The Freshman: A Novel

The Popular Kid

Benedict

As I drag my stuff to our room on the second floor, I shook my head in disbelief at how Dad left me in the lobby. I never expected that that emotional mess of a man can leave me just like that. And since our dormitory is at least thirty years old already and only has four stories, there are no elevators, just wide staircases. 

Reaching for the key in my pocket, I opened the door leading to room 215. There was no one inside. But Sebastian Jimenez has moved in and is pretty much settled already. Placing my suitcase and duffel on the floor near the empty bed, I let myself fall on the mattress. I carried all my stuff on one trip, and it was exhausting.

I stretched my legs on the mattress and looked around Sebastian's side of the room. From the looks of it, he must like pillows and there are at least two plush toys on his bed, too. There is a stack of freshly covered notebooks on his study desk, some of the remaining plastic covers and tape are neatly piled beside the stack. On the other side of the notebooks is a beat-up mp3 player. There are a few high school mementos scattered and the wall was already covered with pictures from high school events. 

Pushing myself from the uncovered mattress, I reached for my suitcase and started unpacking, which only took me less than an hour to get all my things out and make the bed as well. As I took a step back to look at my interior decorating skills, I noted that my side of the room looked bland compared to Sebastian's, so I made a mental note to buy a few posters to put a bit of color on my side. 

The sun was already starting to set when I fished out my admission packet and studied the campus map. I looked for a grocery store or wherever I could get supplies. Turning the map once over and studying the legend, I learned that there is a student center half a block away with a small grocery store, a few eating places, and other things a student might need. 

Throwing a jacket on my shoulders, I grabbed my key from the table and walked out of our room to grab a few things.

The student center was less than a five-minute walk away and two shopping bags later, I was walking up the stairs back to our dorm room. I fumbled for the key in my pocket but before I could even turn the lock, our door opened. 

Finally, I met Sebastian Jimenez.

He is a tall, gangly boy with unruly dark brown hair. His smile is infectious as he reached down for one of my bags to help me bring them in.

"Call be Basti." He said as he ushered me back inside our room. He placed my grocery bag near the foot of my chair and went back to sitting on his. An open notebook and book on his table showed that he is probably studying.

I glanced at the book and notebook again. What? Studying already?

"You don't have to ask or wonder. Because yes, I am gay. Don't worry, you're not my type and I do not plan to bring home boyfriends." He said, turning back to his writing. He must have noticed my curious gaze on his table, and he looked back up at me.

"I'm not studying." He said, but just a moment later, he seemed to reconsider. "I'm outlining my favorite novel. I'm an English major." He said, then his face crumpled a bit, in thought. "So… Uhm yeah. I guess I am studying."

I sat down on my bed and just watched him close his book and start putting his things on the shelf above the table. That string of revelations justified the pillows and plushies and the general theme of his side of the room. Not that I'm into stereotyping or anything. I wanted to say something, but I was afraid that I might voice out the many questions in my head that might hurt or offend. 

"Benedict, is it?" He asked, turning back at me once he was satisfied with the arrangement of the books on his shelf. 

"Y-yeah." I nodded. Basti left me sort of dumbfounded. His confidence in how he just came out to me like that amazed me. 

"Let's go get dinner." 

Before I could answer he was already pushing me out of our room and into the busy corridor. It seems like all the residents agreed on going to dinner together and started pouring out of their rooms at the same time. The lobby was also bursting with noise and activity. People introduce themselves to people. People walking and running to and from every direction. 

I followed Basti through the lobby and the big hallway leading to the cafeteria. As we passed through the lobby, he already greeted and waved to at least two other residents. I had never hung out with my gay classmates before. Not that I avoided them, but they just kept to themselves and well, I had my constant friends throughout high school, too. Our circles rarely collided. 

Basti seemed okay. More than okay because it seems like he has reached some level of popularity already. I subtlety look at my roommate and tried to see any physical trait that would tell me that he is gay. None. Just by looking at him, I could swear he is as straight as a ruler.

But then who am I to judge really? It doesn't matter anyway. Your roommate is supposed to be your first and instant college friend, right?

Basti was in his element, waving and throwing "hey!" here and there. It was sort of weird and kind of refreshing that I seem to dissolve into his background. I used to be the one who would have many acquaintances to greet when I walk down the corridor. It can be tiring sometimes. Not putting on a smiling face when you don't feel like it is a welcome change. 

The cafeteria was bursting at the seams when we arrived. I had to blink a few times to adjust to the explosion of bright white industrial light against the mostly stainless tables and chairs. The line forming was getting longer by the minute, so Basti and I quickly made a beeline to it. 

"So, Benedict Chen, tell me about yourself." Basti faced me as we waited for our turn to choose from the selections they offered. 

I was still gathering my thoughts when the queue started moving faster and in a matter of seconds, we were faced with different dishes they offered that night. 

I don't know how to answer Basti's question. Not that I don't want him to know me, it's just that I sometimes get awkward in getting-to-know conversations. Am I saying too much? Is that too much information for someone I met barely half an hour ago? Things like that. 

And though I was popular in high school, I was popular because I had the smarts. Basti here looks like he has a way with people, which is a different kind of popular. And because it's also a feat to be accepted in this university, he must have the smarts, too. 

I ended up getting a quarter of a roast chicken, a serving of mashed potatoes, and a fruit cup. The excitement of being left on a limb by Dad and getting introduced to Basti made me forget about food but now, my stomach reminded me that it's been hours since my early lunch at home. 

"Again, Benedict, tell me more about you. I mean, we will be living together for a year, so I need to know you." Basti asked again as we sat down on a recently vacated table in a corner.

"Well," I started. He is right. We are stuck together for the year, and Basti seemed like a nice guy anyway. "I'm an Engineering major. I don't have other classmates from high school here."

"Ah, a man of the sciences." Basti smiled before he bit into his sandwich. "As I have told you, I am an English major. I have a classmate here somewhere. We come from a magnet high school for kids who are inclined in the arts. And I haven't seen her since I moved into our room a week ago. She said she'll arrive today." He started glancing around the cafeteria, trying to look for his classmate.

"You've been here a week already?" I was surprised that he moved in so soon. I was about to ask why but Basti just shrugged and continued looking around. He is trying to evade any more questions.

"I wanted a head start." He said flatly.

I just nodded. I don't think that I am in a position to ask any more or force him to tell me more at this point. We've been friends for no more than two hours. 

We ate in silence for a while. Then he asked me about my family, where we live and other stuff. But before I could answer, his eyes and face lit up when he saw someone behind me.

"Speak of the devil!" He smiled widely.

I turned around to see who made Basti's face light up like that. Little did I know that at the very moment, my life, and the plans I have embedded in my head, will start turning in a different direction.