A New Journey

Ch3. Catching Up

"Cerys, are you sure that you are absolutely safe? We both know that your father and I can book a flight right now, and be there in a few hours," my mother's words come out quick and shrill, but I know that she only means well. Last night when we got back to the dorms I immediately climbed into my bed and fell asleep but also completely forgetting to unpack my things. Now with my phone squeezed between my cheek and shoulder I speak with my worried mother while unpacking items.

"I mean, can we ever really know that we are safe? Death is inevitable after all," I say in a sarcastic tone knowing that it is probably making my mother feel worse.

"Cerys An-," I cut her off as she begins my middle name.

"Mom, I am fine. I still carry around both the pepper spray and the blade that dad got me for my eighteenth, so in the event that I am not safe, I can at least protect myself." I repeat the phrase that I've done so many times before, it is pretty much routine for us now whenever I reach uncharted territory.

"And the police?" she asks, "on speed dial," I answer back quickly. She sighs and in my head, I can see her pinching the space between her brows.

"Okay, Mommy and Daddy love you, do not forget to call your sister and let her know you are alive and we love you."

"I will and I love ya too," with a press of my finger I hang up and finish smashing the last box with the bottom of my shoe.

"Did you tell mama Castallanta that I miss her?" asks Willow while strolling into the room with what I can assume is a mimosa in hand.

"Uh...it didn't come up. Seriously though? It is like 10 something in the morning," I toss the cardboard box remnants into the pile of other smashed boxes.

"Hey, it is basically an adult orange juice. Are you hungry, because I am. Let's go get some food in our stomachs; the dining hall should be open." Willow grabs my arm and we leave the dorm.

...

"No fucking way," I whisper under my breath as I see Serena sitting beside some other girl eating bagels. Serena is hard to miss from her thick false lashes and a bubble of gum that she quickly pops. Her light brown hair fell just before her shoulders in small waves. When she lifts her drink to her mouth I can see the tattoo she got from her cousin when Serena was fourteen that reads "Filipino Princess".

"HI, HELLO!" The girl next to Serena gets up and comes quickly to Willow and me, her quick steps matching her bubbly tone.

"My friend and I moved in last night but you two are the only other new faces I have come across. My name is Valerie Wong; my family moved here from Calabasas a year ago-" I hold my hand, Valerie stops talking and her dark brown eyes sadden. I internally sigh at the fact of me meeting someone who is also taller than me. Valerie is probably 5'5 but the top bun on her head makes her look taller. Valerie is dressed in an outfit that I can only describe as something the kids in student council wore.

"Nice to meet you, but let me drink something to wake me up before we continue this already too energized conversation any further." I try to give a smile to brush the harshness off my tone but when I hear Willow clear her throat I know she will explain things for me.

"Don't worry Valerie, she just comes off as a bitch...but eventually, she will rub off on you," I smile to myself at Willow's typical apology for me, as some things never change. It is not that I do not like people, it is the socializing part that literally drains me, especially after unpacking boxes most of the morning. Willow has always been the one who could strike up a conversation with anyone, while I was the one who relished in an awkward silence.

"Hmm, when does 'eventually' soak in because I'm still waiting," says Serena in an annoyed tone but when I turn to see her she flashes a bright smile and pulls me in for a hug.