Ezra

So, Josh isn't very nice to me, I thought as I walked into the dinner hall. But, he's the only person I really know here, so...

I spotted him at a table with a few other guys in letterman jackets-- members of the football team, I presumed. I didn't see anyone who looked remotely like me, so I went over to Josh's table and sat down next to him on the side where the seat was still empty.

He gave me a glare. "Go find somewhere else to sit, freak. You don't belong here."

"I may not be a prep, and I may not be a jock," I agreed, "but I don't have anywhere else to sit. Besides, that's not a very nice way to talk to your new roommate." I said the last sentence as though I was speaking to my little sister (who was in kindergarten, and had to have things explained to her as though she's entirely dumb).

That got Josh to shut his face-hole and continue eating.

One of the other jocks nodded at me from across the table. "So you're his new roommate. I'm Kieran." He shot me a winning smile. "I've never seen someone shut Josh up like that."

"Ezra. And... I have my ways." I took a bite of the school's actually-not-bad chow mein. "Besides, most jocks are just young adults with the minds of children."

"I'm not like that!" Kieran looked offended, which made me laugh.

"I said most."

He smiled at me. "I guess you did, didn't you?"

I rolled my eyes at him and didn't respond, while Josh just gave him a very pointed glare-- probably for actually talking to someone such as me when Josh had sworn himself off of it-- and the other two football guys laughed quietly under their breath.

Dinner was otherwise uneventful. I ate, the jocks ate, chatter and light banter were exchanged, but it was nothing special. I excused myself at the end of it and went right back to the dorm room, hoping to get changed into my sleepwear before Josh had a chance to get back. I pulled off the sweater and jeans and got a pair of sweatpants and an oversized t-shirt on instead. There was a solid ten or so minutes when I debated whether or not to take my makeup off, and ultimately decided not to until I was sure that Josh was asleep, so that he didn't have an opportunity to make fun of me for looking like a normal person.

I climbed into my bed, filled with a mountain of pillows to compensate for the lack of a second human body, and pulled the comforter over my lap as I grabbed my laptop computer, ready to send an email to my family.

From: ezra.a@gmail.com

To: abramov.family@gmail.com

Hey Mom, David, and Illa.

Aerial Prep is still as terrible as I remember. My new roommate (I did tell you I got switched rooms, right?) is pretty terrible, actually. I think he hates me. I just wanted to get along! Oh well. I'll see how it goes, shall I?

I hope that you three are okay. I wonder if I can ask the kitchens to make some Hebrew food this year. It'll feel more like home...

I miss the challah bread already.

Love you guys,

Ezra

Sent 20:08

Josh came back to the room just as I closed my computer, carrying two bundles of clothing.

He tossed one at me. "Uniform. I went to get mine, they said I should get yours as well. You're welcome." He spat the last word.

"Thanks," I said, honestly. I looked over the uniform. Same as last year.

"Whatever." Josh got into bed, not even bothering to get into pajamas. "I'm going to sleep."

I stood and turned off the main light, then turned off my lamp so that the room was completely dark. I went to the bathroom to remove my makeup, muttering, "Okay."