Khadijah ✔️

• 29 •

• God one more chapter guys I can't believe it. I just wanna day thank you for sticking around for this long. Your reading means so much to me. So thank you. •

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Khadijah stared at her figure in the mirror in her bedroom. She smoothed down the blouse on the loose, black trousers. A lot of things have changed in the last few months. She grew into becoming a more confident in the woman that she has become. It was the very first day of university. It was her chance to start all over again and put whatever happened in the past behind her.

After she graduated from high school, she gave herself some time off. She was finally able to dig into who she really was and she learned to accept it. She has come a long way. Khadijah smiled confidently at herself as she grabbed her purse and she walked out of her bedroom door.

The moment she walked down the stairs was just like she imagined it would be. Her mother's hand on her father's shoulder as tears were about to stream down his eyes.

"Dad," she paused. "I'm just going to college. It's not like I'm moving out of the house."

Her dad chuckled, "I know that, kiddo but, you're still going to college. One day you're off to pre-school next thing I know you're going to university."

She laughed lightly as she hugged her dad. "Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere if that's what you are worried about," she assured him.

He pulled away slightly, "you better not be."

Khadijah laughed as she hugged her mom. She was glad that she had a good relationship with her parents. Not a lot of people her age had that with their parents. She knew she was very lucky.

"Alright, now go. You don't wanna be late on your very first day," her mom told her.

Khadijah nodded. "Okay. Buy Mom, buy Dad. I love you," she said, smiling widely.

"We love you, too. Now go, before the waterworks start," her mother said pointing at her dad.

Khadijah chuckled before she closed the door behind her as she headed for her car that her dad just bought for her. It was her graduation present from her parents. She was awfully thankful she was an only child.

As soon as she set foot on campus, butterflies from last night that she has been holding together were set free. She took in a deep breath and headed for her first lecture.

When she walked in, she was met with new faces. Some faces she was able to recognize front the orientation and the meet and greet about a week before. She was looking for a seat when she heard an almost familiar voice.

"Hey, you can sit here if you want," she turned around to find a girl smiling sweetly. She had auburn hair that reached her mid back with a half up half down hairstyle. She had dark brown, almost black eyes.

"Hi Camellia," Khadijah offered her hand. Camellia smiled back as she pulled Khadijah into a hug. "Hi Khadijah, how have you been doing?"

"I've been good. What is your major?" Khadijah asked.

"I'm taking pharmacy. What about you?" Camellia replied.

"I am taking nursing. I really love to help people and this might just be the best way to do that," Camellia smiled.

"You haven't changed a bit since high school. I mean we just graduated but a lot of people change in those few months. But you... if you changed... it was for the better. The best parts of you are just... the same."

Khadijah smiled widely, "thanks Camellia. That means a lot."