I looked out the window. The sky was painted in a breathtaking shade of gold. I wished I could capture it on canvas right now.
I reached into my pocket to grab my phone and check the time.
1:54 p.m.-almost the end of the endless lecture.
I slipped my phone back into my pocket and turned my attention back to the professor.
She was talking about biology-human and animal anatomy, to be exact. I thought about sketching some of the anatomy later in my dorm, but this sky... this masterpiece outside deserved my focus first.
My seatmate leaned over. "Hey, Harvey. What are your plans today?"
"Oh, uh... I guess I'll explore a bit, maybe paint some things," I said, glancing at her.
"Do you paint?" she asked, clearly curious.
"I do. Why?" I questioned.
She smiled, resting her chin on her hand. "Do you want to go out with me?"
A date? My heart skipped. No, no, don't get ahead of yourself. I was clearly out of her league, and besides, this golden sky was calling me to paint.
"Thank you for the offer, but I want to focus on painting this scenery," I said, pointing outside the window.
"It is beautiful... well, can I ask you out another time, maybe if you're free?"
Why is this beautiful girl asking me out? My face heated.
"Oh, um... sorry. I'm really not in your league. You're too stunning for me to even look at," I said shyly.
She giggled at my words. "Are you trying to make me fall in love?"
I shook my head. No, absolutely not.
"Just take it as a compliment," I said, returning my gaze to the professor.
"Alright, that's all for today. I expect you to read chapter one before our next class and familiarize yourselves with the parts and symbols. Don't worry-no graded homework yet. See you next time," the professor said, gathering her notes.
"Oh, right-any questions?" she added. Silence filled the room.
Then she left, and we began packing our things.
"Well... if you don't want to go out, maybe I can at least know your name?" she asked.
"Okay... my name is Harvey Fadsney," I answered.
"Cute name! I'm Sherry Maryl," she said, smiling. Cherry... it rhymes with cherry.
I stood, grabbed my bag, and we headed for the door. At the threshold, I waved goodbye as we split ways.
I walk to the hallways once painted with joy by morning now dimmed with silence.
"Harvey! Wait!" Him Again?!?
I look back then i see him getting closer and closer.
He slowed down his pace wonder why?
Ohh a janitor is nagging him, welp not my problem.
Room 215 is my room so who will be my roommate.
I unlocked Room 215 and pushed the door open. The room was modest: two beds, two desks, and a small wardrobe on each side. Sunlight streamed in through the window, casting a warm glow on the otherwise plain walls.
I set my bag down and looked around. My side was untouched-neatly arranged, clean. The other side... already had someone's things scattered everywhere: a backpack half-open, textbooks stacked haphazardly, and a laptop left running.
A voice called from the corner. "Hey, you must be Harvey. I'm Theo-your roommate. Don't worry, I'm mostly quiet... unless there's good music."
I blinked, unsure what to say. "Uh... hey. I'm Harvey."
Theo grinned, leaning back in the chair. "Cool. So, what do you do? Art? Gaming? Or are you one of those mysterious types who just... exists?"
I chuckled nervously. "I... paint, mostly. Landscapes, sometimes sketches of people or animals."
Theo's eyes lit up. "No way! That's awesome. I've got zero artistic talent. Maybe you can teach me something sometime."
I nodded, feeling a bit more at ease. Okay... this might actually be manageable.
He pointed at the window. "That golden sky outside? Perfect for painting. I'd probably just stare at it and get jealous of anyone who could capture it."
I smiled, already imagining the brushstrokes in my mind. "Yeah... it's calling me to paint right now."
Theo laughed. "Then I'll leave you to it. I'll be over here, pretending to study. But hey, don't be surprised if I end up stealing some of your sketches later."
I felt a small flicker of excitement. A roommate who wasn't intrusive but not boring either... maybe college wouldn't be so lonely after all.
I set up my sketchbook on the desk by the window, glancing out at the golden sky once more. Today felt like the start of something... new.
I grabbed my sketchbook and stepped out of Room 215, the dorm hallways quiet except for the distant hum of students packing up. The golden sky from the lecture hall had deepened into a richer hue, streaks of orange and pink blending seamlessly across the horizon.
Outside, the campus was bathed in that warm glow. Bare trees stretched their branches upward, and the sidewalks glistened faintly where the morning frost had melted. I found a quiet bench near the small pond behind the dorms-perfect for painting without interruptions.
As I set up my sketchbook, a familiar voice called softly. "Harvey?"
I looked up. Sherry Maryl was walking toward me, her hair catching the sunlight like strands of spun gold.
"Oh, hey," I said, my heart doing that annoying little flutter again. "I... I'm just... painting the sky."
She smiled, tilting her head. "It's beautiful. Mind if I sit?"
I hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Sure... go ahead."
She settled beside me, watching as I moved my pencil across the page, capturing the streaks of color. "You're really good," she said quietly. "I can see why you'd rather paint than do anything else."
"Thanks," I muttered, focusing back on my work. "It's... calming."
For a few minutes, we sat in silence. Then she asked, "Do you come out here often?"
"Not really... first day," I admitted. "But... I think I'll try to make it a habit."
She nodded, glancing at my sketch. "I like it. It's... peaceful. You have a good eye for details."
I felt heat rise to my cheeks. "Thanks... I just... notice things."
She smiled again, and I realized this wasn't just any day. It was the start of something unexpected-a quiet connection under a sky painted with gold, and the possibility of more.
I finished my sketch and waved goodbye to Sherry as we parted ways.
Back in the dorm, I entered Room 215 and dropped my bag onto my bed. Hunger hit me all of a sudden. I looked over at Theo.
"Theo... can you grab some food?" I asked.
"Yeah, sure," he said, pointing toward the door with his thumb. "I was about to head out anyway. What do you want?"
"Anything's fine," I said, sinking into my bed, letting the warmth of the blankets and the comfort of the room settle around me.
Theo grabbed his jacket and backpack. "Alright, I'll be back soon. Maybe I'll pick something interesting for both of us."
As he left, I glanced around the room again-my side neat and empty, his side a little chaotic but lively. For the first day of college, it didn't feel overwhelming. It felt... promising.
I grabbed my phone in my pocket and played some games..
...Defeat...
How many times have i lost?
Knock... knock...
"Harvey! Food's here!" Theo opened the door, holding a paper bag. The moment I smelled it... oh, my days-I could practically taste it already.
I shot out of bed faster than I thought possible, following the aromatic trail.
"So... what did you get me?" I asked, practically drooling as I stared at him.
"What? I didn't get you one," Theo said, feigning innocence.
The room went silent for a beat-stopped only by the roaring of my stomach.
"Just kidding," he said, grinning.
I grabbed my plate from his hands. Pasta... some salad... but honestly, who cared? The blissful garlic bread on top made everything worth it.
I sank into my bed, fork in hand, the warmth of the meal spreading through me. College life suddenly felt a little more... comfortable.
Then the moon rose, casting a soft silver glow through the dorm window. The golden warmth of the day had faded into a calm, quiet night.
"Harvey, I'm gonna show you a song I wrote," Theo said, picking up his guitar. He took a long sip of cold water, preparing his voice.
I leaned back on my bed, pasta forgotten for the moment, curiosity piqued. Theo strummed the first gentle chords, the sound filling the quiet room like a soft whisper.
His voice was calm, easy, and somehow comforting. I felt the day's tension melt away-the early classes, the awkward encounters, even the chaos of meeting a new roommate.
Before long, the room felt warmer, cozier, and my eyelids grew heavy. The music faded into the background of my thoughts, mingling with the moonlight streaming across the bed.
Somewhere between the last chord and the soft hum of the night, I drifted off, sketchbook and pencil forgotten on my desk. For the first day of college, it had been... unexpectedly peaceful.
"Oop he fell asleep." Then theo continued to play his guitar but without his voice.