Falling Apart Together

Chapter 1

Amy almost fell out of her chair as the moving truck braked hard. It seemed they'd finally arrived at her new home for the next 4 years. Raindrops fell softly on the roof, reminding her that she had left Texas.

Farrah held the door open, so she jumped out and took in her surroundings. It looked like every college ever, with rolling green fields of grass, now damp from the rain, and large old buildings.

"Alright Amy, you're room is over in the C block, on the second floor. If we're quick, you might be done moving in by 3 PM! Then you could get settled in, meet some of your neighbors…"

Amy had stopped listening after the first part. She knew her mother meant well, but it was just so tiring that she kept on trying to push her to get to know other people. Admittedly, after she stopped seeing Karma, her social life had been incredibly dull. She had kept hanging out with Shane, but he had other friends , so whenever he wasn't available, she'd just stay at home, rewatching soaps on Netflix.

As they made their way to the building, Amy gradually became more excited. College was THE place to meet new people after all. She had already met one, her new roommate. His name was Dale, and when Farrah had found out that she was going to live in a co-ed dorm room, she'd been besides herself with happiness. She really hoped Amy could be turned, led away from the dark side.

Amy didn't really care about the co-ed thing, and Dale seemed nice enough. They had chatted a bit already, and they got along quite well.

Her thoughts were interrupted by her mom opening the door for her. Only two floors separated her from her new room, and her heart started beating faster. It was a new start for her, something she had so desperately wished for last year.

"Amy! Over here!"

Dale had entered the building just after them.

"Hey Dale, did you just arrive?"

"I've been here for two days already actually, I already got settled in and everything. Come on up, I'll show you the room. "

She followed him up the stairs, and entered her room. It was smaller than it had looked on the college's website, but it had a cosy feel to it.

"I hope you don't mind the posters and stuff, I can take them down if you want." He talked like he looked, really laid-back and "chill". Now she felt stupid for thinking someone looked "chill", but it was just the right word for him.

"Nah, the posters are alright." She said, trying to be cool. "So, have you heard anything from our neighbours?"

"Nothing yet, I think we're one of the first people here. Most people will be arriving tomorrow. Well, if you need anything, you've got my number. I'm going to get dinner with my family now, gotta say farewell and all."

"Oh, see you I guess."

As he walked out the door, Amy couldn't help but notice how he smelled like freshly ground coffee beans.

"Are you gonna be alright sweetie?", Farrah asked while stepping into the room. "It sure is nice in here, but I should be going now. They're waiting for me back home. Call me tomorrow, okay?"

"Of course, and tell Lauren I said hi." Lauren had enrolled in the same college, but due to some administrative problems her housing wasn't arranged yet and she had to wait another week before she could actually move in.

The lights of Farrah's car briefly illuminated the driveway, and then she was gone, leaving Amy alone in her new room in a new college in a new town.

For the first time in a long while, she missed Karma.

-sk1dr0we