Finding Joie de Vivre

chapter I // the beginning // part I

The better part of me feels like I don't belong here, at this point in my life, but I know that this is my dream. It's been my dream for years.
The dream is called going to college.
Going to college? What's so special about college?
You might ask the previous questions, and that's okay. Not everyone looks at everything the same way I look at it. I see everything as an opportunity for adventure. I don't see college as books, papers, and pens, and part of that may be because my mom does all the school shopping. Even for my sister, Michelle, who is now a senior in college.
"Adrena!" a faint voice calls from downstairs.
My mom has always been one of those moms - those moms that cry at their child's dance recital, at their son's football game (even when he sits on the bench half of the time), and have a complete breakdown at any kind of graduation.
Considering today is the first day of my first year in college and Shelly's last, my mom is going to be hysterically crying the entire day.
I've been listening to her crying since 4:00 a.m. The reason I was up so early was because I was messaging my friends and drinking cold Earl Grey.
New Message from Mercy Sandt
Please help. I just arrived on campus and it's absolutely insane here. When is your mom leaving?
From the message that Mercy sent, it looks like she has no idea what she's doing.
I send her a message back, a simple one, saying:
Just find the ΚΑΘ house. My mom is leaving at 7:00.
The ΚΑΘ house is just what it sounds like - a sorority house.
That's right, we're sorority sisters.
Most people look down upon sororities and fraternities, all because of stereotypes. I took the time to learn about the sororities at Kenton University (the university that I now go to) and I found that:
1.) There is an anti-hazing policy at this place.
2.) Most sorority girls do charitable acts, fun activities, and are really good friends (not stuck up, stupid blondes)
From this information I learned, I realized that if information like this exists to prove stereotypes wrong, not everyone knows the information. So, I knew going into this that some people would support my decision to join ΚΑΘ, and others wouldn't.
When I got into the sorority, of course, my mom cried, as expected.
"It's your first day, Adrena, get down here!" my mom yells.
"I'm coming!"
As my foot leaves the last wooden stair, I realize that Mercy has probably messaged me back.
I run up to get my phone.
Message from Mercy Sandt
I can't find it!! What street is it on?
Message from Asher Lloyd
This is going to sound pathetic but I can't find my frat house. Do you know where it is??
I sit down at the table where Shelly begins to throw questions at me:
"Are you excited for today?"
"Are you scared at all?"
"What are you going to wear today?"
"Yes, a little, and I don't know."
"Come on, you gotta wear something cute," she says.
"If by cute you mean some shirt and leggings, then okay."
"You're so stubborn Adrena," Shelly says, rolling her eyes.
"I'm having fun being stubborn."
"I guess that's what matters, right?"
"Of course. Happiness is key," I tell her.
I eat the exquisite and healthy balanced breakfast that I've just prepared myself (fruit loops) and dart upstairs to throw on some clothes.
I don't feel like an adult.
But that doesn't mean I'm not ecstatic to be one.