His Roommates

It was the end of classes, but ever since that encounter with the mathematics teacher, Christan couldn't shake off his worry about how he would survive three years in this place.

He didn't need to do much—just survive. He wrote the words in his notebook: "Survive till I graduate."

"Who cares if this is hell or not? Just get your certificate."

"What are you doing? It's almost time for lunch," Vivek's voice broke his thoughts.

Christan looked up at him, eyebrows furrowed. "Who was that teacher? Is he even a teacher?"

Vivek chuckled at his expression, but Christan didn't find it funny. He was genuinely worried.

"Come on, I'll explain on the way."

As they walked, Vivek began explaining, "He's a math teacher."

"Tell me what I actually need to know," Christan interrupted, impatient.

"His name is... Master."

Christan froze mid-step. "What?"

"That's what we call him. Only a few students know his actual name. Most of us just call him 'Master.' He was supposed to be a principal at some university, but for some reason, he chose to teach here. Compared to the other teachers, he's easygoing."

Christan stared at Vivek in disbelief. "You can't be serious."

Vivek paused too, grabbing Christan's shoulder to pull him forward. "Let's go. I'm telling you, there are stranger things about this school than that."

Finally, they arrived at Christan's dorm. Vivek said goodbye and went to his own room, leaving Christan standing at the door. He took a deep breath, bracing himself as he pushed the door open.

The room was exactly as he'd left it—empty. He sighed and sat on the bed that had been pointed out as his.

As he waited, he sprawled on the bed, replaying the day's events in his mind. Exhausted from the journey and his racing thoughts, he drifted into a nap.

A sudden noise startled him awake, as though something had fallen. Half asleep, he scanned the room and saw someone packing clothes which fell from a suitcase.

The person turned toward him after finishing, and Christan eyes enlarged. He recognized the face immediately. The boy stared back, his expression unreadable.

After a pause, he walked toward Christan. "This bed's taken."

For the first time, Christan heard his voice, though they'd been in the same room for hours earlier.

"Oh, okay." Christan quickly stood

Before he could climb to the upper bed, the door burst open. Two boys stumbled in, laughing and shouting with their arms over each other's shoulders.

The moment they noticed Christan, they stopped and exchanged glances. Then they turned to him.

"How come our room attracts only handsome guys... like me!" the spiky-haired one with red hair exclaimed, clapping his hands. "You should join our fashion club!"

He suddenly paused, narrowing his eyes. "Wait a second... you're—"

Christan recognized him instantly and frowned. It was the same guy who had shoved him earlier. Of all people to share a room with.

"He's better suited for the cooking club," thoughtful, said the chubby boy with a buzz cut.

"You idiot! If he ate like you, he'd lose that shape. Look at him and look at you!" the red-haired boy snapped.

At that moment, another boy with brown skin entered and leaned against the doorframe. "Stop blocking the way. Move."

The red-haired boy turned to him with raised eyebrows. "Joshua, don't tell me your stomach still hurts? What should we do with you? It's your fault for eating cold food." He burst into laughter.

Joshua scowled and shoved him aside, clutching his stomach as he struggled to the bed. He sat down and his eyes moved to the newcomer where he noticed he also looked at him in confusion.

"What? Pretty faces can't get stomachaches?"

Christan quickly looked away, realizing Joshua wasn't in the mood. This wasn't how he'd imagined meeting his roommates.

"So, what's your name?" Joshua asked with a frown.

"Christan," he said softly.

The red-haired boy grinned. "Christan! Yeah, that's right—Christan. Welcome to the family! I'm Nathan, the room leader!" He threw an arm over Christan's shoulder.

"Since when were you the room leader?" the chubby boy shot back, rolling his eyes. He puffed out his chest proudly. "Call me Brother Victor."

"Important stuff first!" Nathan insisted.

Just then, another boy entered. He was neatly dressed, his blonde hair well combed. His gray eyes swept the room before landing on Christan.

"A new guy?" he asked calmly.

Christan recognized him immediately—it was the one who had dragged Nathan away earlier.

Nathan butted in. "Christan, meet Kai. He's the bully of the room."

Kai frowned at Nathan, clearly displeased. "When did I ever bully anyone?"

Christan's eyes narrowed, looking at Kai when he heard the word bully. If Kai was a bully, he'd be careful around him. Kai noticed Christan's sharp gaze and raised an eyebrow, slightly taken aback.

Victor quickly corrected Nathan. "Don't listen to him. Kai's the most normal—and the kindest—person here."

Victor then turned to the silver-haired boy on the lower bunk. "But this one…" He hesitated. "What's his name again?"

Nathan looked at the boy's now-removed name tag and turned to Kai for help.

Christan couldn't believe it. Did these guys not even know their roommate's name, or was this some weird joke?

"North?" Nathan tried to recall..

"West," Christan corrected.

"Yeah, that's it! West!" Nathan agreed enthusiastically before realizing it was Christan who had answered. He looked surprised.

"Wait, how do you know that?" Victor asked.

"We're seatmates in class," Christan explained.

"Ooooh!" Nathan and Victor exclaimed dramatically, smirking.

"He's West, as you said. Kind of a weirdo and a nerd, I guess. If it weren't for his looks, he'd be invisible. Doesn't really match the nerd, though, right?" Nathan said, completely ignoring the fact that West was right there.

West, still lying on the lower bunk with his eyes closed, didn't react. Christan wasn't even sure if he was asleep.

"So, he's your classmate, seatmate, roommate, and... bedmate?" Victor teased, grinning.

Christan frowned at the weird words but said nothing. He glanced around the room, taking in his chaotic but seemed a good roommates. What could be better than that?He faintly smiled before climbing up to his bed.