Dylan Welsh

Mom drove past a lot of buildings, as she was humming her favorite song; the radio was off and the back of the car was filled with loads of bags full of random stuff. I looked outside the window, smiling as I felt nervous. I was going to my dorm to unpack my stuff, then go to dinner with my family.

"Dylan!" Charlotte, my older sister snapped a photo of me. "I can't believe you got in, Photographer Jr.!" She ruffled my black hair, messing it up. My two elder brothers snickered at me, "Mom, did dad know I got?" I asked, mom frowned sighing as she stopped the car at a red light. Then she looked back at us with those sad blue eyes.

"He did, honey; John was very happy to hear that you got in. He's sorry that he isn't here right now, he needs to film for the documentary in the Philippines." Mom explained, as she turned to road; her hands clung on the steering wheel.

"How long will dad be gone for?" I asked again, looking down; with a frown on my face. "If he comes back home to New York, at least tell him to pay me a visit."

"He's going to be gone for 5 weeks, like a month or so. Who knows how long that documentary could take, honey?"

"I assure you, Dilly; that he'll come by and visit." Elliot said, trying to cheer me up with his signature smile of his. "For the mean time, it's just us."

"I understand."

I fell asleep on the way to the university, I had a very nostalgic dream about my childhood.

--

I was seven back then, I was so innocent that I didn't care what happened around me; I played with toy cars, watch educational TV shows and read children's books. Mom was out to work, since she was still an amateur at news reporting and dad was a local journalist.

"Johnny, your house is amazing! I hope one day I could live in it."

I heard a young girl's voice in the distance, I ran upstairs; sneaking below. To see dad with a blonde, and she was very beautiful. She had a very seducing voice that can woo anyone, a dog or a cat. Could be anyone!

"I know, one day you're gonna live in it; babe." John licked his lips, leaning in for a big kiss. I widened my eyes at shock, I went downstairs; standing in front of their romantic kiss.

"Daddy," I said; pointing at the blonde girl, they both stopped looking at me. The blonde looked very disgusted with me, as she backed away; showing emotion of anger and hatred. "Who is she?"

Dad chuckles, as he crouches down to my size; stroking my hair. "She's... My friend."

"Friends don't kiss, do they?"

"Shut up!" The blonde slapped me across the face, my left cheek turned red; as I blinked back tears. "Oh my.. I'm so sorry!" John looked at the girl with a shocked look, he couldn't believe his eyes. She just harmed his own son!

"Sarah, leave."

"Johnny, I can explain!"

"Leave, I tell you! And don't fucking call me ever again!"

Sarah sighed, and left the house; I never heard from her ever again. Dad resumed his life with mom, still hiding the secret he cheated on her with another woman who is much more beautiful than her.

--

"Charlie, can you wake Dylan?"

"On it, mom."

I felt someone shaking me awake, I opened my blue eyes; as I looked around inside the car then the window. We were already here, I was so excited that I really wanted to unlock the door and go out now!

"Hold on, Dylan. We can't unpack here, we should find a parking lot." Mom said, as she drives the car all the way to the university's student parking lot. There were loads of cars, either brand new or used. Either way, I was so impressed. There were students jamming in the back, some smoking and the others; well talking.

Mom turned off the engine, as she leaves the car; we all did the same, opening the back of the vehicle. One by one, my family helped me get my luggage and furniture. As we all went to the dorm building, I heard that the rooms were big; it has it's own bathroom. Hopefully, I live alone.

While walking down to the dorm, I saw a guy with messy; dark brown hair and piercing gray eyes, he has a light skintone; fitting for his punk-like looks. He was also tall, he stood about 5"12 .I stared at him, watching how he socialized with the other social groups.

They all laughed, smoking and drinking beer. He wasn't my type at all, I'm guessing they're older people. When I stared for too long, the boy also looked back at me. Then he waved and smiled, in secret.

I looked away, as I focused on carrying my stuff; what was happening to me?

--

"Room 177, it's in the second floor." The man behind the counter gave my mom the keys of my dorm room, he looked very unhappy; maybe because how dirty the hall was. The entrance was filled with parents and nervous and anxious kids, awaiting to get their keys.

"Mom.. Can you ask if I'll share a room with someone..?" I whispered shyly to my mother, tugging her pale pink shirt like a child.

"Excuse me, but; does my son share a room with someone?"

"Yes, but he's out for awhile. He'll be back soon."

"Both male and female share one dorm?"

"Yes, then again there are 6 dorm buildings. Girls are only allowed to share with their own gender, vice versa. To avoid any incidents from happening."

"I see, thank you." Mom gave him a $100 tip, the man smiled at her when he received the money. He quickly hid it inside his jeans, as he waved goodbye.

"There's an elevator over there." Charlotte added, as she points to the elevator. We all went to it, pushing the button up. And waited there for it to come down, we talked about dad and other relatives while waiting for the elevator. It was very fun to be with family.

As the elevator opens, we came inside; pushing all the luggage inside. Since there was no more space, Elliot and Myles decided to wait for it to come down again.

"I raised them so well." Mom smiles, the elevator stopped as it opens its doors. The hallway was very clean, music could be heard from the very end; some doors were open with students chilling or studying. "Let's go!"

Charlotte and mom helped me set up my room, it was huge; on the other end lied another bed. With paintings hanged on the wall, a Macbook left opened; charging on the bed and a lot of canvas and painting materials on its behalf.

"Your room mate must be an artist!" Charlie chirped, as she examined the paintings closely. I sighed, rolling my eyes. The canvas was filled with different colors, it was not neat; and disturbing to the human eye.

"It's disgusting."

"It's called an abstract painting." I heard Myles say, we all turned around to see Myles and Elliot with some furniture. "You're not very good at identifying art."

"Says the one who works for the local newspaper."

"That's very famous." Myles chuckles, as he puts down my stuff. "I guess you put the bed there, then hang your posters; I'll buy you more stuff when we come back again to visit..."

"Then I'll put my desk and bookshelf here."

--

After hours and hours of fixing my room, we were finished; mom fixed my bed; Elliot helped me with my desk as Charlie and Myles helped me set up other furniture. I was excited, "We'll going be out to celebrate, stay here to admire your room and follow us to the restaurant." Mom said, as she waved goodbye my siblings followed; when they left. I sat down on the bed, checking my iPhone. It was 5:18PM, I closed my eyes.

The door suddenly busted open, my body jolted as I felt a presence of somebody else inside the room. I looked at him, he was the guy before! His dark brown hair was cut on the side, and he has those gray eyes and that fair skintone. He's much more taller than I expected, he looked surprised when he saw me.

"Oh, it's you." He muttered, as he closed the door with a kick then walking to his bed; sitting down, pulling out a cigarette box from his pockets. He lit one up, and smoked. "I'm Ian Anderson, I'm a second year student."

"Nice to meet you, Ian. I'm Dylan Welsh, new student which means I'm a first year. What course did you take?"

"Fine arts, what about you?"

"Photography."

It was so silent, you could hear a pin drop. Ian puffed out the smoke from his lips, as he pressed the cigarette against the cylinder plate; then throwing it away off to the trashcan. "W-What got into you painting?" I asked, Ian hummed at my question. He took off a painting from the wall, then showing it to me.

"Painting is a way for me to express my emotions that I'm feeling, this canvas has a lot of colors right? It means I'm happy. That I was able to study here, I drew this after first day school."

"It's nice." I complimented, giving him a thumbs' up.

"Cute."

"What was that?"

"Nothing, anyways; tell me about yourself. I'd like to know more about first year students."

I didn't like talking about myself to strangers that much.