My Best Friend's Lover

Taste of Moonlight from the Sea

I was moving.
I was leaving on August 13th.
I was going to Seabrook, Washington.
I was going to Mountain College.

It was a matter of fact.

A life chosen for me.

"Is this all you're bringing?" My mother asked, her voice drenched with pity.
I looked around the room half-heartily, "Everything I need should be in there."
"Need sure, but what about the things you want? Maybe something to remind you of home," she was trying to sound hopeful.
"Like what?"
This time, she looked around my room. High school study books... old uniforms... empty snack boxes... Defeat painted her face as she sighed 'okay' and walked out of the room. I zipped up my half-empty suitcase thinking she had moved on, only for her to walk back in with a hand-sized book and a pencil. As she handed it to me, I was able to get a closer look at the cover. A blue jay in the middle, surrounded by a border of ivy leaves. Upon opening it, I discovered it was a sketchbook. Some pages already had small doodles within, some with quotes, even some scribbles. No page was completely filled, and the majority of the book was empty.
"I know this isn't easy. Life gets overwhelming, and when it does, just take a second. Because the world will give you a second, and when it does, just sketch. It doesn't have to be good, it doesn't have to be anything. It will be something you can control, something that is yours."
Looking at her, I felt confused. I was never close to my mom. I don't think she quite understood how to bond with kids. Now I was growing up, and maybe that's something she gets. I hugged her, and she hugged me back. I didn't think much about leaving her and Dad before, but now I felt like I was leaving a potential connection. That saddens me more, and I don't think she meant to do that.

I drowned in that feeling until I got off my plane. The scent of pine and rain mist lifted me, and I consumed my new surroundings. It was colder, the clouds were thicker, and everything felt greener. Once I got on my car ride to take me to the dorms, I finally decided to look through the sketchbook. Scribbled on the back of the cover in a red pen were

understand your own heart
before you handle another
- JH Hard

There weren't any expectations I had when arriving on campus; it was exclusive and conservative, like my dad said. There was a moment though that I did take in everything. Mountains guarded the school, and the campus was hugged by acres of pine. I felt like I entered a Casper David Friedrich painting. Engulfed by endless potential and emptiness. Something about it filled you with hope.
Finding my dorm wasn't tricky. The moment I opened my door,  I was ambushed with a hug. My entire body rejected the touch, and regretfully, I forcefully pushed the person away. The push was more aggressive than I anticipated, and they went flying to the ground. Coming to, I noticed she was just a girl. Notably, it has long, wavy, vibrant blue hair.
"I'm sorry!" She said in an almost giggling way, dusting herself off as she got up, "I just got excited to meet my dorm mate!"
It took me a while to notice I was stunned, realizing I probably should've apologized first, but instead, I was gawking at her extended arm.
"Oh," I said awkwardly, shaking my head, and took in her hand for a shake, "Sorry, you had startled me."
Her laughter filled the awkward air that guarded me, "It's fine! I can come a bit strong sometimes. I punched my boyfriend the first time I saw him."
I softly laughed along, trying to match her energy, but I stopped the moment her words registered,
"What?"
"Oh wait, here he comes now!" excitement radiated off her, pushing me to my side of the dorm. I took that moment to place my stuff down. Glancing up, I noticed him. Entering the room, he was a good 3 feet taller than her. Green hair flowed off his head like waves. Refraining myself from making assumptions about them. Instead, I stiffly observed their interaction.
"Addy! You won't believe the welcoming basket they gave me. It's everything a zombie would want."
He swooped her up and spun her around in our small dorm room. The way they looked at each other suffocated me, isolating me to my bed.
"That's so great! I knew the school would be accepting of you after they got to know you," She gripped his hands before waving her right hand towards me, "You have to meet my roommate, she just got here!"
I didn't expect him to look at me. I'd forgotten I was even a presence in the room. As his eyes met mine, I noticed how pale he was. His skin was so thin that I could see his veins. Then there were his eyes. Something about them that was so lifeless. But the way he stared at me, I could feel how alive he was. He had just as much energy as her, just as much enthusiasm, despite the fact he looked like he was dragged out of a morgue.
"Hey, I'm Zed. It's nice meeting you! Knowing Addison, I have no doubt you guys would become friends in no time."
There was a genuineness to him, yet my entire body froze over. Any attempt to move a single limb only resulted in tingles running through my nerves. I was scared of him. Deep in my subconscious, I was possessed with the feeling that there was something dreadful about him. He didn't seem to be very fazed by my lack of response and gave his attention back to Addison.
"Look, I have to go meet up with the couch about scheduling. I'll see you tonight!" Swiftly kissing her and exiting the room.
Addison couldn't stop gleaming. She turned to me, "I can't believe to finally be at Mountain College with Zed! It's truly a dream come true for us!"
Able to slowly move again, it dawned on me that I probably should respond.
"Zombie? Was that like his high school mascot?"
Addison looked at me like I said something really stupid and then laughed it off,
"Oh no! Our mascot was Shrimpy!"
The pure and utter confusion that illuminated my face didn't denture Addison. If anything, it encouraged her to go on.
"Zed and I are from the suburban town in Seabrook! It's about 30 minutes from here. He worked hard to get into Mountain College, but he was only able to get in if he did well during the football season. I was the cheer caption!"
She stared at me for a second to chime in, and when I didn't, she continued.
"What about you?! Why did you come to Mountain College?"
"Medicine."
"That's amazing!" She erupted, running to my side, "What for?"
"To become a family physician."
"That's so great. Oh, wait." Addison looked sheepish for a second, "I'm sorry, that's so rude of me, I didn't even get your name. I'm Addison!"
"Yeah," I choked on my word and coughed, "I'm Serena."
"Oh, beautiful! You have to come to the big get-together by the beach side tonight, Rena!"
I didn't have the heart to tell her I hated nicknames. Or get-togethers.
"There's a lot of studying I need to do."
Addison looked at me sideways.
"ReRe, it's Friday the 13th! Of course, you have to come, and you have the whole weekend to study. Don't worry, I'll help you."
The ugliness inside me doubted she would be able to help me efficiently. She did have a point. Feeling the inside of my hoodie pocket, I felt Mom's sketchbook, and I mumbled, "Okay."
Addison exploded with so much emotion that it made me feel numb. She smothered me with another hug, I swore literal sparks invaded my body. When she finally let go, I shook my arms in relief. Unbothered, Addison got up to pick out her outfit.