Chapter 13

Chapter 13

"Why did you punch him? I mean, I know he deserves it, but you shouldn't have!" Lana said to Ryan as soon as they got to their home.  

The single punch from Ryan had knocked Zach out, and he was sent out by the security at the club.  

"I should have punched harder," Ryan muttered under his breath. "I think I need a drink, Lana. Do you have one somewhere?"  

"No, I don’t. Please stop this, Ryan. You’ve had enough drinks for today, and I can't help but feel guilty. Maybe I shouldn't have invited you to the party anyway. It was dumb. I guess I just wanted to see you," she admitted.  

"Nah, don't say that. I kind of needed it to clear my head from all this," Ryan replied.

"Ryan scoffed, rubbing his knuckles. "I should’ve punched him harder," he muttered under his breath, dropping onto the couch with a tired sigh. "That guy is a troublesome person. Always running his mouth like he owns the world."  

Lana sighed, kicking off her heels and sitting beside him. "Yeah, well, now he’s probably nursing a swollen jaw and plotting his revenge. You do know Zach isn’t the type to let things go, right?"  

Ryan shrugged, leaning his head back. "Let him try. He started it. I finished it."  

She rolled her eyes, turning to face him. "Honestly, Ryan, what’s going on with you? I mean, I’ve seen you mad before, but tonight? You were really on edge. And don’t even get me started on the drinking contest. What the hell was that about?"  

Ryan exhaled slowly, staring at the ceiling. "I don’t know," he admitted. "I just—he kept pushing, and I couldn’t back down. Everyone was watching, and I guess I had a point to prove."  

Lana crossed her arms, studying him. "A point to prove to who? Zach? Taylor? Yourself?"  

Ryan frowned, looking away. He hated how Lana always saw right through him. He let out a humorless chuckle. "You know, you’d make a terrible therapist. Too damn insightful."  

She smirked, nudging his shoulder. "I take that as a compliment."  

Ryan suddenly sat up. "I think I need a drink, Lana. Do you have one somewhere?"  

Her expression immediately darkened. "No. And even if I did, I wouldn’t give it to you. You’ve had enough for today."  

He groaned, flopping back down. "Come on, just one more."  

"Nope," she said firmly. "You’re done for the night."  

Ryan huffed, looking at her sideways. "You sound like my mom."  

"Good, because she’s right about you being reckless," Lana shot back. "And honestly, I can’t help but feel guilty. Maybe I shouldn’t have invited you to the party anyway. It was dumb. I guess I just… wanted to see you."  

Ryan blinked at her. The way she said it made something stir inside him, something he didn’t quite understand. He turned his head slightly to face her, their eyes meeting in the dimly lit room.  

"You wanted to see me?" he asked, a lazy smirk forming on his lips.  

Lana rolled her eyes, but there was a hint of nervousness in her expression. "Oh, shut up. Don’t get cocky about it."  

Ryan chuckled, stretching his legs out. "Too late."  

Lana sighed, shaking her head. "You’re impossible."  

For a moment, there was silence between them, the kind that wasn’t uncomfortable but instead felt… familiar.  

Ryan broke it first. "You know, you’re one of the few people who actually gets me."  

Lana smiled softly. "Of course I do, idiot. We’ve been friends forever. And despite all the dumb stuff you do, I still care about you."  

Ryan felt something warm settle in his chest, but before he could respond, he let out a long yawn. His eyelids suddenly felt heavier, and he stretched his arms before slumping further into the couch.  

"Ugh, I’m exhausted," he muttered, closing his eyes.  

Lana watched as his breathing slowed, and within minutes, he was out like a light. She shook her head fondly, grabbing a blanket and draping it over him.  

"You’re such a mess, Walsh," she murmured before switching off the lamp and heading to her room.  

Ryan might have had a wild night, but at least he was safe. That was enough for Lana.

The day had finally arrived—the day Sophia was to begin a new chapter in her life. Excitement and nervousness swirled inside her as she zipped up her suitcase, glancing around her childhood bedroom one last time. It felt surreal. She had spent years in this house, creating memories, and now she was about to leave it all behind for university.

Her grandmother sat on the couch, watching her with a soft, proud smile. Sophia could see the sadness in her eyes, even though she tried to hide it. This was an emotional moment for both of them.

"Come here, child," her grandmother said, opening her arms.

Sophia rushed to embrace her, wrapping her arms tightly around the woman who had raised her with so much love and care. "I’m going to miss you so much, Grandma," she whispered, her voice breaking slightly.

Her grandmother stroked her hair gently. "And I will miss you, my dear. But this is your time to grow, to learn, and to chase your dreams. I am so proud of you, Sophia. Never forget that."

Tears welled in Sophia’s eyes, but she fought to keep them from falling. She didn’t want to break down now. Instead, she took a deep breath and pulled away slightly, forcing a small smile. "I’ll call every day, I promise."

Her grandmother chuckled. "No need to call every day, child. Just focus on your studies and take care of yourself. But do call me once in a while, so I know you’re eating properly."

Sophia laughed lightly, wiping her eyes. "I will, I promise."

She turned to Justine, her cousin ,best friend and roommate for years. "Take care of Grandma for me, okay?"

Justine gave her a reassuring nod. "You know I will. Now go before you change your mind and decide to stay."

Sophia let out a deep breath, grabbed her suitcase, and took one last look at her home. With a final hug and a tearful goodbye, she stepped out the door, ready to embrace the unknown. A new journey awaited her, and she was ready to face it.

  She didn't take the bus this time around, it was going to be too messy , there was a ride Justine helped her arranged one to take her there.

   

    The drive this time around seemed shorter than yesterday, soon she arrived at the gates of the school

 “ You better start getting used to this ,we are going to spend most of our next 2-3 years of our life here” she Said to herself 

   She got down from the car with her luggage , and walked into the school, for the second time this week,only this time she wasn't leaving anytime soon

   A lot of People were also resuming along with her, it was a large crowd different from yesterday

They were a whole lot of people trooping into the school most of them came along with them Sophia sighed, she couldn't relate to this ,having parents bring her and help her along ,in that moment she felt empty and craved a little motherly love

Sophia shook off the overwhelming feeling of unfamiliarity and continued walking. She wasn’t sure if it was nervousness or excitement—or maybe a mix of both—but she refused to let it get to her. This was a new chapter, and she had to face it with confidence.  

As she walked past a small newspaper stand, something caught her eye. A magazine was displayed at the edge of the stall, and the cover boasted a bold headline: **"New Student Guide: Everything You Need to Know About Campus."**  

Her heart skipped a beat. **This is exactly what I need!** She quickly bought a copy, flipping through its pages with eager fingers. She had been wandering around for a while now, too shy to stop anyone and ask for directions. Justine would have laughed at her hesitation, teasing her about how she always avoided talking to strangers.  

According to the email she received, her dorm room was located in **Block 5 of the Girls’ Hostel**, but she had no idea where that was. Luckily, the magazine had a campus map, and after scanning it for a moment, she found what she was looking for. **All she had to do was keep walking straight, take a right turn, and she’d be there.**  

She followed the directions carefully, and soon enough, the tall buildings of the hostel blocks stood right in front of her. **This must be the place.** She could see groups of girls walking in the same direction, some chatting excitedly while others dragged their suitcases behind them.  

She took a deep breath. **This is my new home now.**  

As she climbed the flight of stairs leading to her assigned room, thoughts swirled in her mind. **What will my roommates be like? Will they be friendly? Will we get along?**  

Sophia was naturally reserved, and the idea of living with strangers was both thrilling and intimidating. But she reassured herself. **Everything will sort

itself out.** She reached the door of her new room, took a deep breath, and pushed it open.