Alienated

FOUR

"This used to be my room actually." We step into the first room on the right.

"Why'd you move out?" He replies, looking around the room. It's relatively smaller than the room I share with LaToia. The color scheme through the whole second floor is the same though. Blood red walls, paint cracking from age. An unfortunate choice in my opinion. Oak trimming along the floor that matches the ugly bed frame and board.

A huge water stain on the ceiling right above the bed. It's been there since 1985, so Mrs. Burns says. It's grown bigger since I've packed my stuff almost two weeks ago though, making me doubt she's telling the truth.

"They didn't tell me why but I'm guessing because you were coming. They prepared for you about a week and a half ago. Coed roommates aren't allowed in these parts." The twang in my voice flows out smoothly. I walk over to the dresser I use to use and run my fingers along the top, resulting in dusty fingertips. I sneeze, the dust going everywhere. "As you can see, our maid does a terrible job at cleaning, when she actually does come in. So if you want your room clean, you'll have to do it yourself. Shouldn't be too hard."

He finishes his packing just in time for the sound of heel clicks echoing in the hallway.

"Hero Blackburn. Andy Blackburn has donated a lot of money to this foundation. I am pleased to finally meet you."

A lady about five-seven walks in and holds her hand out for him to shake. Her hair is gelled back into a tight pony tail, her floor length dress is black with golden buttons lining the middle of it. She looks great for being in her thirties. Not a wrinkle in sight.

Mrs. Burns. She's the owner of this place. Well, co-owner. Her late husband owned it before her — he inherited it — and he put in his will before he croaked to have the establishment go to his wife and... Get a load of this. Dr. Rodent! Him and Royce were best friends back in the day, basically brothers. I think it's darn fucked.

"I'm sure he has." He rejects her handshake, but she cooly blows it off and smiles. He then turns to me. "So about that tour you said you were gonna give me?"

I look at him, eyebrow raised. I didn't tell him anything. In fact we didn't say a word on our way up here.

"Well I can, Mrs. Burns will probably want to talk to you first." He slightly narrows his eyes at me and chills crawl up my spine. Mrs. Burns is not a terrible person and he shouldn't be rude to her. He can wait for his tour.

I smirk and look at Mrs. Burns. Him and I may be in here for the same reason but that doesn't make us friends. I am going to pick his brain when I get the chance though.

"Why thank you Aster. You can excuse yourself, I think LaToia is looking for you." I nod and turn to exit the room before Hero has the chance to say something to me. I can already tell he's going to be a speed bump in my life and he only showed up fifteen minutes ago.

I close the door behind me and take a right. My room is at the end of the hall, on the opposite side from him. Bigger, better, less creepy. It was a relief when they made me move rooms. No more staying awake for hours on end staring at the eery water stain on the ceiling. It's a dark brown color coming from the attic above, making me question if it's really a "water stain."

"Aster!" I don't have to turn around to know who it is. You see, there's only six — no seven — of us here so I've gotten to know most of the coocs here pretty well. I feel a hand grab my shoulder before it turns me around.

"Joshua." A wave of cologne hits me when we're suddenly face to face. Someone hasn't got the memo that we're not in high school anymore.

Joshua. Where do I even begin with him? He's a nice guy really. He's just really... Touchy and nosey. He also has schizophrenia and talks to himself quite a bit. His trimmed blonde hair, blue eyes and dimples are heart tuggers though, making my heart feel for him.