The Stage Door (Camren/Norminah)

The Roommate

Camila POV

"Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Mom," I sighed irritably, trying to be patient. "We just flew more than 2,800 miles on a plane full of screaming children and ornery old people, if I wasn't sure I would have never got on the plane."

My Mother shook her head and laughed, she knew I was staying, she just didn't want to let me go, as she always told me, it didn't matter how old I got, I was always going to be her baby. Letting me spread my wings and fly was going to be an adjustment, not just for her, but for myself as well, even if I was too proud to admit it. She finished helping me bring in my suitcases and my guitar, along with a tote full of blankets, pillows, and towels, dropping them in the middle of the floor of my new room. My dorm room. It was empty, white walls and two double beds; One pushed against the wall under the window, the other pushed against the empty wall across from it. I looked at both, unsure which bed I should take. I didn't like the thought of sleeping under the window, but wondered if my new roommate would feel the same.

"Are you okay, Mija?" I was snapped out of my daze by my Mother and simply nodded my head in response. "I have to go, are you sure you want to stay? It's a far place to be, away from your family."

I settled with the idea of waiting, my roommate and I could decide together.

"Mom, seriously I'm fine. You're just a phone call away and a plane ride if I change my mind." My Mom smiled and I gave her a long hug, letting it linger a little longer than usual. "Go, really. I'll miss you, I'll call every Sunday just as we discussed. You're going to miss your flight home if you stay."

She was gone.

I looked around the room and settled onto the floor, opening my guitar case and wrapping my hands around the neck as I brought my most prized possession onto my lap. I had no idea what time my roommate would be arriving. I didn't know anything about her, except that like me she was starting 9th grade at The Stage Door Boarding School here in sunny Los Angeles, California. A school for the most talented teenagers across North America.

I had started the audition process just two months into my 8th grade, it consisted of a lengthy application, a 5 page essay, a video audition, and finally an in person audition that was held on March break. I got my acceptance letter the first week of July and spent my entire summer preparing myself to be surrounded with like-minded people and out of this world talent.

I could hear the hustle and bustle of more students arriving, suitcases wheeling down the hall, doors opening and shutting, and mumbled goodbyes to family, as like me, they settled into what would be their new home for the year. I began to pluck at the strings of my guitar, tuning and humming until I found my groove, letting the world outside of my new room disappear behind my voice.

...Friday night, I'm going nowhere, all the lights are changing green to red, I'm turning all the TV stations, situations running through my head. Looking back through time and it's clear that I've been blind, I've been a fool to ever open up my heart to all the jealousy, the bitterness, the ridicule...