"Mom," I groaned, "please don't make a big deal about this."

"Honey, you've been living in my house for 18 years. It's hard to just leave you here in college and fly back home."

"You'll be fine. And I'll call every day that I can. I promise."

"You better. Now which dorm is yours again?"

"Room 716."

"Alright. You ready to take your bags up seven flights of stairs?"

"Mom," I laughed as I pushed the button. "ELEVATOR."

She dropped her head. "Of course. Of course there's an elevator in your college. Let's go."

We rolled my suitcases into the elevator and my mom held the door open as I struggled to pull the boxes in. "Come on, dammit," I growled. "Work with me."

I saw a pair of sneakers come into view and two hands effortlessly lifted the heavy box up. "Oh. Um, thank you," I smiled.

I finally looked up and met a cute blonde. "No problem," he said, flashing me a smile of his own.

I stood breathless, staring at him and grinning like an idiot.

"Kara, where are you, honey? I'm sure other people have to use the elevator."

"Oh! Coming, Mom. Thanks so much for helping us."

"It's fine, really. Want me to help you take it upstairs?"

"That'd be great. You're sure you don't have anything better to do? I mean, it is a Saturday."

"No, I really don't," he laughed.

"Kara!" my mom yelled.

"Jesus," I muttered, and pulled the rest of my stuff into the elevator.

Mom smiled politely at the cute guy helping us. He smiled back and nodded. We finally made it upstairs and the blonde helped us before heading downstairs to his own room. "Thank you!" I called after him.

"Glad to help," he shouted back. "See you around, Kara."

"I hope," I whispered.

Oh shit. I never asked him what his name was. Fuck, I'm a dumbass.

"Um Kara?" my mom called.

"Hmm?"

"Come here, please."

I stepped into the room and gasped. Clothes were strewn everywhere and was that a pair of...boxers? On the couch?

Oh hell to the no.

A large hand grabbed them and threw them into another room. "Well hello, gorgeous."

"Um...hi..."

"I'm James and you are?"

"Clearly not in the right room."

"Cute. Seriously though, what's your name?"

"Kara. I'm sorry if this sounds bitchy, but why are you here?"

"This is my room," James answered with a confused look.

"Oh."

"I have the right room number," Mom mumbled. "This is 716, right?"

James nodded. "Yeah. Is there something wrong?"

"No...no, not at all. We'll uh, be back in a minute." Mom grabbed my arm and yanked me out of the room.

"Jesus!" I yelped. "Where are we going?"

"Dean's office. You're so not living with that boy."

"He seems nice, though."

"Kara," Mom growled.

"Ok ok. Well, where am I going to live then?"

"We'll figure it out. I'll figure it out. Oh god, where are you going to live?"

We stepped into the dean's office and the secretary held up a hand. Mom glared at her and tapped her foot. "Alright, I've had enough."

"Mom? Mom, what are you gonna-"

She slammed the dean's door open and stepped in. "Um...can I help you, ma'am?"

"Yes, I think you can. With all due respect, I'm not pleased with my daughter's living arrangements."

"Well what can I do for you?"

"Is there any other room besides room 716?"

"Let me see..." he shuffled through some paperwork. "Um, I have a room open with a Kendall Schmidt. Room 112."

Kendall...girl, right? Like Kendall Jenner? I guess my mom thought the same thing, because she slowly nodded. "That'll work just fine. Thank you so much."

We went back up to 716 and took my stuff out. "You're not staying?" James asked.

"No, sorry. I'm uh, moving to a different room."

"Oh. Ok." He looked dejected and I felt really bad.

"But we can always hang out sometime."

His eyes lit up. "Sounds awesome. Need any help getting your things moved, beautiful?"

And...the flirt is back. Of course.

I smiled at him. "Sure. Thanks."

James helped me and my mom move everything down to 112. He raised an eyebrow at me. "You're staying here?"

"Yeah, is that a problem?"

"I thought you didn't want to live with a guy."

"I don't. What do you know, James?"

"Nothing, nothing. I was just curious. So...see you soon!" He frantically pushed the elevator button and waved as the doors closed.

Fuck. What do I not know?

My mom helped me unpack everything and three hours later she looked sadly at her watch. "Kara...it's 7, honey. My flight leaves in two hours. I have to go."

I sighed. "Yeah...I know. Thank you for everything, Mom. I love you so much." I hugged her tightly before reluctantly walking her to the door.

"I love you, Kara. Call me whenever you can, sweetie." She brushed my hair out of my face. "Remember to have fun!" she teased.

My jaw dropped. "Hey, I can have fun!"

"I know you can, honey. Just don't study all the time. I love you." She kissed my forehead and left. I sighed and fell back against the door.

Well, I'm all on my own now. I wonder when I'll meet my roommate.

I decided to take a shower in the meantime. The hot water felt so good running down my back and over my aching muscles. I took in a sharp breath as I stepped out of the shower, the cool air piercing my warm skin.

I pulled on a pair of shorts and tank top and went out to the main room, drying my hair with a towel. I saw a pair of sneakers at the door and walked over to them. Vans. Size 11. Definitely a guy's.

I heard a cough behind me and jumped. "Kara?"

Oh shit, why does he know my name?

I turned around and met with the same blonde from the elevator. "It's you?"