close to my dialling heart

1🌹new horizons

A/N, please make sure to read the disclaimer if you haven't. It's really important, I think.

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🎶 it's hard for me to communicate the thoughts that I hold🎶
~The Weeknd~

DOVE 🕊

We pulled into the Harrington College parking lot, and my nana's lecture continued unabated. She'd been drilling me the entire ride, reminding me to be a good girl, just like I was during my first year. I wondered what made her think sophomore year would be any different. As I stepped out of her Range Rover, she called out, "Don't forget to pray with your rosary every night, alright?" My nana, a devoted missionary sister, had raised me since I was six. She'd instilled in me a strong faith and a strict moral compass.

"And no boys," she added, as if she knew I needed the reminder. I sighed and shook my head, almost rolling my eyes - we'd been over this topic countless times already. But I knew she only wanted the best for me. And truthfully, I shared her concerns; boys made me nervous, and I'd always felt more comfortable surrounded by girls, having attended Catholic schools my whole life.

I bid my nana farewell, waving as I pulled my luggage from the trunk. "Have you packed your Bible?" she asked, ensuring I had all my religious essentials to resist temptation, as she put it. I nodded, smiling patiently. "Alright, bye, have a blessed year, and pray as you head to your dorm..." I cut her off mid-sentence, "Okay, nana, bye." I waved once more and turned to leave, my luggage wheels rolling on the pavement.

Suddenly, a soft voice called out, "Hey, Ms." I stopped and turned to face a elegantly dressed woman in a navy blue suit, her hair styled in a neat French puff, her skirt a modest length. She wore black pumps, completing her professional look. "How are you?" she asked, flashing a warm, toothy smile.

"I'm fine, thank you, how are you?" I replied, returning her smile. "I'm alright, what year are you in?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with interest.

"I'm a second-year student," I replied, my nerves fluttering as I spoke to the elegantly dressed woman. Social interactions always made me anxious, and it was a struggle to connect with others. In fact, I had only managed to make one friend during my first year, and he was equally socially awkward. Unfortunately, he had decided not to return this year, leaving me to face another year of solitude.

I was comfortable with my own company, but it was hard to shake off the feeling of being an awkward loner. "Then you're heading the wrong way, Ms.," the woman said, her bright smile never wavering as she gestured for me to follow her. Her tilted head and kindly eyes put me at ease, and I hesitated for a moment before nodding and trailing behind her.

"Do you need help with that?" The lady, asked, her persistent smile starting to feel unsettling. I forced a smile in response, but it felt artificial, straining my cheekbones.

"No, I'm fine," I replied, dropping the smile abruptly.

"Okay, I'm Hillary, but you can refer to me as Ms. Edgar," she introduced herself, leading the way with an elegant gait, her hips swaying gracefully.

"Nice meeting you, Ms. Edgar. I'm Dove," I replied, my formal tone a habit I couldn't shake.

"Nice name, pure at heart, huh?" Ms. Edgar remarked, her kindness seeming genuine, though I wondered if it was part of her job description. Women as put-together as her often seemed stern, but she was an exception. "This will be your new dorm," she announced, gesturing to the building labeled "LAKE AVENUE 505." "Please make yourself comfortable." I nodded, forcing another painful smile before she bid me farewell and left me to my solitude. For once, I was grateful to be alone.

As I entered my new dorm, I noticed that two of the three beds were already made. One bed had dark grey covers with pink hearts patterned on them, accompanied by three matching pillows. The other bed had baby blue sheets and an abundance of pillows, with a folded duvet neatly placed at the foot of the bed.