THE NEW ROOMMATE
829 Words
The New Roommate
A few days later, I was told I was getting a new roommate.
I was furious. I had a room to myself. It was my sanctuary. My safe place. The only place I could be with Lily without worrying about being caught.
Now I had to share it with a stranger.
I walked to my room. I opened the door.
A boy was sitting on the bed. He was small. Thin. He had dark hair and pale skin. He was wearing a school uniform.
"Hello," he said. "I am Den. I am your new roommate."
I did not respond.
I walked to my bed. I sat down. I did not look at him.
Den stood up. He walked to me. He extended his hand.
"I know this is awkward," he said. "But I promise I will not be in your way. I will be quiet. I will keep to myself."
I still did not respond.
Den's hand dropped. He looked confused.
"Did I do something wrong?" he asked.
I looked at him. My eyes were cold.
"I do not want you here," I said. "I do not need a roommate. I do not want one."
Den's face fell. "Oh. I am sorry. I did not choose this. I was assigned to this room."
"Then get reassigned," I said.
"It is not that simple—"
"Figure it out," I said. "Or stay. I do not care. But do not expect me to be your friend."
I turned away. I lay down on my bed. I closed my eyes.
Den stood there. Silent. Confused. Hurt.
I did not care.
I had to protect Lily. I had to protect myself.
I could not trust anyone.
---
The Suspicion
But as the days passed, I started to notice things.
Den was always watching me. Always asking questions. Always trying to get close.
"What is your real name?" he would ask.
"Who are your parents?"
"Where are you from?"
I never answered. I would just walk away.
But Den did not give up. He kept asking. Kept pushing.
And I started to get suspicious.
Was he the spy? Was he the one Mr. Thompson warned me about?
I decided to watch him. To study him. To find out the truth.
One night, I followed him. He left the room. He walked through the halls. He went to the library.
He sat at a computer. He typed something. Then he walked back to the room.
I did not see what he was typing. But I knew he was hiding something.
The next day, I confronted him.
"Who are you?" I asked.
Den looked at me. His face was pale. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, who are you really?" I asked. "Are you a student? Or are you something else?"
Den's eyes went wide. "I don't know what you are talking about."
"Yes you do," I said. "I have seen you. Sneaking around. Asking questions. Typing on the computer."
Den looked away. His hands were shaking.
"Tell me the truth," I said. "Or I will report you to the principal."
Den took a deep breath. Then he looked at me.
"You are right," he said. "I am not a student. I am a spy."
I stepped back. My heart was pounding.
"I was hired by a detective," Den continued. "I was supposed to get information about the school's sports program. And I was supposed to get close to you."
"Get close to me?" I asked. "Why?"
"Because you are the key," Den said. "You are the most successful athlete in the school. If I can find out what makes you so good, I can find out the secret to the school's success."
I stared at him. My mind was racing.
"Is that all?" I asked. "You just want information about the sports program?"
Den hesitated. Then he shook his head.
"No," he said. "There is more. I was also supposed to find out your real name. Your background. Your secret."
I felt sick. "My secret?"
"You are hiding something," Den said. "I do not know what it is. But I know it is important."
I stepped closer to him. My eyes were cold.
"Listen to me," I said. "I do not know who you are. I do not know what you want. But I know one thing. If you ever try to find out my secret, I will destroy you."
Den's face went pale. "Race, I—"
"Do not call me that," I said. "You do not know me. You do not deserve to know me."
I turned around. I walked to the door.
"Stay away from me," I said. "Stay away from my life. Or I will make you regret it."
I walked out.
Behind me, I heard Den's voice. Quiet. Sad.
"I am sorry, Race," he said. "I never meant to hurt you."
I did not turn back.
I could not trust anyone.
---
End of Chapter 2
- Writer
