The Roommate Who Stopped Talking
A free A1-level English story for language learners, readable online in English, with an option to listen via the free Storyteller app.
Bex worries her roommate is angry over a borrowed mug, but Kiran is only stressed about an exam.
Bex and Kiran share a small dorm room. They usually talk and laugh every night. This week, Kiran stays quiet and short with her answers.
Bex borrows Kiran's favorite mug for her tea. She forgets to wash it right away. Kiran looks at the mug and says nothing.
Bex starts to worry. She thinks Kiran is angry about the mug. She avoids the room and stays at the library instead.
On Thursday night, Bex finally comes home late. Kiran is still awake at her desk. Papers cover the whole table.
"Are you mad at me?" Bex asks quietly. Kiran looks up, surprised. "Mad? No, not at all."
"You barely talk to me," Bex says. "I thought it was the mug." Kiran laughs and shakes her head.
"I have a huge exam tomorrow," Kiran says. "I am stressed, not angry." She points to a thick stack of notes.
Bex feels relieved right away. She sits down next to Kiran. "Let me make you some tea," she says.
She washes the mug first this time. She makes two cups of tea. The roommates study together until midnight.
Kiran passes her exam the next day. She tells Bex the good news first. They celebrate with pizza in their small room.
After that night, Bex and Kiran make a new rule. They talk first about any bad mood.
Every Sunday now, they make tea together. They talk about the whole week. Small problems never last long now.
