AGAIN

Chapter Two

Flashback

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Clock ticks.

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I started packing everything as early as 5:00 in the morning.  Not too excited to leave for college, huh? Tension, excitement, and a lot of mixed emotions consumed me, several questions filling my head.

How would it feel to be in a new place with new people? Would I even make friends? My classmates used to call me weirdo and I was a favorite target of bullies, that's after my brother graduated and left me in that psychological prison. I wondered if they still exist in college, but I'd seen a lot of movies about it, I knew it'd be worse. Oh god. These and more worried me.

Plus, I'd surely miss my cosy mansard room, our peaceful neighborhood, and even my former school, although I could count with my fingers those few good memories in highschool.  Where did those times go?

As I made my way to grab Mr. Cookie to put him inside the bag, my mom, who's ironically named Mercy, snatched the teddy bear from my hands.

“No, no, no...” I snatched it back from her and hugged my dearest Mr. Cookie.

“For godsake, Dale! You're not a baby anymore. You can't bring that toy with you.”

I rolled my eyes. My mom grabbed my teddy away from me again.

“There is no way I’m leaving Mr. Cookie here! No. Never.” I glared at her, pulling it from her grip.

“Jesus Dale!" She pressed her eyes close for a second. "Listen to me. Aren't you worried bout what your roommate might think?  The world out there is bigger, with different types of people, kind ones and more evil ones. They will prey on you if they sense your weakness! This conversation is over, don’t be stupid. Give me that!”

Stepping back from the woman who had the same pair of emerald eyes like me,  I brought Mr. Cookie even closer. She tried to pull it again but gave up eventually, tugging her shoulder-length brown hair in complete frustration. The telephone started ringing downstairs, just my luck, and soon she was gone. I sighed in relief.

I just couldn’t leave Mr. Cookie. He’d be sad. He'd die broken-hearted. I stared into my teddy’s glossy eyes, lingering there for what seemed like eternity, until it finally hit me.

I thought of my brother. He studied and worked at the same time to help pay the bills. Perhaps, I could be just like him. I'd been pampered too much since I was a kid but guess it wasn't too late to change. I wanted to be independent.

After 10 minutes of processing everything in my 5-year old brain, I turned to the shelf and gently placed Mr. Cookie. I swore he looked like he was about to cry. I wanted to grab him back— Let me go. Move on. I thought I heard him say something.

I shook my head and for the last time, I stared at my teddy and gently patted its head. Wish me luck, buddy.

Sighing, I turned my back before I could change my mind. I zipped the last of my bags and went downstairs for my last home-cooked breakfast this spring.

Yes, Dale Ritchie is finally going to college.

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This is it. Happy Independence Day!!

I inhaled deeply and pushed the door to reveal my dorm room. But then—

Holy crap! What’s that smell?