The first day of classes dawned with an early September chill that hinted at the impending autumn. The sun peeked through our apartment windows, illuminating the piles of textbooks and notebooks that filled our dining table. I couldn't believe that after all the waiting, all the planning, we were finally here—about to embark on our college journey.
"Ellie, we need to hurry!" Amy yelled from her room, her voice laced with excitement and just a hint of panic.
I took a deep breath, trying to quell the butterflies in my stomach. "I'm coming! Just give me a second!" I quickly adjusted my hair in the bathroom mirror, trying to channel all the confidence I could muster. Today was the start of a new chapter, and I was determined not to let my nerves get the best of me.
I finished getting ready, and I couldn't help but reflect on how much had changed in such a short time. I had gone from living in a world filled with darkness to a place buzzing with energy and opportunity. And now, as a pre-law major, I was stepping into my future, one class at a time.
"Okay! Let's go!" Amy burst into the room, her dark hair in wild disarray and a stack of books clutched in her arms.
"We can't be late on the first day!" I called back, finally securing my backpack and heading out the door.
We walked together across the campus, the morning air felt crisp and invigorating. Students streamed past us, their conversations filled with anticipation for the semester ahead. I noticed groups of friends gathering, exchanging stories from their summer adventures, and I felt a surge of hope. This was our new life.
The campus was sprawling, a beautiful blend of modern buildings and historic architecture. We finally found the lecture hall for my first class, a large auditorium filled with rows of seats. I felt my heart race as I stepped inside, looking for a place to sit.
"Welcome to Introduction to Law," he said, his voice commanding yet warm. "I'm Professor Wells, and I'm excited to guide you through the complexities of the legal system this semester."
As he began to speak, I felt a spark of excitement. The way he talked about the law—how it shapes society, how it can be a tool for justice—ignited a passion within me. This was what I wanted to do. This was where I belonged.
After the lecture ended, I left the classroom feeling exhilarated. I couldn't wait to dive into the coursework and learn more about the law. I saw Amy when I stepped into the crowded hallway, coming out of her classroom door.
"This is so exciting!" she exclaimed, her enthusiasm contagious. "It's so different from high school!"
We spent remainder of the day attending our respective classes, the excitement of the first day blending with the nervous energy that comes with new beginnings. Between classes, we agreed to meet up in the library—a sprawling space filled with rows of books and cozy nooks perfect for studying.
"I feel like I'm already drowning in readings," I said, flopping down in a plush chair.
Amy laughed, her expression a mix of disbelief and joy. "Just wait until midterms. We'll be living in here, fueled by caffeine and sheer determination."
As if on cue, my stomach growled, reminding me that I hadn't eaten since breakfast. "We should grab some coffee. I need something to keep me going."
"Absolutely! Let's hit up the campus coffee shop. I hear they have espresso," she said, her eyes brightening at the thought of caffeine.
We made our way to the coffee shop, the warm aroma of freshly brewed coffee enveloping us as we stepped inside. The line was long, filled with students eagerly chatting and waiting for their caffeine fix. I could feel my anticipation growing.
"What do you want?" I asked Amy as we shuffled forward.
"Caramel macchiato, definitely. How about you?" she replied.
"I think I'll go for an espresso. I want to keep it simple," I said, eyeing the chalkboard menu.
After ordering, we found a cozy corner table where we could spread out our materials. I sipped my coffee, savoring the rich flavor, and felt a surge of energy course through me. "Okay, let's get to work."
Amy nodded, her attention already on the stack of books we had brought along. We spent the next few hours buried in textbooks and notes, surrounded by the comforting buzz of the coffee shop. Every now and then, we'd share snippets of what we were learning, exchanging insights and ideas.
As the the afternoon turned into early evening, the reality of our workload began to sink in. I found myself feeling overwhelmed as I glanced at the syllabus for my law class. The amount of reading and writing required was daunting, and I could already sense the pressure starting to build.
"Okay, let's take a break," I suggested, rubbing my temples. "I need to clear my head for a minute."
"Good idea. I'll grab us more coffee," Amy said, already on her feet.
I watched as she walked to the counter, her energy unwavering. I admired her ability to tackle challenges head-on; it was something I was still trying to figure out. While she seemed to thrive on the chaos, I felt a growing knot of anxiety in my stomach. When she returned with our drinks, I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the tension. "Thanks! I definitely needed this," I said, taking a long sip. The warmth spread through me, lifting my spirits.
"Don't worry, Ellie. We're in this together," Amy reassured me, her voice soothing. "We'll get through the readings one coffee cup at a time."
I smiled at her optimism, grateful for her support. We spent the rest of the afternoon bouncing between study sessions and coffee breaks, trying to balance our workloads with moments of lightness.
The week moved quickly and our new routine became familiar: classes, library sessions, and caffeine-fueled study marathons. We often found ourselves in a cozy nook inside the library, surrounded by the comforting scent of old books and the low hum of whispered conversations. The days flew by in a whirlwind of lectures and readings. I immersed myself in my coursework, each assignment bringing me closer to my goal of becoming a lawyer. I could already feel my confidence growing as I tackled complex legal theories and case studies.
Even amidst the excitement, I still felt the weight of my past lingering in the background. I often found myself grappling with guilt for leaving my mother behind, even as I tried to focus on my studies. One evening, as we sat in our usual spot in the library, I finally voiced my concerns to Amy. "I can't shake this feeling of guilt, you know? I left my mom alone in that house, and now I'm here living my best life."
Amy looked up from her notes, her brow furrowed with concern. "Ellie, you did what you had to do to protect yourself. You can't save her."
"I know, but it's hard to forget about her," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "I just wish things could have been different."
"Me too. But, you're here now, and you're working toward a future that could help so many people. You'll have the chance to make a difference," she said gently, reaching out to squeeze my hand.
I appreciated her perspective, but it didn't completely ease the weight in my chest. I often wondered how my mother was doing, if she was okay, and if she had found a way to cope with her grief. The guilt was a constant companion, one I couldn't shake off as easily as I wished. Despite my internal struggles, I pushed forward, focusing on my studies and my friendship with Amy. We often spent late nights in the library, sipping caffeine and cracking jokes to lighten the mood.
One particularly chaotic evening, we found ourselves surrounded by an array of textbooks, empty coffee cups, and scattered notes. I glanced at the clock, realizing it was well past eight.
"I think I'm officially a zombie at this point," Amy said, rubbing her eyes as she slouched in her chair.
I chuckled, feeling the exhaustion seep into my bones. "Me too, but we're so close to finishing. We can do it!"
As we huddled over our books, I suddenly had a brilliant idea. "What if we reward ourselves with a fun night out after this? Just the two of us!"
Amy's eyes lit up. "Yes! I love that idea! We can go to that pizza place we saw the other day!"
"Pizza is exactly what we need," I agreed, feeling a wave of excitement wash over me.
We spent the rest of the night with renewed energy, our laughter echoing through the library as we powered through the last of our readings. Finally, as the clock approached 9 PM, we closed our books, ready to call it a night.
"Okay, I think we've earned this," I said, stretching my arms overhead. "Let's get some pizza!"
"Absolutely!" Amy replied, her enthusiasm infectious.
We made our way out of the library, the crisp night air hitting our faces like a refreshing splash of water. The campus was quiet, the sounds of our laughter breaking the silence as we headed toward the pizza place. The small restaurant was buzzing with students, the air filled with the scent of freshly baked pizza and the sounds of lively conversations. We placed our order and found a cozy booth by the window, the warm glow of the overhead lights creating a cheerful atmosphere. As we waited for our food, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. Here, in this moment, everything felt right. I was with my best friend, away from the stress of classes, and finally allowing myself to enjoy life. When our pizza arrived, it was everything I had hoped for—cheesy, delicious, and dripping with toppings. We dove in, the tension of the week melting away with each bite.
"This is amazing!" Amy exclaimed, her eyes sparkling as she took a large bite.
"Right? I could eat this every day," I agreed, savoring the flavors.
We talked about our classes while we ate, our hopes for the semester, and the new friendships we were making. I felt a sense of normalcy and comfort that I had longed for, and for a brief moment, the weight of my past faded into the background. When we finished our pizza, we went to an ice cream shop couple of milkshakes, indulging in the sweetness of the moment.
"Cheers to surviving our first week of classes!" Amy said, raising her milkshake cup.
"Cheers!" I tapped my paper cup against hers, feeling grateful for her support and companionship.
The night air was cool on the walk back to our apartment, the stars twinkling above us like tiny diamonds. I felt a flicker of hope igniting within me. This was a new beginning, and I was ready to embrace whatever came next.
The following weeks flew by in a blur of classes, caffeine, and camaraderie. I found myself falling deeper into the rhythm of college life, balancing my studies and my friendship with Amy. We often met in the library, sipping on our favorite caffeinated beverages and tackling the never-ending stack of readings.
Each time we settled in for a study session, I felt the stress begin to bubble beneath the surface. Law classes were intense, and the pressure to perform well was relentless. But with Amy by my side, I knew I wasn't alone in this chaos.
One afternoon, as we buried ourselves in our textbooks, I noticed Amy tapping her pen anxiously against her notebook.
"Are you okay?" I asked, looking up from my own notes.
"Yeah, just a little stressed about an upcoming paper," she admitted, biting her lip. "I want to impress my professor, but I'm worried it's not good enough."
I could relate all too well to that feeling. "You're going to be fine! Your writing is incredible, and I know you'll nail it," I assured her.
"Thanks, Ellie. I just hope I can find the right angle for my analysis," she replied, her eyes darting back to her notes.
We dove back into our work, but I could see the worry etched on her face. It was hard to watch my best friend struggle, knowing that I couldn't always ease her burdens. In an effort to lighten the mood, I leaned back in my chair and proclaimed, "How about a study break? We can find some ridiculous cat videos to watch!"
Amy laughed, her eyes lighting up. "You know what? That's exactly what I need!"
We spent the next half hour on Reddit, diving into a world of funny cat videos and memes. Laughter filled our corner of the library, a welcome distraction from the stress of the semester. The days turned into weeks, and we settled even further into a routine that felt both exhilarating and exhausting. Each day brought new challenges and triumphs, but we always made time to unwind and recharge together.
One evening, as we lounged in our apartment, I pulled out my laptop and opened a document filled with ideas for my upcoming law paper. I felt the familiar knot of anxiety tightening in my stomach as I stared at the blank page.
"Ugh, I'm stuck," I groaned, pushing the laptop aside. "I have no idea where to start."
"Let's brainstorm! I can help!" Amy offered, leaning closer. "What's the topic?"
"I need to analyze the impact of landmark Supreme Court cases on civil rights," I explained, my frustration evident.
"Wow, that sounds intense! But it's also fascinating! Let's map out some ideas together," she encouraged, her enthusiasm contagious.
We spent the next few hours bouncing ideas off each other, drinking copious amounts of coffee, and transforming my overwhelming task into manageable pieces. As the night wore on, I felt a renewed sense of purpose wash over me.
With Amy's support, I was ready to tackle the challenges ahead. We may have been stressed and sleep-deprived, but we were also determined to succeed. I was finally beginning to embrace this new life, surrounded by friends who understood the struggles of college and the pressures of our majors. I felt hopeful about the future, ready to forge my own path, no matter how uncertain it may be.
Every time I entered the lecture hall, I was reminded of my purpose. I was here to learn, to grow, and to make a difference. And as long as I had Amy by my side, I knew I could face anything that came my way.
The stress of college life was overwhelming at times, but in the midst of the chaos, I felt a sense of hope blossoming within me. With each passing day, I was learning to let go of the past, embracing the bright future that lay ahead. And as I looked to the horizon, I could finally see the light breaking through the clouds, illuminating my path forward.
YOU ARE READING
Break Me
RomanceEllie has spent her life trapped in an abusive home. When sh gets accepted into a college in Connecticut, it feels like her chance at freedom; but running from the past doesn't mean it won't follow. Trevor is an aspiring tattoo artist with a dark al...