Fear paralyzes me as I approach the door, I knock to let Jayden know I'm here but unlock it straight after anyway, I open it to the dark, quiet room, the only light coming from an open laptop with a figure hunched over it on the bed. Jayden looks up at me and scowls but doesn’t say anything. I take that as a sign to enter. The reality of my living situation brings my mood down but at least I wasn’t sleeping on the streets, yet. 

The dorm rooms aren't terrible and cheap like usually described but I would say that they’re pretty damn modest compared to the rest of school; with two beds on either sides of the walls with a dresser and desk each, a window in between the beds, a bathroom on one side and a kitchen nook on the other. As soon as I sink into the comfortable bed, I turn to face the wall and pull the blanket over my head despite the warm weather. Through my eyelids I can tell Jayden’s computer is still on from the dim light behind me. I try to forget about the other person in the room and get some rest.

After showering the drowsiness from my body away and pulling on a red crop top, I study my face in the mirror. I slept fine last night, but it did not look that way. I groan in frustration at the extra effort I’ll have to put into putting makeup on.  

I pull the bathroom door open to find Jayden standing there, scowl on face once again. She looks like she wants to say something to me but was debating actually saying it. I raise an eyebrow at her, waiting. Her glare deepens at me, then she sighs and speaks.

“Look, don’t think of this as me being nice, or that you can stay,” she pauses. I get the point.

“But I’m sorry for being kind of an asshole yesterday but if you wanna make friends and get a better roommate then there's this club I’m a part of that’s held in the school, for lgbtq+ people. If you wanna join and come to a meeting there's one today after classes at 4 so if you’re not here by 3:50, don’t expect me to wait here for you.” she muttered most quietly before saying the last part in an accusatory tone. 

“Oh, thanks, that actually sounds great. Would it be ok if I bring someone?” Jayden looks surprised but recovers quickly.

“Sure, whatever, just don’t be late.” she then pushes past me into the bathroom. 

I’m glad I left earlier so I could find my class because this place had way too many buildings and rooms. I find the literacy building and it’s in my line of sight so I decide I need to text Connor about the club Jayden invited us to. Yeah, for me though, texting and walking is the equivalent of texting and driving so there's gonna be a crash. After apologizing quickly to the poor student I slammed into making them stumble. 

Maybe I should text Connor when I’m not walking. 

After going down a few hallways I realize that I have basically been following someone so they might be in my class. When he stops at a door he finally sees me and waves.

“Excuse me, are you looking for the English narrative studies class? It's the only one running right now down this way.” a posh but friendly british accent asks. 

“Uh, yeah.” I say walking closer to the door he was standing in front of. I realize that this guy was definitely over 6 feet and was one of the tallest people I have ever stood next to. 

“My name's Derrick, if you don’t know anyone yet, you're welcome to sit with me.” I smile a little. 

The 2 and a half hour class was draining so as soon as we’re dismissed, I wave goodbye to Derrick and practically bolt into my hour break. 

Everyone's timetables were different so there weren’t many people in the cafeteria where I sat right now. I pick at my fruit salad and pray that Connor was either not in a class or at least had his phone on silent when I texted him. When the clock hits 12 I send it, as that seems like a reasonable time for a class to end. 

Me: My roommate invited us to a gay club afterschool, wanna go?

Connor: O I thought your roommate didn’t like you.

Connor: Anyway thanks but I'm not really into that stuff but if you need someone to drive you so you're safe I can do that.

Me: NO SORRY NOT THAT GAY CLUB LMAO

Me: like a school club for lgbtq people 

Connor: OHHH haha, yeah sure.

Me: good. Be at my room by 3:49 or my roommate won’t take us.

Connor: kk, sounds like you're getting along. 

Me: -_-

When Connor responds immediately I figure he’s on break or heading to a class so I’m proud of my great timing. I plug my earphones in and blast my favorite playlist, enjoying the quiet calmness of the cafeteria. 

The past 24 hours have felt so action-packed I've barely had time to myself to think, that used to be all that I do. Honestly all the human interaction is draining energy from me faster than expected. I’ve never really had close friends, I’m not a loner that doesn’t have anyone to talk to, but I always just end up in a big group of friends that have and inner circle that I’m never apart of, they’re never close enough to text everyday or anything, especially outside of a group chat. It’s surprising me how Connor has become closer to me in a day than any of my friends have in 6 years. 

I’m sitting on my bed texting Connor to get his ass over here because the time on my phone reads 3:48 and my brain is making me think that everything is running on a time bomb and if were not here at 3:50 Jayden will blow us up and we’ll die. But it’s not the end of the world, or our lives and I'm sure that outside of my hectic mind the world is still around me. 

The door opens to reveal a tired Jayden. Her mood does not brighten when she sees me sitting anxiously on the bed in anticipation. She groans as if remembering her promise to take us as a last thought, even though it’s been on my mind almost all day. 

“Where’s your friend?” she asks, getting ready to head out again. I look at the time. 3:50.

“I’m here!” I hear, before an out of breath Connor runs up to the door which is still open, he leans over on his knees, panting and holding up a hand, gesturing to give him a minute. We don’t have a minute. I turn to look at my roommate and I can’t read her expression. Was she… amused? I think that might be it?

“Alright, everyone here? Let's go.” she says, with no enthusiasm and not waiting for an answer to her question. I jump up and walk behind her, eager and Connor looks like he’s dreading walking another step. Regardless he follows along and we head down the hallway.