I couldn't get over how big everything seemed here. I knew moving to the Big Apple was going to be a change, especially coming from a town as minuscule and insignificant as Forks, but now that I'm here it's even more incredible than I had imagined. Driving through the city felt like entering paradise.
Nevertheless, I couldn't quite get over the lump in my throat. Starting college was like starting Kindergarten all over again. I just hoped this time no one would steal my erasers or put boogers on my seat.
The campus was exquisite. Everything looked so modern, so fresh. There was plenty of greenery, which surprised me, considering we were only a few miles outside the city. I followed the long driveway leading to the dorms.
I had insisted to my mom that I'd be fine moving in on my own, that I needed this time to settle in and taste some freedom. But gawking up at the huge building made me feel two feet tall and I suddenly found myself wishing my mom was by my side.
I quickly shrugged it off and parked my car in one of the spaces provided. I hadn't brought much with me. I was never much of a material person, especially when it came to clothes, so I knew I'd only have a few trips to make with my boxes.
I took the lightest one first that just had my duvet and pillows and walked through the glass doors to a reception hall. There was a middle-aged lady with ginger hair and freckles sitting behind the desk, tapping away at her computer.
I walked up and placed my box on the desk. The woman didn't look up or give any indication that I was there. I coughed inconspicuously but she still didn't budge.
"Um…hello. I'd like to move in, please. It's my first day and—", I was cut off when she held up a finger silencing me, continuing to type.
I kept my lips shut and took in my surroundings while I waited. The dorm hall wasn't anything extravagant. There were four of them on campus, two for girls and two for boys. I had spotted another one across the parking lot, though I wasn't sure which one it was.
"Name?" The lady barked, still not looking up from her screen.
"Bella Swan," I replied, nervously. Would everyone here be this cold?
"Room 410, fourth floor. Here's your key. Do not lose it, I don't give out replacements. No excessive noise after 11pm. Any maintenance issues contact this number, do not come down here complaining to me. Any questions?"
I shook my head swiftly and gathered up my belongings, eager to leave this woman as soon as possible. I headed over to the elevator and rode it up to the fourth floor.
My room was at the end of the corridor. There were already a lot of people moving in. I smiled politely at them as I squeezed past and opened my door.
The room was quaint. It was nothing special but it had everything a student needed. There were two single beds, two chests of drawers, two desks, and one connecting bathroom.
I placed the box down onto the bed that wasn't already dressed. I assumed my roommate had already been here since her stuff was placed in a neat pile on the other bed.
I walked around the room taking everything in. The window looked out onto the parking lot and had a decent view of the dorm across the way. I noticed a fair amount of guys unpacking cars and surrounding the entrance, so deduced that it was one of the boys' dormitories.
I went into the bathroom to get a good look. Decent shower. I turned it on and was happy to see that there was already hot water. I smiled slightly to myself, knowing that I would be very comfortable here.
As I turned around to go back into the room I nearly had a heart attack. A small girl with mousy brown hair and glasses was staring at me.
"Holy shit!" I exclaimed, jumping with a fright, "I'm so sorry, you scared me!"
"Sorry, didn't mean to," the girl mumbled, in a timid voice.
"I'm Bella. I just moved in," I told her, holding out my hand.
She looked down at it but didn't go to touch it. "I'm Candice. I'm your roommate," she replied, before turning back to her bed.
I awkwardly let my hand fall back to my side and followed her out into the bedroom.
"So, are you a freshman here too?" I asked, sitting on the edge of my bed.
She started fumbling with some of her boxes and just nodded her head in response.
"Cool. It's all so exciting, right? New adventure and all that…. ," I let my thought trail off. It was clear that this girl did not want to converse. She kept her eyes fixed firmly on her bed and fumbled with the sleeve of her cardigan.
"Well, I'd better get the rest of my things. Unpacking is such a chore," I chuckled, awkwardly.
"I like unpacking. I find it therapeutic," she said, in almost a whisper.
Not quite knowing how to respond, I simply turned on my heels and headed back towards my car. I noticed some girls hugging each other and exclaiming how excited they were for college as I waded through the corridor.
I sighed to myself. As naive as it is, I really thought my roommate would be someone I'd eventually call a best friend. Candice didn't appear to be all that social, and I could just tell that we weren't going to gel well together.
When I made it back to my car I was feeling more deflated than ever. The excitement and nervousness I had felt a mere hour ago had been replaced with disappointment. I shook it off and told myself to quit being such a downer. It was only my first day. It was unrealistic to think it would be perfect.
I grabbed the next of my boxes, not realising it was the one carrying all of my books. As I heaved it out of the trunk my arms gave out and I lost my grip. My textbooks clattered to the ground with a bang.
I could feel my cheeks reddening and hastily went to pick them up. I was surprised to see a hand reach out and lift them for me.
"Better keep a handle on these, they're pretty damn expensive," a smooth voice laughed. I looked up to see the most attractive guy I had ever seen standing before me.
"I…um…yeah…thanks," I stuttered. Why oh why did I have to be so awkward all the time?
The boy just smiled and handed me the books.
"You just moving into Darndale House?" he asked, gesturing towards the dorms.
"You're looking at the proud new inhabitant of 410," I joked, waving my key.
"Well I guess we're neighbours. I'm in the guys' hall just over there," he nodded towards the other building. "What's your name?"
"Bella," I answered, holding out my hand.
"Nice to meet you Bella," he smiled, shaking my hand. I shivered slightly at his touch, but pulled it together when I realised how sad that made me seem.
"I'd love to stay and chat some more, but I've got a million things to do. I guess I'll see you around though," he winked, and sauntered away towards the campus.
It was only once he was gone that I realised he had never mentioned his name. Not that it mattered. He could have no name for all I cared, his was beautiful enough.
I couldn't help smiling as I headed back up to my room with my boxes. Maybe things wouldn't be so bad here after all.
