My mate is a boy

RIVER

I stare at the house in front of me and then at my phone again; it is exactly the house I had rented for my four years here. I look around the place and see similar houses lined up around the street. I take a deep breath and walk up to the door. I had been told by my roommate via chat that she was going to be around but might not be in when I get there, so I just need to go in with my key that I had gotten delivered.

I dig through the bag slung over my shoulder for the key. "Oh my goodness!" I exclaim as I search. I know you had put it in here; why then was it not there? I squat and search through the bar until my fingers finally glide through a slippery, silver-like metal. I pull it out and plant a kiss on it before I push it into the keyhole and open the door.

The door clicks open, and I am left with a huge space right in front of me. This must be the living room. I push my bags inside, glad I only had to struggle with one suitcase for now, since my other things will arrive later that week. I walk in, leaving the suitcase at the door, and the door closes.

I pass the kitchenette and walk to one of the two doors side by side. I open one door, and I see suitcases lying around. "I guess she hasn't gotten round to unpacking yet," I murmur to myself before closing the door silently and then opening the next. I see an empty room with the windows closed, and I smile to myself. This is the perfect house. I am glad that I snatched it up when I did.

I walk into the room and sit on the bare bed for a moment before I walk back to the common area and drag my suitcase with me into the room. As if my father knows I had arrived, my phone begins buzzing, and I smile when I see his name plastered over the screen.

"Daddy, I just got here," I say happily into the phone.

"How did you find the flight down?" he asked in his usual husky voice.

"Scary, but I am glad I came. I am yet to go see the campus, but I am glad that I came," I say, and I am sure he can feel my happiness.

"I miss you already, kiddo," he murmurs into the phone, and I close my eyes, trying to stop tears from flowing once again. It had been a war for me this morning to be able to leave him. It was almost as if I was tearing my heart out.

My mom had died when I was one year old, and since then, my dad and I had only grown stronger and closer together. "I miss you too," I add, not wanting to think about anything. "Do you want me to come back?" I asked, knowing he was not going to allow me. I feel bad for leaving him, but this was for him. I was going to be the best student and make him proud.

"Of course not, kiddo, you have fun and make sure that you make your college experience count. Remember what I have been telling you..."

"Live your life for yourself." I cut him off before he could recite his mantra. "You don't have to worry about anything; I am living my life for myself," I say, taking a deep breath. Doing this for him is the same as doing it for myself.

"My college days were one of the best in my entire life, and I want you to..."