It Doesn't Really Matter, Anyway

1: Room 1008

It seemed to be getting brighter- the sun. 

That can't be good.

Rays of light shift in and out of vision as Rie tried to keep her eyes shut. To her, it seemed she'd only slept for a few hours when in truth, it had been a solid 9. She turned, putting her back to the window while her eyes kept shut. 

I need more sleep.

Then her bed started to rumble. 

"FUCK." She whispered in aggravation, and she spun around feeling for her phone to silence it.

I was hoping the sun wouldn't rise.

She got up reluctantly, and padded her way to the bathroom.

It was the usual routine, but now with a sense of dread attached to it- she starts college today and no, she was not excited.

First, her clothes come off and she steps into the shower, taking time to soak in the heat of the water. Then she gets out, brushes her teeth, and puts on her clothes. She makes her way to the dining table where her mom sat, waiting. Her breakfast was ready.

"Sooooooo, first day of college, huh? You excited?" 

Her mom was always the nosy type. She always asked questions, always conversed even when Rie didn't want to.

"Morning, mom." Rie replied, pulling her chair back and grabbing her fork before sitting down and digging into her plate of eggs, bacon, and toast.

"I added a little extra pepper. Thought it might wake you up today since you like it so much." Her mom said, accomplishment showing all over her face.

"Thanks mom, and I don't know how to feel about today."

"Oh? How come? It's college! You should be excited!"

"Yeah, but I don't know if you remember mom, that I've never had many friends in school."

"Oh, hush! This is a different type of school. People are free-er, more open. And you should be too."

Rie sat, silent and ruminating on her mother's statement.

Me? Open and free? That's a joke.

******

Okay, deep breaths. Just take deep breaths.

Clutching the strap of her shoulder bag in one hand, and her notebook and pen in the other, Rie stood in front of her classroom door- Room 1008.

It seemed so big, so daunting. 

Oh God, it's the door to hell, isn't it?

Her anxiety was spiking, and she could feel her heart in her throat. All she wanted to do was run, screaming.