Oblivion of the Parallel World

Chapter 1: Beginnings

The sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon, casting a golden glow across the sprawling campus of the University of California. The early morning light filtered through the windows of a cozy apartment, illuminating the cluttered desk and the stacks of textbooks piled high on every surface. Elise sat cross-legged on her bed, a cup of coffee warming her hands as she gazed out at the bustling world beyond.
Her thoughts wandered back to her childhood in the small, coastal town of Monterey. It was a place where the salty sea breeze intertwined with the scent of blooming flowers, and where she and her best friend, Patricia, had spent countless hours exploring tide pools and weaving intricate stories about the fantastical creatures they imagined lived there.
Elise smiled at the memory, feeling a pang of nostalgia. She and Patricia had been inseparable since kindergarten, their bond forged through shared secrets and endless adventures. It was only fitting that they had ended up at the same university, continuing their journey together into adulthood.
Her phone buzzed, breaking her reverie. It was a message from Patricia: "Meet at the quad in 10?"
Elise quickly replied, "On my way!" She took a final sip of her coffee and grabbed her backpack, heading out the door.
The quad was already alive with activity. Students hurried to their classes, laughter and chatter filling the air. Elise spotted Patricia near the fountain, her long blonde hair shimmering in the sunlight. Standing next to her were Reese, Dominic, and Landon, the friends they had made since starting university.
Reese, with her fiery red hair and quick wit, had a knack for making everyone laugh. Dominic, tall and athletic, exuded a quiet confidence that drew people to him. And Landon, with his thoughtful eyes and easygoing nature, was the steady anchor of their group.
"Hey, Elise!" Patricia called out, waving enthusiastically.

Elise jogged over, grinning. "Hey, guys! What’s up?"

"Just planning our next study session," Dominic said, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. "We’ve got that big history exam coming up."

Elise’s heart gave a little flutter at his smile. She had harbored a crush on Dominic since the first semester, but she had never found the courage to tell him. She glanced at Reese, who was looking at Dominic with an expression she knew all too well. Reese had feelings for him too, though she kept them well hidden behind her playful demeanor.

"Count me in," Elise said, pushing her feelings aside. "I could use all the help I can get."

"Same here," Landon added. "I think I barely scraped through the last one."

They settled onto the grass, books and notes spread out around them. As they discussed the intricacies of ancient civilizations, Elise couldn’t help but marvel at how normal everything seemed. University life was a whirlwind of lectures, study sessions, and occasional parties, but it was the small moments with her friends that she cherished the most.

Between discussions about historical events and teasing jokes, Elise's mind occasionally wandered. She thought about how far she had come from her quiet life in Monterey, the comforting routine of her childhood replaced by the unpredictable excitement of university. She felt a deep sense of gratitude for the friends she had made and the experiences she was having.

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, the group decided to take a break. They headed to the campus café, the familiar scent of coffee and pastries greeting them as they walked in. They found a table by the window, and Elise watched as Dominic and Landon engaged in a friendly debate about their favorite sports teams.

Patricia leaned over to Elise, her voice low. "So, have you told him yet?"

Elise shook her head, feeling her cheeks heat up. "No, and I don’t think I will. He’s got enough on his plate without me adding to it."

Patricia sighed. "You never know, Elise. Sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith."

Elise smiled, appreciating Patricia’s encouragement but feeling uncertain. "Maybe someday."

Their conversation was interrupted by Reese, who returned from the counter with a tray of drinks. "Alright, everyone, caffeine boost incoming!"

As they sipped their coffees and chatted about their plans for the weekend, Elise felt a comforting sense of normalcy. It was a typical day in the life of a university student, filled with laughter, friendship, and the occasional pang of unspoken feelings.

Little did they know that their lives were about to take an extraordinary turn, one that would challenge everything they knew about reality and themselves. But for now, they were just five friends enjoying the simplicity of the present moment, unaware of the incredible journey that lay ahead.