I never anticipated leaving home for another city. Some people like change. Others prefer things just the way they are. Personally, I'm somewhere settled between the two. I never gave change much thought, I tend to take things as they come and learn to adapt and accept it. It's a positive trait in some sense, but becoming accepting of change too fast and too quick can become destructive.
Moving away from the comfort of my own home was never something in my best interest. Even at the age of 19, the thought of leaving the place I grew up in for the majority of my life seemed somewhat unsettling, and yet I knew that time would eventually take it's toll.
Being aware of the fact that university in a different town would be hard to get adjusted to. It's all usually part of the university experience, no? I spent the last year out of education, taking on various different jobs and saving up money. Mostly needing the year to give myself a long earned break away from the ties of education and giving myself time to decide what I truly wished to do regarding my future.
I look down as I'm sat at one of two mahogany desks in the twin sized dormitory room I share with my roommate, writing down a short shopping list for later. There's no food in the fridge and we really need to think about stocking up. The beginning of my first academic year at university starts today. After giving hard thought about what I wanted to do, I decided a course in Journalism was in my best interest. I guess it helps naturally having a heightened interest in writing and worldly events.
Just as I'm finishing up the last bullet point, Grace walks out of the bathroom running a towel through her tangled wet hair. "You ready yet Scar? What time is your class?".
I'm honestly lucky to have been blessed with a roommate like Grace. Since we both moved into the dorm over a week ago, she has been nothing but amazing support and a great friend. All my previous worries and anxieties of what my soon to be roommate would be like were swept away in an instant as soon as we first met. With her short gorgeous golden locks and cobalt blue eyes, she's a right sight to take in.
"Yeah I'm all done. First lecture starts at 9. You? " I stand up and head towards the floor length mirror situated at the cream coloured wall in the center of the room. Giving myself a onceover, I'm wearing black skinny jeans paired with a plain snow white top and beige cardigan. Its quite windy outside, the chill in the air becoming more prominent as autumn begins to take it's toll.
Pulling on a pair of well-worn converse I turn to Grace, "I'll be heading off now. I start in 20 minutes and need to find my room." I grab the list from my desk and place it into my backpack.
"I don't start until 11. Want to meet up for lunch later?" She asks, sifting through the closet for clothes.
"Sure, I'll call you when I'm done and we can find someplace nice around campus." I sling the thin straps of the backpack over my shoulder then pull my dark hair up, tying it into a messy ponytail. "I'll be off now. See you later Grace."
"Seeya Scar, don't get lost!"
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I'm lost. Sighing, I look down at my phone. I have exactly 2 minutes to reach the lecture room. Doesn't help that I have absolutely no clue as to where I am. How did I even end up here?
I observe my surroundings. There are students milling about, heads stuck in what looks like campus maps. Ah, first years. If I was clever I would have thought about bringing mine too. Obviously my brain wasn't screwed on right.
"You look lost." A voice to my left states. Following the voice I see a boy sitting cross legged in the shade of a willow tree, book closed in one hand.
Caught off guard, I laugh sheepishly. "Yeah, I kind of am."
He stands up. I catch a clearer sight of him, away from the dark shade of the willow tree. He's tall. Hair a light brown in the glow of the sun. "Need help?"
I hesitate. I was currently running late and really did need help otherwise I'd be the centre of unwanted attention at my first lecture.
