Remus just wanted to get out of his house. That's the only reason he was letting his mom help him find a college roommate. She was really pushing for the boys who had bible verses in their descriptions. Guys named Arthur, Ted, Frank, who fished, hunted, had girlfriends who were rushing ChiO.
"How about him?" She pointed at Remus's screen at a boy named James. He read James's short description, laughing at the excessive use of emojis and the earnestness of wanting to be more than just roommates, be friends. Then the smile dropped off his face. "He's already picked a room in Godric Hall." His mom fiddled with the hem of her skirt. Godric Hall, the most expensive housing option that Remus and his family could only afford if they hit the jackpot. "Oh well!" He tried to sound cheery. "Maybe I'll see him around and we could still become friends."
"He scrolled farther down, not really paying attention, wishing once again that Peter hadn't signed up for the journalism major exclusive housing option. Remus was about to give up for the day when he saw the word liberal and stopped. "I want to room with him." His mom read over his shoulder and wrinkled her nose up. "Are you sure? He seems…" "Perfect. He seems perfect." She sighed. "Okay, let me type an email to send to him." Remus gritted his teeth. "I can type an email myself, mom." She shook her head. "Let me take care of it, baby."
"After reading the email his mom sent, Remus knew he wouldn't hear back from the boy. She wrote that he was looking with his mom at roommate profiles. It was too formal and embarrassing. He pulled up the boy's Instagram page for the 15th time that night and just knew that they could have been friends. A long-haired boy with earrings? Probably queer like Remus. Based on how he looked, he was probably out as well. Something Remus couldn't be if he wanted to keep his scholarships. They probably had so much in common, or that could be Remus's wishful thinking. He wasn't even sure the guy was queer. All he knew was what his roommate description said./
Hi! My name is Sirius and we both need a roommate so let's be friends. My interests include music of all kinds and obsessing over TV shows and fictional characters. I am really open-minded. I'm very liberal so if you aren't into that you probably don't want to room with me. I plan on minoring in Gender and Women Studies and majoring in Criminal Justice. I hope to talk to you soon! Check out my IG if you want to get to know me better! srs.b
"Sirius. He resolved to not think about the boy again.
Remus woke up shivering in the middle of the night again. Another nightmare about her. His fault that it happened, his fault for getting in her car, his fault for freezing up and not screaming. He still couldn't even think about the real word for what had happened to him. His brain thought the letter r and then stuttered over it and stopped. Because he agreed to meet up with her, agreed to kiss her. Because he was technically using her to get over someone. Because it was a girl and girls can't be rapists according to the world. Remus huffed and rolled over. Not for the first time and not for the last time, he whispered into the dark. "Fuck Fiona Greyback."
T-Minus 4 months until he can leave this house and this town.