Rival Roommate

Chapter One - The Roommate

CHAPTER ONE

The Roommate

Finally, I had made it to Halverton University, the most prestigious university in the state, and one of the best institutions in the country.

It had taken non-stop studying throughout my final year of high school, volunteering twice a week, being on the student council, participating on the debate team and playing on our championship winning soccer team.

Sure, someone else in my year level had gotten into Halverton: Taylor King, also known as the most insufferable guy in the world.

I hated to admit it, but everything I did, he did better.

I achieved almost perfect grades. He had been valedictorian.

I’d scored the most goals out of every soccer player in the division. But he’d been the captain of the team and had won the best and fairest award.

I had been treasurer of the student council, but he had been president.

I remember whenever I’d spend my lunch breaks in the library, he’d saunter over and look down at me with that punch-worthy smirk on his face, asking me to look over the numbers.

He always had a shine in his eye, like he knew something I didn’t.

Like he was laughing at me, when I had no idea what the joke was remotely about.

In short, Taylor King also getting into Halverton was annoying as hell.

It meant that what should have been my moment was overshadowed by him.

The local newspaper had printed both of our year book photos, and whenever teachers congratulated me, they always had to mention Taylor as well.

“You and Taylor worked so hard.” “You and Taylor were amazing this year.”

But despite all that, I couldn’t exactly say I was surprised. Taylor was — and this was painful to admit, so painful it made my stomach clench — amazing. At everything. Not his personality, though. That wasn’t amazing at all.

I spent the summer before my first year of university consoling myself. Yes, it sucked that Taylor would be attending the same university as me, but Halverton was huge. There was next to zero chance I’d run into him. And, with luck, I’d never have to see him again.

Campus was bustling with activity as my parents and I walked across the cobblestone path.

I pulled two suitcases with a duffel bag slung over my shoulder, my dad held a box full of cooking utensils, and my mum was taking photos of everything with her phone.

There were dozens of new students with their parents, doing exactly the same thing.

Nearby the old-fashioned library were stalls of students in brightly coloured t-shirts with labels like: tour guides, dorm help and course assistance.

Beyond the large, lush lawn, was a sprawling modern cafeteria with every kind of restaurant, from McDonald’s and KFC to an expensive looking Italian place.

“I can’t believe my son is going off to university,” Mum said, both excitement and teariness high in her voice. “And to Halverton no less! I’m going to have to share all these photos on Facebook. The campus is absolutely stunning.”

“Mum, all your friends are going to get tired of you bragging about me,” I warned, but I was secretly pleased she was so proud. And damn right she should brag about me. This was motherfucking Halverton!

“This way to the dorms?” Dad asked me.

“Yep,” I said. I’d already studied the map of the campus on the way here.

Who was I kidding? I’d spent all summer daydreaming about the fun I’d have here.

I’d attend lectures and take notes, just like I’d seen in the movies, and I’d study what I actually wanted to study.

I’d join clubs and societies with likeminded people. Hell, I might even find a girlfriend.

Scratch that — I’d definitely find a girlfriend.

Sure, I’d dated throughout high school, but I broke up with my girlfriend in my final year to focus on getting into a good university.

And — okay, this was a little embarrassing to admit — but I was still a virgin.

I’d been so busy that even when I did have a girlfriend, I’d never gone beyond some horizontal making out.

But that was all going to change in university.

Not only was this the beginning of what would be a successful career, where I’d make millions of dollars (and definitely become the richest guy from my high school, beating all of my classmates, including Taylor King) but I’d also have a lot of amazing sex. I could hardly wait.

“The dorms are on the north side of campus,” I explained to my dad. “Right beside the lake.”

“Ah, yes, the famous Halverton lake. Hopefully, you get a view of it,” he said.

“Hopefully! The dorm rooms are assigned randomly, but I’ve been lucky so far.”

“And how many roommates will you be sharing with?” Mum asked. She already knew the answer, but she liked to ask questions over and over to make sure. And also probably to revel in the fact her son was going to Halverton.

“Just one for first year,” I replied. After first year, students had the choice to move off campus if they wanted. Maybe I’d get along so well with my roommate that we’d move out and rent a place together.

I hoped my roommate was nice. I’d heard not to have high expectations, just hope for someone who cleaned up after themselves and wasn’t a psychopath, but it’d be amazing if my roommate had similar interests. Then he could be my first friend at college.

About fifteen minutes later, we arrived at the dorms. They were a cluster of tall red-brick buildings, chained with vines and rose brambles.

Though the exterior was old-fashioned, when we entered my building, Valentina Hall, the inside was modern, with shiny silver elevators that took me and my parents up to the fourth floor, where my room was located.

We walked down the long hallway, and I checked the email on my phone that mentioned my dorm room, even though I had already read that email about ten times. Sometimes I worried that I misread something, so I wanted to check. But the number was the same as always. 407.

As we passed rooms, 401, 402, 403, my parents and I nodded and said hello to the other first years moving in. Finally, we made it to 407, where the door was propped open.

I sucked in a breath and stepped inside. It didn’t take me long to exhale — a quick walk around the place revealed that no one else was inside. “My roommate’s not here yet,” I said to my parents.

“Well,” Dad said, smiling, “I suppose that means you get to pick which room you want.”

Unlike the dorms I’d seen in movies and TV shows, Halverton’s student accommodation was relatively spacious.

We had our own kitchenette, which included a mini-fridge, a microwave and a tiny stove top, as well as a washing machine.

Connected to the kitchenette was a living space, with a simple grey couch, a fluffy rug, a TV, and a view of the engineering faculty building to the right of Valentina Hall.

There was the bathroom that I’d be sharing with my roommate, which included a shower, sink and toilet.

There wasn’t much space to store stuff, but then again, I didn’t need many toiletries.

And finally, there were the two bedrooms. That’s right — I’d get a bedroom all to myself, which would come especially handy when I wanted to jack off in peace, or, more importantly, when I was going to have all the sex I’d been fantasising about all summer.

It was clear which bedroom I’d choose. One was tiny, with the single bed crammed into a corner, and a small window. It reminded me of a jail cell.

The other bedroom took my breath away. It had a queen-sized bed, a bedside table, a desk, and a wooden wardrobe. There was also a huge window that showcased the lake. From up here, I could see the calm water and the surrounding lawn and trees that swayed gently in the wind.

Without hesitation, I dumped my luggage in that room. Sorry, roomie, I thought. You shoulda arrived sooner.

“Oh wow,” Mum said, walking up to the window and taking in the view. She was quiet and serene for approximately two seconds before whipping out her phone and taking a hundred photos. “I have to share this with the other mums on Facebook. They’re going to be green with envy.”

“I doubt they’re going to envy the view from a college dorm,” I said, but I couldn’t help smiling. I’d really won the jackpot.

Dad rubbed his hands together, taking in the space. “You’re lucky, Archie. When I was in uni, I lived in a match box. Now, what do you say about unpacking?”

“Sure,” I said, unzipping my bags and pulling everything out.

It took an hour to unpack because my parents and I kept getting distracted.

I kept my ears pricked for the sounds of a fourth pair of feet entering the dorm, but my roomie didn’t show.

It made me feel anxious but also slightly disappointed.

I wanted to meet my maybe-possibly-likely first best friend at college already!

By the time we finished unpacking, my bed was made with fresh sheets, my wardrobe filled with clothes, my soap, razor and other toiletries stored neatly in the bathroom, and my cooking utensils in the kitchen cupboards.

My parents and I sat around. I checked the time. It was almost four. The email had said that first years should move in before five.

With nothing to do, my parents suggested getting an early dinner.

I agreed, and we walked to the huge cafeteria, and since it was a special occasion — “our boy’s very first day at university!

” Dad declared — we went to the fancy Italian restaurant and I ate the best margarita pizza I’ve ever eaten in my life.

I didn’t think it could taste so good — cheese and tomato sauce and basil sounded boring to me — but maybe I was high on happiness because it tasted amazing.

Afterwards, my parents said they better get going if they didn’t want to be driving too long in the dark. It made sense — my home town was over four hours away from Halverton.

I said goodbye, and as I watched them leave, my stomach twisted. I already missed them, even though they were still in view. It was strange — I was so excited about college, but I suddenly felt a bit scared too.

I shoved that down, making sure my emotions didn’t appear on my face. That was the kind of stuff that would make me look like a pussy, and I didn’t come to Halverton to be a scaredy cat. I came here to have the best time of my life.

I returned to my dorm, trying to ignore the heaviness in my chest. I was alone now. But that was okay. I’d spent years daydreaming about what it’d be like to be a proper adult, and now the time had come.

Get yourself together, Archie, I told myself.

Thankfully, when I returned to room 407, I was quickly distracted from my feelings because I heard movement inside the room. Adrenaline pushed me forward.

“Hello?” I called, entering the dorm and closing the door behind me.

There was a guy in the kitchen, crouching over to put something in the cupboard under the sink. In fact, he was bent over so much that his ass was in the air — and it was a pretty round ass at that.

I stared at it for a second before blinking my weird thoughts away. “Hi,” I said. “I’m Archie, your new roomma—”

The guy straightened up and turned around, and my body turned to stone. I must’ve been hallucinating, or maybe I was in a nightmare.

No, no, no. This had to be a joke. My brain had glitched from all the excitement today. There was no way this was real.

Because, standing before me was the worst guy in the world.

Taylor King.