Cassian arrived home late, exhausted from a long day at school. As he sat down for dinner, he began to share his experiences from the day, carefully avoiding the topic of how he was almost coerced into joining the archery club. He couldn't bring himself to admit that to his parents. Instead, he decided to steer the conversation in a different direction.
"Dad, what kind of clubs did you join during your college days?" Cassian asked, trying to sound casual.
His father, caught in a wave of nostalgia, smiled warmly. "Well, I was quite fond of dancing back then. Your mother also enjoyed dancing, and that's actually how we met. We spent so many evenings at the dance club together. Thinking about it now brings back so many fond memories."
As his father drifted off into his reverie, a dreamy look in his eyes, Cassian's mother blushed slightly, clearly touched by the memory. This display of affection made Cassian squirm uncomfortably. He never understood why people were so sentimental. For him, such open displays of affection were almost unbearable. He didn't know why he felt this way, but it was an undeniable truth. The idea of being close to someone, of sharing a bed or even holding hands, made him uneasy.
Cassian sighed inwardly. He couldn't imagine having someone special in his life. The thought of intimacy, of being physically close to another person, was foreign to him. He was a neat freak, obsessed with cleanliness, and the idea of sharing his personal space with someone else seemed impossible. As he pondered these thoughts, he couldn't help but feel a pang of loneliness. "Who would ever want to be with someone like me?" he thought. "Someone with this ridiculous pumpkin head?"
Shaking off these thoughts, Cassian turned his attention back to the dinner conversation. "Dad, Uncle Jean suggested that I join the dormitory. He said it would save time and help me adjust to college life more quickly. What do you think? Should I go with his suggestion?"
His father, still lost in memories, snapped back to the present. "Well, living in the dormitory does have its advantages. You'll be closer to your classes, and it'll be easier to make friends. But it's up to you, son. Do what feels right for you."
Cassian chewed his food thoughtfully. The idea of dormitory life was daunting. He was already self-conscious about his appearance, especially his hair. He hated the thought of people seeing him with his "pumpkin head." Coloring his hair was out of the question—it was too toxic. He'd rather die than subject himself to that. Wearing a wig was an option, but what if it fell off at an inopportune moment?
"No, no, no," Cassian thought, shaking his head. "I can't take that risk. I just have to go with the flow and hope for the best."
Despite his anxieties, he knew that he couldn't run away from his problems. He had to face them head-on, even if it made him uncomfortable. Taking a deep breath, he resolved to take his father's advice. "Alright, I'll try the dormitory," he said, more to convince himself than anyone else. "I'll believe that everything will be fine."
As the family finished dinner, Cassian's mind raced with thoughts of the future. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but he was determined to make the best of it. He might not believe in fate, but he had to trust that things would work out in the end.
The next morning, Cassian woke up early and began packing his belongings for the move to the dormitory. His parents were pleased to see him taking on this new challenge. This would be the second time in his life that he would live in a dormitory; the first was during middle school. Back then, he found it difficult to stay in such an environment, and by high school, he couldn't bring himself to live with people who masked their true thoughts behind forced smiles.
Cassian meticulously checked his belongings twice before heading downstairs. As he reached the bottom of the stairs, his father joined him. "I'll help you move to your dormitory," his father said with a grin. "After all, as your father, it's my duty."
Cassian almost rolled his eyes at the cheekiness of the comment, feeling a bit of disgust at the overly sentimental tone. His father laughed heartily at Cassian's expression, clearly enjoying the opportunity to tease him. It was a familiar and somewhat comforting dynamic between them, one that Cassian didn't mind despite his initial reaction.
His mother, on the other hand, wore a worried expression. "What if you get bullied? You have to tell us right away, okay?"Cassian found her concern unnecessary. He worked out daily and had a well-defined six-pack to show for it. His stamina was impressive, and the idea of him being bullied seemed absurd. If anyone tried, they would quickly realize their mistake. However, he didn't voice these thoughts. Instead, he simply nodded. Arguing would do no good here.
After bidding his mother goodbye, he and his father drove to the college. The drive was filled with a mix of anticipation and anxiety. Cassian gazed out the window, watching the scenery pass by, lost in his thoughts.
When they arrived at the college, the campus buzzed with activity. Students moved about, carrying boxes and chatting excitedly. Cassian and his father carried his belongings to the dormitory building. The room was small for sharing but functional, with a bed, a desk, and a closet. Cassian started unpacking, placing his clothes in the closet and arranging his books on the desk.
His father helped with the heavier items and offered unsolicited advice on how to arrange the room. "You should put your desk near the window. It's good to have natural light when you're studying," he suggested. Cassian nodded, following his father's advice.
He appreciated the help, even if he wouldn't admit it out loud. Once everything was in place, his father took a step back and surveyed the room."Looks good," he said, a note of pride in his voice. "You're all set."
Cassian glanced around the room, feeling a mixture of nervousness and determination. "Yeah, I guess I am."His father clapped him on the shoulder. "You'll do great here, Cassian. Just be yourself."
Cassian gave a small, uncertain smile. "Thanks, Dad." As his father left, Cassian sat down on the bed and took a deep breath. When will his roommate come?