Chasing The Sun

chapter 1

"Do you have everything ready?" my mother asked, looking at my suitcases. I nodded my head slowly.

My mother pulled me into a hug. I was starting college today and my mother thought that it would be a good experience for me to stay on campus. I had never been away from home and the thought alone was utterly terrifying. I never got along well with kids my age. All my friends back home had been stuck up and rude.

"Okay, we'd better get going," I sighed, grabbing my bag. My mother helped by taking a suitcase, carefully moving around the bustle of the airport. She flew down with me to make sure that I arrived safely. On the way over there, she chatted nonstop. Asking me if I was ready. No. If I was excited. No. If I was sure I wanted to do this. No. Of course, my verbal answer to all of the above had been yes. I had to keep reminding myself that this was a good idea and I was going to like it.

First semester didn't start for another week, but I thought it would be a good idea for me to arrive early so I could get settled in and hopefully meet some people.

The flight was a quick one. I slept most of the way. When we arrived at the airport, my mother requested an Uber and we began making our way over.

I glanced out of the window and zoned out, my mother continuing to chatter away. By the time I came to my senses, we were pulling up at Northwestern University. The campus was busy. Busier than I had expected it to be. Summer break was just coming to an end and I had expected everyone to hold onto their last few moments of summer. I had been wrong. Girls were squealing and hugging one another, parents were waving goodbye and the guys were greeting each other excitedly, looking at girls, probably trying to figure out who their next target would be.

"Do you want me to come in with you?" my mother asked me. Yes.

"No mom, it's okay," I smiled weakly and she smiled back at me, tears in her eyes.

"Oh honey, what am I going to do without you?"

"You'll be fine, mom. I'll be home to visit in no time," I responded.

After a very emotional goodbye, I jumped out of the car and made my way to reception, struggling with my bag and two boxes of belongings. When I got there, I was greeted by a very friendly-looking elderly lady.

"Hello dear, how can I help you?" She smiled at me. I smiled back.

"I'm Nova Gonzalez, could I please get a map of the campus and my room key?"

"Of course, dear. One second please." She began typing away on her laptop and I waited patiently. "Here is your access card and a map of the campus. You're in Room 403 and your roommate is Aspen Anderson."

Roommate? I had not been expecting a roommate. Oh, dear God. I gulped nervously but managed to keep a smile on my face. I smiled at the lady and thanked her before making my way to Room 403. It was quite a walk, let me tell you that. By the time I finally arrived at the dorm, I was huffing and puffing.

I made my way into the room and chucked my belongings on the floor, allowing myself to take a much needed breath. I placed my hands on my hips and blew my hair out of my face, taking in my surroundings.

A girl was sitting on the bed, looking at me with a small smile on her face. She was stunning, with brown hair and dark brown eyes. After a few seconds of her staring at me and me staring at her, she burst out laughing.

"Hey, you must be Nova, right?" she asked, standing up from her bed, still giggling.

I blushed slightly and nodded, "Yes, and you're Aspen?"

"Right you are," she replied. "Here let me give you a hand." She grabbed my boxes and put them on my bed.

"Thank you," I said, placing my suitcase in the corner. "It was a nightmare getting those things up here."