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Ruth really, really had not wanted a roommate. She didn't need any more distractions.
For most of the year, the living situation had been...alright. As normal as it could get. Her roommate was hardly ever there, which meant Ruth had all the quiet she wanted. But when her roommate was there, there were often two or three boys with her. One that was distinctly older, who definitely was not part of their class. And the other two were boys she had seen around campus before, who's names she never remembered.
This, of course, was not the problem when Ruth came in from her last class of the day.
No, the problem happened to be the giant blow-up deer in the middle of the room. That Melanie seemed to be underneath.
"Why is there a deer in our room?" Is all she can find the words to say.
Melanie pops her head out from under the deer, and then pulls herself out all of the way. "I didn't know you'd be back this early. I can move this, if you want me to, I just-"
"Why is there a deer in our room?" Ruth repeats. "That's all I want to know."
"Ah, well..." She looks around the room, before settling on Ruth's face. "It's a prank. Javi and I are setting up some stuff in Ben's room, and the plan was to have a stuffed deer full of glitter...so I was in charge of filling up the deer."
What the fuck.
Ruth nods, and sighs. "Alright. When is it going to leave?"
"Uh...it'll be out within half an hour? I'm meeting Javi at 4..."
"Okay. Then I'll...just sit outside. Until you're done with...that." She leaves the room, and sits herself against a wall, by the door.
Exactly half an hour later, Ruth looks up as she hears the door open. Melanie's walking out, holding the deer.
"Thanks. For, uh, letting me use the room and stuff." She smiles at the other room.
She shrugs. "It's your room too. You don't have to apologize. Good luck with pranking your friend."
"Maybe next time you can come with me." She raises an eyebrow. "But, anyways, I've gotta get this to Javi's room. Thanks again."
She walks off, after that, and Ruth is left staring at her from behind.
She had really not wanted a roommate. But at least Melanie made life interesting.