Chapter Text
Aether already knew that the first days of college where pure hell from what he heard from his friends. but he never thought that it would be like walking through a Room full of spiders while needles are getting hammered into your head. And Aether absolutely despised spiders. It all started when he entered his Room at the day of his arrival. He knew, that having a good roommate was the key to success for a good social live, so he prayed to all the gods existing out there to get someone he would enjoy talking with. But as soon as he saw the other guy he was sharing his room with, he already knew it was over. Sitting there, on the edge of his bed, was Xiao. A guy who looked so depressed all the time, not even the teachers dared to even come near him. Aether knew Xiao from his high school, but only because he saw him on the hallway a few times. "Hi, Xiao." he said "Looks like I am your new roommate. do you still remember me from High school?" No answer. "Ah, I will just use the free bed if that's ok for you" Aether threw his stuff on the other bed in the room. "Great. I hope we will have a good time in college together, Xiao." after another long and awkward silence Aether finally decided that this shit was not worth it and left the room with an "Ok, cool. See you later!" The entire encounter didn't last longer than two or three minutes, but it already was enough for Aether to start hating his roommate.
~~~
Xiao never expected to get a roommate. Originally Zhongli, the Principal told him that he would not get a roommate. Well, that obviously was a lie. And he didn't just get anyone as a roommate. No, it just HAD to be Aether. The boy he was obsessed with since he walked past him in 7th grade. With a loud sigh Xiao let himself drop onto his bed. Of course fate wouldn't be on his side. It never was. He already knew this year of college would be just as bad as high school, even before Aether entered his dorm room. A lot of the students here also were on his high school, so he never had a chance for a good social live. Plus Zhongli was his uncle and being a relative of the Principal was never good. At all. The only hope for surviving was to just stay alone as he always did and watch Aether from afar.
Xiao knew that this was a terrible way to go through college, but he didn't have much of a choice. His reputation was probably already ruined, the other students in his age all were boring and Aether definitely didn't like boys anyways. He possibly even was one of the straightest persons on this planet. Or at least that is what he heard of him. So he never expected much anyways. Suddenly, his phone buzzed.
*College Gc*
*Aether added Xiao.*
Aether: Hiii guys <3
Tighnari : Hiiiiii
Xiao: how tf did you get my number????
Aether: Oh look, he can actually talk. what a wonder O:
Xiao: very funny blondie.
Aether: i know. Anyways, i got your number from the official page of this school. you can look up everyone on there
Xiao: …
Xiao: I don't know if i like that.
Aether: too late emo boy
Kaveh: Hii guys!!!!
Kaveh: guess you are the new ones?
Tighnari: Jup. Sadly I know them all.
Aether: Hey. I am not that bad of a person.
Tighnari: never said that.
Alhaitham: What is this gc?
Kaveh: ohh, mister so smart can't read the name
Alhaitham: Fuck you Kaveh
Kaveh: I get a feeling that is exactly what you wanna do.
*Tighnari added Cyno*
Tighnari: Helpppp Cyno
Cyno: What is up
Tighnari: This Gc is the fucking hell
Cyno: wrong. Everything that flies.
Xiao: …
*Xiao left the group chat*
*Aether added Xiao to the group chat*
Aether: nuh uh, you ain't gettin away
Xiao: let me go, please
Alhaitham: just put your Phone on silent idiot.
Alhaitham: then you can ignore them all.
Kaveh: don't give him bad ideas.
Aether: Xiao, u still here?
Aether: Xiao?
Kaveh: Great, Haitham. Now we have two popular loners
Kaveh: Oh, you also left us here. What a gentleman
Kaveh: anyways, I have to go off now. still need to make my room ready
Aether: byeee<3
Cyno: Bye
Tighnari: Bye
~~~
Aether was happy he escaped his room. If he had to share it with Xiao, he would try to be there as rarely as possible. Besides, he had to explore the College a little more, maybe even meet up witch Cyno and Tighnari or look if he could find Kaveh. Although he didn't know him at all, he seemed fun to talk to in the group chat. His first stop was the school cafeteria. He had high hopes for the food, but the second he saw the prizes he knew he wouldn't be eating here that often if he didn't want to be poor by Monday. "Five dollars for a grilled cheese sandwich? do they want us to starve to death?" he quietly mumbled. "Yea, you are soo right! they really have too high prices!" the voice almost made Aether jump. "Oh sorry, did I scare you?" A girl with long, black hair and blue bangs, not very tall stood behind him "Oh, I didn't see you there. May I ask for your name?" Aether looked at her awkwardly. "~ehe~ I get overlooked often. I am Venti and i go by they/them. I am studying Music and Art in the second year. And you are?" Aether looked a little stunned. Too much information intel in too short of a time period. "Oh, cool. I am Aether, I study geography and well, i just arrived here. great to get to know you!" He finally said. "Yea, i know, I am pretty great of a person to know. If you ever need anything, just come to me!" and with that, they left Aether standing alone at the lunch table.