INLOVE WITH THE WRONG ROOMMATE

I pocket my phone after replying to Tasha’s message. I need to meet her at the cafeteria before going to the orientation. “Ouch” Great. First day on campus and I’m already bumping into walls. Except this one smells like cologne. I realized as I put my head forward. I feel like the world stopped a second. Unable to find the right word I just rubbed my head while he smile. “sorry” I heard him say “no, no. it not your fault I wasn’t looking at where I was going” I said using my hands to make a gesture. “are you okay?” he asked while I nod in response “you’re a fresher right?” “yes” I replied. “do you need help getting to where you’re going?” he asked I think for a while “yes, if that not a bother to you” I said after all I don’t know my way around. “sure, I’ll walk you there before I head to class.” He said picking up one of my suitcase with so much ease while I drag the other. “I did not catch your name earlier” he said flashing me a charming smile. “Ama for short” I replied giving him my sweetest smile “Ama” he said the name like he was testing it to decide if he likes it or not “Nice name, I’m Ethan a junior in public relations” he said “cool” I said as we continue walking on the stone walkway the environment looks green and colorful with a lot of flowers and signboards for freshers to see or use as guide As we walked, I noticed how he moved with this lazy kind of confidence, like he knew exactly where he belonged. Meanwhile, I was the awkward girl clutching her suitcase and pretending the butterflies in her stomach were just hunger. “So, Ama,” Ethan broke the silence, his voice casual, “you came here alone?” “Yeah. First time away from home.” I tried not to sound nervous, but my words tripped over themselves anyway. “Don’t worry,” he chuckled. “You’ll get used to it. The campus looks huge, but by the end of the week you’ll know all the shortcuts.” We passed groups of students laughing, some holding maps, others already looking like they owned the place. The air was buzzing with that beginning of semester energy “There,” Ethan pointed ahead, and I followed his gaze to a wide glass building with bold letters spelling CAFETERIA. Through the tall windows, I could see clusters of freshers gathering, some balancing trays, others huddling like lost puppies. “That’s your stop.” Ethan set my suitcase down gently and gave me a crooked smile. “Try not to bump into anyone else. Not everyone’s as nice as me.” I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t help smiling back. “Thanks, Ethan. For the rescue.” “Anytime.” He winked, then headed in the opposite direction, leaving me at the entrance with my nerves buzzing all over again. I inhaled deeply, squared my shoulders, and pushed through the cafeteria doors, scanning for Tasha. The caféteria was louder than I expected. Trays clattered, voices rose and fell in overlapping waves, and the smell of coffee and freshly baked bread drifted through the air. For a second, I stood in the doorway clutching my suitcase, feeling like the new kid in the middle of a buzzing hive. “Ama!” I followed the voice and spotted Tasha waving at me from a corner table, her grin wide enough to split her face. She had somehow already managed to secure a spot with a window view and oh she wasn’t alone. A guy was sitting beside her, tall, broad-shouldered. Dragging my suitcase across the floor, I pasted on a dramatic smile. “Tash! I’ve missed you so much. Ten whole hours without you it’s been unbearable.” I pressed one hand to my chest and the other to my forehead like some lovesick heroine. “Drama queen,” Tasha muttered, laughing. The guy beside her chuckled too, a low sound that made me glance at him. “Hi,” I said, giving him a little wave. “So, are you here to get your fate checked?” I shot a teasing look at Tasha. “Seriously, Ama!” Tasha hissed, her cheeks turning pink. Bingo. I narrowed my eyes playfully. “Hmm. Interesting reaction.” “Hello, I’m Jason,” the guy said, unfazed, offering me a smile that could probably sell toothpaste. I arched a brow, sliding into the seat across from them. “Jason, huh? And how exactly did you two meet?” My eyes flicked to Tasha, who suddenly busied herself with her drink straw like it was the most fascinating thing in the world. Jason leaned back, one arm casually draped over the back of Tasha’s chair. “She almost ran into me outside,” he said. “Guess today’s just a day for dramatic entrances.” I snorted. “Of course she did. That’s her signature move.” Tasha gasped, swatting at me across the table. “Ama!” Jason laughed again, clearly enjoying the banter, and I caught the way his gaze lingered on Tasha just a little too long before he looked away. My best friend, already attracting attention less than a day into campus life. Typical. “So…” I tapped my chin, glancing between the two of them. “What exactly are you not telling me?” Tasha nearly choked on her juice. Jason’s lips curved into a smirk, the kind that said he knew something I didn’t. “Nothing!” Tasha rushed out, wiping her mouth with a napkin. “We just met. Right, Jason?” Jason leaned back in his chair, eyes glinting with amusement. “Right. Just two strangers who happened to bump into each other.” “Mhm,” I hummed, crossing my arms. “Strangers don’t usually sit this close to each other on the first day.” Tasha groaned. “Ama, stop reading into things. You’ve been here for like….” she checked her phone dramatically, “… twenty minutes.” “Plenty of time to notice when someone’s blushing,” I shot back with a sly grin. Jason chuckled under his breath, clearly enjoying every second of Tasha’s flustered state. “You’re pretty observant, Ama.” “I try,” I said, tilting my head. “So, Jason, are you a fresher too?” He shook his head. “Second year. Business major.” He glanced at Tasha before continuing. “Figured I’d stick around and help out with the freshers. Makes the place less intimidating.” “Or maybe you just enjoy playing hero for lost girls who almost crash into you,” I teased. Jason didn’t deny it. His smirk deepened. Tasha groaned again, burying her face in her palm. “Have you seen him?” a squeaky voice floated from the table beside ours. I shifted slightly, leaning just enough to eavesdrop while still poking at my food. “He’s hot but cold,” another girl gushed, her voice dreamy. “But that’s fine, I just need him to notice me at orientation tonight.” A third chimed In, lowering her voice like it was top-secret intel. “He’s got millions of followers on i********:. Literal millions.” I nearly rolled my eyes into my plate. Millions of followers? On a school campus? What kind of human t****k filter were they drooling over? “Who are they talking about?” I whispered, turning to Jason with my brows raised. Jason smirked like he’d been waiting for the question. “Well,” he said, stabbing his fork into a fry, “that would be Liam. A self-centered egomaniac.”