literature

As It Is -14- New Roommates

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Published: Apr 10, 2026

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Literature Text

June 27th, Year 1, Saturday

Dear Daniel, so you'll want to know that I'm feeling good about my new room. You can see the sea and the old lighthouse from the window and that's something I like a lot. I also like that there's one bed to spare, together with one bed, etc. I love the extra space and that there are not too many of us.

About my new roommates.

a) James, but you could call him Liam-2 or Liam-B, because they could be brothers. James is sixteen, a self-declared wannabe-nerd, and he's brilliant at science. He's also level 3, with some amazing privileges, I guess.

b) Kevin. He's fourteen and he looks sad, like deeply sad. I mean he's not crying or anything but I'm seeing guilt and sorrow in his eyes. Or, I'm imagining things up.

Something very odd is that he's scared of me. Whenever I try to get close to him, he just goes to James. But I'm just twelve. I hope Arthur hasn't been telling him any lies!

They both look so much better than Arthur. Kevin does worry me a little, but I think he's safe. The only thing is that I don't want Kevin to fear me, it makes me feel ashamed and I feel so uneasy, which is so very ironic.

June 28th, Year 1, Sunday.

Dear Daniel, first night went alright. But James and Kevin exchanged beds so James is in the center. I thought James is like protecting Kevin from me, so I placed my bed as far from them as I could, which is kind of silly, but I want be harmless.

It might have worked out because Kevin told me “good morning” when we woke up, no, “please, don't kill me“. But he's shoulders were up and my AI is always concerned when I do that. And when I tried to get close he went to Liam again.

Anyway (breathing in).

(Feeling better now)

That's wrong. I'm trying what you told me, being a good friend and all that. But it isn't working too well.

Back to homework. I want to be a good boy by next year.

June 29th, Year 1, Monday

Dear Daniel, Kevin spoke to me today. He's sorry for not calling me friends. He also told me what he did. I'm not writing that down, in case somebody else reads this. It's not too awful. Just many small things together, and one that got too big on its own, really. Plus, he has a loving dad and mom, and siblings and everything. And he thinks he has let down everyone.

I told him I am not telling what I did, because you have asked me not to do that. But I told him I've never been a bully or anything. That I am also ashamed of what I did, and that I'm learning. And I told him I've always, almost, lived in children homes. And that I really want to be friends.

He wiped away a couple of tears and nodded. He said James has helped him. He's helping me too, already, with homework. I write mostly about Kevin because I felt I can help him, but Liam B. is all great.

Then Kevin said Friends?

And...

I struggled not to cry, but my eyes went a little watery.

Maybe I don't scare people, after all.

And after that, I got surfski, so my morning ended in glory.

Today I got my first race! So exciting! I lost! Like I was last, even the kids from primary overtook me. I just capsized twice, almost lost my paddle, almost forgot to remount. Good thing we all had hot chocolate when it was all over. I'm almost glad Kevin didn't get to see me today.

Daniel, I hope you won't be too angry... but we placed our beds next to each other, like we were brothers. James says there's no rules against that, except some staff tells you not to, or some of the kids don't want to do that.

But we're doing this to bond us together, not to mess up. I promise. Just ask James if you want to check, or the AIs, they record everything, you know.