to celebrate Day One!”

Audrey took a deep breath. She looked at the cheerful, eager face of her new roommate. “That sounds great, Taylor,” Audrey said, walking over to her own neat, new bed. “I’d like that very much but I'm really tired and I need some rest.I have a long day tomorrow .”

“It’s fine then,”Taylor replies .”I’d be back late.”

She pecks Audrey on the cheek and walks out.Audrey was taken aback.

She shrugged.”Maybe this was the college life.”