The drive to campus was incredible long, even with my 'driving' playlist playing loudly in the jeeps speakers. It felt like days rather than hours before I pulled into the parking lot in front of my new dorm building. There were crowds of teary-eyed moms, proud dads, and annoyed and tired freshamn. A part of me was thankful that I never had parents to over-exagerate all of my achievements, but I can't help the feeling of loneliness that sweeps over me as I pull into the closest spot I could find. Next to a women ugly crying as she holds onto her tall son, who has an expression on his face saying he could kill his mom at any moment. I can't help but laugh as I climb out of the car, earning a look of disgust from the boys mom at my appearence. I make sure to stick my peirced tongue out at her before grabbing my purse and duffle bag from the back seat.
"He's going to end the semester with herpes." I warned her in a whisper before making my way toward my building. I can hear her audible scoff before she starts lecturing her son about staying away from 'naughty girls'.
I ignore all of the "Welcome to UCLA" signs placed all over campus as I get closer to the door only to be stopped by an overly cheery extremely tall dark complected boy around my age wearing a cut-off black Sublime muscle shirt with a Volunteer name tag. I have to admit he was adorable, like a little puppy, and I love his shirt. He had some great arms, with a few tattoos scattered on his arms. He was definitely hot, but I was already annoyed with his cheery atitude, and he hasn't even spoken yet.
"Hi!" He greeted, waving his hand obnoxiously. "Welcome to UCLA! I'm Calum. Can I help you find anything?"
"Thanks, Calum. But I'm alright." I say, brushing by him.
"I'm supposed to help new students." He pouts, moving himself in front of me.
"No offense, kid, but I just want to get into my room so that I can unpack my car and spend the day getting my room ready." I say seriously, trying to get my point across.
"At least let me walk you to the check in desk?" He half asked, half demanded.
I nod in defeated, knowing he'd probably follow me up there anyways, and gesture for him to lead the way. He holds the door open for me and leads me to section of fold up tables, each with a paper taped on the front saying "Last Name;" and a group of letters. I find the table marked "E-G".
"That's Jess." Calum says as I approach the table, I jumped at the sound of his voice, forgetting for a moment that he was next to me. "She's the dorm adviser for the fourth floor. She's alright, unless you wake her up in the middle of the night after you forgot your key." Calum says, his face turning a bit red, giving away that he was the one who had done just that.
"Hi!" The blonde girl, that I assume is Jess, greets with a smile. "Welcome to UCLA. What's your name?"
"Dalia Evans. I'm in room 412." I tell her, trying not to sound like an asshole compared to her enthuisiasm.
"Welcome, Dalia. I'm Jess. I'll be your dorm advisor, so if you ever need anything, just let me know." She smiles, handing me a folder of papers, as well as a single key on a "UCLA" key ring. "Your welcome packet and your key." She smiles. "And it looks like your roommate has already checked in, so good luck and have fun." Her smile continues as she turns to the next student to arrive at the table.
I turn to move, but Calum is still directly behind me.
"You're right across the hall from me." He smiles.
"Awesome." I say, not hiding my sarcasm. "Thanks for your help Calum. I'll see you later." I add quickly before turning and practically running away from him.
It's not that I don't like the guy, and I don't mean to come off as a bitch, but people just aren't my forte. Luke is the only person that's ever really been able to put up with my tendacy to be an asshole, and I don't mind keeping it that way. I decide to take the stairs, not wanting to fight for room on the elevator, but to my dismay, Calum is following close behind me. As I reach the second floor my phone starts to ring from my pocket, blaring out 'I Feel Like Dancing' by All Time Low, letting me know that Luke is calling. After dodging looks from the few people in the stairwell, and a smile from Calum I answer the call.
"Hello Lucifer." I greet.
"Are you there yet?" He asks, chuckling at the name I've given him.
"Just checked in, heading to my room now. I'm in 412, so it's on the fourth floor." I tell him, moving faster to get out of the crowded stairwell, and maybe trying to sneak away from Calum, but he quickens his pace as I do.
"Cool, cool." He says. "How does the campus look?"
"Like a college campus full of crying moms and all-too-happy students." I say with a shrug, even though I know he can't see me.
Finally, I reach my floor, looking around for a hint of where I'm supposed to go, until Calum points to the left. I follow his directions to the left and finally see the door marked '412'. I move passed a few families and stop in front of my door.
"Bye, Calum." I say to my new shadow, waiting for him to step away. I watch as he steps across the hall to his own dorm, leaving the door open after he enters. "I'm standing outside of my room." I say into the phone, just before I stick the key into the lock and swing the door open.
The sight before me looks exactly like any other college dorm you see in movies and tv shows, except for the person standing on the left side of the room, putting a stack of clothes into the provided dresser.
"What the fuck." I say at the same time Luke says something on the other end. "I'll call you back." I mutter into the phone before ending the call and taking a step into the room.
