-Ezra-

It's pretty clear to me that Josh doesn't like me. The things he said just after I arrived would've been enough, but he glared at me all through dinner, too, like it was the worst thing I could ever do to even sit at the same table as him.

He doesn't have to like me. We only have two years left at this school before we don't need to see each other anymore-- and I can't speak for him, but personally, I can handle 18 more months in a room with him, regardless of whether he likes me or not.

Our second day in the building already has us in classes. Before bed yesterday, everyone (should've) picked up their uniforms to prepare for this morning, which will set the tone for the rest of the year. Personally, I'm prepared for this-- I wake up at 6:00, wash my face, brush my teeth, get dressed, and do my makeup all before Josh gets out of bed. By the time he's pulling his pants on, I'm already doing up my tie.

"Do you really have to look like that?" he asks distastefully, clearly referring to my makeup.

I shrug. "I like it. Is there a problem with me looking how I like?"

"The way you like to look is terrible, that's the problem," he mutters. "Can't imagine wanting to look like such a disgrace."

I grab my compact mirror (I keep it with me just in case) and clean up my lipstick. "Well, I'm not you."

"Clearly."

"You really don't like me, do you?" I snap the compact shut.

He gives me a look. "Whatever gave you that idea?"

"Point taken."

I watch him finish getting ready as the clock ticks closer and closer to class time. He seems to be in a constant rush-- no wonder; he wakes up about half an hour too late to go at a leisurely pace.

He's about to head out the door before I bluntly remind him, "Your tie."

"What?"

I point to his empty shirt collar and then the striped tie thrown over the back of his desk chair. "Your tie."

"Oh. Yeah. Right. Whatever." He grabs it and hastily does it up, but it's crooked.

Oh, that annoys me.

I can't help myself-- I step up and adjust it so that it's perfectly straight, then fix the lapels of his blazer while I'm at it. "You look like a mess."

He takes a step back and gives me a semi-disgusted look. "Don't touch me."

"Sorry for helping you not look like a fool." I roll my eyes.

"I didn't ask for your help."

"Maybe I'm a nice person."

"You're a creep." He levels another distasteful glare at me before turning and leaving the room.

I grab my pencil case and follow, a few steps behind and rolling my eyes.

This is my third 'first day'-- I know how this goes now. Just because my roommate has changed doesn't mean the whole way that the school works has. It's exactly the same as it was the last two years, except that the subject matter we're covering has changed, as we've all gotten older. It's pretty standard, and since it's only Day 1, mostly what happens today is that I get a lot of syllabi from my teachers.

Unlike what a lot of people would probably assume about me, I actually like school. Learning is fun-- it gets me out of my own head. And it means that I can share that knowledge with others-- my little siblings love it.

This school year is actually looking up for me. My roommate doesn't like me, that's true, but I'm not trapped in that cramped room with two guys who didn't like me, so I'll take it.

I'm gonna make the most of this. That's all I really can do.