Chapter Text
It was finally move in day for Will, Jane, and Max who have all been waiting for the day where they finally escape their middle of nowhere town. Will was particularly excited for this day. She was ready to start over. She was ready to leave the shackles of her hometown, and into a place where she could fully be herself. Truthfully, she regretted being so unwilling to put herself out there. However, her sister Jane and their best friend Max were sufficient for her to not have a miserable life. They were the only light that shone in her wooded and secluded hometown.
“I’m sorry you can’t room with us Will, but I’m sure you can spend the day with us.” Said Max looking at Will uncomfortably. While applying they discussed how they would separate, and Will told her friends that they could room together, and that she wouldn’t mind at all. Even though she was being truthful she was still a little disappointed when they didn't argue with him, and went along with her idea.
“Our schedules are lined up pretty well, but I’m just hoping my roommate isn’t some homophobic straight girl whose life revolves around her boyfriend.” They all laughed, and Will turned around walking away, carrying her first set of boxes, heading toward her dorm room.
She reached her room, and struggled opening the key, but eventually opened it. She set the boxes down and surveyed the room. The dorm room was as tiny as she expected, and there seemed to be just a dresser, a closet, a mini fridge, two desks, and a set of twin beds. She really hopes her roommate is not an asshole. She didn’t see any sign of her roommate's things, so she decided the left side was hers.
After around a half hour of trudging between her car and the dorm all the way on the fifth floor she was finally able to just hop on her bed and rest. She closed her eyes, and she let out a sigh, but then she heard a girl speak right above him..
“We’re going to have a problem if you don’t know how to close the door.” Will sprang so letting out a small shriek and disorienting herself.
“Oh my God I am so sorry!! I just wanted to catch my breath and I guess I forgot to close the door.” Will said in a rush. Great. She didn’t know who was making a worse impression. The forgetful roommate, or the snappy one.
Will gave her a small smile hoping to save this embarrassing meet, but her blank stare didn’t change. After a few seconds she finally spoke up with a smile.
“I really don’t care. My name is Michelle by the way.” The girl, Michelle, said with a small hint of amusement. She reached her hand out to shake Wills, and Will introduced herself.
“Ok good I thought you were going to be an asshole. I'm Wilmina, but everyone just calls me will.” She shook her hand and gave her the friendliest smile she’s ever given. First impressions are extremely important. If you mess it up it can ruin how someone interacts with you, especially your roommate.
“I think we're gonna be great friends,” said Michelle with the biggest smile plastered onto her face. Will flashed her own smile back at her, and they fell into an amicable flow state of setting up their joined room together while having periodic conversations.
Once they were finished decorating their respective sides they went their separate ways as Michelle went to go see her friends, and Will did the same. She walked into Jane and Max’s rooms which was a couple floors above with a smile on her face. Casually smiling and being in a good mood was not something that she did. She can’t remember the last time she casually walked around with a smile on her face. One that wasn't forced or artificial.
“Hey! Have you guys finished moving everything in?”Asked Will casually. She took in the sigh of their room. It still had some stuff lying on their beds, but the girls were just sitting on one bed.
They didn’t seem to see her at first since they were in conversation, but Jane looked up and towards the door and jumped, “We should really lock the door because you scared the hell out of me!” They all laughed and Will shut the door behind him and joined the other girls.
“Did your roommate end up being an asshole?” Max questioned. Will thought back to the blissful half hour where they talked about themselves and surface level questions. They learned about each other. Will learned that she was majoring in English, and that she has 2 sisters, and that she’s had the same 2 friends since elementary school. She learned that Michelle hates big social events, her favorite movies are the original Star Wars movies, and that her favorite holiday is halloween. Will also shared some things about her as she grew comfortable around Michelle. She first shared common things like that she is majoring in art, and that she’s only friends with her sister and both of their only other friends are a red head girl named Max, and that they all go there.
“Oh she actually might be my new best friend” Will teased and turned to face Max and Jane grinning ear to ear. Max gave an impressed smile while Jane responded with a reassuring smile.
“Oh i’m actually glad because you need to make friends” Max said and Will looked at her shocked and offended.
“I do… I- you know what…” Speechless. Will was speechless. He always planned on making friends, and he hoped that he would be able to make a lot of artsy friends in his art classes.
Jane spoke up, saying, “What Max meant is that we all should step outside of our comfort zones and meet people.” Jane said, looking at both of them with a smile.
“I got a plan guys, we should probably not just hang out in the dorms for that, so we should probably roam around the common areas, the dining hall, and coffee shops nearby.” Max said with confidence, and that plan sounded great, and Will would go with them, but he feels that she wouldn’t meet friends like that since the more introverted people that Will likes to be friends with wouldn’t be in public too often.
“Yes! We should walk around campus right now actually.” Jane said excitedly, and she looked at Will for his response.
“Alright I can't argue.” Will shrugged and they went off on their quest.
–
When Will got back to his dorm a few hours later he saw that Michelle was not there, so he decided to just rot in bed and study his schedule. She really hadn’t had time to process his life right now. She is attending college. She gets a new chance, a new opportunity. She has the ability to become someone that she is proud of. Someone a little more outgoing, someone confident with herself, and someone who isn’t constant;y bullied. She looks around the room and takes it in. The posters of her favorite artists on the wall with polaroids of her little trio, and for once, she feels hope.
She didn’t hear the key lock open, but she heard her dorm door slam open, scarring Will and she yelps.
“Sorry for scaring you!” Michelle quickly said, closing the door behind her and approaching Will on her bed. “Maybe this could be our thing,” Michelle said a little quieter. Smiling too earnestly for WIll to react normally.
Oh no. She looked at Michelle's small grin and she felt butterflies quickly erupt all over her stomach. Great. She needs to stop this crush before it fully forms.