GET SET MATCH

1. Get set GO!

MALLORY

"Faint claps echoed throughout the auditorium as I sat beside my mom and dad, utterly bored until my bestie, 'Naomi,' arrived and rescued me from the deep pit of boredom.

'What's up, gal?' she asked, noticing my pout.

'What else? Just some tedious speech by the board members,' I replied, sighing.

She chuckled at my answer. It was then that I noticed someone behind her, but before I could speak, my mom beat me to it.

'Julie! What took you so long?' My mom addressed Naomi's mom.

'Where's Mark?' my dad inquired.

'He's in the parking lot; he'll be here soon,' Julie responded.

After a while, Uncle Mark arrived and sat next to my dad, and Julie Auntie did the same with my mom. Naomi and I have been friends since childhood; our parents are partners and best friends who never quarreled. I've never heard my dad speak ill of Uncle Mark, and the same goes for my mom and Julie Auntie. Julie Auntie and Mark Uncle are like my godmother and godfather, a relationship that also applies to Naomi."

We are In our university, during the speech on Freshers' Day, the atmosphere was filled with elites. Only students with the highest ranks could secure a spot here. Most of the richest kids study here, and there's fierce competition for seats. Fortunately, or unfortunately, I managed to get admission here due to both my academic performance and my dad's financial status.

Our university has a bizarre custom. Every year, they devise elaborate, expensive plans, almost like tricks, and our parents end up complying with the management's demands. This year, they introduced an outrageously expensive plan - charging a huge sum for the dorms. They asked for our input for the dorms, promising to tailor them to our preferences. The absurd part is that it's not just a dorm; it's a full-fledged house.

I'm not fond of this idea because some students from less affluent families are stuck in regular dorms while we live in houses. Only 100 people get to live in these houses, and Naomi and I are among them. It feels like a competition among the wealthy, creating a strange world indeed.
Within the house are two rooms with attached bathrooms, a kitchen, living room, balcony, and a garden in the rear, where two students will reside together for the entire year.

"Hey there, everyone!"
A gentle, feminine voice echoed from the speakers, capturing the attention of all present.

She, the head of management, continued, "As we dive into our new project regarding the dorms, I have some updates to share. The dorm construction is on track for completion within 3 weeks. We've tailored the dorms to suit our students' preferences, ensuring that the two students sharing a dorm have similar tastes. However, a small number will be rooming with a student of the opposite gender due to their aligned preferences. If any issues arise post-occupation, rest assured that complaints can be lodged at the principal's office, where appropriate action will be taken. I trust that this living arrangement will bring joy to all."

Hearing that, I chuckled inside. My mom is super protective; she never allowed me to hang out with any boys or even be friends with them. But that didn't stop me; I managed to make many guy friends. Though she wasn't thrilled about it, she never explicitly told me to stop. She's a good mom at heart. However, I'm pretty sure she won't be pleased with the recent update from the principal. I glanced over at her and could see her dissatisfaction written all over her face.