Amiss

Chapter 2 - Ava

My first night living out of home by myself was beyond tame it's almost embarrassing. After gorging on my delectable feast of Chinese food, I took my time selecting a movie, and within five minutes, I was out cold on the couch. I spent all that time making my fresh bed and didn't even sleep in it.

After waking up on Saturday morning groggy and with a very stiff neck, I ventured out for grocery shopping. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of going to a mall instead of the local shopping centre. Not only was it unexpectedly massive, but I'd also never seen so many shops in one place before, it was so crowded, and there were such long checkout queues. I'm not going to tell Kyal about how I lost my car in the multistorey parking lot. After that debacle, I spent Sunday in the apartment mentally preparing myself for the whole reason I moved here, my first day of University.

After my excitement wore off, the loneliness crept in, and the all too quiet apartment seemed eerie. Even though I spoke to my mum, Kyal, and best-friend Katy, it simply wasn't the same. No amount of video calls and messages can make up for that genuine human connection. And It's only been two days.

As much as I hate admitting it, I already miss home too. Not the town itself but more the comfort of my childhood home. I've lived there my entire life so maybe it's only natural. But it's the little things like how my mum loves baking, so the house always smells delicious. My dog Philo who gets so excited to see you even if you only left the room for a minute. I miss his cute little face and ever wagging tail. I just have to face facts that it's going to take some time for me to adjust and become comfortable here.

My phone dings on the bedside table, and I reach over to spy a message from my mum.

*Good luck today, honey; we're so proud of you. xo*

The words bring a smile to my lips before I drag myself out of bed. Out of habit, I make a coffee, which does nothing but perpetuate my anxiety before dawdling away the rest of my time, making sure my waist-long brown hair is perfectly straight and makeup is on point. After dressing in a white mid-length summer dress, I assess myself in front of the mirrored sliding robe. Even though my look is over the top, my aim is to make a new friends today and dressing up always boosts my confidence.

Nodding in satisfaction at my reflection I grab my packed bag from the couch before locking up the apartment. Making my way to my car, the cool morning air caresses my bare arms as goosebumps prickle my skin. Sliding into my baby blue Mini Cooper, I twist the heater dial up while turning the key in the ignition yet nothing happens. I jiggle the key uselessly in the barrel but the engine doesn't turn over. Several minutes of trying pass before I admit defeat with a groan. The battery must have died but there's not enough time to call roadside assistance. I cuss at myself for wasting so much time on my wayward hair.

Pulling my phone out of my bag with a frown I notice Kyal still hasn't replied to my last message but shake off the thought, I have more pressing matters. I have 20 minutes to get to orientation, and my maps application informs me the campus is about 25 minutes away on foot. I spy a bus stop across the road and hope I don't have to resort to walking. After some quick scrolling, I'm relieved to discover that the bus on my street will take me directly to campus, and it's due in five minutes. I breathe a sigh of relief that the crisis is averted. At least I'm not going to be late on my very first day.

The cold wind swirls around me as I hastily dash across the road to the nearest bus stop. It's too late now to turn back and grab a jacket. Rubbing at my bare arms, I hope the wind won't find me under the bus shelter. I round the corner and balk, seeing a man occupying the seat; he's dressed head to toe in black, a hood, beanie and long hair shroud his pale face. His long legs extend across the entire bench, and a lit cigarette dangles from his lips. I'm about ready to retreat from the strange man when he notices me. Our eyes lock, blue on the most captivating hazel. Underneath all that scruff a handsome face peeks out. His eyes widen, and his lips part, causing his cigarette to drop straight out of his mouth onto the sidewalk.