TIMOTHY was genuinely happy for something for the first time in a while. Not like he was never happy, but this was different.
He'd just gotten accepted into the university miles and miles away from his little town, called the University of Vanity. Now, he knew the name sounded weird, but he'd searched online and realized that it was a real school, quite popular too, and had all the ratings and all that a university needed to have. It was weird that he never knew that it existed and now, he was at the gate, seated in his sister's rented car, ready to pack his belongings inside.
He guessed he could understand his sister's reluctance to let him go. They were extremely close. To be honest, he was doing this for the both of them. He needed to go to school, get a job and take care of her properly. She shouldn't be working like a crazy person everytime just to foot the bills; she had like three jobs. He'd even planned on looking for a job while going to school--he definitely wouldn't tell her that though. At least, not yet. Maybe in a few years time.
"So," he began.
His sister wasn't looking at him. Her eyes were focused on the cars going in and out of the building and she sighed.
There were a lot of cars, he'd admit. That meant that a lot of people were schooling here. From what he could see from the gate, the place looked like it had a whole lot of space. It appeared even larger than what the pictures showed. Maybe he should've explored the place a bit earlier.
"You're a big boy now," she finally let out.
"I'm twenty-one. I've been a 'big boy' for a while now."
She glared at him and he shut his mouth. It wasn't the time to be a smart ass.
"I've heard some things about this place, you know," she said. "Students have gone... missing."
"I can take care of myself, sis," he told her. "Just because I'm in a new environment now doesn't mean I won't be careful."
His sister had every right to be worried. He'd heard some things too, but he knew that this wasn't the only school that things like this happened in. It happened in almost every school, really. Every year there were missing persons and they usually don't get found. At least from what he'd seen. He didn't want his sister to think that he would become a victim. He really needed to reassure her unless she'd never let him go.
"I think we should drive in," he decided to say. "We've been parked here for a while, you know."
His words seemed to have done something because she started the car and didn't waste much time driving in.
Finally.
He knew she wasn't done yet though.
"Do you know where you're driving to?" He asked, now a bit nervous.
She was the only one between the two of them who'd gone to the school multiple times to have a look around.
"Don't worry," she said firmly.
So he didn't.
Not really, but he tried.
***
They were able to get some documents approved by the persons in charge and he was given a key to his room. He'd insisted on finding his room by himself so no one bothered him. Diane wasn't happy about that though.
"Unfortunately, I can't help you with your things," Diane said sadly. It was a place for only boys, so she had to deal with it.
He tried not to show how happy he was about that. He loved his sister very much, but he didn't need her mothering him. She'd done enough of that for the longest time.
"Wait here," he said, taking the few things he could before going inside and up the stairs. This was another building and section of the boys dormitory and it was a five-storeyed building. His room was up there, from what he was told after asking for directions. So, he had to walk up there, sweaty and tired. His excitement was gone by the time he'd finally reached his door.
He took a deep breath as he stared at the door, trying to stretch his sore muscles. Before he could do anything though, the door was pushed open to reveal a tall guy with really white and braided hair. Definitely dyed. His brown eyes were fixated on him as he analyzed him quietly, folding his arms across his chest.
"Um... Hello," Timothy said.
Was he the roommate? He looked quite intimidating and he wasn't even that tall. Maybe it's the look in his eyes. Timothy just couldn't put his finger on the reason he thought that.
"I'm Rowen," he introduced himself, giving him a hug that left him speechless. "What about you? You're my roommate, right?" He asked, looking at him after letting go.
"I'm Timothy. And, I guess so."
Timothy wasn't the most social guy, neither was he too quiet. He was in between, depending on his environment sometimes. He knew instantly that Rowen most definitely had more energy than he did. Yeah. He was all over the place now, a surprise from a few seconds ago when he looked like he wanted to beat the shit out of him. His eyes were dancing!
He wasn't intimidating anymore, he was just friendly. Too much for him, if he's going to be honest. But he couldn't tell him that he didn't want to talk to him because he'd just climbed a lot of stairs to get to their room and he really wasn't a social person. And that he just didn't want to.
Timothy wanted to tell him that he was going inside when Rowen took his boxes and walked into the room.
"Feel at home. The room is actually really, really big and you'll get to explore it. There are two rooms even!" he said, grinning. "I'm sure this isn't all you brought so let's go get the rest."
Timothy followed him silently.
What a weird guy.
Outside, his sister brightened up as Rowen introduced himself and proclaimed himself as his new friend and protector in school. Rowen started chatting up Timothy's sister about where he's from, just small talk and Timothy stood beside the car, looking at them both silently.
"He seems nice," Diane said after Rowen went back in with a few of his other things in his arms. "I like that."
"He's a stranger," he deadpanned.
She shrugged, patting the chain he had on around his neck, dangling at his chest. "I feel like you'll be fine now."
He frowned. "Because of Rowen?"
She laughed a bit, her attention on the chain. "I don't know. Maybe. The air doesn't feel so cold anymore and all, maybe that's why I feel like this." She paused. "Maybe it's the new environment."
"Right."
She brought him closer to her and hugged him tightly. Instead of complaining, he took the moment to relish in her warmth and her familiar and wonderful scent. Despite his complaints, he'd actually miss her a lot, and her hugging him made him understand that she really was leaving him. She'd still be around of course, but not like before.
"I love you, little bro," she whispered.
He closed his eyes. "I love you too, sis."
He was going to do his possible best to make her happy and proud.