pink nights / sally face

move-in

watching my town turn into a tiny speck of dust was probably the scariest part. watching my college town grow to the size of reality though, absolutely exhilarating.

though i was never a particularly extroverted person, i couldn't help but feel excited when being handed my dorm key. the building was the oldest on campus and showed. huge windows welcoming warm sunlight, beautiful hand-carved detailing in the doorways, and shiny wooden floors.

the common area was full of new students and their parents. my stomach turned. i felt as if my unaccompanied presence was the most noticeable thing in this beautiful building. i glanced back at the girl at the front desk who handed me my key in an attempt to feel less alone. her name was madeline. i focused on this for a second. i had never known a madeline. she was tall and pale. freckles splattered her full cheeks. she had spirals of light brown hair tied up on-top of her head. i hoped i would see her again. the excitement wasn't enough to distract me from the very obvious fact that i was states away all by myself. the desperation for familiarity crept up.

thank god my floor's RA showed up. she had enough enthusiasm for all of us and then some.

"okay everyone! we're going to start forming groups!" she attempted to shout over the room's many conversations. i watched her eyes as she looked at the untamed crowd. i admired her for at least trying to go about group-forming of a full room in a casual manner. what confidence.

"HEY! we're gonna shut up now!"  a tall red headed boy stood up on a table, bellowing over the crowd.

"thanks, todd." the girl smiled shyly and resumed. "okay! group formation! i want everyone to look at their key and group up by floor number! i mark the last group, floor six. the other RA's lined up to my left, green shirts if you're confused, mark each floor descending. todd for example, will mark floor five. RA's raise your signs, students get your keys out and group up!"

what a nightmare. thankfully once everyone was grouped, move in was a lot smoother. it was an unexpected pain in the ass to get a comforter into a duvet cover though. but all in all, my floor's RA was kind and the girls on my floor were too. however, my roommate didn't show up to the first day of move in so the anxiety of meeting her was not resolved as quickly as i would have liked. i moved in a week early so really, it was possible for her to show up anytime between now and when classes started. it would be a totally unforeseen event. not ideal!

the day winded down and it was time to get dinner. i was only half excited to see the dining hall. i had no doubt it would be just as nice as the rest of the building. i mean, my room was great! but i knew i'd be eating alone like in high school again. i sucked it up and got my food. whoever said dorm food was bad obviously never sat in this hall.

as i was heading up the stairs back to my room, i felt a hand on my shoulder. i look back beyond startled only to find a pretty green-eyed girl smiling at me.

"sorry to scare you, i tried to catch you in the dinning hall but you were so fast!" she laughed as she smoothed her hair out. it was long and straight and went all the way past her waist. "i saw you earlier during move in, i'm on floor six too. i actually noticed the sanity's fall poster on your door!" 

her smile made me smile as well. i felt almost nervous from the excitement. "oh my god! that's so cool! what room are you in?"

"608! just a few doors past yours, i think ... not to be a stalker, just ya know, the poster." she laughed again

"oh yeah, we're really close! i'm in 606."

"well hey, if you're free tonight maybe you could come by!"

i couldn't even hide my excitement. i quickly nodded with a stupidly wide smile.

"i don't have a roommate and i'm up late, so ya know, just swing by anytime! my name's ashley, by the way. you can just call me ash though." she extended her hand to me. her nails were short and painted green.

i took her hand, " it's so nice to meet you, i'm y/n. i'll definitely come by later tonight! thanks so much for inviting me."

she walked back down the stairs and smiled at me over her shoulder. i smiled back and then continued to my room. nervous was an understatement.

not only was this girl extremely pretty but she was into sanity's fall. i had never found friends through common interests. all my life i had only made friends through my best friend, erica. but once erica moved in sophomore year, i was a lost cause. i had no idea how to talk to other people, let alone share pieces of myself in hopes of making a connection. this was new territory.