Chapter 8
1063 Words
I finished loading all the luggage and belongings into the rented van and started for the University campus.
It's only Friday, and classes start on Monday, but I decided to settle in today to give myself time to set things up and familiarize myself with my new temporary home.
— Are you sure you want to do this? My mother asks me as I enter the campus.
— Mom, we talked about it, I say, rolling my eyes. Don't worry, I'll be fine.
She gives me a bland smile and I feel the urge to hug her.
It will take some time for her to adjust to the fact that I am no longer around.
I take the keys I received from the secretary out of my black bag and we enter the campus together.
We stop in front of room 123. This is where my new life begins.
I take a deep breath and gently turn the key in the door, trying to hide the anxiety that is testing me.
I am nervous.
Too many emotions..
Like I expected something bad to happen. Everything being a dream and waking up in my room with the same aches and pains as every night for 18 and a half years.
I open the door and in front of me is revealed a modest little living room with a tiny sofa and a coffee table full of unwashed mugs.
In front of the door are two more doors that I assume are the bedrooms, while to the right is a small open kitchen that certainly can't fit more than one person.
I can see from here, though, the stack of unwashed dishes in the sink.
To the left, through the open door, I can see a bathroom with navy blue tiles and floor tiles.
The air smells closed, a sign that no windows have been opened for several days, at least.
My gaze falls on my mother's face which has now lost the color in her cheeks.
— Are there any bugs here? Or..rats? She asks me with a seriousness that makes me laugh.
— Moooom, I say as if scolding her for her thoughts.
A tall Creole girl with curly hair appears from one of the room doors. She smiles widely and looks at us as if she is so familiar with us that has known us for a lifetime.
She wears a leather mini skirt and a blouse with a generous neckline that barely covers her n*****s, but perfectly highlights her beautiful body features. He comes closer to me and hugs me tightly.
— You must be Aimee, she says. I'm Clarissa, and I have a feeling we're going to be very good friends.
My mother gives me a nasty look as I give her a sincere smile from the tightness of Clarissa's embrace.
If she doesn't let me go soon, she's going to suffocate me. Fortunately, she lets me go immediately, as if reading my mind, and turns to my mother with a solemn attitude.
— Hello, Mrs. Aimee's mother. I am Clarissa Harrison and from today I will be your daughter's roommate on this wonderful campus.
All three of us are laughing now and it's like I can see my mother's tension drop.
—Hello, Clarissa. Nice to meet you. I hope you and my girl get along well.
— Yes, ma'am, she says, putting her hand to her head in a military gesture that makes all three of us roar with laughter again.
— Now I should let you settle in.The room on the right is yours, Aimee, she says, retreating into the other room.
— She seems like a good girl, says my mother. But look at this place.. Are you sure you want to do this? You still have time to change your mind.
— Let's unpack things, mom, I say, avoiding a useless discussion.
For an hour, I did a little cleaning in my room, dusted the drawers and arranged my things as much as possible. I put clean linen on the single bed and placed my favorite teddy bear next to the pillows.
— Do you want me to stay with you tonight? My mother asks me as she prepares to leave.
— I don't think we could both fit in this little bed, I say. Plus I'd never forgive myself if you got bitten by a rat overnight, I say with a laugh.
She laughs too, but immediately it turns into tears and sobs. I hold her in my arms inhaling the pleasant smell of her hair.
— It's going to be all right, mom. I promise. "
— I know, she says between sobs.
She kisses my forehead and leaves crying. I know her too well and I know she won't settle down anytime soon. It hurts me to let her go like this..
— Ready? Are you alone? Clarissa asks me who has now changed her clothes and put on a short colorful dress.
—Yes, I say dryly.
— I'm going out with some friends from campus. If you want to come with us, you are welcome.
—Thanks, but I'd rather stay in the room today.
— Today you are allowed, but know that you will not escape forever, she says smiling and heading for the exit.
—Clarissa..
— Yes? She answers.
— Do you mind if I do a little cleaning around here? I say, hoping she doesn't take it as an offence.
— Yeeees, pleaaase. Since childhood, I wanted a colleague who was obsessed with cleanliness, to complete me.
We both huff and puff as I watch her close the door behind her. I put on some home clothes around the house, put my headphones in my ears and my phone to Avril Lavigne's Complicated song, and take a deep breath before approaching the sink full of dishes.
I also found a dying flower in a pot in the kitchen, so as soon as I finished cleaning, I took a shower and go to buy potting soil. I'm back in 15 minutes and I've changed its soil. I put a little water on it and place it at the window where the sun's rays can reach it. I sincerely hope he survives..
It's already 8pm, so I retire to my room and put a movie on my laptop.
- Writer
