Roommates (Klance College AU)

34

Keith found himself settling into his new role as a teaching assistant. He's only been doing it for a week now, but already he could feel the weight of responsibility and the thrill of contributing to the academic journey of others. Each day brought new challenges and learning opportunities, not just for the students he was assisting, but for himself as well.

Keith's schedule was packed with grading papers, preparing materials for discussion sections, and meeting with students during office hours. That along with his own coursework and classes, was very stressful for him, and he was losing more and more sleep each day, catching Lance's attention, though he never spoke much of it, deciding to just mind his own business.

Despite the busyness, Keith found immense satisfaction in being able to clarify difficult concepts for students or offer guidance on their projects. Seeing the moments of comprehension flash in their eyes was rewarding beyond words.

The interactions with Professor Alfor had also become more collaborative. The professor frequently sought Keith's opinions on how to approach certain topics or handle the dynamics of the discussion groups. It was empowering to know that his insights were valued and that he was contributing to the educational environment in a meaningful way.

After another couple weeks, Keith navigated his dual responsibilities of being a teaching assistant and a student, having to reteach himself the importance of time management and self-care. He started prioritizing tasks, setting boundaries, and carving out time for relaxation and rejuvenation. Slowly, he found a rhythm that allowed him to excel in both roles without sacrificing his well-being.

One night, as Lance got home late from clubbing with some classmates of his, he stubbled inside, wanting to be quiet as to not wake Keith. Though, Lance soon noticed Keith was still awake, grading assignments whilst also working on his own.

Lance made sure to lock their door and kicked his shoes off his feet. "Hey," he whispered, tiptoeing to the desk—where Keith was hunched over a sea of papers. "You're still up?"

Keith lifted his head, rubbing his eyes before glancing at the clock. "Yeah, just trying to finish these up before tomorrow," he responded, his voice weary but determined. He took a long swig of his coffee that had went cold, startling him because he hadn't realized how much time had passed since he brewed it.

"Make sure you get some sleep," Lance slurred, too tired and tipsy for a conversation. He collapsed onto his bed, falling asleep as soon as his body hit the bed.

Keith sighed and finished up his grading as efficiently as possible before finally allowing himself to crawl into bed; he only had two hours to get some sleep before he had to wake up and get ready for the day.

The next morning, Keith woke up feeling groggy and exhausted, his body protesting against the lack of sleep. But with determination, he dragged himself out of bed, knowing that he had a busy day ahead of him.

Keith stood in front of the bathroom mirror as he brushed his teeth, the mirror reflecting his dull, expressionless face. He slowly began to fall asleep right then and there, causing him to stumble on his feet, waking himself back up again.

This constant battle against fatigue wasn't sustainable, Keith knew.

The morning lectures seemed to blur together, and he found it harder than usual to focus on his own coursework, let alone assist others with theirs. He made a mental note to find a better balance.

After his morning lectures, Keith found himself in the library, trying to catch up on his own assignments. The quiet hum of the place and the concentration of fellow students around him helped to some extent, but his mind was foggy, thoughts tangled and slow from sleep deprivation.