5000 hours after high school graduation here ultimately we are- university roommates.

Here in the bustling town of Olympia, there was I, a freshman. I was just beaming with excitement and a touch of anxiety as I moved in. As I unpacked my boxes and bags, that eagerness continued. The only shadow looming over this bright beginning light was the memory of a high school student, my arch nemesis, Persephone, whose mere presence used to make my skin boil.

Still waiting for the new roommate to arrive, I couldn't help but wonder if I might like them, what they might be like.

Then I woke up and she was there.

Surprisingly the feeling of anger didn't spark.

Only the other remembererence of our once inseparable days partnering in petty theft, swiping delights from unsuspecting neighbors, and our middle school adventures were our secret bond. A thrilling game only we shared.

But as high school commenced, I, feeling the weight of the guilt; decided to focus on my academics and let go of the path of mischief. Persephone, however, found it harder to let go of the thrills and started again down the dark path.

Our choices set us on an avenue to rivalry. In the hollowed halls of Nine Oaks High School, we evolved against each other.

Alexandria excelled in sports and class, yet nevertheless, Persephone, the cunning trickster, used her delights and witts to gain popularity.

The flashlight suddenly stopped as the alarm clock went through. “I hope to shout” Alex slyly and swiftly hinted to her former bestie that it was morning.

“ I AM UP ALREADY”, shouted Miss Persephone Fox.

*Well by Jove I think she got the memo* I think to myself

I got showered, took out my heatless spiral, and found an old skirt my mother wore back in her college days.

“Please, tell me you aren't going to go to orientation wearing that disgusting skirt”. , Persephone hissed across the dorm, placing in perfect order her helix earrings.

I didn't bother to verbally acknowledge her. Not until I noticed those spiders she calls eyelashes, and several new tattoos featuring her three favorite things: chemistry (the dopamine symbol ), a heart chakra, and Spongebob.

Believe me,

it took every ounce of my might to not snicker in her direction * Well, look who's talking*!

Still, surprisingly the fact that I barely remember hating her now actually hurts me a little.

Like it was just a whisper in the wind.

UNIVERSITY OF EVERGREEN FALL 2031 ORIENTATION

Persephone the same as always, the visionary at heart whipped her long copper ringlets into a bandana without looking into a mirror.

“We’re going to be late,” I said as she continued getting ready.

She looked at me with her hazel grey eyes and pointed at the laptop: ONLY FOR SOPHOMORES ENTERING INTERNSHIPS

I looked in disappointment and disbelief. I was so confused and such a planner for this moment.

We were so lucky to have such an amazingly amicable start to our journey…… until the end of our 206 days apart.

My first day went great but I was dead tired after my favorite class, philosophy.

Law And Ethics 101 with several other people all from my high school was quite a bit more than a refresher to my day.’

Including the ever-daring Persephone, there was a former high school sweetheart of mine in the class.

*No it can’t be……Owen Allegra!*

My heart went out to Persephone for having had this collegiate interaction firsthand and for being the preferably smarter one (in this case) to have rejected this boyishly alluring gentleman who was her middle school crush too.

Owen, Persephone, and I spent the whole afternoon together, and the study hours as well.

It was such a highlight of my first day.

“Remember the junior year prom?” Owen asked me while hands giving a sign to the next question about statistics in the textbook.

The theme of the prom was Aurora Borealis as our class travels were to be in Sweden that year.

The vegan Persephone switched the subject matter and brought up the time Owen asserted his love for the wrong girl in Swedish.

MIN KANDELBUELLE, JAG ALASKAR DIG

That was it!

“Keep in mind that I am the one who dated him, not you” I hardly had the nerve to talk.

I felt like I was reading his mind through the way I could see that his eyes darted to her.

I hated her not because of the way she got me in such a way of trouble but rather because of the lack of faith I had she wouldn't have stolen Owen from me.

I think that this boiled my skin more than the menace I was becoming back than.