How To Love ✓

4.

Amara

"Wake up sunshine, we're here," a supple force laid on my shoulder, making me jolt awake. The first thing my gaze rested upon was the renaissance stoned gate we drove into.

It wasn't anything I imagined. It was so much more.

The campus was totally different from the brochure I clutched between my fingers. As the buildings seemed like a huge fort on the cover, it was more fascinating in real life. Cotton helped me out of the car, and I wrapped an arm around his waist for support. "You okay Mars?" he asked, his voice filled with concern. I only nodded.

"Take a few deep breaths Mars." I was relieved when I noticed that no one was staring at me as they all seemed too busy bidding their families goodbye. Others hurriedly rush through the doors in excitement to explore the school.

I smiled widely. "I'm in university guys."

The orientation was concise and educational. I sat in the hallway that separate the principal's and the OA's offices as mum and Luke spoke to my dorm advisor.

A kind middle aged woman gave me my dorm keys and offered to show me around when I'm up for it. I thanked her and set off to find my room. My parents eventually follow, slowly walking behind me as they took little moments to examine and admire the school's interior.

"So, you'll be sharing a room, so sorry we couldn't get you a single dorm," Luke atoned. I turned around and notice that him and Cotton were struggling to tote my 4 suitcases, which, by the way, is not that full as they make it seem.

I giggled at their frustration.

"I only hope the girl is clean and doesn't do weed or pot because I will schedule a room transfer immediately," mum adds her input.

I had observed a few students giving me judging looks, however a group of girls sent small smiles to me.

"I just hope she's nice to me," I responded nervously. Like my mum had said before, I cared about what others thought of me. TOO much, in my defense. I guess that's one trait I'll be working on this year.

After a few minutes of circling the floor, we finally found my room number.

"Room 107," mum squeals. I slide the key into the lock with the door making a creaking sound as I opened it slowly. As the room came to view, the first thing I noticed was the amount of free space that separated my roommate and I.

I'm elated because I wouldn't want to be in their way and vice versa. Two tiny beds occupy either side accompanied by two tiny yet neat looking desks and chairs, closets, a chest of drawers and a coat rack filled the space.

My eyes widened as they fell onto the petite blonde who suddenly walked out of a door which, I assumed, led to our shared bathroom. I examined as she plopped onto the bed next to the window. She raised her head and looked on at the lot, a wide smirk of gaiety playing off on her lipstick-stained lips.

I cleared my throat, trying to form words as they fail to appear in my conscious. She seemed a bit nervous, looking over to the bathroom and back to us.

I was the first to speak but it came out more like an embarrassing blurt than the formal greeting I practiced.

"You're really beautiful."

She stood from her position, smoothening out her skirt. Chuckling, she remarked, "When you're here to steal the show? I reckon my dear."

"Thank you so much," I started to say. "I'm-"

"Syl, where are the extra towels?" a deep voice cut me off from the bathroom. The sound of feet padded across the tiled floor and out revealed a figure only clad in a tight grey Calvin Klein boxers.