Caught

Lily

Green eyes stare back at me as I look at the mirror. My hair hangs straight down my back, the tips touching my waist. I am wearing my favorite grey sweater over a white tank top, and my long paint-splattered skirt. I grab the hoop earrings on my ears and tug gently at them. A nervous habit.

I am switching universities and this is my first day. Today is my first day of spring semester at a new university as a freshman, and I am going to live in a dorm. After nineteen years of living at home, I am off on my own. It’s pretty nerve-wracking. I sigh and look down on my boots.

A pair of hands lands on my shoulders, and I jump slightly, my eyes meeting my father’s amused ones. I frown, but then he smiles his huge smile, and I fight to keep my mouth on a downward curve. I fail. Corey Jones has that effect on people, and his daughter is no exception.

“There’s a smile,” my dad says. He squeezes my shoulders. “You all set?”

I nod. I have already moved all my stuff to my dorm room and instead of staying there I still have chosen to spend the weekend at home. It’s not that far—just about a two-hour drive. My class starts in the afternoon, but my dad insists that I leave early to get a “feel” of the campus. I want to point out that I already did that, but I don’t argue. He’s right, after all. I have to get my butt to campus and just root myself in there, if you get what I mean.

“I can drive, you know.”

I smile a little wider. “You just want to be with your baby girl for as long as possible.”

My dad kisses the side of my head. “Of course. I can’t believe you’re nineteen.” He shakes his head. “I am getting old.”

“You say that every year, daddy,” I point out, turning around to face him. His hands drop to his sides, but he immediately reaches out and grabs my hands. Even though I’ve grown up, my father’s hands are way bigger than mine, and I love how they cover my own hands, like he’s passing on warmth to me. It makes me feel incredible.

“You’re going to be amazing,” he whispers. “And you’re going to do great things, Lily. I know it in my heart.”

“Are you trying to make me cry?” I ask, managing a slight smirk. “Because it might work.”

My father laughs and pulls me into a hug. “I’m going to miss your sassy mouth, young lady.”

I squeeze back, tears now lining my eyes. “It’s only a two-hour drive, but I’m going to miss you too, daddy.”

He pulls away and holds my face in his hands. Then he pinches my cheeks.

“Now, let me drive my baby girl to her university.”

*****

My father drops me off in front of the grounds of the University of Illinois. I make my way to my dorm room, feeling a little anxious. I have not met my roommate yet. I don’t usually have a problem meeting people, but this is a person I will be sharing a living space with. I hope she is nice.

Room 403. I bit my lip and knock. The door opens at once, and a tall girl stands in front of me. She has light blonde hair and blue eyes. Very pretty. She smiles. I feel the genuineness. I smile back.

“You must be Lily,” she says, holding out her hand. I take it in a handshake.

“And you must be Amy,” I say. She nods.

“That’s right,” Amy confirms. “The one and only Amy Richmond.” She smiles as she steps aside and sweeps a hand inside our room. “Come on in.”

I step inside and walk over to my side of the room. I sit on my bed and look over at Amy’s side. It is amusing to see how different our sides are. Amy’s is solid black and white, with touches of yellows and reds, while my side is all about color and pictures and collages.