3
News of my situation quickly spread to other classes in the department.
Not knowing the full story, some speculated I mus
terrifying disease.
have done something unforgivable, while others said I had some
Every time I walked through the department building, I felt like people were pointing and whispering about me.
By this point, I had been staying at a hotel for over two weeks. The expensive hotel fees were draining my finances.
With no other choice, I could only ask my parents for more living expenses.
But watching a video of my parents crouched by a construction site eating plain steamed buns, I couldn’t bring myself to ask for money.
After I was born, my parents decided not to have any more children, fearing I would face unfair treatment otherwise.
Though we weren’t well–off, my parents always gave me the very best they could.
Even though their education level was limited and they couldn’t help me with many things anymore, they still constantly encouraged and supported me.
“River, are you getting used to living in the dorms? How’s it going with your roommates?” my mom asked on a video call.
“I know you’re not very talkative, but try to get along well with your classmate
“Making more friends will help you be happier.”
“River, have you been eating properly? You look like you’ve lost weight after just a few weeks of school.”
Hearing my mom’s concerned words and thinking of everything I had been through recently, I nearly burst into tears.
I quickly ended the call. Even though I hadn’t asked for money, my mom still transferred some over, telling me to buy some good food.
I knew I had to move into a dorm as soon as possible.
I had given up hope of rooming in my own department, so I begged the RA to help me find an empty bed in another department’s dorm.
Finally, after the RA’s tireless efforts, he managed to find me a spot.
“This is a room for seniors in another department,” he explained.
“They’re all out doing internships, so the room has been empty. There happens to be one spare bed available.”
7
2.00 AM
<
“We’ve talked to the RAS for both departments, and they’ve all agreed to let you move in.”
Hearing this news, I wept with joy.
Someone was finally willing to accept me. I wouldn’t have to stay in that expensive hotel anymore.
In high spirits, I packed up my belongings and gave the room a thorough cleaning inside and out.
I thought that if the senior roommates ever came back, I could at least leave them with a good impression.
But didn’t expect that day to come so soon. Before I could even enjoy two peaceful days of campus life, I learned that one of the senior roommates on an internship was coming back.
The night before the senior was due to return, I tossed and turned anxiously, unable to sleep. The next day, I was a
nervous wreck.
I was terrified that as soon as the senior saw me, he would demand to have me kicked out again.
But fortunately, all my worries were unfounded.
The senior was very friendly, even sharing his snacks with me.
Seeing how clean I had kept the room, he couldn’t stop praising me, saying he had lucked out with such an amazing junior roommate.
I was overjoyed, feeling for the first time the warmth of friendship from a classmate on this campus.
Things continued smoothly with my senior roommate. I felt like everything was finally back on track.
Until that day when I had just finished class and was heading back with some takeout and watermelon. I had plans to play video games with my senior roommate that evening.
But as soon as I reached our door, I found a crowd of people gathered outside.
There was my senior roommate, the RAS from both departments, and two guys I didn’t recognize.
From their tone, I gathered they must be the other two seniors who also lived in this room – my other two roommates.
“No way. He has to move out,” one of them was saying firmly.
“We’re seniors now. Why should we have to room with a freshman?”
“We can pay for that empty bed, or arrange for someone else to live there.”
“Anyone but River.”
I was stunned to see my senior roommate, who had been so friendly just that morning, now insisting on throwing me
out.
I was so shocked I couldn’t even keep hold of the watermelon in my hand.
2:00 AM
<
It fell to the ground and split open, red juice spreading across the floor like my seemingly bleeding heart.
“But we were getting along so well just a few days ago,” I said desperately to my senior roommate. “Why do you suddenly want me to leave?”
“Why does no one want to room with me? What did I do wrong?”
I completely broke down, grabbing my roommate’s arm and practically begging him for an explanation.
I was on the verge of kneeling down to plead with him.
But no matter what I said, he just coldly demanded that I pack up and move out immediately.
He threatened that if I refused to leave, he would make such a fuss that the entire dorm building wouldn’t be able to
sleep.
Even when the RA threatened to withhold his diploma, it didn’t sway him one bit.
To avoid disturbing the other students, I had no choice but to silently pack my things and move out.
The RA told me he truly couldn’t find any room willing to accept me anymore.
He had already applied to the school to refund my dorm fees and suggested I find off–campus housing to rent.
At this point, I had completely given up hope. With no other options, I found a part–time job at a bubble tea shop to cover
rent.
Fortunately, I quickly found a suitable apartment. With the refunded dorm fees to tide me over, I didn’t need to ask my parents for money.
One day while working my shift at the bubble tea shop, I unexpectedly ran into Zack coming to buy a drink.
We hadn’t spoken since that time I had begged him to be my roommate.
But seeing me working as a cashier, he surprisingly came over to chat.
“River, I still need to thank you, no matter what,” he said.
“If it weren’t for you, I might have really fainted on campus that first day.”
first mes
