𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡 | 𝟏𝟖+

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐞𝐧

The sunlight glares through the window, falling directly into my eyes. I immediately sit up and see that Mia is still sleeping. I fell asleep so quickly, I didn't get to brush my teeth, change, or shower. Looking at my phone that I forgot to charge last night, I see that Chris and Mom are going to leave in the next thirty minutes.

I grab my clothes and toiletries and head over to the communal bathroom to get ready. It was like a school bathroom, but not. There is a girl in one of the stalls and there is another showering. I place my bag on the counter and look at myself in the mirror. Turning on the sink and wetting my toothbrush, everything felt so odd. I do not have to luxury of having my own space and keeping my toiletries there. I am going to have to bring them back and forth every morning.

Once I finish brushing my teeth, a few more girls come into the bathroom. I hop into the shower and try to hang my belongings in the minimal space I have. The showers aren't too bad, yet it'll definitely be something that I have to get used to. It's not like I grew up with my own bathroom. I always had to share it with Chris. Only last year, I had it to myself and I overindulged in the luxury.

After I shut off the shower, the steam envelops me. It's beyond difficult to get my shorts on and even when I step outside of the bathroom, and into the hallway, I'm still sweating. Even though it's hot in Boston, it would be on the cooler side of hot. This heat is insane and is something that I need to also get used to.

As I'm walking to my room, I realize that I have to keep shaving my legs throughout the whole year. Maybe not December through January, but still, I could go without shaving from October through April in Boston.

I check my phone to see texts from a minute ago. They are from Chris and Mom saying that they're waiting in the lobby downstairs. I run to the elevator and go down to them. I see them standing by the door and I run to them.

"So how was your first night?" Chris asks.

"Good. I met my roommate and we're already friends. We had the dining hall food together which is actually pretty good and we also unpacked everything of mine."

"You unpacked everything already? Decorations and everything?" Mom asks.

"Yeah, I told you I didn't need help on it."

"Okay, okay. Chris took days to do that."

"I know,' I laugh. I turn to Chris, "You didn't even put up your 'decorations' until like November. It looked like you were living in a jail cell."

"Hey, the BU dorms aren't that bad," he defends.

"Really?" I question.

"Okay, well at least we have guaranteed housing for all four years. Have fun finding shelter when you're a junior."

"Christopher y Camila, cállate, por favor," Mom exasperates. (Christopher and Camila, shut up, please). "No arguing before we leave." We both roll our eyes, but he goes in a hug.

"Have fun here, okay? Don't do something stupid," Chris mutters into my ear.

"You too," I can feel my emotions start losing control inside of me. I try my hardest to make them not come rushing out.

"Study hard, Cami," Mom hugs me so hard that I can feel a pinch in my diaphragm.

"Bye. I'm going to miss you guys," I feel tears pooling in my eyes. Mom and I do not have the best relationship ever, but I'll still miss her. It'll take a whole flight to come and visit her. Chris is easier because I didn't see him much last year either so I am kind of used to it.

When they get into their cars and drive off, that surreal feeling sets in. It's going to amplify once they are both back in Boston. It feels kind of free, but also as if a piece of me was just ripped out of me.