College.

The sound of freedom. I finally get to leave the house, finally get to get away from the girl who has been insistent on sticking to me since the third grade. And she didn’t stick to me in the way glue does, but tape. Duct tape. The type that won’t let go and is isistent on making life painful, and leaving a mark.

I get to leave. I’m getting thrown into the deepest part of the pool, the only question remaining, can I swim? Well I guess we are going to find out.

I stick the key into the door, the metal biting into my fingers as frost settles on the grass and windows. My roommate should have arrived two days ago, we already established who is staying where by a quick text exchange.

I open the door, immediately comforted by the calming heat coming from the heater like a thick heavy blanket made just for me.

I smile as I look at the small dorm, a kitchen with barely any space, and a living room with one two seat couches, and one single couch pressed up against it. There was a small hallway with a bathroom and two small rooms.

A tight fit, but one that would work perfectly with my basic needs and want for a homey area where I could relax after my classes.

And I was about to do just that, relax, when my roommate walked out of her room.

“Zara?” The word falls from my tounge before I can close my lips tightly to stop it.

“Of course. Of all the people here, I just so happen to get put with the To-Good-For-Anyone kind of girl.” Zara spits, poison dripping from every syllable, intending to cut deep.

“And I get stuck with the Insicure-Can’t-Go-A-Day-Without-Crying-For-Someone’s-Attention type of girl.” This was my first time biting back, and dispite the uncertainty I hid under layers of false confidence, there was a satisfying twist to it. And I hated it. I don’t want to be anything like her.

“That was probably the worst comeback I’ve ever heard in my life, but I’m proud of your for tryin’ hun.” She turns on her heel grabbing some food before sitting on our table. Sitting on it. Not at it, like a normal person, she plopped herself into the table. Where we _eat. _

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“That’s disgusting” I say dryly, as I do most things.

“Oh I’m sorry hun, if this bothers you, feel free to get a new dorm. As much as you will be missed here, I’m sure I can manage if it’s what will make you more comfortable.”

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I don’t think I’ve ever hated someone more than I do right know.

“No of course it doesn’t bother me! I have something’s I do too, that not many people can handle but I’m sure you will find them just charming.”

She narrowed her eyes at me, her fake eyelashes thick enough to cover the whole of her eye. “Like..?” She gestured for me to go on.

I smirk but keep it small, not wanting to show her how much I am enjoying this. “Oh well I can’t sleep if I can’t hear a a baby. You see I have a little sister at home and I can’t sleep unless I can hear her. Speaking of which, I’m going to go to sleep, looking at my eyelids for the next six hours is way more entertaining than looking at you.” I don’t have a sister. But if she wants to play this game, might as well give it a shot.

She flips me off but I couldn’t care less. I walk to my room and plop my bags down on the floor, a satisfying ache slowly being released from my shoulders. I set up my phone, and find a video of a little baby screaming right after birth. Why someone would post this, I don’t know, but I need it know so I’m glad they did. I turn the volume up to full. I twist the lock on the door and the lock clicks into place.

I slip on my headphones and play classic white noise to blur out the sound already starting to get on my nerves and smile when the headphones muffle out the most of it. It takes maybe two minutes before the pounding at my door starts, and takes me two minutes to jsut turn up the volume so I can’t hear that either.