After

Chapter 1

"Ari!" I hear my mom's voice call from downstairs. I groan and roll out of my tiny, but comfortable bed. I tuck the corners of the broadsheet into the headboard, taking my time because I won't be doing this for months.

"Ari!" She calls again.

"I'm up!" I yell back. Sounds of cabinets opening and closing are heard downstairs, the sounds of her preparing breakfast. The knot in my stomach keeps growing with every step I take to the bathroom, by the time I start the shower it's nearly unbearable. I've spent the last few years nervously anticipating college. Most of my weekends were spent studying and preparing for this day while my peers were out getting drunk, wasting their time and jeopardizing their futures. The day my acceptance letter to Washington State University came I was thrilled, it was expected but it wouldn't take any of the excitement away. My mother cried for hours and I have to admit I was pretty proud of myself. All my hard work finally paid off. I had once considered leaving Washington for college but then decided against it. I like familiarity and routines, just like my mother.

The hot water loosens my tense muscles, how long have I been in here? I hurry and wash my hair and body, lazily running a razor over my legs to remove the hair that grew over the weekend.

As I wrap a towel around my damp body, my mother calls my name again. I ignore her, I know she is nervous for my arrival at college, but I've had this day planned for months. My boyfriend Nathan will be here soon to ride with me and my mother. He is one grade younger than me and I've mentally scolded his mother for putting him in kindergarten late about a hundred times. Nathan keeps a perfect grade point average, he's brilliant and is joining me next year at WSU. I do wish he were coming now, considering I don't know a single person in college. Let's just hope I have a decent roommate, that's all I'm asking for.

"Ariana!"

"I am coming down now, please don't call my name again!" I yell as I walk down the stairs.

Nathan is sitting at the table across from my mother, dressed in a blue polo shirt and khakis, his everyday clothing. His brown hair is combed and lightly gelled to perfection.

"There's my college girl!" He smiles a bright, perfect smile and stands up to pull me into a tight hug.

"Hey." I give him an equally bright smile and pull my brown ombré hair into a bun once he releases me from his grip.

"Honey we can wait a couple minutes while you fix your hair." My mom says quietly, her disapproving eyes over me.

I make my way to the mirror in the hallway and nod, she is right. My hair must look presentable for today, and of course she did not hesitate to remind me, she never does.

"I will put your bags in the car." Nathan offers and picks up the keys from the table. With a quick kiss on my cheek, he disappears from the room. I have no idea what college will be like, will I make friends?