At first, I was extremely against the idea of living with another person in a dorm. For the past two years, I've been homeschooled and having the thought of leaving my comfort zone so suddenly had gotten me all jittery like a cat on a hot thin roof. I sighed heavily as a ton of large boxes flooded the living room.

"Mom, I'm sure I didn't have this much stuff." I opposed, furrowing my eyebrows incredulously.

Just how is it possible to carry six boxes to my dorm? For all I know, my room is located at the third floor.

From upstairs, I could hear mom's faint voice. "That's not my fault, sweetie. Your room's practically a library up here. Instead of caging yourself in your room and drowning yourself with books, why don't you go out and shop for clothes sometime? " She suggested. I huffed and crossed my arms.

"No thanks. I don't wanna waste my time playing dress-up like I'm some kind of a Barbie doll."

She sighed exasperatedly. "You're a young lady now, Ash. And you need to learn how to dress up like one." She said as she stared at my outfit in disgust. A black printed ACDC shirt with grey long-sleeved undershirt, dark skinny jeans and a pair of red basketball shoes.

I rolled my eyes as I blew on my messy bangs. "Correction. Young lad, because that's just basically how I am."

Mom shot me a look. "You'll eventually change your mind about that." She said. I frowned in response as I sat down on the couch, scanning all the boxes with my name scribbled on it.

"Hey, isn't Soren gonna move in to his dorm as well?" I asked.

"He will after he gets back from his soccer game in Singapore. Their team just got in the semi-finals round. I do hope that they'll claim the championships." I only hummed in response, completely disinterested.

Despite Soren being a 15-year old, he has already achieved so much. He traveled to Malaysia and Thailand to compete against the best teams and would always come back home with a trophy. He was no different when it comes to music. In fact, he's a guitar prodigy who won countless awards in talent shows and music competitions with his band.

Meanwhile, me as a 16-year old, have accomplished nothing at all. I snapped out of my thoughts when I heard a shuffling noise and realized it was mom who lifted one of the boxes into her arms.

"Come on, let's get you to your dorm."

My jaw dropped in utter surprise as I got off the car, scanning the humongous school building in front of me.

Forget about my leg cramps. The four hours of travel was definitely worth it.

The large building consists of a cream-colored slightly butterfly-shaped roof and a variety of black thick-framed glass windows, showcasing the beauty of its interior design. Several layers of beige tile walls were arranged in columns in each of the glass doors. Street lights, grassy fields, pine trees, and bushes filled the campus area, along with plenty white staircases scattered in different directions. A few students were roaming around, carrying large luggages and boxes which could only mean they're moving in as well to their respective dorm rooms.

"Welcome to Rosewood High. What do you think, Ash?" Mom asked with a warm smile.

"It's so huge. I almost forgot Rosewood is one of the best schools known in Spokane." I admitted.

"Yes, indeed. So are you ready for your first day tomorrow?" I shivered at her question.

Transferring to such a big school could only mean one thing.

Meeting new people.

Just great.

"To be honest, I don't think I am. I mean, I've been homeschooled for two years and living in such an unknown environment would be hard to adapt in. You know those people who experience cultural shock? That's how exactly I would feel. And what if... that incident happens again?" I asked hesitantly, my hands balling into fists as my horrible past from my previous school flashed through my mind.

"Sweetie, that won't happen again and you'll definitely do whatever it takes to never make that cycle repeat all over again. You're a strong girl, Ash. I know, you'll do just fine." Mom assured.

I really hope you're right, mom.

* * * * *

As we walked along the campus area, I inhaled the fresh air and savored the breeze brushing past us from time to time. Now that I think about it, I have no clue as to why my parents would choose this school. Rosewood High is not just any ordinary school. It's a school were a bunch of extremely talented and intellectual students study in. Of course those with big brains are included. In Spelling Bee and Math competitions, participants in Rosewood were usually the victors. Those who have high potential in sports who are also known as the popular jock would attain the championship awards inevitably. All of Rosewood High's sports teams such as basketball, football, volleyball and swimming were always ranked in top in every sports tournament. The same thing also applies to their musicianship. In choir, dance and band competitions, Rosewood has the highest winning rate.

To think that mom enrolled me to an exclusive and high-class school is just a huge mistake. I'm not the most brilliant and clever person anyone has ever known and I certainly won't become one no matter how hard I try. With academics as my weakest point, I've never obtained an A+ grade in my whole life as a student. Sports was another problematic thing for me. I quit playing soccer long ago under personal circumstances so I'm not suitable to become a popular jock either. I also gave up on my band when I was in eighth grade after our horrible performance in an audition, resulting to our disbandment.

So what now? I'm completely talentless. Just what are my parents thinking, enrolling me to this type of school when I have nothing to offer?

Mom's pace suddenly came to a halt, cutting off my train of thoughts.

"We're here, Ash." Looking up, there stood a black panel door with my room number seen above the peephole in bold gold font. 0810. Below the peephole was a whiteboard, probably a provider for other dorm mates to leave a message. I fished my gold dorm key out of my pocket, creating a jingling noise as I unlocked the door.

Large brown-framed windows at the middle of the room was the first thing I caught sight of, over viewing the campus area, and a duo wooden study table. Two wooden book shelves are on each side and a single-sized bed laid in front of the respective shelves.

Deciding to stop gawking at my new room, I proceeded to unpack my things. While mom was bringing all the boxes in, I make sure to unload everything. My shelf was immediately stacked with books compared to my closet which is not even fully filled excluding a few dark-colored jackets, sweaters and some jeans.

Mom had left for work after the unpacking process, giving me enough free time to do all sorts of things on my own. I settled on going out on a bookstore and browse some books to at least ease my boredom. Slipping on my red hoodie, I headed outside.

* * * * *

I was glad Totally Booked was just a few blocks away from Rosewood High. Pushing through the glass door, I automatically made my way to the fiction shelf. Tracing a finger through different book titles, my eyes widened as I grasped onto the book that I was looking for.

"Nancy Drew... The Moonstone Castle Mystery.. Yeah, this is it!" I exclaimed happily

I've always been a lover of mystery novels, especially of the Nancy Drew series. I find it thrilling and exciting as unexpected plot twists are usually evident, making me want to keep reading in anticipation on what's about to happen next. At some point, I even considered in becoming a detective someday.

Ash Rockwell. The Mystery of Her Brother's Red Boxers. Yep, that doesn't sound so bad at all.

* * * * *

Glancing at the orange-pink sky from the glass panel wall, I realized I've been roaming around the bookstore for the past two hours. I checked my watch and it read 5:57 PM.

I groaned upon remembering my dorm mate will supposedly arrived today since the first day of school starts tomorrow.

Well, let's just hope that I'd make a good impression.

"You've gotta be kidding me." I muttered under my breath upon seeing the door half open.

Did my dorm mate forgot to close it somehow? That's just being careless.

I huffed, crossing my arms in irritation.

I swear to God if I can't even tolerate with an irresponsible dorm mate then I'm dropping out of this school.

I slowly pushed the door wider and was about to ambush my new dorm mate and strangle that person to death before I immediately stopped in my tracks. Sitting on one of the wooden desks was a girl with long chestnut brown hair tied into a high ponytail. She wore a blue denim jacket and a pair of jogger pants. I couldn't quite distinguish her features as her back was turned to me, completely unnoticing my arrival. Hesitantly, I walked closer and realized she was drawing something on her sketchbook. Squinting my eyes at her work, I was truly impressed at the professionalism of her rough sketches of a landscape of an Eiffel Tower.

"That's a really cool drawing there." I blurted out before I could stop myself.

The girl nearly jumped out of her skin as she slammed her sketchbook shut before jerking her head towards me, her vibrant green eyes flashed with mild surprise. She wore black framed glasses which made her look mature.

"O-Oh, um.." She was completely at loss of words and I could tell she wasn't much of a talker just like me as I watched her fingers twiddling with the pencil that she's holding, probably trying to ease the awkward tension. I waved my hands in front of me dismissively.

"You don't have to say anything. My bad for surprising you. I'm your new dorm mate by the way, to answer your question as to why I'm here." I said when I took note of her puzzled expression. She nodded slowly, avoiding to make eye contact as her gaze remained on her pencil. I raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

She reminds me so much of myself.

"I'm Meredith." She said monotonously, giving me a brief glance. I nodded in acknowledgement.

"Pleased to meet you, Meredith. The name's Ash." I said, trying to sound friendly to at least help her loosen up her shyness. It didn't work though as her expression remained stoic.

"Yeah." That was her blunt response.

* * * * *

I sighed for what seemed like the hundredth time as I'd occasionally give Meredith apprehensive glances. She was still working on her Eiffel Tower landscape and from the looks of it, she won't be finished anytime soon and it doesn't seem that she has an intent to start a conversation with me. I rubbed the back of my neck irritatedly as a whirlwind of endless possibilities swirled in my mind of how she'd react if I start talking to her out of the blue.

Regardless of knowing she has a shy persona, there's something about Meredith's character that is a little different from my past shy self. In elementary, I was quite submissive as I let people boss me around, resulting to myself getting bullied. I used to be very timid and polite, addressing people with kindness at that. Meredith's behavior on the other hand, was completely contrary to mine. She doesn't seem the type who would trust people that easily. In other words, she's not like a fish on the hook, caught up by a person's lies so easily. Judging from her guarded expression upon my sudden intrusion, it looks like there is an invisible wall around her, shielding herself from other people.

I sighed and shook my head, not wanting to dwell on the matter any further.

I shouldn't stuff my nose in other people's business.

I flipped to the next page of the book on my lap and shifted my body into an Indian sitting position. My body jolted in surprise when Meredith abruptly stood up from her chair.

"I'm going to the convenience store." She said dryly as she made her way to the door.

"Oh, um.. How about dinner? I can cook us some ramen." I said, looking up at her anxiously.

"No thanks." She replied almost immediately as she heads out of the room before I could say anything else. Pressing my lips together in a thin line, I slammed the book shut.

Having a dorm mate who treats me like an invisible being is gonna be harder than I thought.

ʕ•ﻌ•ʔʕ•ﻌ•ʔʕ•ﻌ•ʔʕ•ﻌ•ʔʕ•ﻌ•ʔʕ•ﻌ•ʔʕ•ﻌ•ʔ

A/N: Hey guys! Sorry for taking so long publishing this chapter, I've been very busy with school stuff *groans internally* Anyways, I know this chapter was much shorter than the previous one, I didn't have the ample time to write very long for the past days. Regardless of that, I do hope that you still enjoyed reading it somehow. Look forward to the next chapter! :))

Btw, what do you guys think of Meredith?

Let me know through your comments below!

Word count: 2274