The sun was just starting to set when I arrived at Crescent University's female hostel, dragging my small box behind me. The compound buzzed with laughter, loud greetings, and girls rushing in and out with excitement. Parents carried mattresses, roommates squealed at each other, and someone's mother was already shouting about "dirty roommates."
I tightened my grip on my admission letter and whispered to myself,
"Peace. You came here for peace."
Five years.
Five years to build the life I wanted.
No distractions.
No drama.
And definitely no boys.
I found my room number—Room 2B—and took a deep breath before pushing the door open.
It was empty.
Clean.
Bright.
Quiet.
Exactly the way I liked it.
I walked in slowly, taking in the fresh smell of disinfectant and new paint. The room had two beds pushed to opposite walls, two wardrobes, and a small reading table by the window. A soft wind blew in, carrying the smell of freshly cut grass.
"This is perfect," I murmured, smiling for the first time since I left home.
I placed my box on the bed by the window—my bed—and began unpacking.
Clothes.
Toiletries.
My nursing textbooks.
The little framed picture of Mum smiling.
Everything felt right.
A gentle knock sounded on the door.
I turned with a small smile.
Maybe my roommate was finally here.
I opened the door.
A hostel matron stood there with a clipboard.
"Amara Johnson?"
"Yes, ma."
"You'll need to follow me to the office. There's a slight issue with your room assignment."
My smile froze. "Issue? With my room?"
"It will be sorted," she said quickly. "Just come."
I hesitated, staring back at my neatly arranged bed.
I had only been here ten minutes.
But I followed her anyway.
The walk to the office was short but felt long. The compound got quieter as the sky darkened, and a few girls rushed past us carrying buckets and foam mattresses.
In the office, the matron flipped through some files before sighing.
"Your name was mistakenly placed on the female list. The room you just checked into was meant for someone else."
My heart sank.
"So… where am I supposed to stay?"
She looked up hesitantly.
"You were actually assigned to the okeleye building."
I blinked.
"The mixed hostel?"
She nodded.
I felt my stomach drop.
"But… I applied for the female hostel."
"We know. It was an administrative error. The female rooms are currently full. You'll need to stay in the okeleye building until a space frees up."
I closed my eyes slowly.
Mixed hostel? Boys? Noise? Drama?
That was the opposite of everything I wanted.
"Please, ma… isn't there any other option?" I asked softly.
"No, dear. For now, that's your only place. Your roommate is already assigned."
Roommate.
A stranger.
One I hadn't chosen.
My voice dropped.
"What's her name?"
The matron checked the file again.
"Him."
I opened my eyes.
"Him?!"
"Yes."
She pushed the file toward me.
"Your roommate is a male student."
My heart stopped.
A male roommate?
A boy?
I began shaking my head. "No. No, ma, I can't—"
"It's temporary," she interrupted. "Just go there tonight. If anything changes, I'll let you know."
Temporary or not, this was a disaster.
She handed me the key.
Room 34A.
Okeleye hostel.
Second floor.
I stared at it, feeling the ground shift beneath me.
A male roommate.
How was I supposed to handle that?
With numb fingers, I picked up my box and started walking toward the annex building, every step feeling like a step deeper into trouble I didn't ask for.
The boys' voices got louder as I approached.
Someone whistled.
Another laughed too loudly.
Music blasted from a room upstairs.
My heartbeat quickened.
This was not the peaceful beginning I imagined.
I stood in front of Room 34A, gripping the key tightly.
From inside, I heard music playing… low, deep, and nothing like my quiet world.
I swallowed hard.
"This is it," I whispered.
And I pushed the door open.
To be continued…