"Isa, please call me if you need anything. I know you're miles away, but I'd hop on the next available flight if I had to.
"It's fine dad, I will be fine"
We'd just spent the weekend helping me settle into my new dorm. It was rather stressful, from the 5-hour travel to touring the school. Dad insisted we check all the locations where I had classes ahead of time, which was a good idea because it meant I wouldn't be running around lost on Monday.
"Attention, passengers, flight 124 is currently boarding. Please proceed to Gate A12.
"Come on Dad, you can't miss your flight"
He pulled me into a hug.
"I'll miss you so much my little Isa"
"I'll miss you, dad"
I had no idea I'd be so heartbroken, but when Dad waved farewell at the gate, the tears started streaming.
I adored my dorm room, which seemed cosy and intimate. It's little, yet it felt more like home than my own house did. The two single beds are positioned on opposite ends of the room, creating a nice layout that gives each of us some personal space.
My bed is on the left, covered in silky, dark teal bedding, which is my favourite colour. Odessa chose a cream duvet cover with a pale pink floral design, as she had a fascination with flowers. I added a dark teal throw cushion and a corgi plushie.
My nightstand is next to my bed. It's small but useful, holding a nice lamp with a cute shade, a handful of my favourite novels neatly organized, and a charging station for my phone and headphones. This tiny space seems like my own little getaway, where I can relax and read before falling asleep.
My roommate's bed is across from mine, but it's mostly empty because she hasn't moved in yet. My desk is placed under the wide window, which allows for lots of natural light during the day. It includes a comfy chair and a desk lamp for late-night study sessions. Except for my laptop, the desk is clutter-free. Above the desk are empty shelves where I want to store my textbooks and stationery. I would have wanted to put in photographs, but I didn't have many with my father since he hated them.
The cream floral rug in the centre of my room was, as you might expect, a gift from Odessa, but it tied everything together.
My alarm ringing woke me up. I glanced at the time and it was 6:00 am. My first class today was at 11:00 pm but I always loved having an early start to my day. I brushed my teeth and showered. I guess I was excited for my first day because I already laid out what I wanted to wear.
I've picked a comfy outfit that reflects my personality without drawing too much attention. A soft beige oversized sweater paired with my favourite blue jeans. On my feet, I'm wearing white sneakers.
As I reach up to fix my hair, I feel the weight of the silver stud earrings Odessa gave me for my birthday just two days earlier. They're little and unassuming, yet they have a unique value for me. I look down at my wrist and smile as I notice the bracelet my father gave me for my birthday. It's a simple silver chain with a little pendant.
My hair, styled in box braids, is gathered into a low bun at the nape of my neck. It's a practical choice that keeps my hair out of my face and adds a touch of polish to my look. I packed my laptop and note in my beloved tote bag and went to the cafe for breakfast.
As I walked into the bustling campus cafe, my nerves were on edge. The buzz of students filled the air, and the fragrance of freshly brewed coffee combined with the aroma of pastries made my stomach rumble with anticipation. I waited in line for breakfast, trying to calm my nerves.
Suddenly, amidst the hustle and bustle, I was jolted as someone bumped into me from behind. My heart skipped a beat as I felt a warm liquid spill into my sweater, and I turned around to see a young woman with stunning auburn locks gazing at me in terror.
"I am so sorry!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with genuine concern.
As the warm liquid seeped through my sweater, a flicker of annoyance sparked within me, but I quickly suppressed it. I didn't want to make a scene, especially on my first day of school. With a forced smile, I assured Eloise that it was fine, though inwardly, I was cringing at the attention.
I peeled off my sweater, leaving only my white t-shirt, and mumbled a quick excuse about needing to get to class. I could feel the eyes of the other cafe patrons lingering on me, and the last thing I wanted was to become the centre of attention any longer.
Eloise's attempts to help were well-meaning, but I couldn't shake the discomfort gnawing at me. I felt bad for brushing her off, but I couldn't bear the thought of prolonging the awkward encounter. Ignoring the pang of guilt in my chest, I made a hasty retreat, my heart pounding with a mix of embarrassment and frustration.
After the awkward encounter at the cafe, I slipped into the back of the classroom, grateful for the anonymity of the dimly lit space. Sitting at my desk, I pulled out my breakfast—a simple pastry and a cup of coffee—and focused my attention on the class schedule in front of me.
As I nibbled on my breakfast, I scanned the class syllabus, trying to distract myself from the lingering embarrassment of the cafe incident. The sound of rustling papers and quiet conversations filled the air, but I kept to myself, preferring the solace of solitude over the discomfort of social interaction.
As the minutes ticked by, I savoured the last few moments of quiet before the class officially began. It was a brief respite—a chance to gather my thoughts and steel myself for the challenges ahead.
With a final glance at the class schedule, I tucked it away in my bag and took a deep breath, ready to face whatever the day had in store. Despite the rocky start, I was determined to make the most of my first day of college, one step at a time.
After my class ended, I wasted no time leaving the classroom and heading straight to the administrative block. The sooner I could get my registrations sorted and figure out my course schedule for the semester, the better. It was a long day of navigating through different offices, filling out forms, and waiting in line, but I finally had all the paperwork completed and knew the courses I would be taking.
Feeling exhausted and hungry after a busy day, I decided to treat myself to a late lunch at a nearby burger joint. The savoury aroma of grilled burgers greeted me as I stepped inside, and I ordered my meal to go before heading back to my dorm.
When I entered the room, I was surprised to see what I saw. The other side of the room was packed with boxes containing various items, signalling that my roommate had already moved in. I couldn't help but feel apprehensive about sharing my space with someone.
Ignoring the knot of nerves in my stomach, I settled down to eat my lunch, relishing the familiar taste of comfort food. Afterwards, I took a quick shower to wash away the day's exhaustion, the warm water soothing my tired muscles.
Just as I was about to crawl into bed for a much-needed nap, there was a knock at the door. I hesitated for a moment, wondering who it could be, before mustering the energy to answer it.
Standing in the doorframe was Eloise, a friendly smile lighting up her face. It was then that I realized she was my roommate—the same person I had met earlier at the cafe.
"What a lovely coincidence!"
Anxiety rushed through me, I had been so brash with her at the cafe. I had a just reason for being that way but I couldn't help feeling so bad.
As Eloise stepped into the room, her excitement palpable, I couldn't help but feel a sense of isolation.
"Hey Eloise, I'm sorry about walking out on you this morning, I was just really tense about my first day"
"No. I should be the one apologizing. Me and my clumsy self ruined your dress, I'm deeply sorry. Hope there's no hard feelings?" she said with a smile that lit up her whole face.
"No there's no hard feelings" I returned the smile
"I didn't get your name"
"I'm Isa"
"Wow, my friends call me Izzie. Isa and Izzie, catchy isn't it"
I nodded and returned to my bed. I wasn't as tense as before but I was tired of talking. Eloise probably noticed as she just carried arranging her things.
I watched with a sense of detachment as Eloise unpacked her belongings and made herself at home, the noise of her movements grating on my nerves. I longed for the solitude and quiet that I had grown accustomed to, the sanctuary of my own company.