TIFFIN

1

Heartbeat by The Fray I thought would have been perfect for this scene. Go ahead and take a listen.
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"I can't believe it!" My mother squealed as the cameraman snapped the photo. "You're officially in college!"

I smiled, as I knew this was the truth. Here I was, eighteen years old, taking a congratulatory picture with my family. I'd spent four years stressing over this moment. I'd been told that high school was just a pastime, an entry into adulthood. But nothing could have prepared me for the moment that I would finally be living on my own and making real-life decisions. 

I had spent the entire week going through my belongings, making sure I had everything I needed. I remembered what my parents had told me about college life: that it was full of temptation, with party invitations and drop-outs that were just waiting for people like me. I, however, would not be tempted. It wasn't who I was, which is why I was sure they were quick to let me live on campus. 

I'd packed my favorite long checkerboard skirts I'd loved since grade school, my literature and academic books (so I could, of course, keep up with assignments weeks in advance), my toiletries, and my flashcards filled with the clubs I was excited to join. 

My parents had taken the liberty of meeting the college dean and getting me a dorm room. My mother of course was strict, making sure my roommate was as academically determined as I was, but my father was more so. I hadn't always been the most popular kid in school so when he heard of my first bully, he swore off anyone that threatened my progress in my career and life. 

"If we feel like you're veering off the path we've set for you," He'd said, "We'll be pulling you out of your dorm."

Before pictures, my mother had picked out the only outfit she really approved of which happened to be my favorite: my red checkerboard skirt that reached my knees and my button-up blouse. To complete my professional appearance, she'd fixed my auburn hair into a tight ponytail. 

"You need to be careful," She'd warned, "appearances are vital. You wouldn't want anyone getting the wrong idea." 

I knew what she'd meant. I'd had to endure the promiscuous girls in my grade and I detested them. I really didn't get the fascination with sleeping around and having no goals in mind. I knew these girls were heading nowhere in life and clearly did nothing but party and drop-out as my parents had said.  

I, however, was above all of that. I'd managed to keep a perfect 4.0-grade average all through high school and impressed ten colleges, though I'd chosen only one: CSU. My parents had decided that staying closer to home was better for all of us and made it easier for us to keep in touch. 

After we saw to it that our family photos were to our standards and my mother and father helped me pack up and we went on the hour-long drive, my eyes nearly bugged out at the welcoming brick sign that read: California State University-Chico.

As we all made our way through the campus, suitcases in hands, my father nodded in appreciation. We passed what felt like hundreds of buildings with shining glass windows, eventually reaching a tall brick building that read: Lassen Hall.

"Kristina, this will be perfect for you," He said to me, "Instead of Whitney Hall- don't go there. It'll ruin everything."

I didn't quite know what he meant by that but I humored him knowing that he was warning me for my own good. When we finally reached the halls of the dorms after millions of stairs, I looked down at my sheet, looking for my room number. 

"It says it's Hall... B.... Room...."

"Room 120!" My mother shrieked excitedly, making me smile in response. "I already checked!"

I liked to think my mother and I were alike. Like twins, we both had auburn hair (Though hers was more blazing red) and were both very organized. Talking with her, I found out our times in school were alike as well. We were constantly bullied and kept our noses in books in the hopes that we were able to make the honor roll,  which we had succeeded in. 

I would be damned if I was going to mess this experience up and disappoint her. 

As we reached room 120 and stood at the door, I took a deep breath, hoping for the best as I unlocked it.

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