FOUR

It was a long day at school. Marian returned to her dormitory after a pleasant conversation with Logan. He wasn't so bad to talk to, and she loved his scent and his eyes the most. It made her smile as she approached her dorm.

Her birthday was in a few days after, she suddenly remembered, the cafe down the street offered a job, she said she was going to take a look but had forgotten.

"Tomorrow," she said as she climbed the stairs to her room. She had enough savings.

The door opened, "Marian!" Ruby threw the book at her, Marian dodged, and the book landed outside. She looked back at Ruby.

Ruby Hans— Her roommate, Ruby, had ginger hair and deep blue eyes. Her hair was packed in a messy ponytail, and she wore white shorts and a pink top.

"What?" She asked in a low tone.

"How dare you mess up the room?" Ruby glared at her. Marian sighed and closed the door after her.

"I was in a hurry, and I had to look-"

"Hurry? I returned, and the whole room was so messy. Are you insane!" Ruby yelled.

"I'm sorry," she said, gently walking closer to the table and picking a purple book.

"My boyfriend is coming over, so be quick" Marian looked up at her and rolled her eyes with a sigh. "Don't give me those eyes. He would only spend a few days!" she bounced to the bed.

"What? That's not fair. Are you not tired of inconveniencing me? I know this is your place, but you can't have plans without letting me know. Where do I go now?" She asked. Ruby raised her brows, wickedly smiling.

"And how is that my business?" She asked.

"Ruby! You have to stop," Marian yelled, dropping the purple book angrily and glaring at her.

"Oh, tell me, what are you going to do? Toss me out?" She challenged.

"You know I have nowhere else to go," Marian cried, hanging her head down.

"You have your friend's or parent's place. You can go see them," she replied, folding her hands on her chest, awaiting her reply.

Marian looked at her, tears almost dropping from her eyes, she had a lousy roommate that made her go back home, but this time, she didn't want to.

"You can help yourself then," she replied, staring at her, maybe wanting a reaction.

Angrily, Ruby grabs a pillow throwing it to her, "What?" She asked.

And again, Marian dodged. "He is your boyfriend, after all!" She said.

"Marian! You come here!" Ruby screamed.

Marian slams the door at her walking away fast before she comes out and attacks her. Pushing the door opened, a fresh breeze blew against her, and she heard Ruby, she complained, but her voice was unmistakable. Ruby had always been an embarrassment for her in her hostel.

"You! Come back here!" Ruby says. Marian walks away without saying a word.

"Don't come back here," She had no idea where she was going but moved instead until she heard a sound. Marian turned back and found her clothes on the floor.

"You think you're smart, right!" she continued tossing them out, bunch after bunch, and when she was done, she took the box out the window and slammed it to the floor, breaking.

Marian watched her, and a sad smile inched her lips, accompanied by tears that rolled down her red cheeks. What was she going to do now? She thought.

Angrily, she rushed back and climbed the stairs, breathing hard and crying simultaneously. Marian banged on the door. She knew this would alert the whole dorm, but she continued. When Ruby opens up, she scoffs and raises her hand and a slap lands on Marian's wet red cheeks.

"After everything I've done for you? It is the way to pay me?" She asked.

She gawked at her, "I have paid you just enough by tolerating your shits," she rolled her eyes and pushed her aside, bending down to scan the bed. The room was silent, and Marian heard a small laugh. She turned back to her and shrugged.

"What are you looking for?" Ruby asked.

"Where did it go?" Marian asked.

"What?" She replied, acting dumb.

"Where did my money go?" Marian yelled frustratedly. The box she had saved her money in was empty.

"I thought you left it for me," Ruby giggled, "You know, that was enough to pay me," she finished, folding her hands across her chest.

"Why would you take my money without my permission?" She screamed. That was her earnings for six months. She starved to ensure she got a place.

"What's your problem?" Ruby was surprised by her reaction.

Marian looked at her, sighing heavily. Surprisingly, a smile graced her pink lips. She got up immediately and started packing her remaining. She had nowhere to go or anyone to help her, but Marian was getting on her nerves, and this was beyond her control. She knew a lady that could hold her for the night.

Marian's wailing became louder, and her nose began to drip uncontrollably. She couldn't control her tears anymore.

Ruby stepped closer and grabbed her hands. Marian was packing. She didn't want her to leave. Who would cook, care for laundry, arrange the house, and even wash the toilet if she left? "I didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry. I will return it to you very soon," Ruby said, smiling, and when she wasn't answering, Ruby continued bugging. "Hey, Marian, you can stay for the night," Ruby begged.

"Can you stop!" She glared at her. Thunder struck the sky instantly. They both looked out the window, it was about to rain, and her remaining clothes were still outside.

"What do you want? Name anything, Marian, you can't go, it's raining, I was only reacting out of anger, and so are you, why don't you stay? Ah, if it's about my boyfriend, don't worry, he isn't coming," she stated.

"I would come back for this!" She said, looking at Ruby. The room wasn't hers after all. Why should she stay?

"Where are you going to go?" She asked.

"That's none of your business," she replied and walked out, paused at something and looked sideways at her yellow umbrella. She had almost forgotten it. She grabbed it and shut the door after her.