The car ride wasn't quiet.
My mom kept talking.
"You'll be fine," she said.
I stared ahead.
Hands still.
"The boys' dorm is the best option," she continued.
"It'll make everything easier."
Easier.
"You've already done the hard part," she added.
"This is just maintaining it."
Maintaining.
Like I was something to manage.
"You don't need to hide so much anymore," she said.
That made me glance at her.
"Your build," she continued calmly.
"You've worked for it. There's no reason to keep covering it up."
I looked down at my shirt.
Loose.
Safe.
"Wear something more fitted," she added.
"It makes everything more convincing."
Convincing.
"You already look the part," she said.
"Tall. Strong. Your voice—no one is going to question you."
I didn't respond.
"And as for anything else…" she added, quieter now,
"no one is going to see that."
My jaw tightened slightly.
"You know how to handle yourself," she said.
"You've been doing it."
I nodded once.
That was enough for her.
"You'll be fine," she repeated.
"…Yeah."
My voice came out low.
Flat.
Controlled.
"We're here."
The car stopped.
I stepped out.
The school stood in front of me.
Tall.
Clean.
Expensive.
Students moved around the entrance.
Talking.
Laughing.
A few heads turned.
Then more.
"Yo…" someone muttered.
"Who's that?"
"New guy?"
"Bro's built…"
I ignored it.
Adjusted my shirt slightly.
Then walked forward.
Straight posture.
Controlled steps.
No hesitation.
Like I belonged there.
Even if…
something in me knew I didn't.
The room didn't go quiet when I walked in.
It slowed.
Just enough.
Three guys looked up.
Then looked again.
"…Yo," one of them said under his breath.
Jason stepped in behind me.
"New guy," he said.
"Andrew."
"Marcus."
"Eli."
"Chris."
I nodded once.
"Andrew."
Short.
Flat.
They didn't look away immediately.
"Bro, how tall are you?" Marcus asked.
"Six-one."
"…Yeah," he said, nodding slowly.
"And you lift?" Eli added.
"Yeah."
"Obviously," he laughed.
Chris leaned back slightly.
"Man walked in like he owns the place."
"I don't."
"Could've fooled me."
I moved to the empty bed.
Dropped my bag.
Sat down.
"Yo, you play?" Marcus asked.
"Football."
"Oh, coach is gonna love you," he said.
"Or hate him," Eli added.
"Depends if he's actually good or just looks like it."
"I guess we'll see," I said.
My voice stayed flat.
That made them pause.
Then Marcus smirked.
"Yeah… we will."
A second later—
a pillow hit my shoulder.
"Reflex test," Eli said.
I picked it up.
Threw it back.
It hit him clean in the face.
The room went quiet.
Then Marcus burst out laughing.
"Okayyy," he said.
"Yeah, he's not soft."
Eli laughed too.
"Aight, my bad."
I didn't react.
Just turned.
Opened my bag.
Pulled out a shirt.
Fitted.
I paused.
Then another.
Same.
Of course.
"Yo…" Chris leaned forward slightly,
"why all your clothes tight?"
A small pause.
"They just fit."
"Yeah," Eli added, grinning,
"they fit a little too well."
Marcus laughed.
I ignored it.
Kept unpacking.
Slow.
Controlled.
"Yo," Marcus said suddenly.
I looked up.
"Take it off."
A pause.
"What?"
"Your shirt," he said, smirking.
"I'm tryna see if it's just the clothes or if you're actually built like that."
The room went quiet again.
Not loud.
But enough.
Eli laughed.
"Man said prove it."
Chris leaned back, watching.
"Relax," Marcus added.
"I'm just playing… unless?"
A few of them chuckled.
I didn't.
For a second…
I just stood there.
Then I grabbed the hem of my shirt.
Pulled it off.
Quick.
Controlled.
No hesitation.
Silence.
"Yeah…" Eli said slowly.
"Okay," Marcus nodded.
"Yeah, that's real."
Chris let out a low whistle.
I didn't look at any of them.
Just put the shirt back on.
Like it didn't matter.
But my chest felt tight again.
Not fear.
Something else.
Something I ignored.
"Alright," Marcus said finally.
"I mess with you."
"Yeah," Eli added.
"…you're calm."
The room filled with noise again.
Laughter.
Talking.
Normal.
I closed the drawer.
Stood still for a second.
Everything looked normal.
Felt normal.
But something about it still felt… off.
Like I was in the right place.