As much as I wish I could say I slept well that first night in the dorms, I can't. With any tiny sound that Yahiko made, I'd stir.

I couldn't help it.

Sleep has been a liability for me for as long as I can remember.

When I was younger, there were the short-term foster "fathers" with their lingering glances and just-long-enough-to-be-weird shoulder touches. Even when I was young, I knew of the danger because the older girls at the halfway houses and orphanages ensured my education. As I grew older, that threat didn't disappear, but new ones arose to make things more stressful, like being smothered or robbed in my sleep.

Thankfully, Yahiko didn't mention it. Maybe he didn't notice, but it's more likely that he did and just didn't care. As much as I'd like to befriend the person I'll be rooming with for an entire school year, I consider myself lucky that at least he hasn't tried anything inappropriate. That was my main concern upon learning my bunkmate was a man.

"Hey, sorry if I was wondering if I could take a picture of you."

My spine straightened, and I turned in my seat to see two redheaded women. Though they were easily distinguishable, it was immediately evident that they were related, likely sisters. One had tanned skin and brown eyes, while the other had reddish-colored eyes and pale skin. Their noses and mouths were the same.

That said, the one with red eyes seemed to be the one who'd asked, so I met her stare with guarded surprise, "Excuse me?"

She waved a dismissive hand, the other holding an expensive-looking camera, "Oh, shit. I should've probably led with something else." She offered her free hand and a smile, "My name's Karin. This is my twin sister, Tayuya. We're both fashion majors here and like your style, so I want to take a photo to use as inspiration, if that's okay."

Shaking her hand, I stood from the table in the school's courtyard, where I'd been absently sketching and enjoying the fresh air and sun, "You like my clothes? But they're-" "Super unique, I know! We totally dig the girly-punk, grungy, semi-emo look you're going for. Very artistic! So, can I? Take a photo, that is."

I looked down at my worn, ripped jean shorts, combat boots, and purple shirt that had marker covering up what used to be a band logo. It was one of the ones my old roommates ruined that I managed to salvage. At least now I know the look was believable, "...I see. Um, I guess it wouldn't hurt then."

Tayuya smirked, brown eyes bright in the sun, "Cool, thanks! You don't have to pose or anything. We'll keep your face out of the picture, 'kay?"

Soon, the photo was taken, and my social anxiety meter was off the charts. After, I nervously offered, "Oh, my name is-" "Konan, right? We know. You're the scholarship kid this year."

The pair helped themselves to sit at my table; Karin's gaze focused on the camera's little screen while Tayuya explained how they had knowledge of me. My face must've shown my surprise clearly.

"It's common knowledge even to those who don't attend school here that the scholarship students always flunk out before the end of their first year." Her sister elbowed her ribs, widening her eyes as she waved a dismissive hand, "Not that we're saying you will or anything! That's just the rumor."

Is that true? So, everyone I meet will automatically assume I'm doomed to fail, then? How encouraging.

"I had no idea. Thanks for letting me know, I guess," I tried to come off casual, but inside I panicked. Do these two girls think I'm a loser, too?

Karin scoffed, rolling her eyes after turning off her camera and finally looking up at me, "Don't let it get to you. It's just another way for these snobs to psych out talented people they see as competition. You'll be fine so long as you study."

After sharing a little bit of our backgrounds with one another, I felt more relaxed around the two girls. It turns out they're from here, Amegakure. Their mother is a famous fashion photographer, which is how they were introduced to the world of clothing. They're both freshmen, just like me, but they planned to go to this college from the time they were in middle school, so they're much more mentally prepared than I am.

When they asked where I was from, I panicked. It made me feel like an awful person, but I instinctually lied, saying I moved around a lot because of my parents' jobs. It was too late to return once the words left my mouth, so I ran with it. After a few hours of hanging out, the two women and I ambled back to the dorm building.

"Fuck, you're so skinny! Look how small your waist is! What's your secret?" Karin gushed, groaning while grabbing at the non-existent fat upon her own stomach.

Malnourishment, my dear friend. One meal a day for a decade will do that to you.

"I don't know. I don't work out or anything, but I don't eat too much, either."

Tayuya snickered, "Don't let her make you feel guilty. She has a thing about her weight because this guy called her fat a whole bunch sophomore year in high school."

My brow furrowed angrily, "Are you serious? What an asshole."

"Yeah, well, I've almost reached my goal weight, and then I'll find that piece of shit and show him what a hottie he missed out on!" Tayuya and I shared an amused look as Karin angrily vowed.

She soon calmed, laughing sheepishly, "Speaking of guys, have you seen any good-looking ones on campus yet? I hope there are at least a few pretty things to look at this year." How she spoke showed that she was only joking about referring to men as things and not people.

Shaking my head, I averted my gaze to the sidewalk, "I've only seen my roommate. He's pretty hot, but he already hates my guts, so I'm not even gonna try."

"Your roommate's a dude? Lucky! We're stuck together!"

I scoffed, a smirk tugging at my lips when they asked his name. "Yahiko. I'm not sure of his family name. He's not much of a talker, but he's super clean, so I can't complain."

"You're kidding! Yahiko, like, orange-haired, tall, handsome, and covered in piercings?"

My gaze darted over to see both sisters had paled, and I nodded, "Um, yeah. That sounds like him. Why? You know him?"

They shared a look before Karin lowered her voice to a hiss as though someone might overhear, "He went to the other high school in town, but everyone in our class knew of him. His nickname is "The Silent Monster" because he's so quiet, but he apparently beat up anyone who annoyed him, even girls."

I frowned, "Sounds like just another rumor to me."

Tayuya nodded but said, "That's what we thought, too, but we actually found a newspaper article about him and a group of guys getting into a big fight. It was so bad, the police had to break it up."

Violence of that capacity is something I've encountered through the years, and it's not something I'm eager to witness again. That said, I can't just place Yahiko in a box because of what others have said. Until I verify on my own what his nature's like, I'll play it safe and be cautious.

"I still don't know, though. There are always two sides to a story." When I realized the twins were concerned, I waved a dismissive hand, "He doesn't like me anyway, so you have nothing to worry about. We completely ignore each other at the dorm."

The two redheaded women went toward their room once inside the large housing building, and I headed toward mine.

Hugging my sketching supplies to my front with one arm, I dug into my back pocket for the room key as I approached, only to slow when I lifted my eyes to see Yahiko sitting against the closed door. His gaze met mine in a glare. His unwarranted irritation annoyed me, so I narrowed my eyes, "What're you doing out here?"

The statuesque man came to a stand, gesturing for me to unlock the door while stepping aside, "Locked out."

After opening the dorm, I held the door open for him to pass, frowning as he did, "What happened to your key?"

"I thought you were inside, so I didn't bring it," he said quietly.

I locked up before crossing the room to place my supplies on my desk, asking absently, "Did you not bother looking slightly to the left to see that I wasn't there?" Then I gritted my teeth because I'd come off as more sarcastic than intended, something with which I often struggle.

As expected, Yahiko's voice came more steadily, clearly annoyed by my question, "It's like I'm alone in here even when you're around, so, no, I didn't check."

Turning to face him, I leaned against my desk with crossed arms, trying not to show how shaken I was that he was standing before me looking angry, "You didn't exactly roll out the welcome wagon yesterday, so pardon me if starting a game of twenty questions to get to know each other better felt like a poor decision."

The man scoffed but pulled out his phone, angry eyes on its screen, "That's obviously not what I meant. Tell me your number so we can contact one another if this happens again."

Officially unsettled by his argumentative nature, I shook my head, "I don't have a phone, and even if I did, I wouldn't give you my number because you've been nothing but rude to me since we met."

Brown eyes locked onto mine, daring me to repeat what I just said.

Straightening my spine, I held my ground, "It's not my fault you locked yourself out, but here we are, arguing like it is."

Yahiko's glare narrowed further as we stared one another down in silence. Then, he wordlessly turned and sat heavily at his desk with his back turned to me.

Did he just ignore me? What the hell!

I added one last retort, sounding almost awkward, "If you want to apologize, you know where I'll be."