Chapter 3 - Room 306

A loud thud woke Sky from his sleep.

His eyes slowly opened.

For a moment, he stared at the unfamiliar ceiling before remembering where he was.

The new country.

The new university.

The new apartment.

Room 306.

Sky sat up and rubbed his eyes.

Another noise came from outside his room.

Then silence.

Then a low groan.

Frowning, he got out of bed and opened his bedroom door.

The moment he stepped into the living room, a strong smell hit him.

Alcohol.

A lot of alcohol.

Sky blinked.

Someone was lying beside the apartment door.

A young man was sprawled across the floor like he'd been dropped there by gravity itself. One shoe was missing. His backpack was half under the couch. An empty bottle rested nearby.

For a second, Sky wondered if he should call someone.

Then the stranger suddenly spoke.

"Five more minutes..."

Sky nearly jumped.

So he was alive.

Good.

The stranger slowly opened one eye and squinted at him.

"...Who are you?"

Sky stared.

"I live here."

The stranger frowned.

"Since when?"

"Yesterday."

A long silence followed.

Then the stranger nodded.

"Okay."

"Good."

"Why?"

"Because I was about to call the police."

Sky blinked.

"For what?"

The stranger pointed at him.

"For breaking into my apartment."

"Our apartment."

The stranger paused.

Then looked around.

Then back at Sky.

Then around again.

"Oh."

Another pause.

"Oh."

Sky was already tired.

The stranger sat up too quickly.

Instant regret crossed his face.

He grabbed his head dramatically.

"Bad idea."

Without warning, he flopped back onto the floor.

Sky watched in silence.

The stranger pointed a finger toward the ceiling.

"I blame my friends."

"They were the one drinking."

"They encouraged me."

"You are an adult."

"They encouraged me enthusiastically."

For the first time since arriving, Sky felt the corner of his mouth twitch.

The stranger noticed immediately.

"A smile!"

"It wasn't."

"It was."

"It absolutely was."

The stranger held out his hand.

"Kris."

Sky looked at it.

"Sky."

"Nice to meet you, Sky."

Kris grinned.

Even half-dead from a hangover, he somehow looked cheerful.

It was impressive.

And slightly concerning.

Kris suddenly pointed toward the apartment door.

"You know what's special about Room 306?"

Sky glanced at the door.

"No."

Kris spread his arms dramatically.

"It's legendary."

"Why?"

"Because I'm in it."

Sky stared.

Kris waited.

"..."

"..."

"You're supposed to be impressed."

"No."

Kris placed a hand over his heart.

"Ouch."

He looked genuinely wounded.

"First day and you're already bullying me."

Sky had known him for less than five minutes.

And somehow he was already exhausted.

An hour later, after Kris finally dragged himself into the shower, Sky stood in front of the mirror adjusting his clothes.

Today was his first day at university.

His stomach twisted nervously.

New campus.

New people.

New life.

Everything felt uncertain.

He grabbed his bag and headed for the door.

Just as he reached it, Kris emerged from his room looking significantly more human.

His hair was still slightly damp.

His smile, unfortunately, had survived.

"Ready?"

Sky nodded.

Kris slung an arm around his shoulders.

"Perfect."

Sky immediately removed it.

Kris looked offended.

"We're roommates."

"An hour ago."

"Details."

Kris opened the apartment door.

"Come on."

As they stepped out, Sky glanced back once.

Room 306.

Just a number.

Just another apartment.

At least, that's what he thought.

If someone had told him that Room 306 would become the place where his entire life began to change, he never would have believed them.

Then Kris pointed down the hallway.

"By the way, you're definitely getting lost today."

Sky sighed.

"Good morning to you too."

Kris laughed.

And for the first time since leaving Thailand, the loneliness in Sky's chest felt just a little lighter.

The two walked out of the apartment building together.

The morning air was cool.

Sky adjusted the strap of his bag while silently trying to memorize the route.

Kris, meanwhile, looked completely relaxed.

As if he hadn't spent the night sleeping on the floor.

Halfway down the street, Kris suddenly stopped.

"Breakfast."

Sky blinked.

"Breakfast."

"You already said that."

"And I'm saying it again."

Before Sky could ask another question, Kris grabbed his wrist and pulled him toward a small café on the corner.

"Kris—"

"Nope."

"I can buy my own food."

"I know."

"Then—"

Kris pulled the café door.

"Because you're my new roommate...."

Sky frowned.

"...So I'm welcoming you."

The smell of fresh bread and coffee filled the air.

For some reason, it reminded Sky of home.

Not Thailand.

Just... mornings with his brother and sister.

The thought made his chest tighten slightly.

Kris must have noticed the change in his expression.

Because for once, he didn't make a joke.

Instead, he simply handed Sky a menu.

"Order whatever you want."

Sky looked up.

"I'm serious."

" Why?"

Kris shrugged.

"Because moving to a new country sucks."

Sky froze.

The answer had been so casual.

So straightforward.

As if Kris understood exactly what he was feeling.

Then, before the moment could become too serious, Kris grinned.

"Besides, if you faint from hunger on your first day, I'll have to explain it to people."

Sky rolled his eyes.

After breakfast, they headed toward campus.

The university was much larger than Sky expected.

Students filled the walkways.

Groups of friends laughed together.

Others rushed between buildings.

Everything felt alive.

And overwhelming.

Sky slowed slightly.

For the first time that morning, nerves crept back into his chest.

New people.

New classes.

New expectations.

A completely different life.

Kris noticed immediately.

"Relax."

Sky looked at him.

"Because on my first day, I walked into the wrong lecture hall."

Sky raised an eyebrow.

"That's normal." Kris nodded.

"Then I sat through forty minutes of a class I wasn't enrolled in."

"..."

"And took notes."

"..."

"And asked a question."

Sky stared.

Kris looked proud.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Sky laughed.

A real laugh.

The first one since arriving.

Kris pointed dramatically.

"There it is!"

"What?"

"The smile!"

Sky immediately stopped smiling.

Kris laughed.

And together, they walked through the university gates.

For Sky, it was the beginning of a new chapter.

For Kris, it was just another day.

Neither of them realized how important that morning would become.

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