A Walk Around the Pond

Chapter 1

Move in day hadn't taken me long. Weirdly enough, I hadn't brought nearly as much stuff as the past two years. Excitedly, I flung crap around, shoving things into dark corners to keep it out of my way. My stuff was everywhere and I wanted to get it together before my mom left. 

Mom watched me with amusement. She still made my bed for me, just like she did each year. The routine of move in was settling for me. I had a whole week before my roommate Andie would move in. I worked in the caf and I'd be the lucky on serving the RAs all week. I didn't like most of the RAs if I was being completely honest. I kind of hoped that would change this week.

I hugged Mom in a sad quiet goodbye moments later. Gosh, goodbyes were always so hard. I hated that. As she drove away, I realized I would miss home. Home was filled with ponies and fresh apples. The sweet smells of grapes and peaceful sunshine. I was a country girl and I always would be. And I had finally reached the point where I was proud of it. I would miss it a ton. 

But at the moment I was simply filled with excitement. 

I ran back up the stairs to my dorm. Pausing to stare at my crazy hair in the mirror, I realized my summer tan and freckled face might be considered just a little bit of a glow up. Then I shook my head and called Andie, "Guess who's back!" I didn't have to wait long for her response. 

"Jamie!" The squeal almost burst my ear drums. Her excited chatter filled me with a burst of joy that bubbled over into laughter. I flipped on the camera so she could see the room set up. She was so happy to see a dorm room. I'm sure if anyone heard us they'd put us in a looney bin. What they didn't know was that we were a powerful duo together and would probably overpower the staff there. 

It seemed like a short night since I got up early to head to work. The good mornings from the staff made me feel like I was home again. They were paying for me to take a food service class so I could be certified which meant I'd have something to do with myself in the evenings this week. 

I was the lucky one who had to talk to the RAs. Cute boys and stuck up girls. It was so weird to be there. I said hello to them and even had a couple conversations. By the end of the week, everyone of them knew my name. And I knew most of theirs. It was a good feeling to know that the RAs at least knew who I was. 

Walter complimented me one day. He was a quiet shy dude and I was thrilled he even talked to me. I called Andie twice that day. She was just as excited about it as I was. The next day Parker and I had a conversation. Not even gonna lie to you, I was so dang happy about it. I probably shouldn't have been, but when you don't talk to a single soul all summer, you blow things out of proportions. 

I started delivering meals to a couple students. Internationals who had to be quarantined. Two of them were dang cute though, Romeo and Dan. Brothers. I'd marry either of them in a heartbeat. And I was the lucky one who got to take them food and talk to them everyday. Okay, maybe I wouldn't marry them, after all they did live outside of the country. And I haven't ever been outside of the country. 

Everything piled up on me as I worked eight hours a day or so. But I was having a blast. It felt amazing to be back where I needed to be. I loved being in the kitchen more than anything. I got to make people somewhat happy by making them food. What could be better? 

Oh. I'm Jamie by the way. I'm a junior here at school. I'm a child psych major and I love it. I don't have a boyfriend, obviously, but I'm working on. You already know Andie, my best friend and roommate. She's about as different as me as it can get. She has wavy blonde hair and brilliant blue eyes. Her personality is even more vibrant than her looks. She's tiny, so I think she works hard to make up for her size in sound. 

Me on the other hand. I'm pretty quiet for the most part. I have dark brown hair and boring brown eyes. My personality doesn't really help. And I have a chronic illness to top it off. Andie would have a boyfriend long before I would. It was bound to happen. And yes Andie's cousin, I know that statement would make you uncomfortable.