Inversion

Roommates

I was surprised to say the least, but I took his hand anyways, “Uh, hey there. Jack. That's my name I mean.” He shook my hand vigorously, never letting the crazy smile leave his face then began pacing around me in a circle, looking me up and down like I was some sort of puzzle that he could solve.

“Hmm. Not especially tall.... I don't feel any vibrations......hmmm,” he was muttering this under his breath as he sized me up before Esper grabbed him by the ear,

“That's quite enough Master Smith, take these and go put them in Jack's room,” he said sharply, handing my luggage off and releasing his ear. The chastised young man took off briskly up the stairs angrily whispering something about Esper's mother under his breath as he went. I couldn't help but chuckle, which made Esper fix me with an icy glare and the laugh died on my lips.

“Sorry. Sorry. Can you show me my room?” I asked hurriedly trying to change the subject.

“Indeed, you will be on the third floor. This way,” he said leading us up the stairs. He took the stairs two at a time and we had to almost jog to keep up, but luckily there was nowhere for us to get lost like back in the maze of hallways in the main building. We got to the third floor just behind an out of breath Sparrow, “Tired from just that Master Smith? How disappointing,” Esper said with a smirk.

“Oh fuck off old man, I'm just getting started,” Sparrow replied between hitched breaths, dropping my luggage in a heap in front of one of two doors on the hallway and going back down the stairs.

“Looks like we're hallmates new guy,” a baritone voice said from behind me. I turned around and saw the speaker, a tall cheerful looking black guy in an Atari t-shirt and cargo shorts. “Jared Dawson. Nice to meet you, and don't judge us all based on Sparrow,” he said with a laugh, “Jack right? I heard you when you came in. In any case, I'm next door if you need any help getting settled,” he gave me a friendly wave and disappeared back into his room. I looked over the banister and then back at his room, how the hell had he heard me from all the way up here? Esper cleared his throat and stepped out of the way of the door so I could see into my new room.

“Whoah,” was the only word I could manage upon seeing my room. It was huge, at least twice the size of my room back home and fully furnished in the same style as the rest of the house. A king size bed took up the center of the room, in front of a full wall window that looked out over the trees of the forest, and there was a leather couch with a coffee table and a bookshelf tucked into the corner. “This is incredible, are all the rooms like this? How can the school afford this?” I asked in amazement.

“Actually, your room is a bit on the smaller side, we didn't have much time to prepare,” Esper said, sounding slightly embarassed.

“Small?! This is bigger than our living room!” mom said walking around the room inspecting all the furniture and then added jokingly, “I'll just stay here with you, your father can fend for himself.”

Esper hurriedly brought in my bags from the hallway and placed them at the foot of the bed, “Your classes start tomorrow Master Jack, you can pick up your schedule from the Registrar's office. One of the other student's can show you how to get there I'm certain. I suggest you get some rest, the first day can be very taxing,” he said kindly and then turned to my mom, “Lady Sloane, if you'll follow me I will take you back to your vehicle.”

“Oh, of course. Thank you Mr. Wattson, let me just say good-bye to Jack real quick,” mom said crossing the room and giving me a hug, “You be good, you hear me? Don't you mess this opportunity up mister! And I love you, stay in touch. I pay for that phone for a reason!” After this she kissed me on the cheek and left the room with Esper. I stood staring out the window, standing next to my pile of unpacked luggage and pondering my new life for a few minutes when I heard the door behind me get kicked open. I jumped in surprise and turned around to see a group of students led by Sparrow holding a bottle of liquor in each hand,