Chapter 5: Unexpected Encounters
"Who is it?" Alena's voice trembled, cutting through the quiet room as she tightened her grip on her towel.
The doorknob twisted slightly, and when the door creaked open, her heart sank. "What?! You scared me!" she exclaimed, stumbling back a step. Her breath caught as she recognized the figure before her.
It was Emma.
"You!" both girls said in unison. While Alena's voice was laced with shock, Emma's tone was calm and composed, her lips curling into a bemused smile.
Alena blinked rapidly, rubbing her eyes in disbelief. "Can this be a dream?" she muttered under her breath.
"Wow, life is really something else," Emma remarked dryly as she stepped inside, dragging her luggage. "So, we're not just friends now—we're roommates too. Guess fate has a sense of humor," she added with an awkward laugh.
Alena hurried to help her settle in, her initial shock melting into excitement. "Where were you all this time? It's like you've been around," Alena asked, genuinely curious.
Emma shrugged as she unpacked. "I was staying in a common room, had some paperwork to finish up. But now I'm here. And honestly, I think this will be… interesting," she said, swinging her hand playfully.
Despite Emma's relaxed demeanor, Alena felt a twinge of relief. Sharing a space with someone she already knew—even if only slightly—felt like a good start.
As Alena helped arrange Emma's belongings, her eyes lit up when she spotted a small laptop. "Oh! We have a laptop," she said, her voice brimming with excitement.
Emma barely looked up, her expression neutral. "Mhm."
Alena's smile faltered. "Isn't it cool? Not every school provides laptops for students, you know."
Emma glanced at her, an amused glint in her eyes. "It's… fine, I guess."
Alena swallowed hard, her enthusiasm dampened. "She must come from a rich home," she thought, her chest tightening. "Unlike me, who has to worry about every little thing…"
Emma's indifference tugged at something deep within her. As the silence grew heavier, Alena tried to shake off the insecurity creeping in.
"Why don't you freshen up first?" she suggested, forcing a smile.
"Good idea," Emma replied, heading toward the bathroom with a casual wave.
Left alone, Alena sat on her bed, her thoughts racing. She stared at her limited wardrobe and felt a familiar pang of inadequacy. Soon, everyone would notice her worn-out clothes and judge her.
Tears welled up in her eyes as her mind spiraled. "Am I just hiding behind my faith to cover my shame?" she whispered, hugging herself tightly.
But before the doubt could take root, Alena grabbed her Bible. Flipping through the pages, she landed on a passage that seemed to leap off the page:
Matthew 6:25: "This is why I tell you: do not be worried about the food and drink you need in order to stay alive, or about clothes for your body. After all, isn't life worth more than food? And isn't the body worth more than clothes?"
The words hit her like a balm to her soul.
"True," she murmured, tears streaming down her face.
As she continued reading, each verse felt like a lifeline:
Matthew 6:26: "Look at the birds: they do not plant seeds, gather a harvest and put it in barns; yet your Father in heaven takes care of them! Aren't you worth much more than birds?"
"Yes, Father, I'm worth more," she whispered, clutching the Bible to her chest.
By the time she reached Matthew 6:34, her tears had turned into quiet laughter. "So do not worry about tomorrow; it will have enough worries of its own. There is no need to add to the troubles each day brings."
Peace washed over her, the weight on her shoulders lifting. "Thank you, Lord," she said softly, wiping her face.
Unbeknownst to Alena, Emma had finished her shower and now stood in the doorway, her arms crossed. Her sharp eyes scanned the scene before her, taking in Alena's tear-streaked face and the Bible clutched in her hands.
"Looks like I've got myself a holy roommate," Emma thought, her lips curling into a sly smile. "She'll be fun to break."
Emma leaned casually against the doorframe, already plotting. "It always starts the same," she mused. "They're all so self-righteous—until they're not."
Before Emma could dwell further, a sudden knock on the door interrupted her thoughts.
Both girls froze, exchanging wary glances.
"Who could that be?" Alena whispered, her pulse quickening.
Emma's smirk widened as she sauntered toward the door. "Looks like the real fun is about to begin," she said under her breath, reaching for the handle.
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Author's Note:
Dear readers, thank you so much for your patience! I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I loved writing it. Things are starting to heat up, and I can't wait for you to see what happens next!
Stay tuned—the best is yet to come!