Chapter Text
Rodolfo Parra was returning from his summer job. He had just graduated from high school. He was working three shifts to save as much money as possible, since he was waiting for the answers to his college applications. He applied to several colleges, graduated at the top of his class and was one of the best in the country. He had an excellent resume, spoke three languages, and was an outstanding student. His biggest bet was to apply to a university in the United States. A prestigious school on the Northeast coast. His high school advisor had encouraged him to apply to their biomedical engineering program, which was one of the best in the world.
Clearly, Rodolfo and his family did not have the resources to pay for his studies outside the country. In fact, they could not even afford them in the city where they lived. His advisor recommended a scholarship for excellence, a program for international students with an extraordinary profile. This covered all aspects: university fees, lodging, food, and the needs of the career. Very few students were admitted, so the competition was tough. With that idea in mind since his second year, the young man tried hard to excel in all aspects, that was his opportunity to achieve a better life for his family. His interest in biomedicine was thanks to the fact that his mother suffered an accident that made her lose an arm, he wanted to improve the quality of life of her and many other people, due to the economic situation of his family they could not afford to pay for a prosthesis for her so Rodolfo lived with the sadness of not being able to do more. His father, who was a miner, spent long hours working to be able to support his family, on the other hand, his mother had a small food stand with Rodolfo's grandmother, he for his part had a job in a local maquiladora, only in this way they managed to cover the bills because thanks to the climate of violence that was experienced in the souls, work as well as money were scarce.
He entered his small house, he basically slept in a makeshift room since when his grandmother lost her house due to gambling debts from his grandfather, who had passed away a couple of years ago, he gave her his room so she could have some privacy. He took off his backpack after a long day, the others were busy with their occupations, he went to the kitchen to get himself some water when he heard the sound of the mailman's motorcycle, his heart began to beat strongly, it had been like this for a couple of weeks, he understood that the answers to the requests would be arriving on those dates so he always tried to be attentive, whether it was accepted or not they should inform him. He left the glass of water and went to the door, when he left the mailman walked towards him, he carried a small pile of envelopes, usually they were utility bills, payment requests and junk mail.
He received them and thanked the mailman, he entered the house checking, bills, receipts, he was beginning to lose hope when an envelope appeared in front of his face, he recognized it immediately, it was elegant and had the university emblem stamped on one corner. He was excited, but before opening it he thought that it had to be something he would share with his family, whether it was good or bad news he had to be with them so he would wait for them to return.
The four of them were around the table, the envelope was in the middle, waiting for someone to open it, but no one dared.
- I don't know what I'll do if the answer is no - Rodolfo said it with fear, his future depended on what was inside, of course he also sent applications to other schools but come on, he wanted to be there with all his heart.
- My dear, regardless of what this letter contains, we are proud of you - his mother touched his cheek and gave him a quality smile.
- Come on son, open it - his father urged, patting him on the shoulder.
With that, Rodolfo sighed, reached out and took the envelope, opening it. It was very elegant and refined. He took out a sheet of paper that he unfolded immediately. He glanced quickly at his family before reading the contents. When his eyes reached the end of the sheet, he fell silent.
- Son, what does it say? Are you okay? - his mother put her hand on his shoulder.
- Come in - was the only thing he could say.
- What?? - his grandmother, who hadn't said anything, suddenly blurted out. His father took the sheet of paper and began to read out loud. It was in English, but his father worked for a few years on the other side until he was deported, so he had vague knowledge.
- Thanks to your excellent profile, it is an honor for our university to inform you that you obtained a place for the academic period 2024 - 2028 in the specialty of biomedical and biomechanical engineering in the international excellence program that covers all aspects of the study plan. In addition, in the next few days you will be receiving your student visa that you previously requested. In the attached sheet you can find the information and required documents. We expect you on August 15 for your induction period.
His family exploded in a big hug, Rodolfo was crying, his dream was there in front of him, he could have a better life for his family and for himself, this was a true dream.
- I am proud of you my love, I had a lot of faith in you and I was not wrong - his grandmother gave him a big kiss on the forehead. He could feel his dream materializing in front of him, he was very happy.
Time passed very quickly, before he knew it, he was in front of the university gates. His parents had requested a loan to pay for his flight and give him some cash to start his new life. He promised to help them pay every penny. There were work programs for low-income students, so he could support his parents by sending money home. He got out of the taxi with his suitcases. He really didn't have many things with him. He paid for the trip. He unconsciously took the cross pendant that his grandmother had given him. He let out a sigh and started walking into the campus.
It was huge, elegant and old. There were people from all ethnicities and social strata. For a moment he felt self-conscious about the wealth and luxury, but he had a mission and had to be strong. He headed towards the welcome and information area of the engineering faculty. He approached a stand where a girl was giving out brochures to the new students. She looked very energetic but she didn't seem to be rude, Rodolfo approached a little shy, in the end being withdrawn before the masses or large groups was one of his Achilles heels.
- Hello! You are looking for information, your room, you have all the brochures, tell me friend how can I help you? - she handed him a pile of papers with a lot of information that he accepted.
- My name is Farah, I am a member of the student council of the faculty of science and engineering, you should join if you are interested, I have a specialty in pharmaceutical chemistry you could join if you like, you look like someone responsible - she extended a hand that he squeezed lightly.
- Hello, nice to meet you, I am Rodolfo, specialty in biomedical engineering - she gave him a quality smile.
- So Rodolfo, welcome to this world, I hope you feel comfortable, whatever you need you can count on me, do you know where your bedroom is? - seeing his face she got her answer.
- Don't worry, I have a list here to help you with that, unfortunately this semester half of the dorms are being remodeled so new students are being accommodated with 3 roommates per room, don't worry they are spacious enough for them to fit in and each room has its own bathroom so don't worry about that.
- It really sounds better than my own house - Rodolfo said, at that moment he fell silent, he forgot where he was, but she just gave him a smile.
- So you are also from the international excellence program, believe me if it weren't for that I would still be in the Middle East fighting to survive - she typed some things on the laptop that was on the stand to pick up a sheet of paper from a printer placed to the side. He kept thinking about her words, he felt empathy for her.
- Look here is your room, follow this map and it will take you to building C, your room is 141 so you have to go up to the first floor, I hope your roommates are already there too, downstairs I wrote my number if you need anything. Rodolfo took the sheet, they both gave each other a pleasant smile.
- Thank you very much Farah, I appreciate it a lot - with that he took his things and headed towards the building.
Young people came and went carrying suitcases and boxes, some parents were there helping their children, it was a pleasant environment, he still couldn't believe his luck and how lucky he was.
He arrived at the floor that Farah told him and saw the door with 141, he checked the list of names to confirm that there was no mistake.
- room 141
- Rodolfo Bayardo Parra
- John Neil Mactavish
- Alejandro Alain Vargas
Ok so he had a Latino roommate, he didn't see that coming, the other guy had to be European, he prayed he wasn't a cocky guy, he was lost in his thoughts when loud music exploded behind him, almost having a heart attack from the fright he turned around, it was coming from the room across the way. He left his things by the door and went over to see the names, if that was going to be a problem in the semester he better know who was behind that.
- room 142
- Kyle Elliot Garrick
- Alexander Michael Keller
- To be assigned
Rodolfo read the names, so there was one more in his room, lucky that was extra space, he stopped thinking about nonsense, took his things and opened the door of 141. The room was spacious as Farrah indicated, a bunk bed and a single bed against the wall, a couple of desks, a closet, a window in the center and boxes, he turned and noticed the guy who was struggling to stick a rugby poster on the wall, he had a ridiculous hairstyle, a mohawk he thought but no, he saw it in some magazine a mullet, that was the name.
- Hi, I'm Rodolfo nice to meet you - he spoke in English but he didn't get an answer, the guy kept struggling to stick the poster without success, he thought it was rude to ignore him like that, even if he didn't speak the language at least he could pretend to greet him. He took a step towards the bunk bed, at that moment the guy turned his head and jumped back letting out a not so masculine scream, when he recovered he took one of those wireless headphones out of his ear, the moment he did so the sound of what seemed to be rock at full volume was perceived by Rodolfo.
- Damn hell, you almost scared me to death – the guy touched his chest, took his cell phone out of his pocket to pause the music, it seemed like he was giving up on the poster, he took a couple of steps towards Parra, extending a strong hand, at that moment he could see him well, he was almost the same height, but more robust with broad shoulders and a very strong neck, his arms and torso were of the same configuration, he looked slightly tanned but not the type that went to the beach but from spending hours doing something under the sun, a scar was born on his left eyebrow, a light beard covered his face that dedicated a warm smile in which he could notice that he had a couple of crooked teeth, at the end his smile was reflected in his very intense blue eyes. He really looked intimidating, but at the same time very nice. He shook his hand back.
- Nice to meet you bro, I'm John, but you can call me Johnny or Soap, it's my nickname from when I was on the team, don't ask why LOLOLOL - he let out a sincere laugh, his voice had a very strange accent, he seemed like a very warm person.
- Nice to meet you too, my name is Rodolfo or Rodo, I have no problem or even Parra is my last name - both finished shaking hands, he felt the atmosphere very pleasant with the guy.
- I'm sorry for my shock haha I was very into the music, hey well I don't know if it bothers you but I already claimed the single bed - he said it as if he was warning but also as if checking if there was a problem with that.
- Not at all, I'll take the bottom bed, I'm not a fan of heights - saying that he threw his backpack on the low bunk bed, he brought his suitcases closer to start putting away his things like Johnny did.
- And tell me, where do you come from Rodolfo? – Johnny began to unpack a box that seemed to be his cold weather clothes.
- Well I'm from a city in Mexico, it's called Las Almas, I got a scholarship to study here so I took it, I'm in biomedical – he didn't say anything else, he didn't want to reveal his origins yet, he knew that people could be cruel sometimes although Johnny didn't seem like that kind of person.
- Biomedical? Bro you must be a fucking genius, and wow Mexico, someday you have to take me, I heard it's incredible, I come from a town near Glaslow in Scotland, you'll notice it by my strange accent hahaha I have a sports scholarship for rugby, with my team we reached the UK national, which caught the attention of certain recruiters, it seems that the sport is growing strongly on this side of the pond so they are betting on new talent, I'm an orphan so I wanted a new start and what better than another continent. – he said it without further ado as if it was the most normal thing in the world not to have a family. Rodolfo gave him a look.
- I'm so sorry John, Johnny must be very tough – he felt sorry for the young man, but the other looked anything but affected.
- Dude, don't worry, my parents died when I was a kid so I grew up with an uncle, our relationship wasn't the best but hey, I had a roof over my head, he died last year so I was left completely alone, so when I got the full scholarship and came here, I said let's do it, and it wasn't that bad, since there was no other family, my uncle's house was left in my hands, so I sold it to pay the thousands of euros in debts that the old man had, the little that was left I used to come here, I mean the scholarship pays for everything but I didn't want to come here empty-handed. Rodolfo was surprised at how quickly the guy was comfortable, telling his life story but hey, they would be together for at least 6 months by default, so he already knew that one of his classmates was really nice.
- By the way, I'm in mechanical engineering, I love machines and irons, in fact I set aside some money to get an old car or a motorcycle, if I'm going to be here for at least 4 years I want to have something to move around in, if you want in the next few days you can come with me to look in some lot or junkyard, they say that with little money you can get good things here -
- Sure, I'll go with you without a problem, I don't know much about cars or anything like that, I don't even know how to drive so I can't give much advice - he heard Soap stop whatever he was doing and turn to him.
- You don't know how to drive? Dude, all the more reason you should go, I'll give you lessons!! That way if I break something in a game you can take me to the hospital - he was very excited about the idea, Rodolfo was worried if his excitement was for teaching him to drive or for breaking something.
- You don't have to bother, buddy, really, I don't have a car and I don't think I'll be able to afford one anytime soon so... -
- Nothing like that, I already said I would do it and I will, it's not bothering me bro - he approached and bumped his fist into his shoulder, his strength matched his appearance, he was actually very strong.
Rodolfo discreetly touched his shoulder, he assumed he would have a bruise the next day.
- Is Johnny okay, I accept, by the way, do you know anything about the other guy? - it was already after 5 pm and the third roommate, Alejandro, hadn't shown up in the room.
- I have no idea, I guess he must have gotten lost or some shit like that -
Both continued talking and getting to know each other while they continued unpacking their things, it was a nice atmosphere really.
Armando Vargas's luxurious black Mercedes Benz GLS stopped at the entrance of the campus, inside he was giving his son Alejandro a disappointed smile.
- I hope you don't screw up here like you did at Harvard and MIT, but honestly, what do I care? That's your business now, business, architecture, now industrial mechanics, nonsense after nonsense, you don't know how to do anything, you're a failure and useless, thank your nanny because she's the one who's going to pay for this, I'm not going to waste any more capital on you, that reminds me, the cards - he extended his big hand in front of his son, who, in a bad mood, took out his wallet from where he extracted the plastics that he placed in the other's palm.
- Forget about the Audi, here you'll be a normal guy, for me you'd be in a state company or working in a fucking McDonald's, but your grandmother has blind faith in you, I don't know why she's bothered with a lost case, deep down I'm grateful that your mother didn't see what you became - hearing those words Alejandro just clenched his fists, he wanted to get out of that damn car already.
- Tomorrow I'm going on a business trip to Japan, it's very important for the company, so I beg you don't bother me with your stupidities or your grandmother, I don't want a damn call from Dean Price about you doing something stupid, this is the end of the line idiot, screw up and there's nothing more for you. Every first of the month you will have a certain amount of cash, I don't give a damn how you do it but it's the only thing you'll receive from me, so I hope you don't drink it or inhale it like always, I don't want to hear or know that you asked nana for money because I came here to take you by the hair to a correctional facility, your grandmother agreed to pay your tuition, that's all you'll receive from her. You have 2 minutes to disappear from my sight -
Alejandro didn't say anything, he opened the door and closed it with a slam, the trunk was opening with the electric release, he lowered the pair of suitcases and boxes that his father allowed him to take and without saying anything else he walked away from there.
In the mail he had received the information about his classes and dormitory so he skipped all that welcome and went to room C141, when he was in front of it he heard laughter and murmurs inside, he read the names on the poster attached, he proceeded to open the door. Two guys were inside laughing and talking while they were packing their stuff. One was very athletic, with a ridiculous hairstyle and average height, he was wearing worn out jeans, black industrial boots along with a tight black t-shirt, and that strange accent. The other looked a little more serious, he was wearing jeans, some worn out converse and a grey hoodie, he had light brown hair, slightly pale skin, he looked fit, not like the other guy but he didn't look bad, at that moment he turned around and their eyes made contact, they were hazel colored, very nice actually and he gave him a slight smile.
At that moment the other guy approached and extended a hand to him, he muttered something about Mactavish, on impulse he extended his hand to answer him.
- Nice to meet you, I'm Alejandro Vargas -