As an ordinary genius

The dorm room slowly began to feel like home. Over the next few days, as the initial excitement of MIT settled into a routine, Ethan started learning more about the people he was sharing his space with. Each of his roommates was unique, and their personalities began to shine through in the little moments they shared.

Raj was the planner, the one who always seemed to have his life in perfect order. His desk was neatly arranged, with labeled folders and a stack of engineering books so tall it seemed impossible for one person to read. He had a habit of talking fast when he was excited, which was often.

"So, Raj, what's your deal?" Ethan asked one evening as they worked on their first round of homework.

Raj leaned back in his chair, tapping his pencil against his notebook. "Well, I'm from San Jose. My parents own a small Indian grocery store. They've been working there since before I was born."

"Wow," Ethan said. "So, how'd you get into computers?"

Raj grinned. "When I was ten, a customer at the store gave me an old, busted laptop. I fixed it up and started messing around with programming. Next thing I knew, I was building my own apps."

"That's amazing," Ethan said.

"Yeah, my parents weren't thrilled at first," Raj admitted. "They wanted me to take over the family business. But when I built an app to manage their inventory, they came around."

Raj's ambition was infectious. He often talked about his dream of building robots that could assist in disaster relief.

Mike was the athlete of the group, but he wasn't your typical jock. Sure, he loved basketball and could talk about sports for hours, but he also had a deep passion for engineering.

"Basketball and engineering?" Ethan asked one afternoon, watching Mike tinker with a small drone. "That's an interesting mix."

Mike shrugged, his focus on the drone's wiring. "Yeah, people don't usually get it. My dad's a mechanical engineer, and he's the one who got me into this stuff. He used to let me help him in his workshop when I was a kid."

"What about your mom?" Ethan asked.

"She passed away when I was eight," Mike said quietly. "It's just been me and my dad since then."

"Sorry to hear that," Ethan said.

"It's okay," Mike said, his voice steady. "It made us close. He's the reason I'm here."

Despite his tough exterior, Mike had a soft side. He often helped the younger students on the basketball team with their studies and was always the first to volunteer for group projects.

Liam was the artist, the dreamer of the group. He could often be found strumming his guitar or jotting down lyrics in a worn notebook. His laid-back demeanor was a stark contrast to the intensity of MIT.

"So, Liam," Raj said one night as they all sat in the common area, "what's your story?"

Liam looked up from his notebook, a small smile on his face. "I grew up in Chicago. My mom's a music teacher, and my dad's an electrician. Guess I inherited a bit of both."

"You definitely got the music part," Mike said, nodding toward the guitar leaning against Liam's bed.

"Thanks," Liam said. "But I'm here for the tech side. I want to design sound systems, maybe even start my own company someday."

"You're like the chillest guy I've ever met," Ethan said.

Liam laughed. "Yeah, well, I figure life's too short to stress about everything. Doesn't mean I don't care—I just try to take it one step at a time."

Liam's easygoing nature made him the glue of the group. He had a way of diffusing tension and keeping things light, even during the most stressful moments.

As Ethan got to know his roommates, he couldn't help but feel grateful. Each of them brought something different to the table, and together, they balanced each other out.

One evening, as they all sat around the small table in their dorm, sharing stories and laughing over Raj's failed attempt at cooking curry in the dorm kitchen, Ethan realized something.

"This feels like home," he said softly, almost to himself.

"What's that?" Raj asked.

"Nothing," Ethan said, smiling. "Just… glad I ended up with you guys."

"Same here," Mike said, raising his soda can. "To Baker House Room 314. The best damn dorm in MIT."

"Cheers to that," Liam said, clinking his water bottle against Mike's can.

"Now let's get back to work," Raj said, pulling out his laptop. "Dr. Patel's problem set isn't going to solve itself."

Ethan laughed, feeling a warmth he hadn't felt in a long time. For the first time, he wasn't just surviving—he was thriving.