Dorm Room 210 [Rewrite]

Chapter 3

Tracey and I walk pass Building B and its built-in dormitory without hesitation. For months I've imagined what it'll be like walking through the secured doors and seeing the large blue B hanging on the brick wall beside the elevators. I'd hang out in the common room with its shared kitchen and entertainment facilities, chilling with friends and people with the same interests as me, sharing pizza, and taking naps on the couch even though my room would be close by.

Easy. Safe. Comfortable.

I never envisioned it ending before it began.

Green trees of many sizes and shapes scatter around the open campus area, bringing the simple white and nude-brown buildings to life. The clean brick road has a few gaps for rows of moss, extending towards the slight hill steps that leads further down the campus. We walk pass a shady tree with stone benches in a hexagon shape occupying students with books around them. Ignorant and at peace. I imagine feeling the same but with my phone, searching up the latest trends. There's some hope at least.

We pass Building C and D.

There aren't that many students or teachers out in the sun. I pull the sticky, soaked t-shirt away from my skin, the hot milkshake polluting my senses of vanilla and almost-off milk.

We walk by the main cafeteria of the campus and head towards Building E where the engineering and practical courses take place. Tracey and I sigh in unison at the air-con as we waltz through the tinted-glass doors. The corridor, a combination of wood and fresh paint, runs straight where another door resides. We don't take any turns. We don't stop to speak about the lit-up photographic wall of students and their achievements. The floorboards make a satisfying clatter whenever Tracey walks, taking away the attention of the annoying squeaks I make.

Sweat builds on my skin as we step outside onto a brick road.

My throat's dry. The need for water becomes apparent.

The brick floor transitions to blank concrete. My suitcase rolls smoothly.

"We're almost there," Tracey says.

I do a mental check of the belongings I bought. Aunt Jennifer still has my fabrics, sewing machine, fluffy pillows, and my detachable mannequin in her car. I had asked her to keep them until the weekend, not wanting the attention on the first day of moving in. Besides, I don't know how much room my roommate has taken. I don't want them to think I'm selfish.

Concrete leads to dirt.

The sun hides under the bridge of trees lightly swaying, bringing a sense of clarity in the air. The fresh cut grass makes my skin itchy. The heat doesn't penetrate my skin anymore, leaving a tingling sensation behind. I might be burnt. The swaying trees can't delude that.

Dirt smooths to path stones that lead to a cottage-looking flat, and my mouth drops open. Pink flowers spring in a soil bed in front of two glass windows where they face off somewhere further down the trees. The path stones surround the bottom half of the cottage-like place. Fresh green roots boarder up one side of the roof like it might have done for years.

"This dorm was made twenty years ago for private use. Its renovated for usage. The Head campus's son currently occupies the place."

I frown. "His son is using it?"

"Yes. He has been here for a few weeks now."

I clutch my phone and the borrowed t-shirt and will myself to keep my breathing even despite its rapid increase.

"As you know, all dorm rooms require a monthly payment, so you will continue to treat it as any other dorm on campus."

Additional to rooming with the Head Campus's son.