"Mr. Habatty, I am sure you will find Yamaku fits your needs as snugly as a warm woolen sweater, and not the itchy kind either. If you find yourself itchy, I strongly suggest you show yourself to the Nurse. We do not like lice, fleas, or any other crustaceans on our students or staff."
Mutou led AJ to a room the size of a football field if you cut it in half a couple of times and just took one of the smaller pieces and put a bed in it, and this room was meant to be JJ's bedroom, a room of nightly wonder and quiet moments. AJ peered inside and took calming breaths. An ocean washed over him, and he was careful to dodge the crustaceans that poked at his feet. He heard children in the background mingle with the waves, heard them building sandcastles and playing with beach balls. Yes, this felt like home, just like the Jersey shore.
"Mr. Habatty, this will be your room. It is very early in the morning and classes begin for the second semester on Monday. Rest up and meet your hallmates tomorrow. They are already good friends, but I am sure they will be pleased to meet a foreigner like you. If you do not mind me asking, where is it that you are from?"
AJ looked up, suddenly shaken from his reverie. His eyes were as glazed as Dunkin Donuts and sweat beaded on his mustache like a friendship bracelet. He reached into his mouth and pulled out a stick of gum; the saliva dripped off of it in little raindrops. He then slinked into his room and slammed the door.
Mutuo stared at the purple frame, puzzled by the odd turn of events. But, after all, AJ was disabled. Maybe his disability was shyness. Who was he to judge?
On the other side, tears welled in AJ's eyes. If they already had friends, maybe they would not like him! AJ had always been the runt of the litter, a little pig covered in dirt while the bigger pigs laughed at him and called him names like Butternut. It had only done that one time, and no one would let him forget it! But AJ quickly shook off the overwhelming feelings of depression and despair. He knew why he was here. He was looking for something that had been stolen from him, stolen long ago: his heart.