"If you don't like the road you're walking,
start paving another one."
- Dolly Parton
• • •
As I looked up to the building in front of me, I looked over it. It was truly fascinating, it was all painted in a nice beige color, windows decorated the long walls all the way up till the top floor, the front doors were glass so you could see the hall to the elevators.
Students sat on the freshly trimmed green grass as they talked amongst each other, with smiles and laughter.
A fountain sat in the middle of where the grass was, the clear water cascading down wonderfully.
Thoughts ran through my mind.
This was a new start for me. To try and figure out my true self.
Though this was odd for me as I was wearing clothes I never thought I'd ever wear, truthfully. I mean I would wear this at occasions, but not everyday.
My whole wardrobe had changed, well, I specifically chose outfits I would wear for my first year of college.
I specifically avoided bringing any of the clothes I would wear on a normal day of high school. Now wearing some baggy clothes that hid my toned body.
I as well was wearing glasses which I actually did not need, I mean I have had them for a long time, but I only always thought that they looked cute with some outfits.
Now the glasses were going to be used to disguise me, not really. What I mean is, not stand out, camouflage against a crowd kinda thing.
I mean it's quite the opposite of what I used to be, a popular girl turned to a, well, you could say nerd as cliche as it may sound, but it's true.
That's what I was going for, for this whole year. To experience what people, I looked down to felt and saw.
I was now heading into the beige colored building, heading straight to the elevators that will lead me to the eleventh floor.
Looking for my room, checking every number close to the door, I finally found it.
Taking out my keycard, I swiped it on the electrical powered door. Hearing the click of the door, I opened it up revealing a beautiful room.
It was painted in a nice navy blue color, there were two sides of the room. The far side seemed to be occupied already as it had posters of singers and actors on the wall. The bed looked to be queen size as well as my own.
Except the girls covers were black with black and white pillows while mine were white with black and white pillows as well.
A couch sat at the middle of the room separating both beds, with nightstands sitting at the sides of the beds.
At the end of the beds stood desks of our own, with some white fluffy chairs to match the white marbled table.
There was a full length mirror at the side of my bed.
A flat screen sat in the middle over to the wall, where there were two doors to the side of our room, one I guessed it would be the shared closet while the other one was the bathroom.
One of the doors opened and out came a girl, with ginger hair and bright blue eyes that widened at the sight of me.
"Oh, you must be Blair!" She beamed at me, as she rushed towards me, "let me help you with these!" She told me as she helped me with one of my suitcases.
"Thank you," I told her, smiling brightly at her kindness. Leading me to my bed, I closed the door behind me and lifted the suitcase onto my bed.
"So, your name is Isabella right?" I questioned, dumbly. Of course she is.
"Yeah," she replied with a laugh. As I stared at her eyes I noticed they were a steel blue, grayish and blueish, they were pretty nice.
"You have beautiful eyes," I complimented her, trying to make conversation with my new roommate.
"Thanks. I could say the same for yours," she said back, smiling at me showing her white teeth.
This girl seemed to be one of those loud ones, the ones who get invited to every party, but are kept to themselves although it wouldn't hurt them to go out and have fun at times.
"Do you need any help?" She questioned me. I thought about it before nodding my head.
Soon she started helping me unpack my clothes and shoes as well as my accessories and some extra stuff I brought to make me feel at home.
She showed me what part of the closet was mine and where I could put my shoes.
From there on we finished and she started telling me a little bit of how it worked around here, turns out she has been in this college for two years now, being in her 'junior' year.
We got to know each other a while longer, up until we noticed it was dark outside and decided to sleep and get some rest.
• • •
Waking up, I sat up on my bed stretching my muscles out before rubbing my eyes and out came a yawn.
Today was in fact my first day in this college and I was pretty excited, although I wasn't really happy that summer had ended so quick.
My feet touched the dark oak floor, as I made my way over to Isabella's bed side.
Shaking her body back and forth, she finally woke up groaning. As I thought she had finally woken up she quickly took her pillow form under her head and placed it over her.
Not seeing any other way to wake her up, I used all my force and pushed her off the bed, making her fall on the other side of the bed, I heard an 'ow'.
Walking to the other side of her bed, I found myself laughing as she was laying flat on her stomach, her ass up in the air, she looked like a worm.
Flipping herself onto her back she sat up before groggily saying, "Why?"
Stopping my laughter I responded, "Well you weren't cooperating so I decided to take matters into my own hands."
Stretching her hand out in the air she said, "Just help me stand up," taking her hand I helped her up, her eyes were squinting as the sun hit her face, "What time is it?" She asked, rubbing her eyes.
Looking back to my nightstands clock I checked the time. "7:20," I replied.
"Ugh, it's too early," she groaned as if I was killing her.
"Oh, don't be lazy and go change," I told her
She rolled her eyes while I laughed.
Going over to the closet I quickly picked up an outfit for the day, with some underwear and entered the bathroom.
Stripping out of my clothes I turned the shower head on, without a second thought I went in. The cold water hitting my back, chills went up my spine, but at the same time it helped my tensed muscles.
Taking my coconut scented shampoo I washed out my hair before taking my vanilla scented body wash and scrubbing my body.
After I was done with the much needed shower, I stepped out grabbing the fluffy towel before drying myself.
Putting my undergarments on, I took out my vanilla scented lotion and put it on my arms and legs, afterwards I picked my all black baggy sweatshirt and threw it over my head, then slid into my matching sweatpants.
Brushing out my long, well treated black hair I easily threw it up into a messy bun over my head.
Moving over to the closet once again, I took out some black socks before putting them on and sliding my all white Air Forces on.
I was finally done with everything all I needed was my glasses, my phone and my school bag.
Putting on the black glasses, I put the phone in my sweatpants pocket before throwing my school bag over my shoulder.
Isabella was in the bathroom now, doing her morning routine, "I'm leaving!" I shouted, heading over to the door.
"Okay! See you later!" She screamed back.
The good thing about this school was that the dorm rooms were right next to the college building, on one side stood the guys dorms, while on the other side was the girls dorms.
Entering the building, I looked around for my first class, successfully finding it I made my way to the front of the class.
Sitting on the first seat I saw which was right next to a girl, who seemed too occupied reading a book. As she felt my presence she shut the book, looking up at me.
"Hey!" She exclaimed, giving me a big smile showing me her dimples. She had shoulder length dark brown hair, with gorgeous amber eyes, they stood out against her dark skin.
"Hey," I gave her a nod, "My name's Blair, Blair Kingston."
"Daniela Monroe," she introduced herself, "I'm really happy there are normal people here!" She exclaimed, excitement was evident in her voice as she spoke.
I looked at her confused as to what she meant with the term 'normal', without having to say anything she explained herself, "Well, you see those girls over there," she motioned over to three girls sitting at the far back of the classroom.
I nodded at her, waiting patiently for her to explain further, and she continued, "Okay, so the one with platinum blonde hair with brown eyes is what you call 'the leader' of the group, her name is Angelique Johnson, the one who sits on her right, the one with dirty blonde hair and dark brown eyes is Madison Davis, and the one to her left, with strawberry hair and grey eyes is Stella Reynolds."
"Oh, so they are what you call the 'it' group?" I questioned, Daniela nodded in response, "I thought it would be different in college."
Daniela shook her head, "That would be rare as there are 'it' groups everywhere one goes," she said.
"Right," I said, "Well, just so you know, those girls are definitely what I want to stay away from."
At that Daniela's face became even more brighter than before, "I think we are going to be great friends!" She squealed clapping her hands rapidly.
Some of the people who were in the class looked at her as if she was crazy. She said a quiet sorry, looking down to the desk in front of her, staring intensely as if it was the most interesting thing.
I laughed at that, "Sounds good," I said, making her look back up.
The bell then rung, signaling the beginning of class. Everyone took their seats and the teacher who I now know his name is Mr. Rodriguez started introducing himself and what we will be learning this year.
The time flew by quickly. As it was now the end of the day and I was walking over to my dorm rooms door.
As I approached it, I saw how a guy was leaning onto the door frame, but I didn't quite figure out who, as his back was facing me.
As if he had heard my footsteps he turned, I immediately caught his eye sight, looking at his grey eyes.
His light brown hair was disheveled as I already knew was because of how many times he ran his hands through it, it was something we did often, but since my hair was in a bun I didn't get a chance to.
His tanned skin, was something I was always jealous off since we were little, he was an exact replica of my dad.
"Hey, little sis!" He smiled at me, showcasing his dimples which ran in the family.
As I got closer he opened his arms wide, ready to give me one of his amazing bear hugs. Taking me into his embrace he hugged me tightly.
I laughed at his amount of energy, "We saw each other a week ago," I reminded him, while holding him just as tight as he did to me.
Putting me in arms length he studied my face, "Can't a brother miss his sister?" he asked.
"That's against nature," I joked around, since I knew that was a lie.
Honestly, we've always been pretty close, of course we do fight from time to time like any other brother and sister. But we have stayed best friends.
Elijah is now a 'senior' while I'm only a 'freshman' in this college. We are separated by three years, and let me tell you, the day he graduated high school, I was immensely sad.
During the years that we lived separately as he was over at the college's campus we barely talked and we missed each other a lot.
Although the last three years were fun, I can't say they were the happiest years, I missed him deeply, and now that I'm here I get to see him more often.
Maybe it was one of the main reasons why I chose this college over any other, and believe me when I say, I could have chosen any college.
I know, I have a big ego, but I mean it's a good flex. I guess I've always been a little nerd.
"Since when do you wear such clothes to school?" Elijah said, breaking me out of my thoughts as he looked me over, "and since when do you wear glasses, last I remember you have 20/20 vision."
"Don't you like it?" I questioned him, giving him a fake smile. Giving him a spin so he could take a better look at my outfit.
"Adorable," he replied, a grin taking over his face, the confusion replaced.
I rolled my eyes, punching him on his stomach. I mean there was nothing wrong with the outfit, but he is right, I'm not one to underdress.
Then I remembered, furrowing my eyebrows I said, "Shouldn't we have met in the cafe?"
"I thought you might not find it," he teased, trying to hold in his laugh, but couldn't hold in it, so he just let out a low chuckle.
I rolled my eyes, "Ha ha, you're so funny," he laughed even more at that, "You know, I'm old enough to find it myself, Eli."
"Let's just go, Thumbie," he said letting out yet another laugh at his own words. Couldn't he just let it go. It's been years.
Thumbie. My old nickname.
When I was little, my brother and parents seemed huge compared to my petite stature. So I named myself Thumbelina, like the tiny girl from my favorite cartoon.
Sadly, as time passed by the nickname sticked to me, until now.
"Let's go giant," I gritted out, while Elijah laughed.
Walking to the cafe, which was across the street from the campus. I looked up to see the sign it read, 'Gavin's Cafe'.
As we entered I noticed the front counter, where the cashier sat. Tables sat around the little cafe all around, lights hanged over every table, giving light to the place. The walls where white with black dots decorating them. Music played softly in the background.
After ordering our coffee at the front counter, both Elijah and I chose a table that sat next to the large windows, where we could see the college campus where people were talking outside.
We stayed silent just looking out the window until Elijah broke the silence speaking up, "So, tell me, what made you decide to change your clothing."
"Well, I just wanted to make a change in my life," I replied.
"And dressing differently will help you make a change in your life?" Elijah questioned.
"Not necessarily, but people see you in a different light. People judge by the way you dress and I wanted to see what people thought of me or saw me as if I dressed this way," I explained, "you know, I honestly don't see the difference, people may dress a way, but it doesn't mean they have to be categorized. I am now categorized as a nerd, why because of the way I'm dressing and because of the glasses. I was also fed up with being the 'popular girl' who everyone used," I said putting up quotation marks when I said popular girl.
"And what does the clothing have to do with you being fed up with being the popular girl?" Elijah continued.
"I decided to become the opposite of what I was. Popular girl becomes a nerd. Ironic. You know normally, the popular girls never get the guy in all those cheesy movies, in fact the one who gets them is the non-popular girl," I told him matter of fact, making us both laugh at the theory movies had made.
"Well, I'm sure you're not the bitch in all those cheesy movies," Elijah said, emphasizing the word cheesy.
"Mmm, maybe I am or maybe I am not," I shrugged, pursing my lips.
Elijah smirked before saying, "You know what? I like it. Less work to scare off the guys," the smirk still present on his face, he leaned back on the chair getting comfortable.
Rolling my eyes at his protectiveness I reminded him, "You already know I can handle myself."
The next thing that came out of his mouth made my heart flutter, "And you know that I'll always be a protective brother."
What did I do to deserve him?
Smiling at him, I changed the subject, "So how about you tell how college has been treating you these past few years?"
Elijah then started telling me all about his adventures here, of course all the while we drank our coffees after the nice waitress brought them, I was happy he was having fun and at the same time getting to study for what he wanted to be in the future.
Soon it was getting late and he took me back to my dorm room.
"Goodnight, sissy poo," he smiled warmly as he looked back at my eyes that held irritation at the nickname.
"Don't call me that. Ever. Again," I told him through gritted teeth.
Putting both his hands in the air backing away slightly, he had an amused smile on his face, "Damn, okay, calm down women. No need to get aggressive."
My irritation went away, now a smirk on my face. I can never be irritated at him.
"Goodnight, Eli," I told him, before he started walking away. His figure disappearing as the elevator doors closed behind him.