Versus

Moving day wasn’t as tedious as Emma expected. Easier really. Every dorm room was furnished with two loft bed frames, new plush mattresses (still in their plastic), a tall chest of drawers, one metal shelf, and matching tiny work desks. This left Emma to only carry her personal items. This was all easily brought in by a few large totes and some rolling luggage.

The rooms were elegant, draped with native wood. The flooring was a tile that resembled a garden walkway. Arched doorways throughout gave it a rare elegance. Not your typical dorm room to say the least.

The room itself has just enough space between the beds for a kitchen station. This means the two-and-a-half-foot metal shelf to hold the coffee maker, coffee cups, some paper plates, napkins, and a pile of snack food.

This town was so small, that just days ago she had to go shopping with her mom over forty miles away to find her final college life essentials.

Everything she previously owned gave off the appearance of a seven-year-old. She probably had it since then, so she did find a plush, oversized comforter. Emma was thrilled. It felt very much like what a college room would have on its bed. She had her own DIY art for some decorations. Nothing too flashy. Her computer wasn’t too outdated. So, she didn’t need anything expensive like that.

Previously, she had passed by an aisle on the way to check out, and Macy bent forward and quickly grabbed a box. This was not on the list, but she gave the cutest grin which was slowly awaiting the many thanks that would soon be lavished on her as she placed the box in the cart.

“Yes!”

Emma was pretty sure that she didn’t have time to run to her mom’s every time she needed coffee but thought she’d have to conform to get it from the dining hall. Now her delicious obsession would be in hands reach. She hadn’t quite looked at coffee makers as beautiful, but this new work of art, was breathtaking sitting there in its new home, between two college beds.

An overly narrow desk was pressed against the end of each bed with a simple wooden but clunky chair.

Emma had bought a matching curtain to go under her bed. It blended perfectly with the comforter and neatly hid the few things that she could slide under there like a small fridge, small dresser, and her now empty luggage and stacked totes.

The closet space in the room was ridiculously small but Emma wasn’t worried. It matched her ridiculously small wardrobe.

Looking around the room, Emma felt proud of herself. Her fluffy new comforter and oversized pillows really made the room feel cozier. She placed her pictures and a motivational saying on the wall only where there were existing wall hangers. She wouldn’t dare make a hole in the walls here. It began to have such a comfy feel about it.

When Emma’s roommate arrived, nothing about their meeting felt awkward or out of sorts. Aala let out a scream when she first rounded the corner and saw Emma standing in the room.

“Emma?”

“Yes, hey.”

The words were barely out of Emma’s mouth when Aala ran across the room and wrapped her in the most excited hug that Emma could ever remember receiving. Laughter filled the room while energetic conversations covered topics from favorite books to aspirations.

Emma had no doubt about Aala. They were kindred spirits. They were destined to meet. Emma just kept thinking that she only wished that it had been sooner. Any reservation of how her first year might go suddenly didn’t exist.

“Did you pick up your schedule yet?”

“Yes.”

“Do we have any classes together?” Aala asked while pulling hers out from a notebook.

“Well, we have one,” Aala said disappointed. “But hey, so what, we live together.” She didn’t allow her mood to be dampened for more than a second.

Aala was clearly serious about schoolwork by the way she began meticulously organizing her desk. Way more proficiently than Emma had. Emma couldn’t help but notice and tried to make hers look a little more like that. “It’s about growth,” she thought as she felt a bit foolish straightening up her desk to not look disheveled in front of her new friend.

Aala was sweet and well-mannered. Emma felt confident in her ability to feel people out. Really know the deep-down character of someone. Aala has the most genuine smile. She smiles with her eyes. That made Emma very at ease with her. She was authentic. Emma had special friends back home, but she already knew this was different. Emma had often felt guarded with others. Like she needed to protect herself. Never fully knowing why the feeling lingered, it just did. But that was missing with Aala.

She had no doubt that she must have been given the best roommate on the floor.

As they spent their first day combining their similar tastes, the room had an even roomier feel than before.

“What do you think? Too much?” Aala asked while pulling fairy lights out of a bag.

“No way!” Emma squealed with excitement as she ran up to her to grab one end as she helped drape them along the back wall by both of their headboards.

They stood in the doorway, facing their room.

“Aw, I just love it.”

“Me too!” Emma agreed.

They took a break and walked the floor together, making small talk with most of the other girls. Quickly making new friends with two, a couple of rooms down the hall. Abby and Kelly even invited them in and after the four sat and talked forever, they enthusiastically asked if they could check out their room as well.

During the stroll down the hall, Kelly begged the group to join her in a quick workout. Abby and Aala stated that their parents would forgive them this week. It being such a busy day. They’d get back on schedule in a few days.

“Do you guys play sports?” Emma asked. Trying to identify the reasons for Kelly’s strict workout expectation for herself and them.

Kelly and Abby both played Volleyball and Emma was relieved to hear that Aala didn’t. But the way the two talked about loving the game, it may be a fun extracurricular activity to learn with them. And Aala agreed. Emma was just thankful to not be the only one who didn’t know the game.

Emma laughed off Aala’s response about her parents allowing her to chill for a few days, believing it was a joke to put Kelly at ease. Kelly even sat in a yoga pose while they all had been spread out and leisurely. Emma felt a tinge of guilt and promised herself that she’d pick up some qualities from Kelly as well. She’d tag along on a hike or trip to the weight room. She looked forward to learning the game too. Just not today!

The four were inseparable until they all agreed that they had to eventually get some sleep.