H E R...

Chapter 4: 𝐻𝑒𝓁𝓁𝑜 𝐻𝒶𝓇𝓋𝒶𝓇𝒹

    After an hour drive from the airport, we were finally standing in front of Harvard's campus. HAVARD! I was in complete awe. My mom still wasn't that thrilled about me making this decision behind her back, but she was here. Right by my side.

"What's wrong Paisley, having second thoughts." She said with a hence of I told you so in her voice.

"I assure you mom, I am exactly where I want to be." Looking at her with the biggest smile.

"Fine." Was all she said.

We found one of the local council students handing out flyers and we asked him for directions to the building of my dorm.

"Hello excuse me, could you help us with something I'm new here and I'm trying to find my dorm room," I asked nervously.

He turned around eagerly wanting to help and as soon as he saw who was speaking to him, it's almost like he lost his speech for a second.

"— Eh, Hi he-llo, I'm Franklin nice to meet you and I would love to help." He said in a haste realizing he was starring.

"Let's see, which building is your dorm located?"

"Ehhh, it's in.... Hollis Hall." I said looking through the papers I received during orientation.

He smiled and stated, "hey that's where my dorm is located. Well on a different floor of course." He said directing his statement to my mom.

"Well that's wonderful she said." Looking at me now through sharp eyes.

I already knew what she was thinking at this point. Oh lord, and the journey begins.

Franklin gave us the directions to my building and luckily we were close by. I was tired of lugging around these suitcases. On the way towards my building I noticed so much, really taking in the grounds of my dream school. I took in the large sums of students who were either playing chess, reading books or engaging in political or educational debates. It was definitely a change in scenery from Northview High. I did also notice the different cliques on campus. Saw a few athletes throwing a football back and forth, cheerleaders near by practicing routines. Like come on, school hasn't even started, is practicing on the grounds really necessary? I assume it's to get the attention of the football players but hey, who am I to judge. I naively assumed Harvard was strictly geeks and computer nerds. Turns out it was still a typical college with typical college kids.

My dorm was located on the fourth floor. I loved this building. The rooms were fairly spacious and the halls were clean. Something I could really appreciate. I only had three suitcases and a travel backpack with big white letters that read "HARVARD" that I had got from my freshman orientation. I was excited to represent. Shit I was damn proud of myself. Little black girl from Atlanta, at Harvard. You couldn't kill my joy right now.

"Well well well, look who we have here." Someone said from the doorway of my dorm.

Turning around I was almost instantly in tears when I realized who it was.

"SHYANNNNN!!!" I said running into her wrapping my arms around her so tight.

"Ok Paisley your killing me here." She said sounding like her air flow was cut off.

I couldn't help it, I was elated to see her. Ok so let me explain and give some back story. Shyann was my best friend from Atlanta. Yes, I still loved Paris and she'll always be dear to my heart. But Shyann? She held a piece of my heart entirely. We've been knowing each other since we were three. We just lost touch once Shyann's mom moved them to Texas to be with her new husband so we hadn't seen much off each other.

"What are you doing here?!" I asked with a few glistening tears in my eyes.

"Well you know, we always talked about going to Harvard and did you think I was going to let you be here without me?" She said holding her chest like I was even crazy for asking.

"Omg I just can't believe you're here." I said hugging her once more.

"Hello Shyann sweetie, come here give me a hug. It's so nice to see you again. And you turned out even more beautiful than before." My mom said stepping back to get a good view of the new Shyann that stood in front of her.

"Why thank you Mama Brown, it's really nice to see you too. I've missed you guys sooo much. Texas was fun and all, but I always missed Atlanta. More importantly I missed my best friend." She said with the most genuine smile on her face.

"Well I think it's time I make my way back to the airport and give you girls time to catch up before your classes start up." My mom looked at me with a saddened look behind her eyes.

I went to her and hugged her so tightly. Regardless of anything, I've never been so far for so long away from my mom. I was going to miss her. But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't happy to leave.

"Thanks for everything ma." I expressed genuinely.

"No problem love." She tucked the loose strand of hair behind my ear.

"You call me if you need anything at all. I love you Paisley." She hugged me one more time and with that she headed down the dorm hall.

I watched as she entered the elevator located at the end of the hall. I couldn't believe I was now on my own. Ready to make new memories and finally find that sense of peace away from the constant reminders of trauma from my past.

I vowed that I would make these next four years count. I'll study hard, stay focused and cross that stage a new woman. Ready to start a new life. My hopes for myself was for me to come out of this in a healthier mental state. Maybe even ready to have that tough conversation with my mom and rebuild our relationship.

Let's get through four years of midterms and peer pressure first.