C4 Episode 3

(Keisha dorm room )

~~~~~~~*****~~~~~~~

She stormed in and fixed her eyes on me and Matt. "What in Zeus' name is going on here?"

"I'm sure you were briefed about having a roommate before applying for the dorm," Matt explained to the girl in front of us. "That side of the bed is yours and the other side is Keisha's," Matt added, pulling me behind.

She headed to her side of the bed, rolling her eyes and carefully searching her belongings to ensure they were intact.

"Don't worry, we didn't touch anything" Matt assured her

"I never said you guys did" Her tone was sharp and edger. "What's her big deal" she asked, now staring at me her hands folded together in protest

"Who?" Matt asked

"The Princess behind you"

I stopped offloading my stuff out of the boxes, now staring at her and Matt.

"Doesn't she talk, is she mute?" she asked curiously, getting irritated. " no one told me, I had to deal with a mute for a roommate"

"You should say hi" Matt leaned softly whispering to me

I sighed and reluctantly stepped forward, extending my hand towards her. "Hi, I'm Keisha," I said, my calm but guarded.

She reluctantly shook my hand, her grip firm and her gaze still fixed with suspicion. "Morgan," she replied curtly

Matt intervened, trying to diffuse the tension. "Well, now that the awkward introductions are over, why don't we all sit down and talk about how you both can make this loving situation work"

Morgan scoffed, clearly uninterested in any attempts at conversation. "Fine, if we have to. But Just so you know, I have specific rules and expectations. I don't want any mess in here and I need my privacy"

Matt nodded understandingly. "Am sure Keisha can respect that, Keisha might also have her ground rules too, and hopefully, you both can find common ground"

Morgan crossed her arms and looked at me skeptically. "We'll see," she replied, sounding less hostile

Matt sat me down, discussing and informing me of all that needed to be known, he was a good guide, and I was comfortable around him. I couldn't help but feel a sense of peace.

It was clear Morgan was not thrilled about having a roommate, let alone one she perceived as being vocal, honestly I prefer my privacy.

It will take some time and effort to build any semblance of understanding and friendship between us.

Maybe, just maybe finding common ground and respecting each other boundaries, we could make this dorm feel at home.

Both Morgan and I were left alone, Matt had already left and Morgan completely ignored me for almost an hour. I sat on my bed, trying to sort out my thoughts while going through the pamphlet he had given me. Just then, my phone rang, bringing relief as I finally had someone who wanted to talk to me.

I looked at the caller ID and saw that it was Ivy and Pete—my two favorite people in the world.

"Hey," I answered, eagerly stepping outside for some privacy.

"So... how was your first day?" Ivy's voice was filled with excitement.

"She just got there, Ivy. I doubt anything exciting happened on your first day of orientation," Pete chimed in.

"Well, you never know. Hers might be different," Ivy retorted.

"Guys, let's stop arguing. Nothing really exciting happened, except for my not-so-excited-to-see-me roommate," I replied, standing outside my dorm.

"What's she like?" Pete asked.

"Hmm, gothic-like," I answered. "And I think she's in a band."

"I know those types of people. They can be very toxic. Keep your distance, and don't let her drag you into her dark world," Ivy warned, her voice laced with concern.

I chuckled at Ivy's remark. "I think you are being a little too dramatic, Ivy. She seems nice enough, just a little aloof. Plus, I think it's cool that she's in a band. Maybe I'll even go watch one of their gigs sometime if she ever invites me"

"Don't force it, Keisha, let it happen naturally" Pete added at the other end of the line. " and Ivy, don't be too quick to judge, who knows, people might surprise you."

Ivy huffed but didn't persist with her warnings. " Alright fine. But keep an eye out. Okay? We don't want you to get mixed up with the wrong set of people."

Ivy was right, people can be scary and I have lived through that experience to know that. I assured them both that I would be cautious and use my judgment. Despite their concerns, I didn't want to immediately label my roommate as toxic or dangerous based on her appearance and interests.

I wanted to get to know her better before making any judgment.

Our conversation continued. I updated Ivy and Pete on the overall orientation experience. We laughed about some of the awkward icebreaker games and shared our excitement for the upcoming campus event.

"Speaking of events, there's an orientation house party for freshers in the frat house" Ivy squeaked excitedly

I was silenced, the last time I attended one of those, I had a nightmare and am still having that nightmare.

"Party??, Ivy Nope, am done with the party, sorry I can't" I quickly told her

"Come on Keisha, you are still holding back because of one little incident"

I couldn't believe Ivy could say such a thing, one little incident almost ruined my life, and I have to live with that Shame and guilt.

"How could you say that Ivy" I asked

"Yeah, Ivy, you know how sensitive that matter is, why say that" Pete chimed in

Ivy scoffed, "Keisha, it's time to grow up, you are 18 and not the 16 years old highschooler, look around you, Mummy and Daddy won't be here forever to help you, stop acting naive"

Ivy's words hit me like a slap in the face. I had always thought of Ivy as my friend, someone who understood me and supported me. But in that moment, it felt like she saw me as nothing more than a sheltered child

Tears welled up in my eyes as a flood of emotions overwhelmed me. Anger, hurt, and frustration all blended, making it hard to find the right words to respond.

"Naive?" I finally managed to croak out, my voice shaking with emotions. "Ivy you have no idea what I've been through. That "little incident" you mentioned wasn't just some silly mishap. It was traumatic. And it still affects me to this day."

Pete, always the voice of reason, stepped in. "Ivy, you are being too much, you may not understand the depth of Keisha's experience, but that doesn't give you the right to dismiss her feelings. We all have our struggles and trauma and it is important to respect each other boundaries.

"I'm sorry, Keisha," Ivy said softly, realizing the impact of her words. "I didn't mean to belittle what you went through."

"I just wanted to encourage you to step outside your comfort zone, but I understand now that this isn't the right time or way to do it," she said.

I appreciated Ivy's apology, but a part of me doubted our friendship, Ivy had changed a lot, and I was used to her unexpected statements but now, it was just too much.

I just couldn't help but wonder if she truly understood me after all.

I ended the call, now retreating into my thoughts, I still felt conflicted.

Maybe Ivy was right; maybe it was time for me to face my fear and move past the nightmarish experience. But I couldn't help but feel hesitant, knowing that the scars from the past ran deep.

In the end, it was a decision only I could make. No matter what Ivy or anyone else said, it was up to me to find the strength within myself to confront my fear and find healing, in my own time and my way.

"Jesus Christ,"I stared in shock at the figure in front of me, unable to form a coherent sentence.

"Sorry, did I scare you?" he said, his smile putting me slightly at ease.

"Uh, sorry, who might you be? Are you lost?" I asked, realizing it was unusual for a guy to be in an all ladies dorm.

"Is Morgan inside?" he inquired before I could answer.

Just then, the door unlocked and Morgan appeared, her eyes shifting between me and the unexpected visitor.

"Hey babe," he greeted her, leaving me speechless.

"Babe?" I managed to say, my mind still reeling from the situation.

"I'm sorry for being late," Morgan replied, and they exchanged glances before focusing back on me.

"You must be Morgan's newest roommate," he said, extending his hand for a shake.

"Newest?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

"Well, Morgan here tends to be picky," he chuckled, a small smile forming at the end of his lip.

"Ah, I see," I responded, my eyes shifting to Morgan as I pondered her strange behavior.

"Don't scare the girl, Jamie," she playfully punched his shoulder.

"We're heading out for dinner. Care to join us?" he offered, including me in their plans.

"Come on, Jamie, let the poor girl be," Morgan requested, sensing my discomfort.

What's her big deal? I can answer for myself, I thought indignantly.

"Don't mind him. He's always like this. You don't have to come if you don't feel like it," she reassured me.

As Morgan pulled Jamie away, both heading towards the elevator leading to the lobby, seemingly trying to prove a point. I wanted to show everyone that I wasn't just a scared little girl, and that I could step out of my comfort zone.

"Wait," I called out, as they both turned to look at me.

"I would like to join you guys for dinner," I mustered, a sense of pride swelling within me.

Morgan stared at me, her eyes widening in surprise.

"What?"...