Chapter 1: The Roommate (Eli's POV)
The first day in the dormitory always felt like the start of something new, though Eli wasn't exactly sure what to expect. He had just arrived and was already feeling the weight of the unfamiliar environment. University life, with its maze of long hallways and buzzing activity, was a far cry from his quiet life back home.
It didn't help that he was about to meet his new roommate.
He stood outside Room 304, shifting his backpack nervously. A part of him hoped his new roommate would be someone like him—quiet, laid back, maybe even a little shy. He didn't want to deal with anyone too intense.
With a deep breath, Eli knocked on the door. The sound echoed down the hallway, almost too loud in the otherwise quiet space. There was a moment of stillness, then the door opened slowly.
And standing in the doorway was a tall guy, his dark eyes studying Eli without expression. His features were sharp, his hair neatly styled, and his clothes casual but impeccably put-together—too put-together for someone his age, in Eli's opinion.
"You must be my new roommate," the guy said, his voice deep and smooth, carrying a weight that seemed unintentional but felt heavy nonetheless.
"Yeah, I'm Eli," Eli replied, offering a small, somewhat nervous smile. "Uh, nice to meet you."
The guy nodded and stepped aside. "I'm Vincenzo, nice to meet you too."
Eli was taken aback for a moment before offering a hesitant smile. "Thanks".
Vincenzo stepped back and motioned toward the door. "Come on in. I'll show you around."
Eli hesitated for just a second before stepping inside. The first thing he noticed was a small living room area, with a couple of chairs and a coffee table in the center. The walls were a neutral shade, and the space felt somewhat impersonal, though functional enough. It wasn't much, but it felt more welcoming than what he expected from the dorm.
"Here's where I spend most of the time. It's nothing fancy, but it gets the job done," Vincenzo said, motioning toward the living area. "Now, let me show you the rest."
Eli followed Vincenzo down a short hallway where two doors stood opposite each other. Vincenzo pointed to the one on the left. "This is my room."
Eli nodded, understanding the hint of seriousness in Vincenzo's voice.
"Alright, here's your room," Vincenzo said, pointing to the opposite door.
Eli glanced inside the room. It was similar to Vincenzo's—simple but functional, a bed against the wall, a desk with a few books neatly stacked, and just enough space to make it his own. It didn't feel like a temporary space; it already had a sense of permanence.
"Thanks," Eli said, feeling a little more at ease as he walked into the room.
Vincenzo gave a slight nod. "Yeah. It's not much, but it works. Just try to keep the noise down. I prefer things quiet around here."
Eli felt the weight of his words more than he expected. "I'll, uh, let you get back to whatever you were doing," he said, eager to leave the conversation behind. He took a few steps toward the door, but Vincenzo's voice stopped him.
"If you need anything, Eli," Vincenzo's voice was soft but firm, "just ask."
Eli looked back, trying to gauge his expression, but Vincenzo had already turned toward his room. Without saying another word, Vincenzo closed the door behind him.
Eli stood there for a moment in the hallway, the weight of the interaction lingering. There was something about Vincenzo, something Eli couldn't quite place, that made him uneasy. It wasn't a specific thing—it was just an overall feeling, a quiet tension that seemed to radiate from him.
He shook his head and headed to his room, trying to shake off the strange feeling. It was just the first day, and he would figure it out eventually.