I had skyped my mom that night, briefly introducing her to Veronica. I showed her my dorm and the view out the window. She was happy for me, but I could tell she tried holding back tears. After telling her the basics, we hung up and I rolled into my made bed. It was odd laying down and staring at a new ceiling, smelling a new scent in the air, feeling a new atmosphere.
Veronica was laying in bed texting when she spoke up.
"So where are you from?"
"Washington." I sighed.
"That's pretty far," she breathed out. "I'm from New Jersey."
I didn't know what how to respond. "Nice," that was pathetic, I had to continue. "What are you majoring in?"
"I'm undecided, but I'm leaning towards biochemistry. I'm a mess," She laughed. "What about you?"
"I'm majoring in journalism, minor in photography."
"Wow, you've really got your life together."
"Not really."
"You should join the university newspaper. Be a photographer or columnist, you'd be perfect for it."
This intrigued me, it would be the perfect way to make myself known. It would allow me to explore Boston and capture the livelihood of the city and create my own story with my photographs. Maybe not my own story, but it would be my own work.
"How do I join?" I turned on the bed to face her.
"I don't know, but I assume there's a student union building or some sort of info place. If I find out where to go to, I'll let you know."
"Thank you," I smiled, thinking of all the possibilities if I became part of the newspaper. I would get to put my skills to use and maybe even be recognized for it. Realizing she wouldn't know much more about this, I changed the topic. "I feel like I'm not as nervous as I should be for tomorrow."
Classes were starting tomorrow, and although I had the weekend to get settled in it felt like I should still be enjoying my summer. I only had a lecture the next day so hopefully it wouldn't be that terrifying. The real issue would be finding the lecture hall.
"Me too, I think it just hasn't hit us yet that we're here," she rolled over on the bed and eyed all the items on my dresser. "We probably think we can handle being on our own but within a week we'll be calling our parents crying." She laughed and I joined her. I knew that I wouldn't see my mom until Thanksgiving break, but this felt like I'm just at a sleepover and not college. It shouldn't be that bad for me, considering that the amount of time my mom and I talked before leaving for the airport was more than we'd do in an entire month. It didn't mean I didn't love and appreciate her, but she just wasn't there the way we both wished. That, and also that our relationship had become a bumpy road over the past couple years.
"You're probably right," I responded.
"Who's that in your pictures?" She nodded towards my dresser.
I looked to where she was facing. "The space needle one is my mom and I the day after graduation, the other is my best friend." I smiled gently, thinking of those days.
"Your best friend is really pretty,"
"Thanks I guess," I laughed. "I'll be sure to tell her you said that. She'll be really happy."
YOU ARE READING
Twilight Java
Teen FictionFor a slightly below average life, things aren't always easy for Callisto. Which is why moving out of her sad little West coast town and heading off to college in the vibrant East coast is the perfect way to create a road paved with opportunity. Alt...