𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐎𝐎𝐍 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐒

BEHIND ME

TEAL 

I entered the parking lot, dialing my best friend Mia to pick me up as my father dropped me off. My heart pounded with a nervous energy that felt almost tangible. She had enrolled in the university before I did, and I'd applied late, so I was finally catching up after a whole week of waiting. I sprinted through "Love Alley"—aptly named for its dense crowd of couples. The scene felt like something out of a romantic movie, and I was the clumsy outsider racing through it. Heads turned as if I were some bizarre intruder. 

Welcome to my first day at uni. 

When I finally reached my best friend, I let out a sigh of relief and embraced her. But her expression quickly turned somber, and she broke the news that she and Ace had parted ways just days before. My immediate reaction was a shock, "No!" It couldn't be—those two were inseparable. 

The news hit me with an emotional jolt, stirring up memories of my breakup from August. Mia didn't know about my split, but it had been necessary. I squeezed her hand tightly as we climbed the stairs to our classrooms, silently vowing to be there for her.

As we ascended, Mia filled me in on her new life—how she had taken on the Class Representative (CR) role and had been acclimating to university life. I listened attentively, struggling to keep my anxiety at bay. When we arrived at our classroom, a mix of anticipation and trepidation washed over me. This was the start of something new, something pivotal. Mia pushed open the classroom door, and I was immediately met with the sight of a room full of boys, all dressed in white collared shirts and black pants.

They glanced up with a mix of curiosity and surprise. I took a deep breath, reminding myself that choosing Computer Science as my major meant I would frequently encounter environments like this. As I walked past the rows to find a seat, I felt their gazes like a spotlight. The five girls in the front row seemed almost like a distant, exclusive club.

Mia quickly introduced me to her friends. Despite her recent heartbreak, she projected a warm and inviting demeanor, effortlessly engaging with everyone. Her laughter and charm stood in stark contrast to my hesitance. 

Socializing had always been challenging for me, and with the emotional weight I was carrying, the idea of mingling with a new group felt daunting. Just then, as I settled into my seat, Mia pointed behind me with a look of mild concern. "Hey, you've been running with your bag pockets all open," she said. My face flushed with embarrassment as I realized why everyone seemed to be laughing. I slammed my head with a groan. No wonder every passerby had been chuckling—I must have looked like a walking mess. How utterly stupid.

Soon, the professor entered, commanding the room's attention with an authoritative presence. Mia leaned in to inform me that she was also our class advisor, a detail I filed away for later. As the professor began the lecture, she scrawled "ALGORITHM AND FLOW CHARTS" on the whiteboard and assigned us two tasks:

 1) Create an algorithm for baking a cake, and 

2) Develop a process for withdrawing cash from a bank. 

Mia flashes me a grateful smile and returns to her seat, while I scribble down the algorithm for baking a cake. The process is almost therapeutic; each step brings a sense of order and control amidst my first university day's chaos.

As I work, I overhear snippets of conversation from the guys behind me. They're discussing their favorite types of cakes, debating whether chocolate or vanilla is better, and joking about how they might accidentally burn the kitchen down. Their lighthearted banter is a stark contrast to the turmoil I'm feeling inside.

The professor's voice pulls me back to reality. She's explaining the second task: withdrawing cash from the bank. I jot down the steps meticulously, trying to focus on the task at hand. Yet, my thoughts keep drifting back to Mia's breakup and the painful memories of my recent past.

The class continues, and despite my efforts to concentrate, I find myself overwhelmed by the new environment. I glance at Mia, who is laughing with her friends and looking so at ease. It's hard not to feel a pang of jealousy mixed with admiration. Her ability to be so cheerful despite everything is both inspiring and slightly disheartening for me.

As the class draws to a close, the professor dismisses us with a reminder to complete our tasks for the next class. I pack up my things slowly, feeling the weight of the day's events. Mia notices my reluctance and nudges me gently.

"Hey, you doing okay?" she asks, her concern genuine.

"Yeah, just a bit overwhelmed," I admit, trying to smile. "It's a lot to take in."

She nods sympathetically. "I get it. But you'll adjust. We all do. Besides, it's not that bad. Just think of it as a new adventure."

I nod, feeling a bit reassured. As we head out of the classroom, Mia's friends gather around, and she introduces me to each one. They're friendly, if not a bit curious about the new girl in their midst. I force myself to engage, answering their questions and trying to keep up with their lively conversations. Despite my attempts to fit in, I can't shake the feeling of being on the outside looking in. 

Socializing has never been my strong suit, and the recent emotional upheavals have only made it harder. Yet, there's something about Mia's unwavering optimism that makes me want to try.

After class, Mia and I decided to grab a coffee before heading home. As we sit in a cozy café near the campus, the warm aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the air, offering a brief respite from the day's challenges.

"I know it's been a rough start," Mia says as she takes a sip of her latte. "But it's going to get better. And if you ever need to talk or just hang out, I'm here for you."

I appreciate her kindness more than I can express. "Thanks, Mia. That means a lot. I just hope I can find my footing here."

"You will," she assures me with a confident smile. "We both will. And who knows? Maybe we'll look back on this and laugh about how nervous we were."

I can't help but smile at her optimism. As we chat and laugh over our coffees, I feel a glimmer of hope. Maybe this new chapter in my life won't be so daunting after all. With Mia by my side and a little determination, I might just find a way to navigate through it all, one step at a time.