2. The Necklace

It was like the wolf was looking straight at me, trying to get to me. I was starting to feel all the creeps so I took off the necklace and hid it inside the drawer of my study table.

I think this necklace Mom got from her mother is haunted or something.

To get my mind out of the creepy thoughts, I decided to continue fixing my stuff. My roommate might arrive and I don’t want her to think I’m sloppy.

When I got tired of fixing my stuff, I decided to take a rest and lie on the bed. When I did, I realized it was too boring to just lie there so I got the book I’m currently reading from my bag.

I have a lot of books at home. My hobbies are mainly book-related- reading a book, buying books, window shopping books, planning for a book, etc. Aside from family and academics, my life mostly revolves around books.

I want to be a writer and be able to publish books in the future. That’s why I took up Creative Writing as my major. I started writing when I was still young so I think as I grow older, that’s how I learned to better my writing. Plus, life growing up will teach you a lot, and that’s where I draw most of my inspirations from.

I’ve already finished 3 chapters when I heard someone fiddling with the knob of my door. It alarmed me so I closed my book and quickly stood up. I slowly walked towards the door, held my hard-covered book up and readied myself for whoever it was. The good thing about hard-covered books? You can also use it as a weapon.

My heart was beating so fast inside my chest while I waited for whoever’s planning to invade my room. And when it opened, it revealed a petite woman with a bob haircut. We both screamed upon seeing each other.

Good thing I didn’t hit her with the book I’m holding.

“I’m sorry!” I quickly said when I recovered. I was so paranoid I forgot the possibility that it could be my roommate.

“My God! I didn’t know someone’s already here. The RA did not inform me,” she mumbled, her right hand now clutching her chest. I guess we both surprised each other.

I expelled a sigh of relief. Thank God it wasn’t a thief or something. But I doubt a thief can break in. The security’s pretty much strong here in the dormitory.

“Sorry. I was too paranoid,” I murmured.

“Nah, it’s okay. I also have my paranoid episodes,” she replied. “I’m Taylor, by the way,” she added. She offered her hand for a handshake and I took it.

“I’m Jasmine,” I mumbled. I’m Jazzy at home, but I decided I’ll be Jasmine here in the University.”

“You got here earlier, huh?” She commented, looking at the stuff that’s still on the floor.

“Yeah. I’m sorry for the mess,” I just said. I never had a roommate before so I’m a bit conscious about what she’s gonna think about me.

“Nah, I don’t mind. It will get messier later when I get the rest of my stuff,” she grumbled. She walked towards the available chair near the study table. “So I guess the vacant ones are mine?”

“Yes. I’m sorry. I took the liberty of choosing mine when I got here.”

Suddenly, Taylor laughed and I wondered if I said something stupid or funny for her to laugh. I couldn’t think of anything funny about what I said.

“I couldn’t count how many times you said sorry. You don’t have to apologize all the time. You got here first so that’s just fair,” she mumbled. Another sigh of relief right there.

“Oh,” I uttered. “Cool.”

“Anyway, I still got a lot of stuff outside so I’ll just get those,” she said as she put all the stuff she had on the floor.

“Do you need any help?” I asked.

“Nah. You’ve already done your part with your stuff so it’s fine.”

“No, I insist. It seems like you need help.” I put my book on my study table.

“Oh, okay. Thanks.”

We went out of the room but we left it unlocked. I figured this is still inside the school grounds so I think our things will be safe. I just hope.

“Did your parents come with you?” I asked while we were walking down the hall. I noticed we’re almost the same height. I looked at her shoes and it has I guess just an inch heel. She’s probably 5’5 tall like me.

“Nah. Dad’s busy with work. He just sent me here with a car and a credit card which is better. I don’t want him here with his new wife,” she answered. That earned an ‘oh’ from me. I wanted to ask more about why his dad has a new wife but I decided against it. I guess it’s too early to ask such a sensitive topic.

Taylor paid a quick glance at me and gave me a small smile. I think she’s not bad to be friends with. I think she’s cool. I hope we get along in the next few days and years.

“How about you? Your parents came with you?” She inquired. We reached the stairs now. I had to tail behind her because there’s a number of people coming up.

“Yup. Mom and Dad, and my two sisters,” I replied.

“Wow. What a full house.”

I laughed at what she said. “I know.”

“At least you have siblings. I don’t know what it feels like to have one.”

“You’re an only child?”

“I am. Mom never got the chance to give me a sib. She passed away when I was 9,” she revealed. It made me sad and scared. Because I can never imagine my life without my Mom. I guess Taylor had to be strong at a young age when her Mom died. That’s such a responsibility.

“I’m sorry,” I can’t help but say. I just don’t know how to react to things like this.

“There you go again. Stop saying sorry too much,” she said. I could hear the playfulness in her voice. “And it’s not even your fault. Things like that are inevitable.”

When we reach the lobby, there are more people now compared to earlier. Now there’s a line in front of the Dorm Manager’s office. I guess it was a good decision to come here as early as we can.

“Oh, okay. Noted,” I replied. I heard Taylor chuckle.

We reached her car and there were indeed more luggages and boxes in there. I got two luggages, one for each hand, thinking it would be easy. Apparently, it won’t be because we have to climb the stairs. Now, that’s just stupid of me.

Good thing there were good samaritans in the dorm. I guess they’re seniors because they know their way around. They helped us with Taylor’s stuff.

“That’s so nice of you,” Taylor said to the two dudes who helped us. We finished getting her stuff so it’s time to unpack and arrange those.

“No problem. It feels good to help,” the other guy said. He was holding a ball so I figured he’s an athlete. He’s also tall. The other guy’s wearing glasses and is wearing a shirt that has a logo of a fraternity or an organization, I'm not sure.

I just smiled at them and attended to my things. I’ll leave Taylor to deal with them.

“So yeah, we have a Sem Starter party tomorrow. We were just thinking if you want to go,” the guy with glasses said.

“Oh, cool. We will. Where will that be?”

The guy mentioned a place. I haven’t heard it clearly though. I was so focused on what I’m doing.

“Okay. We will go! See you there!” I heard Taylor say. I also heard the door shut.

“You’re going?” I asked. She also started unpacking.

“Nah. I’m not really a party person. Are you?”

“Nope.”

“Good,” she said. “What did you say your major is again?”

“Creative writing. You?”

“Communication arts,” she murmured. I heard her stifle a sigh. “So this is it huh? We’re really college girls?”

I chuckled. “I guess we are.”

“Oh, we're gonna have so much fun,” she mumbled.

We unpacked our stuff first until lunch time. We were not yet done but we decided to have lunch first and maybe roam around the school a little. I already had a tour around before when we were looking for a school. But that was months ago and I haven’t really remembered everything. It was just a quick tour.

There was a canteen just beside the Dormitory so we decided to eat there. There are already a lot of students eating there. I guess they’re always packed. I could smell their food and it’s good. I hope the taste will meet my expectations.

While eating, Taylor and I continued getting to know each other. I learned she’s into music and that we are both Swifties which really made me happy. At least I know she won’t complain if I play Taylor Swift’s songs on repeat.

She likes The Game of Thrones, said she watched the movie but didn’t read the book. I read the book and watched the movie, which is great. And she also loves Twilight. I’ve watched the movie too and it’s good. I even wished I could become a vampire. What was I thinking? It was a fantasy movie. I doubt it’s real.

She had a boyfriend in High School but decided to break up with him before college. She said she doesn’t want to be that girl who goes to college with a boyfriend. I don’t really know what she meant by that. I never had a boyfriend.

“You didn’t?” She asked, her eyes both quite wide at my revelation. I nodded my head. “Are you planning on having one here in School?”

“I’m not sure. If I’ll like someone, probably,” I replied.

After eating, we got a cup of yogurt each and began our tour around the campus.

It’s still sunny outside so we just walked by the pathway, avoiding the heat. It was a long path, with the soccer field on our right. The field was very huge but there’s no one there. Simply because the sun decided to be a killjoy. Although there are people sitting on the benches under the trees. I’d like to hang out there next time. It looked refreshing.

Taylor and I continued to look around. We even reached the main Library, which looked like a White House. I heard it was newly built and actually, we can see it with all those fresh paints and glass doors so shiny.

Somehow it lessens my worries about College. Now that I have Taylor, who seems fun and friendly, I’m starting to think that even if it's hard, College will be fun. I really wish it will be.

When I was in High School, I didn’t have a fun experience. I was that nerd student who sits at a corner and only cares about grades and books. Don’t get me wrong, I want to mingle with people too. I just thought I was that boring so I just didn’t bother. I had friends though, but not close enough that we’ll still keep in touch in college. I should really put my A-game here in College.

After what felt like an hour of just walking around and observing and familiarizing the place, we went back to our dormitory to continue unpacking.

The unpacking was never boring because we had a playlist full of Taylor Swift songs. Taylor’s lucky she has the same name.

After unpacking, it still doesn’t feel right, plus I feel exhausted from all the drive earlier and all the unpacking. So I decided to take a nap to regain some energy.

Two hours later, I woke up to Taylor snoring at the top bed. It made me smile.

But I lost the smile on my face when I looked around the room and felt how un-home it was. I’m not even sure if there is such a word. But yeah, it doesn’t feel like home. And that made me get my phone and call my Mom.

She picked up on the second ring.

“Jazzy-“

“Mom, I need you here.”