I resumed my second year in college later than everyone else.
Not because I wanted to—but life had its own plans.
By the time I finally got back, most of the good dorm spaces were already taken. Luckily, I had booked a room earlier with my friend Mia back in first year, so at least I wasn't completely stranded.
Walking into the room that evening, my heart felt lighter.
"Mia!" I called out, dropping my bag halfway to the floor.
She turned, and in seconds we were hugging like we hadn't seen each other in years.
"I missed you so much!" she said.
"I missed you more," I laughed.
That moment felt normal… safe.
Then I noticed the other girl in the room.
She sat on the lower bunk, watching us with a small smile.
"Oh—this is Cassie," Mia said. "Our roommate."
Cassie gave a slight nod. "Hi."
"Hey," I replied, already moving toward the empty bunk that was supposed to be mine.
I started unpacking immediately. I just wanted to settle in and feel like I belonged again.
"I think you should clean the bunk before putting anything on it," Cassie said casually. "It's dusty."
I paused, then looked up. "Oh—okay. No problem."
I grabbed a cloth from my bag, wiping the thin layer of dust off the metal frame.
That's when I realized something else.
I didn't have a wardrobe.
Of course.
Resuming late meant taking whatever was left—and apparently, that included nothing.
I let out a small sigh, trying not to let it bother me.
"It's fine," I muttered to myself. "I'll figure something out."
At that point, I didn't know that a wardrobe would be the least of my problems.
Because the one person who hadn't shown up yet…
Was about to change everything
I was the last to unpack, carefully arranging my things while Marvel, the third roommate, was out getting her nails and lashes done. The room felt calm, almost empty, until the door opened.
In walked a tall, very slim girl. Her nails were long and sharply pointed, painted in some bold color that immediately drew attention. Her lashes were long, yes, but not overdone—just enough to show she cared about how she looked. And her lip combo… well, it looked like she had spent some time making it pop. She carried herself in a way that made it obvious she was aware of everyone's eyes on her.
I took one look, quietly said "hi" with my eyes, and turned back to my bunk. I had no intention of interacting. Some people you just… don't.
Mia, on the other hand, was already bouncing toward Marvel. "Ooooh, where did you get your nails done? They're so nice!" she asked, genuinely curious.
Marvel shrugged casually, like it was no big deal. "The girl downstairs," she replied.
I silently rolled my eyes and went over to Mia's bed to finish arranging my things. You know how it is—girls and gossip. It wasn't long before the room was buzzing with chatter.
Mia leaned back, laughing. "Remember first year? I can't believe how much has changed." I sighed happily. "So, I heard you reconciled with your boyfriend?"
She nodded, careful to keep her tone neutral. "Yeah… things are better now."
"And what about Sami?" she asked casually, glancing at me with that little teasing smile.
Marvel, leaning against the wall this time, smirked in a way that made my stomach twist. "You know… Sami?" she said slowly. Then, with a small roll of her eyes, she added, "Ahhh… you know him… that stupid boy."
I paused, my hands frozen mid-motion over my clothes. It wasn't fear, not exactly—but something about the way she said it made the air feel heavier, like this was a conversation I hadn't planned to have today. I glanced at her again, noting the sharpness in her tone and the casual confidence she carried like it was a shield.
I quickly turned back to Mia, letting the room continue buzzing around us. No need to start anything—I wasn't about to give Marvel the satisfaction of my attention.
But deep down, I knew one thing: this year wasn't going to be as simple as I thought
I was still arranging my things, trying to ignore Marvel completely.
I went back to unpacking, pretending not to care, but my ears caught every word.
Then Marvel shifted her gaze toward me. "So… Sami," she said slowly, like she was enjoying the moment, "I'm just his friend. Thank God I never went further. He's a playboy, though. Has a girlfriend in Beverly dorm…"
My fingers froze. My heart skipped a beat. I wasn't scared—but my body betrayed me anyway, trembling slightly as if warning me of the storm ahead. I didn't want to continue the conversation; I never had. But Mia, true to her nature, leaned in, eyes wide.
"Wait… you knew him?" Mia asked, bouncing on her bed.
Marvel shrugged, smirking. "Somewhat. But I'm not the one who knows him… that would be you."
I stiffened. My stomach twisted, my blood ran cold—not from fear, but from disbelief. How could Marvel, this girl I barely knew, hold this power over my relationship just by opening her mouth?
I fumbled for my phone and texted Sami quickly, my hands shaking. I'm in the same room with one of your friends… and she's spoiling your name.
Seconds passed. Then his reply:
Who is that?
I didn't answer. Not yet. Not while my chest felt like it would burst.
Marvel, noticing the effect she was having, leaned back lazily. "Honestly, you should be careful. Some girls take things too seriously. That's how hearts get broken."
I wanted to shout. To tell her to stop acting like she owned my life. But I didn't. Not here. Not now.
Mia, still oblivious to the tension, whispered, "So… Marvel… just friends?"
Marvel's smirk widened. "Yeah… just friends. But some people never see it that way."
My phone buzzed again. Sami. Please, let me explain. I can fix this.
I looked down, my chest tightening. I wasn't ready. My heart was racing so fast it felt like it would burst through my ribs.
Then it clicked—the pieces I hadn't wanted to see. Marvel had gone outside to call him, to text him, asking who I was. And now she was spinning the story like I had betrayed her trust.
I wanted to scream. I wanted to throw my phone. I wanted to vanish from this room entirely. But mostly… I wanted him to feel the panic, the betrayal I suddenly felt in my chest.
Sami's messages kept coming, desperate, pleading:
Em… please. I can explain. Let me.
Don't shut me out. You have to hear me.
I couldn't. I wasn't ready. My hands shook, my chest ached, and my mind was a whirlwind of anger, confusion, and heartbreak.
Marvel leaned back, calm and almost amused, like she hadn't just detonated a bomb in my life. Mia, wide-eyed, fidgeted nervously, clearly unsure what to do.
And I… I realized, for the first time that night, that college wasn't going to be about classes or friends this year. It was going to be about trust, betrayal, and finding out who Sami really was.
And Marvel… she had just made it all personal.