Survival of the Freshman

I know it's wrong to judge people before you know them, but based on the very floral, very girly, pastel comforter, this girl was not what I was expecting.

"Hi." I said nervously.

"Hey." She mumbled. She walked past me to her bed and began going through her things.

Not the most friendly greeting. But maybe she was just nervous like me.

"So, I guess we're roommates." I tried again. "I'm Lizzie."

She sighed loudly as if I was annoying her. "Roxi." She said, glancing over her shoulder.

This was going well, I thought sarcastically. I tried again. "I, uh, left you the top drawers and shelves." I said. "I'm so short I'd need a ladder for them." I laughed nervously. She was alot taller than me so it worked out well.

Roxi tossed the clothes in her hand back on the bed and turned to face me. "I don't care what you do." She said sharply.

So much for starting out on good terms. She obviously hated me already. "Sorry, I didn't mean to make you mad." I mumbled and started to turn back to my own clothes that still needed to be put away.

She snorted. "I'm not mad because of you. Get over yourself, Barbie."

I stared at her, not knowing what to say. Obviously trying to be nice was all wrong. It had been a long time since someone had been this antagonistic to me for no apparent reason.

"Look," She sighed, losing a little of her iciness. "I shouldn't even be here."

I knew I was probably asking for more trouble, but I said it anyway. "Then why are you?"

"My mother is making me." She said bitterly. "It was either this or get a job."

I'd had a job at the diner back home for the last year and a half. Was she that lazy? On top of the fact that we obviously wouldn't be getting along, was she a slob too? I wasn't the neatest person in the world, but I mostly kept my things off the floor and out of the way.

I suppose she guessed some of what I was thinking because she smirked. "It's not that a job is the worst thing in the world." She said. "I've had plenty of them."

I was confused. "So what's your problem?" I didn't mean to be rude. I was genuinely curious. As soon as I realized how that sounded, I clarified. "I mean, since you obviously don't want to be here."

"I've had plenty of jobs." She said again. "So many, in fact, that apparently no one wants me to work for them anymore. Honestly, you're a little late a few times..." She rolled her eyes. "Anyway, add that on top of my little trip to Juvy a few years back and I think you can see the problem."

"Oh." I said quietly. My eyes were huge. She was in jail? I was afraid to ask what she was there for. Before I was just worried we wouldn't get along, now I was actually scared of her.

Roxi laughed at me. "Relax, Barbie. I got caught shoplifting one too many times."

Well, that was certainly better than all the horrible things I was imagining. I'd have to keep a close eye on a few select things of mine though. Not that I had a lot that was worth much. I wondered how likely it would be for me to change rooms. And would it even be any better?

I chose to focus on something else at the moment. "Why do you keep calling me Barbie?" I asked.

She gave me an obvious head to toe assesment before glancing at the picture I put up on the top of the bookshelf. It was of me and Ben at the prom. "Let me guess." She crossed her arms. "Prom queen, head cheerleader, all star, football player boyfriend, rich daddy." She raised an eyebrow.

Now it was my turn to laugh. "Not even close." I said. "Well, except for the boyfriend part." I allowed. I always hated attention and up until a few years ago, my family never had much money. It was still a pretty big stretch to say we were rich. It was to Anna's credit that Roxi apparently thought I had money. As I didn't know a thing about how to shop, she always found my clothes for me. I guess it looked like I was wearing designer or something.

"And he followed you here? How sweet." She said sarcasticly.

"No, actually he goes somewhere else." I finally managed to stop thinking about being away from him for a brief minute. How nice of Roxi to remind me.

She smirked. "He's probably already got another girlfriend." It was as if she wanted to hurt me just for fun.

Well, too bad for her this time. The idea of Ben cheating on me was absolutely laughable.

"I doubt it." I smiled and turned back to my things, rolling my eyes.

Maybe it was best not to try to talk to Roxi. She seemed to have no intention of making the best of our being forced to live together and I was getting tired of her hostility.

I decided to quietly finish up my unpacking and then go see Anna.

Apparently, Roxi wasn't done with the conversation yet, however. "Oh, right," She said. "Because you guys are getting married, I bet. Don't you know that high school relationships never last very long?"

I only met Roxi a few minutes ago, but I was already sick of her. I should have just ignored her, but I had to get the last word on that, if nothing else.

I looked back at her. "My parent's did." I said. "They're still happily married."

"That you know of." She smirked again.

"What's your problem?" I snapped. "Do you want everyone to be miserable like you obviously are?"

She glared at me and I instantly regretted what I said. In the last few years, I'd developed alot more confidence than I used to have. But I was still basically a big chicken. I hoped Roxi only liked hurting people with her words.

Thankfully, it seemed as though she was done with me for now and she went back to what she was doing.

I turned around again and took a deep breath. How was I supposed to deal with her all year?

Before I could start doing anything else, my phone buzzed, letting me know I had a message.

It was from Anna. 'Roommate's a nightmare. Wanna get lunch?'

Looks like Anna had the same problem I did. But I doubted that her roommate could be as bad as mine. At least, I really hoped she wasn't. I was sort of counting on having Anna's room as an escape.

Figuring I could finish putting my stuff away later, I quickly sent Anna a message, grabbed my room key, and headed to the door. I paused on the way out, remembering what Roxi said about shoplifting. I tried to think if I should take anything with me.

I was wearing the ring Ben gave me and the locket I got from my parents on my 16th birthday. I didn't really have any other jewelry here. My phone was in my pocket and my computer was safely tucked under my bed and out of sight. I didn't think she'd look for it. I couldn't really be sure though. But at least I knew where she lived. Unfortunately.

I left the room and sighed as I closed the door behind me. I hated that my room didn't feel secure. I didn't exactly expect it to feel like home, but I was hoping it would be comfortable at least.

I headed down to the next floor and knocked on room 5308.

"Come in!" Anna yelled. She sounded exasperated. I wondered if she'd been fighting with her roommate too. Anna wasn't like me, she never backed down from anyone. If she got someone like Roxi, they'd probably kill each other before the end of the week.

I cautiously opened the door and peeked around it. Anna's room looked exactly like mine only instead of disgusting green walls, her's were a light brown. Honestly, who picked these colors? It didn't help that the whole building appeared not to have been renovated in a few decades.

"Hey." I said.

"Hi!" Anna's roommate said excitedly.

Anna glared at her, but she didn't seem to notice as her attention was on me. She was about my height and her dark brown hair was in two braids on either side of her head. She wore a long flowy dress and looked much too young to be in college.

"Lizzie," Anna said. "This is Sunshine, my roommate." I could tell how much effort it took for her to keep a straight face at whatever my expression was when she said that.

"Uh, hi." I said, trying to look like I thought Sunshine was a completely normal name.

I don't think I was very convincing. Anna covered her mouth to keep from laughing.

Sunshine didn't notice anything and she really freaked me out as she practically ran at me to give me a hug.

"Um, nice to meet you." I said, silently begging Anna for help.

Anna bit her lip still trying not to laugh at me. She reached over to Sunshine's neat bed and knocked one of the countless stuffed animals, on the floor.

"Oh," Anna said. "One of your little friends fell on the floor."

Sunshine finally released me and flew to pick up the pink unicorn from the floor.

"Did you get dirty, Sprinkles?" She asked the stuffed animal before she placed it compulsively back in it's spot on the bed.

"Ready?" I asked Anna trying not to let it show how insane I thought Sunshine was.

"Oh, yeah!" Anna walked toward me. I turned to open the door, grateful to get away. I wondered if there were any normal people at this place.

Anna followed me and tried to close the door, but Sunshine was right behind her.

"Where are we going?" She asked happily.

I looked at Anna, waiting for her to tell Sunshine that she wasn't invited.

"We are going to get some lunch." She said, emphasizing the 'we'.

"Oh, good," Sunshine said, totally oblivious to Anna's hint. "I'm starving."

Anna and I just looked at each other. How were we supposed to make her go away? I certainly couldn't say anything. It would be like telling a preschooler that there was no Santa Clause. I wanted to laugh as I realized Sunshine would probably have the same reaction, as the preschooler, to that news.

Anna was used to putting people in their place, but I guess she was thinking the same thing as me because she just growled slightly, passing it off as a cough, and started walking to the stairs.

On the way out of the dorm, Sunshine jabbered on and on about how excited she was about everything. Anna and I walked in silence, glancing at each other whenever she would say something crazy, which was quite often. We exited our dorm to the vastly confusing campus.

We'd gone straight from the welcome center to the common area, where our mailboxes were, to the dorms this morning. I couldn't even remember which way either of those buildings were, let alone one of the two dining halls that I hadn't seen yet.

Luckily, Anna seemed to have a much better sense of direction than me and started heading down the crowded walkway.

I had to rush to keep up with her as she weaved through the multitude of people. Anna didn't normally walk this fast and I knew she was probably 'accidentally' trying to ditch Sunshine. I felt guilty that I really hoped she succeeded.

Unfortunately when we reached Martin Hall, Sunshine was still right behind us.

We walked into the lobby and Anna and Sunshine pulled out their new ID cards.

"Oh." I said. Even though I knew it wasn't there, I reached into my pocket to check for mine.

"What?" Anna stopped when she noticed that I did.

"I forgot my ID card." I said, feeling stupid. Even Sunshine remembered hers.

Anna perked up and turned to Sunshine. "Why don't you save us a table while we go back for Lizzie's card?"

I knew what she was thinking. Sunshine would save us a table at Martin Hall and me and Anna would 'accidentally' wind up at the other dining hall. Normally, I wouldn't condone something like that, but I really wouldn't have minded this time. Especially considering that Sunshine invited herself.

I smiled and nodded in agreement. Sunshine, however, looked scared. "All by myself?" She looked, wide-eyed at the crowded room.

Anna didn't offer her another option, she just waited for her to comply.

"Um..." She glanced nervously between us and the tables a few times.

I couldn't help it. She was like a lost puppy or something. "Or you can come with us to get my card." I offered. It was just lunch, right? She couldn't cling to us forever.

"Ok!" She smiled and looked immensely relieved. Anna scowled at me and I could almost hear the names she was doubtlessly calling me in her head. I just shrugged and exited the building, heading back to the dorm.

On the way, Sunshine proceeded to ask me a million questions. Some of them were extremely personal. Apparently, I was her new best friend. What did I just do?

Anna smirked at me and said nothing. I guessed that this was what she'd had to put up with since she first met Sunshine.

"So do you have a nickname or anything?" I wanted to get the focus off me and I already felt stupid calling her by her name. I could just imagine if I had to introduce her to someone. I'd never keep a straight face and I didn't want to hurt her feelings.

She looked confused. It was as if the idea of a nickname was a completely foreign concept.

"I mean, because 'Sunshine' is such a mouthful." It wasn't exactly the real reason I was asking. But still, true.

"Not really..." She looked thoughtful. "You can give me one!" She said excitedly.

"Oh, um..." I was never good at coming up with names. Even when I was a kid my dolls were all named 'Dolly' or 'Bear' or whatever animal it happened to be.

"Sunny?" I asked tentatively.

"Ok!" She smiled hugely before she went inside the building. Anna sighed and gave me one of her looks. It was hard to tell if she was more annoyed or amused at the moment. I just shrugged again before I went inside too. It had to be better than Sunshine, right?

"It's so cool that I have a nickname." She said happily. "I can't wait to tell my mom!"

"Uh, Sunny," She beamed when I used her new name. "How old are you?" Again I was unable to help my curiosity. I just couldn't believe she was old enough to be here. I doubted that she would get that I was being nosy and kind of rude, anyway.

"Fifteen." She answered.

"Fifteen?!" Anna and I said together.

"Well, almost sixteen."

"Why aren't you, you know, in high school?" Anna asked.

"I graduated already." She shrugged.

We just stared at her. She graduated at fifteen? She must be a genius or something.

"I was home schooled." She explained. "And I usually didn't have a summer break.

Well that explained alot. No wonder she looked like she just walked off of Little House on the Prairie. She had probably been completely sheltered from absolutely everything.

"So, you never went to school with other kids?" I asked feeling sorry for her.

"Never." She said. That was probably why she seemed terrified of being left alone before.

We climbed the stairs to the fourth floor and I realized that I should have left Sunshine in the lobby so she didn't see where my room was. Well, too late now. I had another irritating roommate to worry about at the moment.

I cautiously opened the door and went inside. I was thankful for two things. First Roxi wasn't in the room. Second, my things appeared to be untouched. I couldn't help glancing under the bed to check for my laptop. Just to be sure. I relaxed when I saw that it was still exactly how I left it.

Anna gave me a curious look. I rolled my eyes and shook my head. I'm sure she would meet Roxi for herself soon enough. I didn't really think it would be possible to have a real conversation with Sunshine here, either.

My card was right where I remembered leaving it, on the desk. I shoved it in my pocket before we headed to lunch again.