Dreaming Is for the Free

Two

KJ has been talking the entire ride. That's four hours. I don't mind it because it's nice getting some insight on what to expect at Lennon University. It's also good to be spending these four hours with him since I haven't spent much time with KJ over the summer. That's unusual for us because we're very close. He treats me like a little sister. Just like Uncle Theo and Aunt Bev treat me like their daughter. They always have. I know it's because they feel like they have to step up since my parents left, and I'm grateful.

KJ is the most protective cousin ever. It helps me relax knowing that he's going to be there.

And to my surprise, I'm more excited than nervous. That's different for me. I'm excited to look at the campus. I've been there before visiting KJ, but I never actually toured the campus. There's a lot to see and a lot to learn, and I want to be ready for the first day of class.

Then there's the roommate situation. There were multiple options of housing layouts, but I chose the dorm that has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a living room area. So if my roommate and I just so happen to not get along, at least we won't have to be in each other's space. The only thing we will have to share is the living room. There's no kitchen but that's fine. I'll spend my time eating in the cafe or I'll just microwave something.

I shouldn't be worried about my roommate though. We had to fill out a questionnaire to see who we would be compatible with. I was asked questions like whether I was a morning person or a night person. If I liked it cold or not. What extracurricular activities I was interested in. It was just to get an idea on who I am. I was matched with Maya Divata. She reached out to me and wanted to go over ideas for how we would decorate the living room. Other than that, we haven't really talked.

I hope she's respectful. If not, then we won't get along. KJ says that I'll learn how to manage whether Maya is my type of person or not. He says that's why it's a good thing that I won't have to share a room or a bathroom with her just in case. Even though all of that is fine, I would still like to have one friend or associate going into the new school year.

I'm going to try to send out positive vibes. Either way, I'll be fine. I'm the type of person that is able to get along with just about anyone. I'll be good. That's what I'm going to keep telling myself even though a big part of me is thinking that I probably should have texted Maya more often because I have no sense of what her personality is like. We had one phone call and then after that it was just texts.

I try not to worry about it. I try to listen to KJ go on and on about his girlfriend who he's been dating for six months. I met her once, and she seems pretty nice. She's a sophomore now and she also attends Lennon. I can't remember her name for some reason. Has he told me? Or has he just been referring to her as his girlfriend?

"What's her name again?" I ask.

"Kiara."

Nope. It doesn't ring a bell.

So far I know that Kiara is from Nevada. She has two older sisters. She plays basketball, and she's a part of the drama club. From what KJ has told me, she's very supportive of him. She attends all of his events and there's plenty to go to since KJ is like a musical prodigy. He plays piano, guitar, drums, saxophone, and the cello. But I know recently he's been focusing on the production side of music even though his parents would rather him perform.

Sadly for them, KJ has always done what he's wanted to do. They wanted him to go to Juilliard, but he couldn't commit. He said he does what he does out of love and passion. He thinks that a lot of people who go to Juilliard are confused at what passion is because their passion is rooted in the need to be better than everyone else. That's not him.

Everyone was disappointed except for me.

KJ and I had always wanted to come to Lennon University ever since we went to a musical that they put on when I was 10 and he was 13. It was an original play, but I was obsessed with the dancing and he was obsessed with the music. He knew that he didn't have to go to one of those top performing arts schools just to do what he loves to do. Aunt Bev came around much quicker than Uncle Theo but with time, everyone was on board. I mean he hasn't quit music. He just does it on his terms.