The Half

CHAPTER 1

DEACON

I think it’s safe to say that I have been preparing my whole school career for this precise day. My first day at collage. My parents have always pictured my future a certain way and getting a degree is part of the bigger plan. Lucky for them, or more for myself, I enjoy learning and reading. I’m not a jock type by nature. Never was and never will be and I’m perfectly fine with that. That doesn’t mean I don’t like being active, because I do. I just don’t see the point in chasing a ball while being tackled by other guys. I enjoy more nature like activities like hiking, skiing, bike riding and boxing. Boxing most off all, just to let off some steam. I think I need to go to the college gymnasium and see if they have a punching bag. That will be priority number 1 after I’ve unpacked and greeter my family. I was hoping that it will just be myself and my parents dropping my belongings off at my dorm room, but no, my younger sister and older brother insisted on coming along. I know it’s just to embarrass me, but they claim it’s for moral support. I roll my eyes at the thought. We’re almost at my new home for the next three years or more depending if I want to do my doctorate. Three years to ‘become a man’, as my father told me, seems a bit short but then again three years ago I was only turning 16. And to this day, I’ve never actually ‘became a man’ in the way that matters. But it’s a choice, not having sex as a teenager. And quite frankly I don’t think I would anytime soon either. I’m an old soul I’ve been told. I believe in no sex before marriage, or at least until your certain that the girl is going to be you wife. I think I’ve read too many novels and books to change my mind on this and become a total millennial. The whole partying scene was never my thing either. I have been drunk before but that was only one time on a summer camp in middle school.

My thoughts are interrupted when my father turns into the parking lot of the collage. Finally! My sister’s constant nagging about the long drive was driving me insane.
“We’re here!” my mother squirms.
I take in my new surroundings while getting out of the SUV. The building is nice, I guess. I don’t really care what it looks like on the outside. It’s what the interior looks like that counts in my opinion. I take my bags from my dad and relieve my sister of the two boxes she’s struggling with.
“Room number 46 son, I think it’s on the second floor.” my father says while searching the letter he printer out with all the information about my dorm room. I wasn’t going to apply for a fraternity, so this room is going to be home until I get a job and find my own apartment. Hopefully I’ve made friends by then and a potential roommate to help with rent.

“I hope your roommate is super-hot.” My sister of 16 whispers to me.
She’s never been shy about her likes and dislikes in my friends. Not that I had many but the guys I sometimes went bike riding with caught her eye.
“Catharine, really? My roommate can be 21 for all we know.” I nudge her and smile.
I’m going to miss her and her feistiness. My older brother, Darren, is currently working at my dad’s company. He owns an auto shop in my hometown. He’s been chosen to take over the family business while I need to get a degree and build another family business. That’s why I’m a business major.
“You’re so lucky you get to have the collage experience.” Darren says smirking.
“Brother what are you talking about? You graduated at this exact same collage two years ago.”
“I know and oh how wonderful those times were. So quiet and peaceful. Away from the loved ones.” He mocks putting his hands together in glee.

When we arrive at room 46 it’s empty. This either means one of three things. One, my roommate is one of those people who don’t plan or don’t care about schedules. Two, my roommate bailed on the whole collage thing which brings me to number three, I have no roommate. To be honest I’d like a roommate. Someone to know if making friends isn’t working out for me but then again to have this small room to myself can also work. I put the boxes down on the small wooden cupboard on my side of the room and put my bags on my new bed. Well new to me at least, the bed has markings on the wooden headboard from previous owners. I like it, it gives it character.
“Well we should leave you to it honey. I’m so proud of you already. Remember we’re only a phone call and a few hours’ drive away.” My mother sobs.
“Yes, son and me and your brother will swing by this weekend with your car. Hopefully they would’ve finished your brakes and all that.” My father states and gives me a hug.
Tapping me on my back a few times before letting my mother embrace me.
“Oh, wow shit sorry.” An unfamiliar female voice says.
When I turn around, I see a tattooed girl standing awkwardly in the doorway with a box in her arms. She is joined by a tattooed guy holding another box. Definitely option number one, my roommate is the ‘doesn’t care type’.