after / joshler

1

"tyler!!" i hear my moms voice call from downstairs. i groan to myself and roll out of my tiny, yet comfortable bed. While tucking the corners of my bedsheets into the headboard, i take my time because i know this is the last time i will be performing this task for months.

"tyler!!" she calls again.

"i'm up!" i yell back. the cabinets open and close downstairs, and the sound of her frantically preparing breakfast. the knot in my stomach grows with each step to the bathroom. by the time i start the shower, it's nearly unbearable. i spent the last few years anticipating college. my weekends were spent studying and preparing for this day while my peers were getting drunk, wasting their time, and jeopardizing their futures. the day my acceptance letter to washington state university came, i was thrilled. i expected it, but that didn't take any of the excitement away. my mother cried for what felt like hours, and i have to admit, i was pretty proud of myself. all of my work has finally paid off. i had once considered leaving washington or college, but eventually decided against it. i like familiarity and routines like my mother.

the hot water loosens my strained muscles, how long have i been in here? i hurry and wash my hair and body, lazily running a razor over my chin to remove the small stubble that has appeared over the weekend.

as i wrap a towel around my wet body, my mother calls my name again. i ignore her, i know she is nervous for my arrival day at college, but i have had this day planned down to the hour for months.  My girlfriend, natalie, will be here soon to ride with my mother and me. she is one year younger, and for the hundredth time i scold her mother for enrolling her into kindergarten a year late. natalie keeps a perfect grade point average, she is brilliant and will be joining me at WSU next year. i do wish that she was coming now, especially considering that i don't know a single person at college. i just need a decent room mate, that's all i'm asking for.

"tyler robert!"

"i am coming down, please don't call my name again!" i yell as i am walking down the stairs.

natalie is sitting in front of my mother, dressed in a blue blouse and a khaki colored skirt, her normal attire. her hair is brushed and pulled back to perfection.

"hey, college boy." she smiles a bright, perfectly lined smile, while she stands for me to pull her into a tight hug.

"hey," i give her an equally bright smile and comb through my unruly brown hair with my fingers once i release her from my grip.

"honey, we can wait a few moments while you fix your hair," my mom says quietly, running disapproving eyes over me.

i make my way to the mirror in the hallway and nod, she is right. my hair needs to be presentable for today, and of course she did not hesitate to remind me. she never does.

"we'll go put your bags in the car while you fix your hair." natalie says. with a quick peck to my jaw, she disappears from the room, along with my mother.

the butterflies in my stomach dance around as i walk to the car, at least i have two hours to make them disappear. i have no idea what college will be like, will i make friends?