When We Collide (Temporarily On Hold)

1 🌸

I take a deep breathe as the cab makes one more turn before stopping in front of the iron gates of West Sampson University.

I'm not entirely sure what I was expecting from WSU. Certainly not a party or parade celebrating my arrival, but standing on the campus in front of me I can't help the wave of nausea that washes over me. I made it here, just as I had been planning for the last year.

So why the hell was I this nervous?!

The eight hour train ride to Sampson was what can only be described as a relief. It's like I could feel the past lifting off my shoulders.

I am finally out of that small town!

I was beginning to think I would be stuck there forever. I can't handle the looks of pity every where I went and the rumors swirling around. It's been almost a year and still they can't stop the small town gossip.

Sampson was a major change from Acala, one that I felt more than ready for except for all the incredibly rude college kids that keep bumping into me.

"Excuse me!" I say for the millionth time even though they are bumping into me.

Seriously, am I invisible? I continue my trek, fumbling with my bags while looking for my dorms. Heaven forbid someone actually help me or you know they have some sort of sign that says which ways to go. 

I stand near the giant statue of the Bear mascot in the middle of the quad surrounded by the tall buildings. The Food hall and science hall stand the tallest and I am beginning to feel more out of my element. Maybe that college tour would have been a good idea, but instead I focused on trying to get the scholarship. I didn't get a full ride, but my tuition and dorm will be paid for, so I guess it was worth it.

I look around the campus in a daze. I really don't know what I was expecting, but I built those expectations so high that I can't help feel a little disappointed.

What if this fresh start isn't the right one?

"You look lost. Where ya headed?" I turn on my heel to see a blonde girl with bright blue eyes staring at me expectantly.

"Um..McGreggor Hall?"

"You sound a little unsure." She laughs before stretching her hand to me.

"I'm Ryan, Yes it's a boys name, my parents were breaking 'Gender roles' or something." Her use of finger quotes and the way she rolls her eyes has me stifling a laugh.

"Brinley. Call me Brin. Thanks." Ryan grabs my roller suitcase and motions for me to follow her.

We pass the food hall and pass a group of rowdy frat guys throwing a football. To be fair, I don't know that they are frat guys, they just give off that cliche frat guy vibe that you always see in movies. For all I know they could be science majors.

I doubt it, but still.

They let out a few cat calls as we pass. More than likely appreciating Ryan in her curve hugging leggings and low cut tank top.None of them look twice at the small town girl in loose fitted jeans and her brothers old Nirvana T-shirt. I roll my eyes for all woman kind, everywhere. 

Typical males.

"So what are you gonna be studying?" Ryan asks as we approach a tall building the says MCGREGGOR HALL in big bold letters across the front.

I can't help but wonder which of these windows will be mine.

"Haven't really decided yet. I'm starting with just the basics for right now." I don't want to get into how I was to focused on just getting out of Acala, that I never actually thought of what I want to major in.

"Same. So many choices, I can't help but be envious at those who've known forever what they want to do." She laughs and I can't help but wish I had her laugh.

It's so melodious and lady like. When I laugh I sound like the bad guy from Princess bride. It's inconceivable.

The air conditioning hits me as soon as the door opens to the dorms. I say a silent thank you to whoever invented air conditioning, especially in the August heat.

Come winter, I will be begging for summer though. Why can't it just be in-between the two seasons year round?

The ground floor of the dorms is seriously like a lobby to a hotel. The linoleum floors are polished to the point that I can practically see my reflection. There are a few couches scattered around as well as some study tables.

"I wonder if that's what I looked like yesterday." Ryan muses, watching my awe struck face, as she leads me to the elevators.

"What room are you in?" Ryan looks at the elevator doors as we wait for them to open. Apparently she is going to walk me to my room too?

"528." I do a mental high five that I didn't have to double check the paper or key in my pocket.

The door dings and she holds it open, standing in front of the door as I continue to fumble along. She reaches for the buttons and presses the '5' before turning to face me.

"I'm in 532 so we are just done the hall."

"Are you a freshman too?" She nods as she watches the floors rise.

"Yeah, I arrived yesterday." The bell dings and opens to reveal a long hallway with the ugliest red checkered carpet I have every seen.

Boxes littered the hallway as other people continued to move into their dorms, not paying attention to us walking by them.

"Well maybe we can hang sometime, Brin." Ryan says as we stop in front of the brown wooden door with the black number '528' in bold.

"Yeah that sounds great." and truthfully it does. I was worried I wouldn't make a friend and now I practically have one.

"Great, I'll catch you later." Ryan gives a little wave and continues down the hallway to her dorm.

I turn the door knob and push the door open with a slight squeak of the hinges.

A single bed is pushed into the corner of the room. A desk is pushed into the other corner, next to a plain looking dresser. I didn't know that I had a single dorm, but I am not really mad. I was nervous about living with someone else anyway.

It's not the room I had back in Acala, but with some rearranging and personal touches, it will be home in no time.

Something Acala hasn't been for over a year.

<3 <3 <3 <3