Andy

|unpacking|

  All dormitories look the same. 

If someone has just told Cisco that before she trudged up the four flights of stairs, lugging two overstuffed duffel bags, all of this would be avoided. But alas, this was not the case. And so, as she eventually climbs to the top, the sickening feeling of dread sets in. For none of the numbers match the one scribbled in not-so-permanent marker on the back of her hand. Cisco could never believe that she could hate three numerals in a specific sequence as much as she hated 629, but she does. 

Cisco's brother and sister, Sebastián and Maria, aid their sister with her belongings. Sebastián was raised like the cattle on their farm, strong and sturdy. He was the perfect candidate for moving-out assistance. That, and he's her older brother. It's sibling code. His muscles bulge under his button up shirt, and Cisco wonders how her brother grew up so fast. Suddenly, realization set in as she comprehends what's to happen once the boxes and luggage are emptied and everything is settled. 

She's always appreciated her scholarship to college, but now she feels like crumpling it up and throwing it away. She's not going to see her sister for nine months, and even though she was sharing classrooms with her brother, she'll barely have anytime to see him. She's been with her family her entire life, working on the farm together. Being away from them, even to sleep-away camp, was tough for her to stand. She distinctly remembers calling her mother at three in the morning at Kellie Martinez's slumber party because she missed Maria and needed to hear her voice. She was fourteen years old when it happened.  

The tears arise from their comfortable ducts and shimmer around in Cisco's lower lid, and her bottom lip trembles as the duffel bags drop to the floor. 

"Jesus Christ, Cisco, there are valuables in there." Maria whines, scrambling to pick up the fallen luggage. 

"Uh-oh..." Sebastián says under his breath. He notices the tears, and emotionally distances himself from the situation by leaning against the wall, and facing the window that shows the parking lot of the building. 

"Why are you crying?" Maria obviously knows why Cisco is crying, but is mostly curious as to why she is crying right now. 

Cisco quickly wipes the tears from her eyes and breathes in deeply. "Sorry, I'll get over it." and even though her voice quivers as she says it, she is forced to believe it. 

"We're lost. We're going to die up here." Maria wails, clenching her fists around the bag straps.
"I agree wholeheartedly." Sebastián says, stone-faced. 

"Guys, we have to find this stupid dorm! I'm done being controlled by its foolish games. I will conquer it." Cisco bravely states, standing stronger and straighter. 

She glances at her hand once more to confirm that the numbers were indeed 629. Then she noticed something strange about the way she wrote the 6. She angles her hand a different way, and groaned loudly. It was 956, not 629. 

"Are you serious?!" Maria exclaims when Cisco timidly admits her mistake. "You're such a moron." 

And they continue their trek up the flights of stairs. 

"I didn't know a building could have this many rooms.." Cisco says, as they make it to their final story of the building. 

She finds the door to 956 and breathes with a sigh of relief. Putting down the bags, she locates her keys and takes hold of the key labelled "DORM". But it doesn't fit. 

"You've got to be kidding me. Unbelievable." she groans. 

"Call your roommate." Sebastián suggests, his arms obviously not holding up to the weight of the box.