Fresher

I stood in front of the house as my dad filled the car with my things and my mom kept shifting her weight from one foot to the other, her chaplet hung loosely around her neck. I had one, but it was in the pocket of my jeans.

My mom was a core catholic–born, bred, married and infused. Her beliefs were strong and so were mine–I believed in God. I mean who didn't? I held my beliefs and dignity to heart, always wanting mother's approval above all else. It was just something I was taught and I took great pleasure in having it.

My mother would say the present generation wasn't half bad, but it was like God didn't exist anymore–No one took their time to say a prayer or even thank him for the day, it was all about gadgets and parties. I wasn't the type to force my beliefs on people, but I tried to do some right and say some right. The world needed a little light sometimes.

Snapping out of my trance, my dad didnt waste his time with goodbyes; he had better things or drinks to do. Father and I didnt have any loving embrace or tear stained cheeks, just a weird pat and awkward push into the passenger seat. I rolled my eyes and scoffed.

Real subtle dad. My subconscious said sarcastically.

My mom pulled into the road and off we went. We were driving from Colorado to Ontario and it was going to take a couple of hours so I decided to shut my eyes for the rest of the way. I was so excited the last night that I had a little or no sleep.

The air condition in the car did wonders to my body, soul and mind. I wasnt asleep, but I wasnt awake either–I just stayed in that state for a while, it was peaceful and serene.

It wasnt for another hour that I finally opened my eyes. The drive was silent except for the low hum of the radio. I watched the trees and sometimes other cars, wondering if they were all going to the same place as me.

Finally, we pulled up in front of the University of Toronto. I stared in awe at the school entrance as we pulled into the parking lot and it lived up to my expectations. I would have been embarrassed to be dropped off by my mom, but honestly I needed to feel at home before I stepped into this foreign land.

The structure was majestic and the carvings were divine. I was sure my jaw was on the ground and I let my gaze wander before I helped my mom unload my stuff. 

We walked into the majestic building and I got my slip, key to my dorm room, class schedules and all other necessities. I was supposed to attend a ceremony like thing that was for the grand tour and all that blah-blah-blah. I couldn't remember any other thing from there, I just needed to get to my dorm and sleep for the rest of the session.

My mom and I successfully placed all my bags in the room. She fussed over me for a while, helped me arrange my things, cried and cried and then cried some more. We hugged for a long time and some hours before she left we prayed. We thanked God for his blessings and his grace for the day, we asked for mercy and appreciated him some more. I was smiling by the time we were done as I was so full with his spirit. I thanked him once again for letting me know him.

Finally, my mom left and I was all alone in this new world. Instantly, I heard a few shuffling of feet and clinging of keys. It seemed everyone was fitting themselves in, I wondered how everyone would be and what their characters were. I made up this and that. Finally, I had five gorgeous friends who probably never existed.

Time seemed to have slowed down over here. I had been lying on my soft mattress for a while now and could swear four hours had passed, but in real life it was just an hour–maybe it was because of my hyper thoughts, but I couldn't stay still any longer so I did what I didnt know how to do best, I went out to explore.

The hallway was painted in yellow and awkwardly quiet, but maybe that was because my footsteps were the only sounds filling my ears. I hoped I didnt pick the horror dorm, I didnt want nightmares. A shiver racked my body as I walked faster.

The sky looked different, maybe because I was seeing it for the first time and my eyes couldn't capture the beauty enough. I walked past flowers and majestic buildings, past other people who were looking for their dorms. Jesus, I hoped I didnt look this lost and out of place. Well, I guessed that look was going to hang around me for a while. You could smell the freshmen from a mile away and let me say the sad thing, I smelt the same way.

I walked past classrooms and glanced into various labs–I wanted to familiarize myself with the environment. I knew I wouldn't get up early enough to attend the ceremony on Friday so it was better I found my way now.

I walked till the sun began to set just memorizing lanes and newly found hiding places. Hugging trees-pfft! I was just joking, but I touched the tree though, don't judge me. It was really beautiful, I memorized the routes I would need to use for the next few months of the semester. 

My legs were aching, but in a good way. I walked back to my dorm–this time, I heard a few chatter and saw a few people leave their rooms for once! It must be nice to actually be accepted into the same school with your best friend or someone you knew. At least, it'd take the weirdness away. The thought of talking to someone tomorrow filled me with dread.

I was a social bird, I loved people's company and mine was appreciated; so I thought, but the art of talking and making friends weren't my thing. Oh, well, I guess I would let whatever would happen just happen.

"Uhm, are you going in or did you get lost?" A voice rang out from beside me.

I almost shrieked, but it came out as a silent scream.

"Jesus, woman. Do you want me to drop dead?" I turned to take a look at my almost killer with a hand gripping my chest.

"Y-you should have s-s-seen your fa-c-e," the stranger said, while trying and failing to hold in the laughter.

I stood there silently watching this slightly crazy person and I couldn't help, but laugh along–her laugh was so contagious and oh, boy! Was she short, she barely got to my chest.

We laughed for a while, earning some amused stares our way. It took a while to calm down, but eventually we did. The silence after was very comfortable, I would have loved to bathe in it, but unfortunately I was really tired, so I decided to make a quick introduction before I slept right in front of the door we both stood in front of.

"Hey, killer stranger. I'm katya, nice to meet you," I said as I held out my hand.

"So polite, I like that. I'm cherry by the way and nice to meet you too." A warm smile spread across her face as she shook my hand. 

I giggled, I was really going to get along with this girl–she was my kind of hyper. We talked for a while, exchanged contacts and when she found out her room was next to mine, she squealed like a little kid on Christmas and did a cute weird dance. All I did was to laugh.

After she had fixed a date for tomorrow which consisted of her depriving me of my sleep so we could walk around town, we finally parted ways. I unlocked my door and hung the key, my clothes came off next and finally this nice loving bed as I flopped down on it.

My adventures were going to be fun after all. I guess.

**********

I hadn't even blinked for two seconds and someone was having a wrestling match with my door.

I whined and covered my ears with a pillow, hoping the intruder would let me be. After a while, it became worse and I was certain my door was seconds away from splitting open. 

I dragged myself out of bed and stomped to the door, someone was going to get it. I swung it open with a scowl on my face and I was left confused till I looked down at a hyper bundle of joy.

"Morning, partner." Cherry sang in an annoying morning voice.

"What do you want from me?" I grumbled, I hated waking up so early.

"Aww, come on. We have to walk around today, go get ready." She urged. "I'll pick your clothes and wait for you here," she said skipping to my wardrobe.

I groaned and my eyes hurt just looking at this bright human.

I grumbled and lamented as I proceeded to do my morning routine. Under twenty minutes, I was up and ready for another round of exploring.

Today was Friday, last weekday before classes would commence so we were free to walk around town. We walked out of school and got a taxi to take us deeper into Ontario. It was my first time here and I wanted to know the magical places I could discover today.

Cherry chatted on and on and I returned the same energy. She had an adopted sister and she was accepted here too–they stayed together, but her sister was in Paris and she wasnt coming back anytime soon. She was a bit of a wild child from what I learnt. I looked at cherry and tried to picture her wild, but the results came out cute so I gave up and prepared myself for the best surprise her sister would give me.

We walked past beautiful buildings and ate some of the best foods at some of the best restaurants around. We visited the hottest arcade centers and bought several video games.

Cherry never got tired, her happy streak didnt dim one bit and nothing seemed to stop her. We took a break in a park watching the day go by, pitching conversations here and there, laughing at funny passersby, eating a lot of junks food and basically goofing around.

*****

The halls were quiet when we got back, not creepy this time just the comfortable silence. The day had hit the both of us hard and even cherry couldnt stop yawning, while rubbing her eyes like a little child, cute I tell you.

I hugged her goodbye, while she squirmed around. She had claimed she was looking for a comfortable position, earning a light chuckle from me. 

This girl I tell you. My subconscious chipped in.

The room was finally feeling like home, it was really calming.

I kicked off my shoes and allowed the sweet lovely bed enfold me, tomorrow was Saturday so Cherry must sleep right? I would get to sleep as long as I liked without anyone trying to disturb my peace right?

I was sure I would.

Once again I was wrong.