Elsa walked into the dusky, cramped, and lonely dorm room that she would pretty soon be calling her home. As the pale yellow light flickered on she took in her surroundings. There was a twin sized bed pushed up against the right hand wall; the mattress covered in different colored stains that came from God knows what. At the foot sat a small wooden desk that looked like it had seen many better days. The brown wood had many chips and dents that clearly announced the age of the ugly thing. To her right stood a dresser with five drawers, the same ugly brown as her poor little desk. Finally there was a closet that had no door with a single rusted bar that hung in the middle, which she assumed was for hanging clothes. When she looked to her left she saw a mirror copy of her side that was for her roommate. Some girl named Anna.
This is horrifying. The room is small and cramped. How am I even going to live in this... place. Why did I have to leave home? Why couldn't papa just let me stay and go to community college like I wanted to. Ugh. What if this girl, Anna, is weird or annoying? How the hell could I even concentrate on my studies with some annoying bimbo prancing around this room? Wait, what if she finds out? What if someone finds out? My life would be ruined!
Agh, I need to stop over-thinking. Everything is going to be just fine. Just like papa said.
"Oh-boy!" Her father exclaimed as he hoisted the last suitcase off of the moving cart and onto the floor. "Who knew one small girl could need this much clothing. Did you pack enough for your roommate as well?"
"Oh c'mon dad! You're going to embarrass me!" Elsa's cheeks reddened as her father wrapped her in the warmest bear hug anyone could ever have.
"Well then that is just too damn bad! Little do you know, but my entire job as a father is to embarrass you. And by the blush on your cheeks I think I am doing a pretty fine job."
Elsa's eyes started welling up as she whimpered. "I'm gonna miss you papa. Are you sure I can't just attend a year or two at community college? I'd be able to stay at home and I would be acclimated to the workload. Also community college would be much cheaper, especially since we wouldn't have to pay for room and board." Isn't there anything I can say to make him change his mind?
"Elsa, you are going to be fine." Her father whispered as he held her even closer. "This is a fantastic school, that is within our budget, with a great Architectural program that is just -"
"I'm not worried about the school or my classes." she crossly interrupted "What if someone finds out?" Elsa implored as she looked up to her father as he released her and sat down on the bed.
"No one is going to find out. You haven't had an outburst in over 4 years. Your powers are under your control and you have no reason to fear them. They are a gift, not a curse. You need to remember that."
"But what if -"
"Elsa. Come here." Her father motioned for her to sit next to him on the bare bed. "You are a very special young woman. Not because of your powers, but how you feel about them. You care about how your powers will affect others, but not yourself. You are a selfless, beautiful, and extremely intelligent girl who is going to excel and make something grand of herself."
"Elsa, look here." Her father said. "I want you to always remember that whenever you start to doubt yourself. Do you understand?"
"Yes papa." Elsa said very happily, feeling much better than she did before.
"Your mother would be so proud of you. I wish she was here to see you. Her little girl, all grown up."
Elsa managed to whisper. "I miss her."
"I miss her too." Her father said, his eyes lowering to the floor. "I do have to leave though. I have that big meeting with Mr. Weaselton about my promotion. I love you Elsa."
Should I tell him? What if he gets angry? How would he react? Ughh. What to do? What to do? I'd better not mention it until I'm sure how he is going to react.
She stood and hugged her father. He held her tight and whispered, "I love you Elsa. You will always have that. I promise."
Elsa grinned from ear to ear and replied "I love you too papa. Good luck at work. I'll see you for Thanksgiving!"
As he walked out of her cramped room he turned and simply said, "Not soon enough." Then he blew her a kiss and begrudgingly walked away.
Elsa stood silently for a few minutes drinking in the loneliness that started to fill the room around her.
I guess I should unpack all this crap.
Starting with the dark blue duffel bag she began to put the linens and sheets on her rough, lumpy bed. Grunting as she shifted the bed to get to the far side, she stubbed her toe and muttered silently
"Shit."
When the annoyingly necessary task was complete she unpacked her clothing and placed her garments in her seemingly small dresser drawers. Finally she was able to unpack her laptop and the micro sized television she was able to afford after a summer of mowing her neighbors grass.
I never knew how exhausting unpacking could be. Fuck am I tired. I guess I can take a little nap before Anna arrives. Oh God, I wonder what she is like? I hope she isn't one of these sorostitutes I keep hearing all about.
Her thoughts began to wander as she drifted to sleep.