Shapes Of Echoes

1

8 Months Before

Michael was sitting on his bed, blankly looking out of the window. The school was just about to start, he just finished moving in dormitory, and was now chilling doing nothing. His roommate was not there yet, nor had he moved in. He saw just a name on the door, which he didn't recognize. Not that he expected it, but he was used to a life in his small town, where everyone heard every person's name at least once. His future roommate wasn't much of an interesting concept, so it quickly disappeared from his train of thought. He wondered what his life would now be.
In his childhood, he always liked the thought of being somewhere else, of not staying in one place for a long time, although that wasn't very unique for a kid his age with lots of energy and less to do. But unlike other children, he was trying not to idealise the world. Of course, he had his expectations and opinions about the world, known to any kid, but he was an extraordinarily perceptive child, he saw the empty look of exhaustion in people's eyes, their dead curiosity, which highly unsettled him. In the same time though, it also woke a strong desire for knowing the reason for it, the true, the real, along with a great fear of it.

As if there was a truth. He saw it now. There was no one true thing in his world.

***

The papers were lying where she left them. Almost forgot. "Coming!" she shouted as she ran down the stairs and into the car, where her parents have been impatiently waiting. "Have you got all of them, sweetie?" asked her mother. "I sure hope so." She quickly grabbed her pocket, and was relieved when she felt her headphones inside. Even when she was willing to talk to her parents, every car ride with them had come to a point where she had to put her headphones on, otherwise she wouldn't have survived all the yelling, or would say the things she wouldn't want to say. Yet. "How long will the car ride take?" she asked. "If everything will go smoothly, which i doubt, it shouldn't take more than 2 and half hours" her dad said. He wasn't the most optimistic person around, but unfortunately he was often right, so he didn't plan on changing his attitude towards life. 

As the car started moving, she exchanged some more words with her parents, and then the time came for her headphones to shine. Better sooner than later, before another lecture about "real life" starts. It was apparently the most attractive topic for long car rides. As much as she wanted to discuss life, to know more, she hated the attitude her parents had for all of her opinions, she knew they never really understood what she was saying, and it always ended in arguing. Today, she really wasn't in the mood for that, the day was special enough already. She didn't want to stress herself more, so she tried to act in advance and prevent it all. Her parents didn't say anything, they knew it just as good as she knew, and they had already given up on trying to change this "family tradition".
Music filled her ears, her head, her veins, blood and bones, and it was the best sensation in whole world. Oh, what an empty world would it be without music, unable to escape the harsh reality. It was a cliché quote, but she didn't care, because it described the sensation perfectly. In fact, she understood the quote in a completely different way than others, it had a deeper meaning for her.

And so, as she watched the sun slowly setting, she let the music completely devour her, losing her mind, and finding a new one, just to lose it once again.

***

Tomorrow was the first day of school. Many people said that nobody can sleep the first night in dormitory, and although at first Michael wasn't sure if it was true or not, he now knew the answer. It really was impossible to fall asleep. His roommate still wasn't there, which was a thing Michael was kind of thankful for. He was a bit anxious about meeting his new roommate.
He never really got along well with others in his age, especially with boys. He had a few friends before, mostly girls, but now he didn't have anyone close. For him, girls were equal to boys in everything, he never felt the difference in genders. If he got along with someone, it didn't matter if it was a girl or boy. However, he preferred girls over boys, since they have a different way of thinking, the one closer to him. It was not like they understood him better, but they were kinder, calmer and more acceptable of him, and didn't have the need to point out how "weird" he was. 
Michael was already lying in bed, telling himself he really should sleep. The window was slightly opened, just so the fresh air could come in. He hated the noises of traffic coming in with the air, but it also had a peaceful effect on him, in a way. The fact that people were coming and leaving, that there was a huge crowd he could get lost in. That was the only good thing he saw about this city. At least he could be alone with his thoughts in the small dark room in the moment. He almost forgot the annoying fact that he couldn't lock it. 
Knock knock. Speak of the devil. "Come in." Michael quickly sat up, and switched the light on. It was the dorm governess. "Hello, i guess you're Michael." she said, in a really high-pitched voice. It sounded like something between door screeching and an opera singer singing on drugs. "Yeah, that is right." She quickly adjusted her glasses, with a really theatrical motion. "Were you already trying to sleep? At this hour?" she asked. Is that a problem? Michael wasn't that much of an early sleeper, but today he wanted to regain some energy on the upcoming first day of school. Before he even got a chance to answer, she continued. "Anyways, i just came to tell you that your roommate will be in fact arriving today." Today. Not the best news he could get. The tone with which she said it wasn't helping either. The governess sighed, which also sounded very unnaturaly. "Is everything alright, Michael? If there'll be any problem, you can come and tell someone on the 3rd floor." She turned around and left, but Michael still heard a part of her mumbling to herself. She really wasn't a quiet person. "Why can't they come at a normal time? Modern families and their lack of time-management. Surely it will be another spoiled kid, if the parents are willing to travel at this ho..." Well, it's right that it was already 9pm, but the time limit for arrivals was till 10. Still, a bit unusual to arrive this late though. Maybe they are from somewhere far away. Michael remained in seated position, thinking about his roommate again.
Finally, after a few seconds, he decided that it would be best for both of them if he'd just stay up and wait. A change of close also wouldn't be bad. Okay then. Michael sighed, and got out of bed. After he changed himself, he looked if there was a mess anywhere. After all, it would be a bad start if he'd create an assumption of being a messy roommate. Still, it was pointless. There was nothing in the room that could possibly be messy, so he just grabbed his headphones, lied down on bed and was just browsing anything that came up as recommended. After a minute or so of doing so, he put down his phone, and just lied on his back staring at the ceiling. He maxed out the volume, and let his mind get lost. 
Suddenly, something put him out of his thoughts, and just after that he identified what it was.
Knock knock.