Day 1, 12:15 PM

Today is the day. Zayvion enters his dorm room with the final box of his belongings in hand, ready to settle into his new living space. He carefully unpacks some of his items onto the bed, pausing to take a deep breath and soak in the moment. Afterward, he makes his way to the common area to embrace his mother and bid her farewell, as she needs to return to work. Feeling exhausted from the day’s activities, Zayvion clears a spot on the bed and lays down, seeking a moment of relaxation. However, his respite is short-lived as he hears a knock on the door. Reluctantly, Zayvion walks towards the door and cautiously opens it, peeking his head out to see who is standing there.

“My bad I was adjusting myself. Are you Zayvion?” the guy says as he was adjusting his shorts.

“Yeah,” Zay responds.

“I’m your roommate Tyler, I’m in the room next to the kitchen,” Tyler tells Zay.

“You the basketball player?” Zay asks.

“No Zayvion! Actually, Imma just call you Little Z. But I’m a sports management major so I work with the basketball players. How you end up in the upper-classmen dorm anyway?” Tyler said fired back.

“Luck I guess, this dorm is way nicer than the freshman dorm,” Zay answers back.

“Ayy, I remember my freshman year, bruh. We call the freshman dorms, The Stacks cause everyone stacked on top of each other and there’s only one bathroom per floor, so ain’t no privacy for real. Everybody gon’ see all yo’ business whether you like it or not. The Quads are much nicer. But look, you sliding to the Cum Bucket wit’ us or what? Demar and Naheem pulling up too, and you already know a bunch of fine shawties gon’ be there,” Tyler tells Zay.

“Maybe a little later,” Zay responds.

“I feel you, bruh! I don’t really be out like that either, mostly just posted up in my room runnin’ the game. But hey, if you ever need somethin’, you always welcome to slide through my spot Little Z. Just knock first… don’t be barging in like Demar used to,” Tyler tells Zay in an inviting way.

“Alright it was nice meeting you,” Zay tells Tyler as he closes the door.

Zay reenters the room and opens the closet, taking note of how big it is. He proceeds to unbutton his blue plaid button-up shirt and neatly hangs it inside. Removing his jeans, he is left wearing some plain boxers his mother picked out. Zay carefully hangs his jeans in the closet and closes the door.

Now dressed only in his boxers, he turns towards the bed and spots a childhood painting he created. It evokes fond memories of his younger days. Zay picks up the painting and delicately places it on the window ledge. After tidying up a few belongings, he hears the familiar buzzing of his phone indicating an incoming call. Glancing at the caller ID, he realizes it’s his father.

“Hey Dad!” Zay said answering the phone.

“Hey Zayvion, I hit up your mom to get your number, and she told me you just moved into your dorm today. Just wanted to check in and see how you’re settling in!” Dad responded.

“Okay,” Zay said.

“I know I ain’t been there for you like you needed, but I always had your back. Wish I could slide you some cash, but I’m real tight on funds right now,”  Dad responded.

“Okay,” Zay said.

“Yo, it’s crazy, man. Eighteen years back, when you was my first kid, I ain’t have no idea what bein’ a dad was all about. And now, look at you, headin’ off to college and you’re going to the college I went to Just wanna let you know, your pops couldn’t be prouder of you, for real,”   Dad responded.

“Thanks,” Zay said.

“I know you be stressin’ with anxiety sometimes, but don’t just be cooped up in your room all day. Get out there and link up with some folks. You on campus now, so there’s gonna be plenty of girls around. Just don’t let them fast ones catch you slippin’,”  Dad advises Zay.

“Okay,” Zay said.     

“You know I went to school for media production too, wish I woulda finished. Stay locked in on your studies, though. You gonna be somebody big one day, I can feel it.” Dad responded.

“Okay,” Zay said.

“Aight, I love you, son. I gotta bounce, but imma check in on you, aight?” Dad said.

“Alright,” Zay responds.

“I know I don’t come around much ’cause your mom’s still tight about how things went down, but your whole fam is proud of you. I gotta dip, though. Talk to you later, Love you boy,” Zay’s dad said just before hanging up the phone.

Zay leans against the wall, basking in the gentle glow of sunlight. A contented smile graces his face as he reflects on the current state of his life. Finally, everything seems to be falling into place. His parents beam with pride, and he is embarking on a new chapter in college. Determined not to let anxiety and mental health dictate his existence any longer, Zay’s emotions surge within him, propelling him onto the bed where he joyfully leaps in celebration. At long last, he has achieved his goal.

Lead Cast

• Jayyo
• ZMan

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