Chapter Text
My name is Robyn McKenzie, and this is the story of how I died.
This story begins in my college years. After my struggle through public school, and all the things that I’d seen there, and everything my family had been through, I was ready to start college and start changing the world for the better.
I woke up bright and early for orientation, 5 years before I died. It was a warm July morning. The moment my eyes opened, I was overtaken by anticipation. I slid out of bed and put on a sky blue dress, which I believed matched the weather.
I ate a small breakfast before going out to my car and climbing in. I drove in silence to the university I’d be going to. I arrived around eight in the morning, half an hour before the start of orientation. I’d agreed to meet with the person who’d been assigned to be my roommate; some girl named Rose. Apparently, she was also one of the guides for orientation, so she thought we might as well meet while we were both in the same place.
I texted her that I’d arrived and she told me to meet her in the park at the centre of the campus. I got out of my car and wandered around campus until I found the park she’d told me about.
I looked around for a few moments until I heard someone call out, “Hey! bella ragazza, over here!”
I turned to where the voice came from and saw a woman standing on a hill. She was a little taller than I, with gorgeous brown eyes, shoulder-length brown hair, and olive skin. She wore a simple green T-shirt and denim shorts. I recognized the language she was speaking as Italian, but I didn’t understand what she said.
“Hi,” I replied, “Are you Rose?”
“The one and only!” She responded energetically. “And you must be Robyn.” I nodded. “Pleased to meet you. I like to get to know the people I’m going to be spending a year with, you wanna get some coffee after the orientation?”
“I- uh, sure,” I stammered.
Rose smiled, “We still have a while before orientation. Follow me, I’ll show you the best spot on campus to relax.”
She grabbed my hand and led me up the hill. At the top was a small grove that overlooked a lake that sat in the middle of the campus. She sat down underneath a tree and pulled me down with her. I thought then how much I contrasted her, me with red curly hair, her with straight brown hair, me with pale skin, hers a lovely olive shade.
I realized that I’d begun to stare, so I turned to look at the little lake. As I gazed at the ducks swimming around, Rose spoke again, “So, what are you studying here?”
“Computer science, what about you?”
“Linguistics.”
Silence fell for a second. I sighed and asked a question that had been lingering on my mind, “I know it’s taboo to talk about politics with someone you don’t really know, but I’ve gotta ask… you said when we were texting that you were a comrade but… was it true? I, I don’t want to end up the butt of another joke…” I stopped talking before I could further voice my insecurities.
Rose chuckled, and my heart stopped. I thought I’d been made a fool of. But, when I looked at her, I saw no malice in her face. “Yes, Robyn, I really am a Marxist like you. Think I’d have this if I wasn’t?” She pulled up her right sleeve the show me her shoulder. On it was a tattoo of a hammer and sickle.
“Woah,” I gasped. Unbeknownst to myself, I reached out and touched her shoulder, in awe of the badassness of the tattoo. I quickly realized what I’d done and pulled back in embarrassment. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t’ve…”
“It’s fine, bella ragazza, I find your stunned admiration endearing. C’mon future roomie, we can’t have you missing orientation.” With that, she grabbed my arm and dragged me to a gathering crowd down near the lake.
The two people giving the orientation were Rose and a short blond man with a green flannel and blue jeans who introduced himself as Ian. My fellow freshmen jostled and chattered around me. I did my best to concentrate on the words of the guides rather than the overwhelming sounds and smells and feelings of the crowd.
I was able to absorb the general gist of the information. Where we were and weren’t allowed to go, which buildings were for which schools, campus rules and expectations, etc.
The orientation ended around noon, and as soon as it was over I made my way back to my car. I grabbed the lunch I had packed, then went back to the tree Rose had shown me. When I sat down, I realized I’d started to cry. As I tried to wipe away the tears I heard Rose.
“What’s the matter, bella ragazza?” she inquired.
“I’m just a little overstimulated is all,” I said, wiping the rest of the tears away. Rose smiled softly at me and we ate in silence. After we finished, she turned to me again.
“I believe I still owe you a coffee,” she said sweetly.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“There’s this great café not far from campus, it’s a nice quiet place, good for relaxing,” Rose smiled at me for the millionth time that day, and I felt a blush rise in my cheeks.
Oh no,
I thought to myself,
I cannot be crushing on the person who’s going to be my roommate all year
. She offered her hand and I took it gladly.