Go Gators...I Guess?

Chapter 1

Has one thing ever changed your life so much? Did you realize how it would change your life eventually did time have to pass for you to notice?

I believe everything happens for a reason. Whether those outcomes are good or bad, they have a purpose. For example: Today, I went to the local supermarket. My purpose? I needed food. I bought the cheap, Great Value brand spaghetti noodles. Why? I'm a broke college kid. See how that works out? I could go on and on. All these causes and effects shape me. One cause, though, affected me in ways I had no idea I would be affected in...

You see, I live in the smallest town in the most barren state ever. Really I should say 'lived' in because I no longer accompany my childhood home. Since the beginning of middle school, I knew the world had so much to offer me. At that time, I had never seen the ocean or a beach for that matter. Missoula, Montana only offers so much...and I yearned for something so much more.

Beginning in the sixth grade I decided that college would be my not-so-obvious ticket out. My social life tumbled down as my grades soared. I broke records in my school, excelled in math, and ended up with a higher score on my first ACT than half the senior body and I was only a seventh grader at the time. Colleges recruited me from everywhere. Scholarship opportunities flooded my mail box. I felt so accomplished.

I did not have much of a social life. I had maybe three friends? I would hang out with them sometimes but I would rather be home reading a book half the time. Many of the kids I went to school with were fake a lot. To say the least, I learned from an early age that negative people were irrelevant to me. That philosophy was the key to my success.

So by the middle of my junior year in high school, I graduated. Everyone thought I was crazy. "What about your graduation?" Did not care. I would rather have a small family commencement ceremony than my whole graduating class. I didn't even talk to half of them. "You'll never experience prom!" Okay? Chances are I wouldn't even go. Like who would I go with? Seemed more stressful than fun any how. "What about your friends?" What about them? They used me as a back up plan. They cared for me and I cared for them, but my dreams came first in my life. I know I made the right choice and that's all that matters to me. My parents were not too happy about it at first but they knew I wanted to do it. They supported me throughout the whole process. I'm blessed.

I applied to east coast schools. I was given so many opportunities. After much consideration, I decided to go to the University of Florida in Gainesville. I had no idea what I wanted to major in or what my plan was. I was only sixteen then.

Now, somewhere around two years later, I'm a sophomore in college while my friends are freshmen in college. My summer classes have put me further though.

As for my life now, it's GREAT! I am debating whether or not I should go home for the summer or take summer classes here in Gainesville. I made one of my now closest friends during my last summer semester. Her name is Lorraine. Lorraine was petite. Her hair is a very light brown color along with her skin. I've always been jealous of her skin tone. I too have a great tan but only in the spring/summer time. Lorraine's is a year round tan.

Neither one of us play sports or are part of a sorority...or anything like that. Lorraine, like myself, graduated early; but not as early as me. She turned 19 this year and graduated when she was 17. We met in our summer speech class. Both of us were shy and we helped each other overcome our shyness. Lorraine and I passed the class with flying colors.

Anyways, we stuck to one another and have been glued together ever since. Lorraine is the girl every other girl secretly hates but doesn't want to. She's so sweet and so pretty. Whenever she's in a group of people, all attention is on her but she doesn't ask for it. She's bubbly and charismatic but shy as well. It's weird but refreshing. Guys flock to her. Once again, she doesn't ask for that either. She's humble. I have no idea where I would be without her.

Obviously, we became roomies. I've got her back and she's got mine.

As this spring semester ends, I realize my birthday is sneaking around the corner. The big 18. Finally legal and I can officially go to jail. Lorraine wants me to go out on my birthday, but I'm really not feeling it. My birthday is May 14th and my final exam is the day before. So I cannot use that as my excuse to stay in.

"Come on! I'll plan the whole night out, Maisy!" Lorraine begs.

"Okay. I'll go out." I promise.

What have I gotten myself into?