Chapter Text
The air was cool, the gentle wind of August rustling through honey-blonde hair as Jackie’s feet led her down the concrete paths of Rutgers University. Finally. She was here. The large brick buildings that filled the campus casted shadows against her skin while her eyes were focused on the schedule typed out on her cellphone.
Jackie’s mind contemplated about texting Lottie that she arrived, feeling the need to notify her high school soccer team friend about her arrival. She didn’t know why Charlotte Matthews of all people also chose to go to Rutgers. That girl had so much money that she could probably buy the whole University. Maybe she wanted to be close to home, her thoughts repeated. Anyway, she was relieved to at least have one person she knew well to be by her side during the first few weeks of college.
After a while of walking, she shook her head at the thought and stepped into the brick structure she presumed was the student housing building, instinctively brushing some invisible dust off of the yellow sweater vest she wore over her white button up shirt as she stepped up to get all set up and gain her dormitory key.
—
A couple hours later, as the sun began its descent under the horizon, the car door to a used grey 2021 Hyundai Elantra slammed shut in the student parking center of Rutgers university, which was then followed by Shauna’s grumbling about the crowded parking lot.
God, who knew how horrid the parking situation would be?
Shauna huffed, heading to the dorm building provided through email. She’d go get her belongings later. After a much needed nap, that was. Unpacking could wait. Her thoughts, though, were soon cut off by a loud ding from her pocket. Right. Her phone.
Her dark eyes dropped to the slightly cracked screen of her cellphone, her mouth releasing a breath of annoyance as the notification to a groupchat filled with Van and Natalie bickering appeared at the top of her screen. Those two were so stubborn, she remembered last year where Natalie and Van argued for over a month about which peanut butter was better: crunchy or creamy. Obviously creamy was better, but she chose to not include herself in their wrath.
Shauna decided to get it over with, and her finger moved to press on the text notification.
Shauna: "Guys. Can you please do this in a separate chat without me?"
Van: "Not until little miss Natalie over here admits that tea is wayyyy better than coffee"
Natalie: "YOUR JUST SAYING THAT BECAUSE TAI DRINKS IT YOU SIMP JUST CONFESS?!"
Van: "Erm actually it’s “You’re”"
Natalie: "I HOPE TAI REJECTS YOU."
Shauna: "PLEASE be quiet. I beg."
Shauna: "Anyways I’m here. Near dorms."
Van: "Just now?!"
Natalie: "Girl I’m already unpacking"
Shauna: "Okay guys screw you atleast I follow the speed limit."
Natalie: "Yeah yeah we get it you’re responsible"
Shauna scoffed and flipped her phone onto silent mode, returning it smoothly back into the pocket of her dark wash loose jeans as she swung open the glass doors to the dormitory building. Huh. It was really barren in there. Guess everyone was unpacking. Looks like it was time to meet her roommate for the next year. She really hoped it wasn’t someone weird, like Misty Quigley from high school.
—
Jackie had already gone and unpacked in the two person dormitory by the time her new roommate finally was given her key and made her way up, her clothes folded neatly into the provided drawers and the rest of her luggage sliding perfectly into the gap under her bed. She had chosen the side closest to the door, the right side of the room, and had already strung up fairy lights and poster galore. If it wasn’t clear that Jackie Taylor lived in this dorm, it did now. Her eyes traveled to the glass window in the middle of the wall on the opposite wall of the door, the view of the Sun dazzling through leaves that began to brown stunning her with awe. Man, she was lucky with the dorm picks, huh? She could already imagine more things to add! Like a soft bean bag next to her bed, some candles on her desk, a shelf dazzled in plants and string lights, maybe some new curtains for the win—
Her thoughts were cut off by the creak of the door, and the honey-blonde looked over her shoulder to watch a brunette wander through the doorway, sneakers clacking against the wooden floor that laid beneath them. Atleast her roommate was a girl, Jackie thought in her head as she watched her new dorm partner flop onto the bare bed on the opposite side of the room with no grace whatsoever.
Jackie’s eyes roamed over the girl’s body, taking in the more masculine style compared to hers, specifically the flannel jacket. Her Highschool ex boyfriend, Jeff Sadecki, had the same one. She shook the memory away. She couldn’t pass up the chance at a new friendship because of some breakup memory! And her roommate seemed nice enough? She couldn’t really tell, but at least her outfit pieces went well together?
—
Shauna’s eyes were half lidded as she made her way to the dorm she was graciously assigned, her soft brown hair slightly ruffled from the cold blowing wind outside that she didn’t hurry to fix yet. This day was so slow to her, because how was it only 8:50 am? She couldn’t wait to be met with the sight of that beautiful mattress that awaited her in the room she would be calling home for the next year, already imagining the cold dark blue sheets against her skin, and the silence with an occasional gust of wind slamming into the glass of the window. Room 2226 loomed in front of her before she had time to prepare herself to meet her new roommate.
Her hand fumbled with the grey doorknob as she slid her key into the lock, twisting it to the side and sliding the key back out before pressing her palm against the wooden surface and pushing the door open. Yet, after doing so, Shauna was met with the blinding lights of fairy lights all in her face, causing her to quickly close her eyes with a grunt.
Shauna could make out a female figure on the other side of room but ignored her, stumbling over to the squishy mattress on the free side of the dorm and allowing her body to fall forward into the bed with a soft sigh. This was exactly what she needed.
"Uhm… hey?"
Shauna snapped back to reality at the sudden voice that addressed her, her head lazily flipping to its side to face the girl. The girl, presumably her roommate, had really gone to town with the decorations, Shauna thought as she extended a hand.
"Oh, hey. I’m Shauna. I’m guessing we’re roommates."
Jackie nodded and leaned back against the wooden frame of her over-decorated bed— that looked more like a nest of a crows. She crossed her legs casually and offered a hand.
"Yep! I’m Jackie! Jackie Taylor!"
The honey-blonde haired girl grinned widely and tightly grasped the other girl’s hand, eagerly shaking it up and down as a form of greeting.
"We’re gonna be such good friends in no time!"
"Sure…"
Shauna’s eyes stayed glued on Jackie for a few seconds, her mind taking in the girl who stood brightly in front of her like the sun. It was… odd. But not unappreciated. It was enjoyable having someone refreshing in her midst. Her head drooped down onto the mattress suddenly, face half smushed against the cool surface as she rolled onto her side.
"Night..."
And before she knew it, Shauna’s brain faded out of reality, her breathing pattern slowing as she nuzzled into the mattress under her, leaving Jackie in the awkward silence that filled the room.
Jackie frowned and sat back onto the bed behind her quietly, her mouth allowing a sigh to release as she pulled out her cellphone, the bright, familiar screen illuminating her face as it powered on. She didn’t realize it was already 9:30 by the time their chat ended. She soon had the realization that she had no one to talk to now due to the late hour among her. Lottie was probably passed out on her bed and Laura Lee would be in the middle of her nightly prayers by now.
This year was going to be a long one for Jackie Taylor.