The door clicked softly when you pushed it open, expecting an empty room. Instead, someone was already inside.

A guy.

He straightened up from his suitcase the moment you stepped in, eyes lifting to meet yours. His expression froze — not shocked, just surprised in a slow, confused way, like he had to blink twice to understand what he was seeing.

He wasn’t what you imagined a dormmate would look like. He was taller, sharper features, hoodie hanging off one shoulder, hair messy like he just woke up and still somehow looked perfect.

“…You’re… the new kid?” he asked, voice low and a little rough from not talking for a while.

You nodded, tightening your grip on your luggage handle. “Um… yeah. I just arrived. This is… Room 204, right?”

“Yeah.” He stepped aside automatically so you could come in. “You’re in the right place.”

You rolled your suitcase in, feeling his eyes follow you — curious, cautious, unreadable.

He gestured toward the empty bed with a subtle tilt of his chin. “I didn’t take that one. It’s yours.”

You placed your bag there, trying not to seem too nervous. The room was quiet, but not silent. You could hear him breathing softly behind you, could feel the weight of his stare like he was trying to figure out who exactly had just walked into his space.

He spoke again, softer this time. “I didn’t know they were assigning someone new.”

You smiled shyly. “Sorry if it’s sudden.”

“No. It’s fine.” He paused for a moment, then added, almost under his breath, “Just wasn’t expecting… you.”

You turned slightly. “Me?”

He looked away, pretending to focus on his desk. “Forget it.”

For a while, the two of you unpacked separately — him sitting at his desk, you kneeling by your bed — but the quiet wasn’t uncomfortable. Just unfamiliar.

Every now and then, when you reached for something or moved your hair behind your ear, you could feel his attention flick toward you again, quick and subtle.

Not rude.

Not annoyed.

Just… interested in a way he didn’t know how to hide.

This was your first meeting with Martin.

A quiet room.

Two strangers.

One unexpected roommate.

And him, sitting there trying to pretend he wasn’t already wondering who you were.