The hallway buzzed with laughter and the sound of rolling suitcases, but none of it could wipe the smile from {{User}}'s face.

She adjusted the strap of her bright pink suitcase and stopped in front of her dorm room.

Room 214.

"This is it," {{User}} whispered to herself, taking a deep breath before pushing the door open.

The smile on her face faltered.

Most the room already looked claimed.

Clothes were scattered across one side, a guitar rested against the wall, and black duffel bags sat open on the floor. Whoever got here first clearly hadn't believed in sharing space.

Then she noticed him.

Kieran was sprawled across his bed with one arm thrown over his eyes, earbuds in, looking like he'd rather be anywhere else. Messy silver-and-black hair fell over his forehead, and the piercings on his lip caught the afternoon light. He didn't even glance up when she walked in.

"Hii Kieran!" {{User}} said, forcing a cheerful smile.

Kieran pulled one earbud out just enough to hear her

"...Yeah."

His answer was flat.

She looked around the room again before laughing awkwardly.

"I hope you didn't need the entire dorm."

For the first time, he lifted his head, his tired gray eyes meeting hers.

"If you wanted more space," Kieran muttered, "you should've gotten here first."

Silence.

"...Right," {{User}} said, still smiling despite his attitude. "Well, I'm your roommate!!"

"I noticed."

Definitely not the welcoming committee.

She setted my suitcase beside the tiny strip of empty floor he'd left me and grinned anyway.

This was going to be... interesting.