Starting Point (girlxgirl)

Chapter 4

"The first two weeks are pointless mom, there's no reason for you to stay. I just need you here tomorrow so we can buy anything I need for the dorms that you forgot to buy already. Plus, it's only a two-hour drive home, it's not like I'm on the other side of the country or anything."

Riley heard a voice coming from the room she suspected was hers. Walking down the hall, her parents not far behind, she looked up to see the numbers on top of the doors. Most of the rooms were still empty, seeing as move in opened today and ended tomorrow, but there were a few scattered people putting up posters and unpacking clothes.

When she reached room 1522, Riley was shocked to see an entire side of the room entirely decorated with hanging plants, a "Lorde" poster, and pictures among other things. It looked like someone had already been living in it for days. Standing in the middle of the room was a tall curly-haired, dark skinned girl talking on the phone.

"Mom, I've gotta go, I think my roommate just got here. Love you too. See you tomorrow" the stranger hung up the phone and turned to Riley. "AH! HI! You must be Riley" she said pulling the much shorter girl into a hug, "I'm so glad to finally, meet you. I'm Willa Davis."

Riley took a step back, then turned to look at her parents who were smiling, and back to what appeared to be her new roommate. "Um Hi", Rylie Stammered, waving awkwardly at Willa then shoving her hands into her pockets.

Riley's parents stepped forward and introduced themselves to Willa. The three of them broke into some conversation about New York while Riley completely spaced out. All she could think about was what she had gotten herself into. She liked to think she was a likeable person, but when it came to meeting new people Riley had always struggled.

"Can I help you with all your stuff?" Willa pointed to the suitcases at Riley's feet bringing her back to her new dorm room.

"Uh sure, thanks" Riley managed to choke out as her new roommate grabbed a suitcase and put it on the bare mattress in the right corner of the room. Following, Riley grabbed her bags and plopped them down on the bed glancing out the window over her desk.

"The view is pretty amazing, isn't it?" Riley's dad whispered over her shoulder.

Riley could only nod as she looked out at the endless sea of buildings. For a split second every fear Riley had about her new life and the coming months faded away. All she could think about was the amazing view in front of her, and all the opportunities that came with this new city. Sure, LA was big, and Riley had been there before, but New York City was nothing like she had ever experienced. It's gonna be ok, Riley silently told herself, It's just two semesters.

Willa excused herself from the room to catch up with a friend from her high school that lived the floor below them as Riley and her parents got to unpacking. The room itself was pretty sizable, there were two beds, two desks, two sets of drawers, a sink, and a closet for both girls to share. Riley started hanging her clothes up next to Willa's and silently noted the difference in her own Nike hoodies and American Eagle tops to Willa's vintage cool-girl look.

"Riley, I thought we decided to leave this at home" Mrs. Connell sighed holding up a USC soccer poster. "You're at this school now, best not make it harder on yourself by broadcasting that you don't want to be here".

Riley looked at the poster and back at her mom silently scolding herself for thinking she could pretend her life here didn't exist. She was going to have to at least try to enjoy it here and her mom was right.

"You can just put it under the bed mom".

A few hours later, and Riley's room looked pretty decent; a US Women's National Team poster on the wall accompanied by her vinyl collection, some pictures from home, and a few other random posters, Riley felt a little less out of place.

"I think we're gonna head back to the hotel sweetie" Riley's dad said looking at his watch. "Just call us if you need anything before we come pick you up for breakfast tomorrow morning."

"I will. See you guys tomorrow." Riley shut the door and looked at the empty room.

So, this is what college is like? Riley thought to herself sitting at her desk deciding whether or not to put a record on to drown out the silence. She walked over to her bookshelf and grabbed one of her favorite Vinyl's off the top shelf.

A few minutes into the first song Willa burst through the door with another girl about the same height as Riley but with wavy strawberry blonde hair, bangs, and blue eyes.

"Oh My god, you listen to Maggie Fucking Rogers?" Willa seemed to scream at Riley looking at the empty Vinyl sleeve on Riley's desk next to her record player. "We're gonna get along just fine".

"Jesus Willa, no need to scare her. I'm Mya, by the way" the other girl waved at Riley.

"Oh it's uh fine" Riley chuckled a little awkwardly looking away from the girls. "I'm Riley" she added turning the record off and feeling the silence creep back into the room.

"Where'd your parents go?" Willa asked jumping up onto her bed, swinging her legs back and forth.

"Back to the hotel, they were pretty tired from all the moving" Riley responded still unable to look at either of the girls. Why was it so hard to talk to people? Riley wished she was back at home watching She's the Man with Ava, icing her shins after a tough practice.

"Well, you're coming with us then, Cali girl" Willa jumped up off the bed and walked over to the closet. "Hmmm you might want to change before we leave though." Willa looked back at Riley, the silent judgement radiating off of her as she looked at the leggings, sneakers, and tank top riley had on.

"Where are we going?" Riley was nervous and glanced at Mya pleading for a hint with her eyes.

"Oh its–"

"A surprise" Willa cut Mya off. "Put this on." Willa tossed a pair of ripped mom jeans and a faded white soccer tournament shirt at Rylie. "You'll wanna wear different shoes too" Willa added pointing at the black converse at the bottom of the closet. "Don't be scared, I promise you'll have fun".