Sample Excerpt from Roommates & Realizations: First Semester
Today was Move-In Day at the university dorms. I had picked an apartment-style dorm over the standard twin-bed setup that felt more like a tiny jail cell. The apartment-style dorms had two bedrooms, each with two beds. Luckily, I got to choose my roommate—a girl I met during my senior year of high school, Christina. She was a blonde-haired, green-eyed White girl with just the right amount of sass. We weren’t best friends, but she was familiar, which was comforting.
My parents helped me finish unpacking. Mom hovered over my desk, rearranging the bright blue supplies she’d insisted on buying. I caught her glancing toward the door, her movements slower than usual. I knew what was coming. When she returned to my bed to adjust my zebra-print bedding from Wally World for the third time, I finally said, “Mom, everything’s set up. Let’s grab lunch before you guys head home.”
Her face softened. “What do you want to eat, Missy?”
I pulled out my phone and scanned Yelp. “How about Maria’s Cantina? They’ve got great reviews, and you know L.A. has amazing Mexican food.”
She chuckled, but her voice wavered. “Alright, let’s find your dad.”
By the time we returned from dinner, the sun was setting, and the reality of my new life felt heavy. Standing outside Building 9, Mom gave me a long, tight hug, tears soaking into my shoulder. I’m so proud of you, she whispered.
Dad jogged over and pulled me into his arms. “Take care of yourself, Babygirl. You’ve got this.” His confidence in me only made my throat tighten.
I waved as their car disappeared down the road, my mom’s face still visible through the back window. I wasn’t ready for them to leave, but it was time.
When I swiped my green key card and walked into the building, I noticed a handwritten sign taped to a vending machine:
"Welcome, Fresh Meat!"
It wasn’t exactly comforting. I stepped into the elevator and rode to the third floor, my stomach twisting with nerves.
Inside Room 311, I met my third roommate, Lisa. She was tall and lanky, with dark brown hair pressed pin-straight. Her smile was warm and disarming.
“Hey, I’m Lisa. Sophomore. Let me guess—you’re a freshman?”
“Yeah,” I stammered. “Just moved here from Rancho Cucamonga. What about you? Are you from around here?”
“San Fernando Valley,” she said, leaning casually against the kitchen counter. “I love going to parties and hitting up campus events. You should come sometime.”
Before I could answer, Christina walked in with her parents. After a quick round of goodbyes, the door shut behind them. The room felt quieter, heavier. It was officially real.
Lisa broke the silence. “There’s a back-to-school party tonight at [A VARIATION OF GREEK LETTERS]. You down?”
“A frat party?” I asked, trying to sound cool even though my stomach churned.
Christina chimed in, “I’m in.”
Lisa smiled and texted us the details: 125 University Blvd. BYOB. Guys $10, ladies free. [A VARIATION OF GREEK LETTERS] for life!
“What’s BYOB?” I asked, feeling more like a freshman by the second.
Lisa laughed. “Bring your own booze. Don’t worry, we’ll stop by the liquor store. What do you like to drink?”
Christina didn’t hesitate. “Vodka.”
Lisa shrugged. “Cool, but let’s keep it cheap. What about Four Lokos? They’re strong, and they’re, like, $3 each.”
I nodded, trying to hide the fact that I’d never had a drink before. “Sure, I’ll try it.”
This was my first night of college, and I was already going to a frat party. I rummaged through my suitcase, trying to find something cute to wear. Christina did the same. We spent an hour debating outfits before I looked at her and said, “Let’s promise to stick together tonight, no matter what.”
She nodded, holding out her pinky. “Deal.”
As I locked pinkies with her, a strange unease settled over me. Something told me this night was going to be unforgettable—for better or worse.
