Love, Stella

1: College

I hug my parents tightly before they walk out of the dorm, leaving me to total freedom.

I should be jumping ecstatically at the thought of freedom. I'm back for my junior year, after commuting for the past two years.

Growing up the youngest of four siblings is hard, so I stayed commuting for the first two years to be around everyone. Now that I'm a junior, my siblings suggested I go out and make some friends.

"Have the best time ever, sweetie." My mom kisses me on the forehead and my had pats the top of my head.

"Be good, safe. Call us sometimes," he makes me let out a tearful laugh.

I will myself not to cry, and when they walk out the door I wipe my eyes and turn to settle in.

Our dorm is massive, but I'm with two other girls who seem to be best friends.

Since I'm coming in junior year I know groups have already formed and I'm likely to be left behind.

I'm not very good with people, girls don't like to speak to me- and sometimes laugh when I go up to them.

I shake my head out of my sad thoughts and turn to see the two girls on the living room couch staring at me.

I turn away, scared to annoy them, before I make my way into my single room. The room is a decent size and I've decorated it perfectly to my taste- it almost feels like home.

The room is white with brown chevron floors and I've decorated decently neutral, except for some pops of color in the quilt and paintings.

I flop down onto my bed and sigh. This is going to be an interesting year- I can't tell if I'm excited or nervous but.. I'm here.

Junior year.. here I come.

A knock surprised me and I sit up, looking over to see two heads of my roommates popping in. 

Surprised, I fully sit up and criss-cross my legs.

"Come in," I nervously greet them and they push through the door now standing in front of me.

I forget their names, and I'm a bit nervous to ask.

"Hi, you all settled in?" The darker skinned girl smiles at me brightly and I feel my anxiety lessen a bit. 

"U-um, yeah. Thanks!" I smile, looking between the two girls waiting for them to continue the conversation or walk out.

"So.. we are going to this bar tonight." Cherry speaks excitedly, seeming like she'll start jumping up and down soon. "It's boys night but our boyfriends are like, obsessed with us so we're crashing." She laughs, and our other roomate lets out a giggle.

"You should really come out with us," our third roomate speaks, "Um, I'm Summer by the way.. sorry." Summer bites her lip and looks over at Cherry.

"O-okay," when I speak it's in a nervous and unsure voice. I haven't had the best of luck with girl friends so I'm hoping that's going to change this year. 

"Perfect! I'd say let's be ready at eight? And I know how to do hair, and we can all pick outfits together!" Cherry begins to go on a rant, but Summer puts her hand on Cherry's shoulder, quieting her.

"Right, okay." Cherry nods over at Summer, "so let's go watch a movie, then we can go!" Summer holds out a hand and I take it, she pulls me up out of my bed and we all walk into the living room.

"So.. how long have you known each other?" I ask the girls, who roll their eyes at each other.

"Unfortunately, too long.." Cherry jokes with a smile, but Summer lets out a scoff.

"Oh, okay Cherry." Summer turns to me, "since high school. And our boyfriends have too, they go here now." I nod, realizing this group is way closer than I thought. 

It's going to be difficult, fitting in with such pretty and cool roommates. I'm sure they have loads of friends, and soon they'll realize how much of a weirdo I actually am. 

We sit for a while, watching some chick-flic movies until Cherry pops up, gasping at her phone. 

"OMG we need to start getting ready!" She gasps, dragging us off the couch and pushing us each into our own rooms.

Music is connected to the speakers as we get ready. I sit on my floor in front of my mirror doing some simple makeup. 

Once the makeup is complete, I walk over to my closet and sift through all of my clothes. I'm not exactly the going out type, so there's not much to choose from. Every girl at this school dresses to the nines, and I hope my outfit will suffice.

I end up wearing a long low neck black halter top, that looks like an almost silky material paired with a black mini skirt. It's simple and cute. 

Walking over to my shoe collection I pick out some red pointed toe heels, and suddenly the outfit is coming together. I also decide to pair a black designer purse, and finish off with some pretty gold jewelry.

"Let's go!" Cherry yells out from down the hall, so I shove my things in my purse and head out the door. 

The girls stand in the hallway, scanning my outfit.

"Wow girl, you look amazing." Cherry compliments me, and I feel my cheeks heat up. Next to her, Summer nods along. 

"Look at you guys.. you're like models.." I compliment them back because it's true. They look ready to walk down a high fashion runway at literally any moment. 

"You're too sweet," Summer says, embarrassed. A text interrupts her thoughts and she glances down at her phone. "Sorry, it's-" 

"It's her boyfriend," Cherry rolls her eyes at Summer. 

"Whatever let's go." Summer pushes Cherry jokingly and flings open the door, starting to walk down the hallway. Cherry and I follow behind, shutting the door.