Checking Up On You

3 Nora

"We'll be back to help you soon."

I watch both my parents walk away with Callie and feel my shoulders slump. You would think that they'd be happy for the both of us for getting into college. But it seems like all they are focused on is Callie.

I halfheartedly wave them goodbye, knowing that I'd have my room set up before they get done with hers.

I think that I was excited to get away from them but I've gone my whole life being in Callie's shadow and they never tried to fix their mistake.

I went to walk into my dorm building but bumped shoulders with someone. My duffel falls along with my folders of important information for my classes next week. I squat to pick it up and notice someone else bending over and collecting my papers.

A tattooed arm reaches for my codes and his eyes glance at me. Passionate green eyes. He's got slight waves in his hair and broad shoulders. A dimple on his chin and an irregular oval birthmark on his left cheek.

Beautiful is an understatement for him.

But his eyes are red like the aftermath of crying.

"Thanks, sorry I wasn't paying attention," I apologize. My glasses start to slip down the bridge of my nose and then fall off my face entirely. He's quick to grab them and hand them over.

"God, I need to fix those. Thank you."

He gives a half smile and I think I hear a "you're welcome" whispered back. He hands me my papers, gives me a wave, and walks into the same building I was.

I hurry to catch the door after picking up my duffel bag but he holds the door open for me and invites me in first.

I duck my head so he can't see me blush and stumble up to the second floor. My door is still open and I toss the last of my things to the side.

Dad at least helped me carry my mini fridge and clothes and all that stuff up. But once he set it down, it was all about Callie. Thankfully, she is in another dorm building so I won't have to see her in the kitchen every morning.

The room is split in the middle. Two beds on each side with a dresser built into each on the bottom. A desk at the end of each bed and two small closets on either side of our main door.

I sit on the edge of my bed and stare at my half of the room. It's a disaster. I've never felt so out of place before.

The other side is completely empty. I got my roommate's phone number a while ago and we seem to get along. She told me she'd be coming in tomorrow. I'd get to organize today and get it out of the way while she unpacks tomorrow and I can explore the campus and nearby town.

I am need of a job but luckily I saved up for my car two years ago and have money stashed in my savings account so I'm not completely broke.

I stack the boxes I am not unpacking right now but open the one sitting by itself on my bed sheets and pillowcases are squished in and protect picture frames and wall decorations from breaking during the drive.

I pull the mattress off the bed frame a little to reach the corner in the wall which is my least favorite part.

Once I'm satisfied with my bed, I empty the rest of the box and break it down before tossing it out the hallway. Someone sent out a message saying that if we throw the boxes into the hallway, maintenance would come around and pick them up for us.

Before I step back inside my room, the guy from earlier passes me and shoots me a smile. He's got a small drawstring bag and water bottle in his hands and I'm assuming he's on his way to the gym.