The Boy That stayed

Chapter Fifteen - The Roommates ( II )

By the time I returned to my Room , it was already getting dark.

Hannah and Grace had nearly finished unpacking.

Nearly.

But somehow, their voices had become even louder.

They were talking over each other, laughing about something that had happened during their journey.

Leah sat on her bed with her headphones on, completely uninterested.

Hannah tried to include her.

"Leah, you should have seen what Grace packed!"

Leah didn't respond.

Grace laughed.

"She's ignoring us."

Leah adjusted her headphones.

I smiled.

I understood her completely.

Hannah turned toward me.

"Maya, what about you? What did you bring?"

"Just clothes and school things."

"That's it?"

"Mostly."

They continued talking.

I answered whenever they asked me something, but I didn't have the energy to join their conversation.

Eventually, I took my towel and went to freshen up.

When I returned, I changed into comfortable clothes and climbed into bed.

My phone was the only thing I really wanted to deal with.

I opened my messages.

There was Mum.

I sent her a quick text.

I'm back in my room.

Her response came a few minutes later.

Good. Did you eat?

I smiled.

Yes.

And did you find your classes?

Yes. I know where they are now.

Good. I'm proud of you.

I stared at those words for a moment.

Then I replied:

I miss you.

Her answer came quickly.

I miss you too, baby.

I put the phone down.

For a moment, the room seemed quieter.

Then Hannah and Grace burst into laughter again.

I smiled despite myself.

Maybe this was what university life was supposed to sound like.

I opened t****k.

One video became another.

Then another.

Funny videos.

Cooking clips.

Dance videos.

University advice.

Random jokes.

I kept scrolling without really paying attention.

It was easier than thinking.

By the time I checked the clock again, it was almost nine.

I locked my phone.

Tomorrow was my first class.

I needed to wake up early.

I turned off the light, pulled the blanket over myself, and settled into bed.

Across the room, Hannah and Grace were still whispering.

Leah remained silent.

I closed my eyes.

Tomorrow, I wouldn't just be exploring the university anymore.

Tomorrow, I would finally become part of it.

And for the first time since arriving, I felt a small knot of nervousness settle in my stomach.

My first class was waiting.

I just hoped I was ready.

And I hope this new world accepts me the same way I have come to accept it.

I stayed awake a little longer, listening to grace and Hannah chat away about there new life in school and how they will try there best to be to grow there social accounts.

That didn't surprise me much because with the way grace and Hannah like to talk and there flashy style and lots of makeup products, they have to be either super wealthy or a social media influencer and I guess the latter was right.

The more I listened to them yap away, the more I felt sleepy. I looked over at Leah , to find that she was already asleep, so I decided to go to sleep as well.

And as I was slowly drifting off to sleep, I just couldn't help but hope that tomorrow would be positive