The Best Days

Chapter 3 Part 2

"So I guess this is it, squirt."

Josh wrestled my head under his arm and gave me a noogie. I struggled out of his hold and pushed him away playfully.

The day had finally come. I was finally and officially in college. After a long, long road trip me and Josh had gotten to Coconut Beach a little after noon. He'd stayed to help me bring up all of my belongings into Saturnus. A couple of friendly guys who would be living on my floor helped him lug most of the heavy things inside. One even offered to help me find all my classes. I'd declined of course, Erika had decided this would be our first course of action once we were settled in on campus.

I had finally finished packing out my stuff. My side of the room was bright with my pink floral comforter and Marilyn Monroe pop art poster. I had hung a map of the school as well as a corkboard. The first thing I'd posted was my neatly written out school schedule. On my desk I laid out my planner, my pens and pencils, as well as all my already labeled folders and notebooks.

I had even hung up a Jenny and Ashley poster right in the middle. I knew it probably was a bit overboard but I'd been bored at home and the poster and 3-D poster paint had just spoken to me. In comparison to my side the other side of the room was barren. Stripped bed and blank walls. I was disappointed that my roommate hadn't arrived yet because I was so anxious to meet her.

"You gonna walk me out?"

Josh was staring forlornly at the door jingling his keys in his hands.

I felt a lump rise into my throat. This was it. Joshua had to leave out early if he planned on making it back to Texas in time for his first class. It was nice of him to take out more time to accompany me to school and help me get settled in.

I felt the tears rush to my eyes and like a baby I was crying. Joshua pulled me into a bear hug. He was so much bigger than me, whenever he was near I felt safe.

I started to cry harder. I was going to miss him so much.

"Aw, kid, you're acting like you're never going to see me again. We have Thanksgiving, right?"

I nodded and sniffled. "Y-yeah, Thanksgiving." Which was so far away...

He held me away from him and looked directly into my eyes, "Make me proud, you here?" He ruffled my hair. "I want to be able to brag about you to all of my friends."

I smiled through my tears, "I wouldn't want to disappoint all of your smelly friends."

"Thatta girl." He headed towards the door and I followed him out. He paused at the entrance and gave me one last look. "I love you, Jen."

"I love you, too, Josh." I choked back my tears. "Now leave before I cry again."

He threw up his hands in mock horror and out the back door exit he went. I watched him go until the door finally swung close.

I stared at it a bit dejectedly before I headed back down the hall into my room. I noted that I lived on the east side of the third floor. There were about 18 rooms on either side with two boys or two girls per room continuing on and alternating until the end of the hall. Right in the middle of 3-East was the girls' bathroom and the boys' bathroom.

I was three doors down from the back door exit. I read the names on each of the doors as I passed by. Sarah and Lisa, Jacob and Michael, Katy and Janice, Cody and Brian....

I had already met Jacob and Michael, two best friends from Maryland, when they helped me move in. They lived across the hall from me. But I had yet to personally meet anybody else on my floor. Not that I wanted to at the moment.