Hostel life had always felt like background noise to Amara—people coming and going, doors slamming, gossip bouncing off the walls like echoes. But her corner of the room? That was her sanctuary. Quiet. Overlooked. Untouched.
Her two roommates barely acknowledged her.
Precious, the first one, was a certified "baddie." Always in full lashes, long acrylics, and tight jeans. She had three different wigs depending on her mood and a social calendar more packed than the school's lecture schedule. Her nights started at 9 PM and ended with her dragging herself in just before dawn—usually reeking of perfume and sweat, with her heels in one hand.
Then there was Tina—sweet, soft-spoken, and hopelessly in love with a boyfriend none of them had ever met. Her side of the room was decorated with paper hearts, pictures of her and "Michael," and little sticky notes with mushy quotes like "Forever yours" and "Distance makes the heart grow fonder."
Neither of them had ever shown interest in Amara. If anything, they treated her like a shadow—present, but ignorable.
Until now.
It was Saturday evening, and Amara had just come back from the library, exhausted. She placed her bag on the desk and flopped onto her bed, not expecting so much as a "hi."
But to her surprise, Precious—Precious!—looked up from her mirror and smirked.
"Look who finally came back from her boo."
Amara blinked. "Sorry?"
Tina giggled from her bed. "Kingsley, right? The nursing prince?"
Amara sat up slowly. "What are you two talking about?"
"Oh please," Precious said, applying lip gloss. "You've been serving couple vibes with that guy all week. Don't act brand new."
"I haven't— It's just a project," Amara stammered.
"Mhmm. And I only go to clubs to study the lighting," Precious said sarcastically.
Tina clutched her pillow and smiled dreamily. "I think it's cute. I told Precious you two look good together."
Amara blinked, completely thrown off. These girls had ignored her for nearly a year. Now they wanted to talk about her love life?
"I mean," Precious continued, standing and smoothing her crop top, "you used to be like a ghost in this room. But now? You're kinda interesting."
"Because of Kingsley?" Amara asked, unsure whether to laugh or be offended.
Precious shrugged. "Girl, don't get it twisted. He's hot. And the fact that Geraldine's about to lose her mind over you? Very entertaining."
Tina nodded like she was watching a telenovela. "I heard Geraldine almost slapped you in the bathroom. Is it true?"
Amara looked at her, stunned. "How do you even know that?"
Tina and Precious exchanged a look, then burst out laughing.
"Babe," Precious said, "you might be quiet, but your drama is loud."
Amara covered her face, partly from embarrassment and partly because she couldn't believe this conversation was real.
Later that night, while Precious was doing her makeup in front of the mirror—again—she suddenly turned to Amara.
"So like... have you kissed him yet?"
Amara nearly choked on her water. "What?! No! I told you, it's a school thing."
Precious winked. "School thing or not, he's fine. And you're always smiling when you're texting. Don't lie."
"I smile when I'm reading memes too."
"That man is not a meme."
Even Tina giggled from across the room. "It's giving 'slow burn romance.'"
Amara groaned. "I can't believe you two are doing this."
"Girl, we've been bored," Precious said. "Tina's always crying about her long-distance lover—"
"I'm not always crying!" Tina protested.
"—and I'm tired of the same dusty guys at the club. You? You've got fresh content."
Amara laughed despite herself. Maybe it was ridiculous. Maybe they were just being messy. But somehow, it felt… nice. For once, the room didn't feel cold. For once, she wasn't invisible.
But later that night, when the laughter had faded and the lights were off, Amara stared at the ceiling, thoughts spinning.
She couldn't shake the unease.
Was she really becoming "interesting" to people just because a popular guy started noticing her? Was her worth tied to who she sat next to?
And worse—was Kingsley really just being friendly?
She hated how the line blurred every time he smiled at her like she mattered.
And Geraldine's threat? Her insults? The way people were starting to whisper whenever she passed?
It was all becoming too real.
She wanted to stay under the radar.
But that might no longer be an option.
The next morning, Precious stretched in her bed and yawned. "So, are you two hanging out today?"
Amara blinked sleepily. "Who?"
"Your man," Tina said with a grin.
Amara grabbed her pillow and threw it at her. "He's not my man!"
But as the pillow bounced off Tina's head and laughter filled the room again, Amara couldn't help but smile.
Her roommates may not have noticed her before.
But now? The silence had cracked—and she wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not.