Chapter 4

Rose's POV

It's already been barely a month of coming to school and staying in this hostel and I haven't met my roommate yet, talk less of talking to each other in person. All we do is share notepads, and wattsapp greetings always initiated by me. I guess it's good that way. Minding your business is better than getting involved and becoming a victim of unpredictable happenings. I've been a victim of these my whole life, I guess. I've never had a roommate in my whole school life like her. She's totally different!!! It's peaceful. But also weird and empty. I mean, people like privacy in places like this but, not the type where you only share notepads and not physical conversations. Not even once. She must've really made up her mind to keep the distance. Maybe her first roommate experience was much worser than mine. Or maybe not? She may probably be the quiet type. This reminds me, for the second time in my life, I feel like a ghost in the house. When I was young, way younger,... when mum sent me over to dad's place. It was simply a dream house anyone would want. But, what is a home without life in it. Dad was never home. Nanny was a part-time worker. She only came on some days. On days when I end up home alone because dad is at work and Nanny's schedule is different, it was scary. Dad was always busy. Never around. Our driver also has to go back to work right after dropping me home from school. It was dark and scary. Always. Mum took me back but, I partially stayed over at her place because she has a new family. It was never quite strange because, back at home with dad, it was nothing but, deafening silence. But, here, kids and adults were like a bunch of ants. I got along quite well. My stepsister however was a complete antisocial individual. She always stayed away from people as if she would fall down and die of a sickness if she came into contact with them. She always felt different. It's like, the feeling of being totally different in every aspect and can't come into a positive conclusion when it comes to your surroundings. It's like being trapped in a body. There were days when she fit in. But, would instantly have a change of heart when she notices certain things. It's like she's a she but, not a she. She hated princess clothes a lot. I didn't understand her and so did everyone else. She broke her Barbie doll the day it was given to her and slept for the rest of the day. I mean, which girl child doesn't like princess clothes and toys. She was different but, also cute. Her smile was everything but, she barely ever smiled to anyone. She'd usually do it to the wind blowing. I don't know what she enjoyed from that. But, I do know one thing for sure. Those few weeks were one of the best in my life. My stepdad was the best and my dad was the worse at parenting. I'm suddenly feeling nostalgic. "Miss Rose!" This got me hopping off my seat. Was I asleep.? In class?. "I wonder what's making you daydream in my class this early morn."he slares the words out carefully. I swallowed the lump in my throat. He suspended a couple of students last semester for talking, and.....slacking off in his class. And I, daydreaming in class??? "I'm sorry Mr Corestretch. I'm not feeling well today" I lied, but, still looked straight in his eyes. He stared hard and I didn't let down my guard. Just when I couldn't anymore, "repeat this tomorrow and I'll make sure you graduate next year." He said. I lost my voice. I nodded and sat down. The rest of the lecture was filled with half smile, half hatred, half nervousness and half hope in people's eyes as they stared on.

I sighed as I walked to the next lecture hall with Ally, Jane, and Joe whom we met on our way out of class. We all have stories to tell of each friend we made along the way. There's Jane whom Ally and I became friends with here. We were barely close back in high school while Ally and I didn't keep in touch after high school graduation. We grew up in the same hood but, Ally's family moved when we graduated high school because her dad had a promotion and a transfer at his office. We didn't think exchanging contacts was needed since we were everywhere together until the sudden leave. I was really sad then because, only she kept me company in that lonely and boring house. That reminds me of one day when Ally came over and wanted to bake cake and Nanny wasn't working that day which gave her the chance to do it because, if Nanny was around, she'd go crazy just seeing us in the kitchen. I just helped with the ingredients. Everything else was done by her. We made a mess of the kitchen and had to clean up before Nanny came back in the evening to prepare dinner for dad and I. It was funnier than scary. The cake eventually was a failure. Jane, who became a close friend was more of the quiet type back in school so, barely made friends back in school. It was all too new and lonely that cozy morning, standing in front of one of the 'our department's notice board', looking for any information about freshers. And, hopefully waiting to meet an old friend to walk with. I shrieked when I thought I heard a familiar voice calling me from behind. Ally? Yep. You probably guessed right. It wasn't Ally. But, someone else. Jane. She knows me? "I was actually standing with a couple of friends and saw your reflection in this glass and thought I knew you from somewhere. It's really you. Nice to meet you. Would you care to join us?" She pointed to a group of students a few meters away from us. I smiled, "thanks. I was most confused." And there you have it. I keep remembering the past. The feeling of nostalgia. I guess the old is right, "old days are catching up". It all feels like yesterday. But, did I sleep on the wrong side of the bed this morning? Why do I keep remembering the past when no one else is. "Snap out of it sis. Professor is looking at you." Ally snapped, whispering. I turned to look at him with unblinking eyes and widened my eyes when I realized I've been doing this for a while now. I relaxed my shoulders and concentrated on my book. Pen. Did I lose it? I started searching. The memory flashed in my head real fast. I dropped it on the floor thinking I put it in my bag when leaving in a hurry this morning. "Just what you need.... maybe??" Jane held it in front of my desk. I smiled, "no thanks. You're welcome" she said, turning around with a warm smile. "Okay class. For your assignment, it will be communicated with you before today ends and, keep in mind that the deadline for submission won't exceed Friday. Five days is more than enough. See you next time." Professor said, arranging his books and notes on the table. Displeased expressions being drawn over the face of many as they walk out of the hall while the others simply looked unaffected by the assignment. When we walked out, I sighed relieved as I said, "I swear to God I was not listening.". "You never were." Ally said. "You've been daydreaming today a whole lot?" Jane continued. Yeah. I know it's crazy. I'm crazy. We laughed in unison and I, not looking forward tripped over and bumped into a surface making me gasp loud. Hopefully, it's not a wall, but human. "Rose" Ally called. I turned around holding myself in a firm standing position while letting go. "Hi Claire. How are you doing?" Jane said. Claire? Claire. Claire?!?! I gasp, turning to face the person I bumped into. She smiled. Words were missing. She turned to look at me and I half closed my eyes trying to put equations together. "You?" Was all I said. "Are you alright?" She asked, smiling. Her smile feels warm. But, it disappeared right when I thought to return the kind gesture. "Don't mind her. She's being clumsy today. See you around." Ally said, bringing me back to reality. "Errrr.....sorry.....I was ermmm...." "It's alright." She said, walking away with her friends. Just like that. Quite rude. Weirdly enough. I scoffed, "how rude.". "What was that?", Ally asked. "Nothing. I was just surprised to see her around.... here" I murmured. I mean, we never had a face to face chat before but, seeing her sleeping face in the dark all the time made recognizing her in the day possible. I guess... Ally and Jane laughed at my expression. "What?" I asked them, looking confused. "You're the one being rude, miss." Ally said. "What?" I questioned. "You were the one who wasn't there for her back in school." Jane continued, quoting the words in exclamations. "What? What was that supposed to mean?." I asked. "Don't tell me. Lemme guess. She's the ghost roommate. Right?...". Ally gasped. "Poor you. She must hate you enough to keep avoiding you." Jane said with puppy eyes. They're really weird. What are they getting at exactly? "She was your ......back in high school" Jane said. "And you were too busy with school activities to even know her name Madame headmistress." Ally quoted with her fingers. "Huhn???" I asked. "And, you're the one who's barely around. She's almost everywhere." Ally continued. "And I quite remember a time when you accidentally entered the school's theatre because you were avoiding someone." Jane said. Each senior from the final year class was assigned a junior each in their first semester to train them to become a responsible, hardworking member in the humble institution back in high school. Everyone did as a form of passing on of the many uptight and, sometimes fun traditions of the school. They're right. I'm always too busy. Always have been. I was never around because I had to be in the headmistress' office almost every time. She's my stepmom's aunt. I was always monitored by her so, I usually ended up in her office to help arrange notes, report activities daily, and the library, was my bedroom. And the theatre, I was avoiding annoying Derrick who spotted me around and probably wanted to say a 'hi' again only to find out that he was an active member in the school's theatre. "But, you've met her in person before back in school." I looked on, questioning. They both sighed. "You had the opportunity of giving her a gift on our last speech and prize giving ceremony before our final exams??? Hello????" Ally said. "Each senior did. We did too" Jane said. "I don't remember" I said. "Nevermind. Let's just.... You need sleep. You're extra weird yourself today." Ally said and we walked away. Am I?

Claire's POV

"Your roommate was weird today." Miranda says. I ignored the obvious. "Her expression was more of surprised than weird. ....And how did you know she was her roomie?" Collins asked, looking at us suspiciously. I glared at him, making him turn away from me after giving me that naughty look of his. "I met her once. She was nice to me." Miranda said. "Hmmmmm. Something tells me someone's being up to something..." Collins said, trailing off as I turned to look at him again. "O come on! Stop doing that Claire" he said in defense. "But, I think I've seen her myself, somewhere....." I sighed at his words. "She punished us to clean the seniors' class for a whole semester because I...." Miranda's giggle makes me turn. "What? That was funny. I remember the look on your face that day. It was like, if looks could kill, she would've turned into ashes before us." Collins burst out in laughter. "I do remember now. It was the first time I ever saw you really pissed off. And, it was...." "Let's go." I cut him off and took the lead, leaving them to laugh for all I care. I quite remember very well how she walked up to me just to dare me to look at her while she talked. She got angry because I looked at her emotionless when others looked on pleading with their eyes. She asked me to get rid of a paper which was a few meters away from my desk and I did, ignoring her all the way. I mean, why would she suddenly barge into our classroom of all the others just to ask us why the class was noisy so early in the morning. And I, was reading my book, not acknowledging her presence. "I said, get out!" She yelled and I glared at her silently, walking out. How can a person be so rude?. "Claire!" They both cried out. And I stopped, making them bump into me at the same time. I turned around to face the two, smirking at Collins. "What" he mumbles. "Look who we got there." I said, counting the words turning towards her direction. Miranda gasped. "Man, that is one killer look.". He turned around swallowing a lump in his throat. "Errr guys? I..... I'll see you ....later?" With that, he run off, disappearing into the right corner ahead. "Col!!!!" She grunted, running after him. "I wonder what he did this time round" Miranda thought aloud. I wouldn't wonder far. It's probably one of their disagreements on the difference topic. Mary-Anne is from a rich family and Collins is of the average class. Same story about parents making it hard on them. Well, can't blame them. The two youngsters are just in love. It might change along the way. Or not. They've been together for three years and more, I think. And Collins recently said, Mary's parents set her up on a date with the son of the successful business guru, Mr Rodgers. That's why he's been coming over at my place so early in the mornings just to accompany Miranda and I to class. His male friends are scattered around campus. They usually meet on the weekends and holidays to have fun. So, he usually ends up talking to us most of the time. Mary on the other hand is the one standing in front and in the middle of her two,....say,....slaves?. They're always everywhere getting on the last nerves of anyone who crossed paths with them. Except Collins of course. They fight all the time. But, never break up in an actual sense. It's always, a short break after receiving unending insults from families. "Hey" Miranda tapped my shoulders. I turned to face her, standing beside me on the corridor. Some lecture halls are quiet while the others either empty or noisy. "I'm going to have a rest for today. You?" She asked. Before I could say anything, "library of course. See you later then." She said, waving both palms at me. Just like that, she's also gone. I frowned. I thought we had another lecture class. I turned around to see no one except me on the corridor. I didn't realize my lectures were over for the day. I guess today is a little free for me. Going back might mean meeting my roommate. And after what happened this morning, she probably will be planning on getting on my last nerve again. I guess Miranda was right. I'll just go study in the school's library for today. Or at least read and forget about everything for the time being.

After unending hours of slacking off in the library, I decided to go back to the hostel. She might be asleep or probably out by now, I hope. I got a ride right at the entrance of the library and headed straight to the hostel because I felt tired. "Good evening", I greeted the young security man sitting in a plastic chair at the entrance of the building. As always. "Good evening." He replied putting on a tiring smile. "Still coming late huhn?" He asked. "Yeah." I said, returning the kind gesture. "Goodnight then" he said, as I walked away. My phone vibrates in my hand and I answered the receiver. "Hello. Mum." I said. "Hey. You done with classes yet?" She asks, probably worry being indicated in her voice. "Yeah. I'm going back to my room now." "Okay. Then I guess I'll see you tomorrow. Your dad says hi" she said. "I'll call during the weekend. Tell him I said hi. And Big boss too" I said, smiling. I haven't spoken to my little brother in a while. He's probably asleep by now. His real name is Rex. Dad says we should call him big boss 'cause he's the boss of the house. His voice is probably the cutest and the most relaxing ever, always nagging me to buy him ice cream, with mango flavour being his favorite. He's always coming to my room early in the morning to check up on me, saying he wants to be a doctor one day to take care of me. Mum says I have a rare skin disease therefore the need for my daily drugs and injections. That's why she's always reluctant to let me be on my own. She'd always send my drugs over to school and call to check up on me. That's why I let her do the nagging all the time, if it makes her feel at ease. Dad also nags but, probably thinks it's best to let me be on my own. He probably realized they cannot always be there for me. "He's always nagging me to bring him over. I'll tell'em. Goodnight. Don't forget your drugs and dinner." She said. " 'kay. Goodnight" I answered and waited for her to end the call. Talking to her was a little useful. I'm already upstairs, heading to the room. I put my keys in the keyhole, tried turning but, it's not badging. I turned the doorknob but, instead it's locked from inside deliberately I think. Apart from that incident from the last time she never did this before. I removed my keys and knocked on the door. No response. I knocked again. Is she planning on locking me out today after knowing who I am. She probably doesn't remember the incident. But, she's still my senior. I just hope I'm wrong. I hear footsteps approaching from behind the door reluctantly. I sigh. She pops her head out after unlocking the door and then smiles, "Oh. Hi. You're back". "Hi." I responded to her sarcasm. She takes her head in and pops her whole body out, still holding the doorknob from inside. "Errr.....sorry 'bout earlier. I was....." "Nevermind." I cut her off. She kept staring at me absent minded and I frowned. "What?" She asked, seeing my facial expression. "The door?. Can I? Enter? Now?" I asked, looking at the doorknob. "Oh sorry." She said, letting go and opening the door wide for me to enter. I did and went straight for my clothes from the balcony, arranging them one by one after folding them, ignoring her awake presence. I walked to the washroom after taking off half my clothes, and locked the door behind. Who knows what she's planning on doing next? I turned on the shower and relaxed my body, sighing and allowing the cold water along with the night breeze blowing from the open window coming into contact with my warm body. This is all I need after all. Then the unclear knock was heard, making me turn to face the door. Then, the sound came in much clearer than the latter. "Knock knock!" She said. "Yes?" I asked, frowning at the door. "Errrr!!!!! I think I left my lipstick in there somewhere!!!!!!" Is she really planning on getting on my bad side this evening. "Check the study table." I shouted. " Thank you" she responded gloriously. Just when I was about to wipe the soap off my face, she knocked again. "Yeah!"I shouted, with eyes closed. "Errrr!!!!! I need a spare pen maybe???? I think I lost mine." She shouted from the other side. "Check my bag" I said, without thinking. "Thanks". Her pen fell this morning. Probably when she was putting it in her bag. I put it on the table, unless she hasn't seen it yet. I washed my body and reached for my towel. "Knock knock!!!" "What?!?!"