Time and Fallen leaves

How does it feel?

"Welcome, to Westvale University!" Roars echoed inside the gymnasium accompanied by the beating of drums.

Jake screamed along at inalog-alog ang balikat ni Erin dahilan para matawa ang dalaga. Today is their first day of being a college freshman. Jake and Erin coincidentally applied to Westvale University. The others applied on other college universities, while the others chose to continue at Evergreen Grove University. As for Erin, she wanted to be away from that school as much as possible. Grabe rin ang pinagdaanan niya for the past four years of her high school. She doesn't want to go back there.

Erin, Jake, Jay, and surprisingly — Leeon chose a different university while the rest of the student council remained at the same academy because they were granted a scholarship. Hindi sigurado si Erin kung nasaan sila Jay at Leeon. Only Jake arrived at the same freshman briefing kaya nag decide silang magsama — despite not being that close way back high school.

Despite Jake being two years ahead of Erin back in high school. Ngayon lamang ito nagpatuloy ng college dahil hinawakan niya muna ang company nila temporarily. Kaya sabay sila ngayon mag college. It's kinda weird seeing Jake in a freshman orientation when he's her senior back at Evergreen Grove Academy.

Thankfully, mabilis lang naman maka close si Jake given his extroverted nature. Erin is slowly learning how to socialize more because she promised Keen and Milo she'll take care of herself while they're separated. Umiyak pa nga si Keen na para bang anak niya si Erin sending her away to college. They promised to get in touch no matter what.

"Anong course mo?" Jake asked as they both walk on the hallway. A lot of lost freshmen were also wandering around, looking for their designated room. She's feeling a bit of a déjà vu.

"BA in Film" isang sagot ni Erina as her mind is busy looking for her class. Mabuti na lamang at maaga pa dahil ayaw niyang pangit ang maging impression sakanya sa first day of class.

"Really? That's so unlike you" Jake's opinion made Erin finally glance at the lad for the first time since they attend the freshmen orientation. Kanina pa kasi ito malayo ang iniisip at mukhang hindi naman naiintindihan ang kinukwento ni Jake.

"Bakit naman?"

"wala lang. You're so introverted, this course takes a lot of public appearance"

"Kaya ko naman pag-aralan" Hindi naman na siya kagaya noon na halos hindi maka-basag pinggan. Erin somehow developed the skill of socialising dahil unang-una, she needs it. Hindi naman pwedeng tahimik nalang siya palagi lalo na at kailangan ng maraming public speech at appearance ang kursong kukunin niya. Parker also helped her — despite him being an antisocial too.

"I don't think naa-aral ang pagiging makapal ang mukha" Natawa na lang pareho si Jake at Erin.  Hindi aakalain ng dalawa na kung hindi pa sila tumuntong sa kolehiyo ay hindi pa sila magkakausap nang ganito katagal. They've never talk this much before; nasa iisang circle nga sila but Jake usuallly hangs out with Chrys and Leeon, while Erin is always with Milo and Keen. Speaking of, kamusta kaya ang first day ng dalawa? Napa iling na lamang si Erin. Kayang-kaya yan ni Keen, he's a social butterfly. Milo is also good at building raport, people are somehow naturally attracted to him.

Kailangan niyang problemahin ang sarili niya ngayon. This is the first time that she'll be alone, walang Keen na nagiging spokesperson niya, no Milo that's constantly reminding her whenever she's in a trance. Hindi na rin niya gaanong naiisip si Keeana ngayon, her wish to reconnect with her twin finally happened. Keen visits them every now and then. Pakiramdam niya ay hindi na siya kailangan pa, her mission is already accomplished.

Her new mission now is finding her self. Exploring her own interest — without Keeana in her mind. This time, ako naman.

"How about you? anong course mo?" and it  starts with making deeper connections.