Forced to be my Brother’s Roommate

The Acceptance Letter

I got my acceptance letter, but I wasn’t as happy as you’d think. I wanted to apply to a school nearby and stay at home. The local college had the programs I wanted, and I could stay in my own bedroom. My parents had other ideas.

They decided they wanted to take up travelling now that my older brother Jake was away at school, and I was starting college. I told them they could leave me home alone, but they were overprotective and didn’t want me to be by myself. Their bright idea was to ship me off to live with Jake and go to the same school as him. They figured he’d take care of me and make sure I stayed out of trouble. Not that I ever got into trouble. So, they made me apply only to his school. I almost hoped I wouldn’t be accepted. Unfortunately, I was.

My parents made me open the letter in front of them, so I couldn’t even lie or hide it. They were so happy, they said they were going to make me a special dinner. I just sighed. They were obviously thrilled that I’d be out of their hair, and becoming my brother’s responsibility. I went to my room, slamming the door. This was bullshit. Why did Jake agree to this? Maybe if I called him, he’d talk them out of it.

The phone rang and rang. I was about to give up when he answered. It sounded like he was running, he was panting so hard.

“What?” Yeah, Jake wasn’t the friendliest sort. In fact, he was short-tempered and bossy. He’d been getting more and more moody the last few years, and I avoided him whenever possible. Another reason I didn’t want to share a place with him.

“Hey, why did you agree to let me live with you? I really wanted to stay home for school.”

Silence.

“What did you fucking say?”

Shit. Did he not know?

“Mom and dad made me apply only to your school and said I had to live with you so they could go travel around the world. Didn’t they tell you?”

He groaned. “Give me a sec, I’m almost done here.” I heard the phone get put down, and muffled grunts and maybe a woman’s voice. What the hell was he up to?

After a minute or two, I heard him pick up the phone, breathing hard.

“No, they didn’t fucking tell me. You can’t come live here. Fuck. I’m gonna call them.” He hung up, and I felt better already. Jake would help me out here. His temper could work to my benefit for once. I didn’t like being so unwanted, though. Neither my parents nor my brother wanted me to live with them. I wasn’t that annoying.

I heard the house phone ring downstairs, and a muffled argument. After a few minutes, my dad came upstairs, knocking on my door before coming in.

“Mandy, I didn’t realize you were going to tell your brother. I planned to break the news to him when he was finished his exams next week. But don’t worry. I told him he had no choice, and we wouldn’t pay his tuition if he didn’t take you in. So, it’s all set.” He smiled, like he was delivering good news, but it was just crushing disappointment.

“Dad, if he doesn’t want me there, why not at least get me my own dorm room? I’ll still see him around there.” It seemed like a reasonable compromise. Most of the kids I knew were going to stay in dorms when they went away to college. Why couldn’t I?

“No way, I don’t want you living alone. You need someone to look out for you. You’re going to live with your brother, and that’s that.” He looked angry now, and I knew my argument was lost. I turned my back to him, and he left. He was treating me like a child. My brother got to stay on his own, and he wasn’t any more responsible than me. It felt like discrimination. Just because I was a girl, I had to have someone take care of me. Total bullshit.

I still had a few weeks of school left, so I tried to set aside what was coming in September. I applied for a few scholarships, hoping that would buy me some independence, but my grades weren’t good enough. I finally ...