the fall | abel tesfaye

chapter one - leaving for college

College.

It seemed so far away from the little bubble of high school, until it crept up on me. After all of my studying and hard work, the day had finally come for me to start a new chapter in my life. 

"Arabella, hurry up, we're going to be late!"

Monique is my best friend. We're both sharing a dorm together on campus until we can save enough to finally get a little apartment. I've been dreading the little shared bathrooms and tiny rooms for so long, and I know I'm going to miss the quiet comfort of my room.

"Ara, what are you doing? Quit daydreaming and get in the car." Monique peeks her head in the doorway of my room, a frustrated expression painted on her face. Her long blonde hair cascades down her shoulders as she ducks in and out of sight within seconds.

"I'll be right down there!" I call back at her. 

I take a deep breath as I gaze at my little bedroom for the last time before I leave. This is it. 

Swinging my backpack over my shoulders and grabbing my suitcase, I begin to make my way down the stairs where Monique and my mother are chatting in the driveway. Both of their heads turn towards me as I approach. 

"Sorry, I was just making sure I didn't forget anything," I say, lugging my suitcase into the trunk of the car. "Always making us late," Monique chuckles, shooting a look at my mother.

"Look after my baby Mon, won't you?" My mother says, a hint of sadness in her expression. I know how much she is going to miss me, and I'm going to miss her just as much. "Of course! I'll make sure she breaks out of her little shell." I roll my eyes and go to hug my mother goodbye.

"I'll call you once we get there," I tell her. "Love you."

"Love you too. Be careful, both of you, and have the best time!" My mother smiles at the two of us, and I hop into the passenger seat of the car. Monique insisted on driving, claiming that I'm 'too reckless' a driver for her liking.

"You good to go?" She asks me. I nod at her. "Let's do this."

- - - - - - - - - -

Once we arrive on campus, I am shocked at how many people there are everywhere. I knew that it would be busy, but I didn't think it would be this busy.

"Mmm, day one and I'm already sensing my future boyfriend is out here," Monique laughs as we walk to get the key for our dormitory. I roll my eyes. We both know that Monique doesn't do the whole 'dating' thing. She prefers to be a free woman at all times. "Maybe we'll even find you a man here, won't we?"

"Ugh, in your dreams. College guys are the worst," I say. 

"Oh come on, Ara, you've only ever kissed one guy! Surely you're going to let yourself go a little now that you're in COLLEGE?" I just shrug my shoulders. 

I've never liked the idea of getting with random strangers at parties, nor did the idea of having a boyfriend ever strike me as important. I guess I'm not like most other girls my age. 

"Keep dreaming Mon."

We finally approach the building where we sign in to our dormitory. The woman behind the desk eyes us both before fiddling with a small blue pen in her hand and scribbling something. 

"Hi, I think we're room 401?" Monique tells the woman. She peers up at us. "The co-ed dorms?" My eyes shoot to Monique. What? She never told me this. Co-ed dorms?

"I believe so." Monique replies, and shoots me a quick look. "They were much cheaper," she mutters to me under her breath. The woman shuffles through some files on her desk before reaching for two clipboards with a large contract written on it.