**Chapter 5: Ren's Grumpiness**

Ren trudged through the crowded dorm hallway, her long wavy dirty blonde hair tied back in a ponytail, and her emerald green eyes fixed on the floor. The fluorescent lights above flickered, casting an artificial glow on the sea of students rushing to their next class. She navigated through the chaos with a practiced air of indifference, her dark freckles on her nose standing out against her pale skin. Her dorm roommates, Rachel and Emily, were waiting for her in their room, and Ren could already tell that they were going to be a handful. As she entered the room, Rachel and Emily looked up from their laptops, grinning at her. "Hey, grumpy pants!" Rachel chimed, and Emily chuckled in agreement. Ren raised an eyebrow, but couldn't help but smile. Her friends had grown accustomed to her grumpy demeanor, and they often teased her about it. Ren flopped down on her bed, letting out a dramatic sigh. "What's there to be excited about?" she asked, her voice laced with sarcasm. Rachel and Emily exchanged a knowing look, and Rachel spoke up. "Well, for starters, we have a paper due soon, and we need to study for our exams. But aside from that, we were thinking of having a movie night tonight." Ren shrugged, but her eyes lit up slightly at the mention of a movie night. She loved getting lost in a good film, and it was a great way to unwind. "I guess that sounds okay," she said, trying to sound nonchalant. Emily snorted. "That's the most enthusiasm we've seen from you all week," she teased. Ren shot her a look, but couldn't help but laugh. Her friends knew her well, and they knew that she was just as goofy and quirky as they were. As they spent the afternoon studying and chatting, Ren couldn't help but think about Xander. She and Xander had been talking a lot lately, and she missed him. She missed his bright smile and his infectious enthusiasm. She missed the way he made her feel like she was the only person in the world. Rachel and Emily noticed that Ren was spaced out, and they teased her about it. "Who's the lucky guy?" Rachel asked, winking at her. Ren blushed, but tried to play it cool. "No one," she said, trying to sound convincing. But Rachel and Emily weren't buying it. They knew Ren well, and they knew that she was in a long-distance relationship with Xander. They had met him a few times, and they adored him. He was charming and charismatic, and he made Ren light up in a way that no one else could. As the afternoon wore on, Ren found herself getting more and more restless. She missed Xander, and she couldn't wait to talk to him again. She excused herself and went to her desk, pulling out her phone and sending Xander a text. "Hey, what's up?" she asked, trying to sound casual. Xander's response was immediate. "Just thinking about you, bookworm," he said. "Missing you like crazy." Ren smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. She loved Xander's texts, and she loved the way he always made her feel. She typed out a response, her fingers flying across the screen. "Missing you too," she said. "Can't wait to talk to you again." As she waited for Xander's response, Ren felt a sense of contentment wash over her. She knew that she and Xander would make it through the distance, as long as they had each other. And with that thought, she settled in for a quiet night at home, surrounded by her friends and her books. Little did she know, Xander was planning a surprise that would change everything.