RUMORS Secrets, Lies & Alibis

Roommate War Part 1: Breakfast Theater

I woke up at 6 AM to the sound of clinking china and hushed giggles coming from Roni’s side of the room. Through my half-closed eyes, I watched my roommate directing what looked like a small army of caterers as they transformed our modest dorm room into something out of a luxury hotel brunch spread.

“The mimosas go on the windowsill,” Roni whispered urgently to a woman in a crisp white uniform. “And make sure the croissants are still warm when everyone arrives.”

I pulled my pillow over my head and tried to go back to sleep, but the sounds of elaborate breakfast prep made it impossible. By 6:30, the room smelled like fresh pastries and expensive coffee, and I could hear voices in the hallway getting closer.

“Rise and shine, roomie!” Roni’s voice was artificially bright. “I’m hosting a little pre-class gathering.”

A little gathering. Right.

I sat up in bed just as the door opened and what felt like half the elite student body poured into our room. Tiffany Chen swept in wearing silk pajamas that probably cost more than my monthly allowance, followed by Madison Rothschild in a cashmere robe and Caroline Pemberton carrying a designer coffee cup.

“Darling, this is absolutely charming,” Tiffany gushed, surveying the spread of French pastries, fresh fruit, and crystal glasses filled with what was definitely real champagne. “So... rustic.”

The way she said ‘rustic’ made it clear she didn’t mean it as a compliment.

I pulled on my robe and tried to navigate to the bathroom, but the room was packed with trust fund babies posing with their breakfast foods for i********: stories. Every surface was covered with Hermès bags and designer accessories, and the air buzzed with conversations about yacht parties and family estates.

“Isabella!” Madison’s voice carried across the room. “How lovely that you get to experience this. I’m sure it’s quite different from what you’re used to.”

The condescension was thick enough to cut with a knife. I managed a polite smile and grabbed my toiletry bag, hoping to escape to the communal bathroom before things got worse.

But as I reached the door, Caroline’s laugh rang out above the others. “It’s so sweet how Veronica includes everyone. Really shows her charitable spirit.”

My hand froze on the doorknob. Charitable spirit. Like I was some kind of pity case.

“Ladies,” I turned around, keeping my voice pleasant but firm. “I hate to be that person, but could you possibly keep it down a bit? Some of us were trying to sleep.”

The room went dead quiet. Eight pairs of eyes stared at me like I’d just suggested burning down the school. Tiffany’s mouth actually fell open.

“Excuse me?” Madison’s voice was sharp as glass.

“It’s just that it’s not even seven AM, and the walls are pretty thin here—”

“Oh my God.” Caroline’s laugh was cruel and bright. “She’s actually complaining. About breakfast.”

“I’m not complaining,” I said, fighting to keep my tone even. “I’m just asking for a little consideration—”

“Consideration?” Tiffany stepped forward, her silk pajamas rustling. “Do you have any idea how much this catering cost? How much effort Veronica put into this?”

“Of course, and I appreciate—”

“This is exactly what I was talking about,” Madison said to the group, like I wasn’t standing right there. “The scholarship students always have something to complain about. Never grateful for what they’re given.”

Heat flooded my cheeks. “I never said I wasn’t grateful—”

“Actions speak louder than words,” Caroline chimed in. “And your actions are pretty clear.”

Roni, who had been suspiciously quiet during this entire exchange, finally spoke up. “Maybe we should all just calm down—”

“No, it’s fine.” I held up my hand. “I’ll just get ready in the bathroom. Enjoy your breakfast.”

I escaped into the hallway, my heart pounding with a mixture of humiliation and rage. Behind me, I could hear their voices picking up again, no doubt dissecting my behavior and confirming every stereotype they already had about scholarship students.

The bathroom was blissfully empty, giving me a chance to splash cold water on my face and try to process what had just happened. In the space of five minutes, I’d gone from Isabella the mysterious roommate to Isabella the difficult scholarship student. Perfect.

When I returned to the room twenty minutes later, the party was still in full swing. If anything, it had gotten louder, with more students arriving for what was apparently becoming the social event of the morning.