Love Across Boarders

Chapter three

I hadn't expected Darren Okoya to speak to me let alone notice me at all. But there he was, walking away after that brief, unsettling conversation. His words lingered: Let's see how long that lasts.
I clenched my fists, watching him disappear into the shadows of the campus. The arrogance radiating off him was enough to suffocate anyone, and yet... there was something behind his eyes. A flicker of something I couldn't quite place. It didn't matter though. I wasn't here to figure out the likes of Darren Okoya.
This place was overwhelming enough without arrogant rich boys thinking they could intimidate me. And yet, I couldn't shake the encounter. His words felt like a challenge, daring me to fall apart.
I looked down at my phone again, staring at the list of classes I had to prepare for. It was late, and I should've been back in my dorm room, but the thought of sitting across from Sofia's silence didn't feel appealing. She hadn't said more than two words to me since she'd arrived, too absorbed in her world of social media and party invites. We couldn't have been more different.
I sighed and stood up from the bench, tucking my phone into my pocket. The campus was quiet now, most students either partying or hiding away in their rooms. I took my time walking back to Hyde Hall, my mind racing with a thousand thoughts.
Kingsview wasn't what I had expected. It was grander, colder, and a lot more isolating than I had imagined. Back home in Nigeria, people knew me. I had my family, my friends, and a community that supported me. Here, I was just another face in the crowd-another girl trying to prove she deserved to be here.
As I climbed the stairs to my dorm room, I wondered what my family would say if they saw me now. Would they understand how alien everything felt? Or would they tell me to push through, like they always did when things got tough?
When I opened the door to my room, Sofia was gone. I wasn't surprised. She'd barely said anything before rushing out earlier, mentioning some party in passing. I wondered if this was what the rest of the year would be like living with someone who didn't care whether I existed or not.
I walked over to my desk, the small photo of my family catching my eye. My mom's smile, Teni's goofy grin, my father's proud gaze. I ran my fingers across the frame, reminding myself why I was here. It wasn't for the parties or the connections or to impress people like Darren. I was here for them for us. To make something of myself, no matter how hard it felt.
I sat down and opened my laptop, determined to focus on what I could control my academics. I had spent too long working for this to let anything or anyone get in my way now. The schedule for the first week of classes stared back at me, a mix of excitement and dread building in my chest. Kingsview was notorious for its rigorous coursework, and I had no intention of falling behind.
The next morning, I woke early, determined to start fresh. Sofia was still asleep when I slipped out of the room, heading for the dining hall. I didn't know anyone yet, but I figured breakfast would be quieter than dinner, and I could use the time to map out my day.
As I entered the massive hall, the smell of food hit me a blend of pastries, eggs, and fresh fruit laid out like a buffet. The place was huge, with long tables stretching out in every direction. The room was already filling with students, most of them gathered in groups, laughing and talking like they had known each other for years. I felt a pang of loneliness but pushed it aside. I was here to focus.
After grabbing some food, I found a quiet corner at one of the long tables and opened a book, hoping to distract myself from the fact that I was sitting alone. But just as I started reading, I heard footsteps approach.
"Mind if I sit here?" a soft voice asked.
I looked up to see a girl standing in front of me, her expression warm and welcoming. She had dark, curly hair and wore glasses that made her look like she was ready for a debate class.
"Uh, sure," I said, surprised by the sudden intrusion.
"Thanks!" she said, sitting down across from me. "I'm Sarah, by the way. You're new, right? I saw you at the dorm yesterday."
"Yeah, I'm Busayo. Just started."
"Same here," she said with a grin. "First year in international relations. And already wondering if I'm in over my head. What about you?"
"Computer science," I replied, feeling a bit more at ease. "And yeah, I'm feeling the same way. This place is... a lot."
She laughed. "Tell me about it. I grew up in Ottawa, but even for me, Kingsview feels like a whole other world. But hey, at least we're in it together, right?"
I smiled, grateful for her friendliness. It was the first real conversation I'd had with anyone since arriving, and it felt good to connect, even if just for a moment.
We chatted through breakfast, exchanging stories about our first impressions of the school. Sarah was funny and down-to-earth, making me feel a little less out of place. She didn't seem to care about the wealth or the status that so many others here flaunted. She just wanted to survive the year, like me.
As we wrapped up and headed to our first classes, I couldn't help but feel a little lighter. Maybe this place wouldn't be so bad after all.
But then, just as I stepped out of the dining hall, I saw him again.
Darren Okoya, leaning casually against the wall, surrounded by a group of friends, laughing about something that clearly wasn't funny. Our eyes met briefly, and for a moment, that same challenge flickered in his gaze. He didn't say anything, but his smirk was enough to send a message: he hadn't forgotten our conversation last night.
I turned away quickly, determined not to let him get under my skin. Darren Okoya might think he owned this place, but I wasn't about to let him-or anyone else-make me feel small. Not today.