Allan Dunkelberg.
The cool breeze of the early morning of mid September in Maelstrom House, Metropolis, enters into the over packed room accommodating four bunk beds, fully occupied. The room smells of sweat, armpits and feet which is revolting but I have endured for the past 8 years. I turned eighteen some months ago, I expected some magical transformation, waking up to find out I was taller, stronger, more handsome, I mean I already am but no noticeable change that I noticed, it was disappointing.
The way people hyped their birthdays, held big celebration announcing their new age both to their friends and strangers online. Maybe if my parents were still around, they'll celebrate me, my new age, my coming of age. All I had was a reminder I received from an app on my phone I had forgotten to delete.
I feel very sad, like I have been withholding my grief. But it is a lie, I just miss them… Maybe, a little. Or a little, too much. It is not even only my birthday, I miss coming back from school to meet them or just having a meal with them. I feel hurt, I am actually very sad, I did not notice I was tearing up. Let's be strong for all of us.
This is too much, I sob. I'll make it for all of us. You'll be happy looking down at me. What I fine young man I turned out to be. I smile, I'll make it. I made it before. I finished my general education before most of my mates. Normally, I am supposed to come back from school to meet the people that'll take me away but I managed to finish with flying colors and started a job to save money for my college funds in case this does not work out. Smart, right? Not putting all my balls in one basket.
That was funny. I chuckle as I swing my head packing my hair into a bun. I better go get myself ready before these idiots wake up and occupy space accomplishing absolutely nothing. One thing I have to grateful about is that my floor does not have a general bathroom for the whole rooms on the floor like the others because that would be very disgusting. Even these guys can be dirty that's nothing compared to sharing a bathroom with fifty other dudes. And bonus point, as the first to have a bath, the bathroom is always clean so a win-win.
I quickly have a bath after taking my time to shampoo my hair, I don't know if they will have such facility at Necroforce. So it's best I enjoy it best as I can and I did not have time to do so this week as I was finishing this month's workload to receive this month's pay. My old boss was graceful to give me a termination fee, saying that she underpaid me given my lack of qualification but my pay was better than a rookie as I did a very good job. I mean good enough for a high school graduate so I guess it is not that bad.
"Grooming your balls?" One asshole says I leave the bathroom but I don't even spare a glance as I walk to my bunk bed at the end of the small room next to the window.
"You know he'll miss you."
I know this voice it's the nerdy guy, he's not that smart but at least, he has a brain.
"You'll miss who? Don't get ahead of yourself, lol" The Arrogant One quickly said as he stared at the empty bathroom next to his bed.
"Well, I will miss you." The Nerdy Guy said as he leaned on his bed looking at my back as I look at the window. "Do they accept visitors?" He asks with a crack in his voice. I can see his teary black pupils, he is not the emotional type, and what is he doing?
"A means of contact will do well, you know." My bunkmate adds as he sits out on his bed as he pushed his blankets causing his books to fall off the bed. I never understood why he slept he slept with his books.
"I know, we all know how much you value your privacy and how you live in your head but we'll miss our brother and we don't want to cut out paths here. We will leave Maelstrom House one way or another; you have an opportunity that many of us will not get to accomplish. Our stay together was been uneventful but you cannot deny that it was peaceful. Please think about it." The Asshole ranted before I heard some sniffing sounds.
I turn from the window teary eyed to see the naughty grin plastered on his face as he sat on the Nerdy Guy's bed.
"Is that…"
"Yeah" He says as he takes a long sniff from a heavy check patterned handkerchief. "Do you mind having some?" He does not give me time to answer as he throws something at me. Mentholatum?
"I don't have a cold" I state the obvious.
"My goodbye present" He replied with a wink. "You never know when you catch a cold."
Is he serious?
"001-…" I start calling out my number and they scurry to get their phones. They are funny. The Arrogant One's bunkmate almost fell of his bed. "You'll be late for school." I say as I crosscheck my luggage as I put it on my bunkmate's bed as I sleep on the top bunk bed.
"I don't have school. Geek!" The asshole says as he walks to his wardrobe. "I'll be leaving soon too, SUCKER."
"Why all the cool bros leaving at once?" The Arrogant One's bunkmate, the Newbie, whines which leads him to fall of the top bunk as he escape The Arrogant One's attack but he quickly uses his little body frame to squeeze through the two bunk beds and running to the occupied bathroom and locking himself with another roommate having his bath.
"Bro, what the hell do you think you are doing?"
"Brady's going to kill me!"
"Then watch your mouth."
"Just shut up."