It was a lovely autumn afternoon, Clara concluded as she sat by a kitchen table and sipped scented tea from a white porcelain cup. She carefully put it aside each time she needed to turn the page of a book she kept on the table.

She cherished that cup- one of the last gifts she received from her late grandfather. The present had special value to her. Her grandpa spent most of his life making similar items in one of potteries in Northern England. Who knows maybe he made this one as well? She dared herself to daydream as her finger traced a golden tail of a kite painted on white glass.

She was lost in her thought when the kitchen door opened and revealed a wayfarer standing behind them. 'Sorry, I was looking for my room,' he said surprising her completely with his explanation. After a moment however she noticed luggage lying on the floor next to him and all pieces fell into place. He indeed was the person to take the last room in the flat she occupied in the university halls.

'The doors are numbered,' she blurted gesturing at the huge board of wood behind him. Nodding slightly, he approached the door and glanced at the silver number hanging on them with look of abashment on his face.

'Fair point-' He admitted and gave her a silly smile. 'I better go to my room. Sorry for bothering you.' He turned on his heels and hurriedly got himself to the exit.

Without thinking, she rose from her seat and followed him.

'Wait!' She called after him and reached her hand in his direction. 'I'm Clara and you must be-'

'John,' he cut her off as his hand folded around hers a little too tight for her liking. 'John Smith.'

'Nice to meet you then, John.' She curled her lips into a genuine smile. 'Why don't you unpack your stuff and meet me in the kitchen once you're done. I have tea and some biscuits,' she added trying to comfort sheepish flatmate a bit.

'Thank you,' he nodded and disappeared behind the door.

John entered the room and immediately locked himself in it.

Donna was right- he admitted as he put aside his luggage. The people with whom he was about to live were half his age. He knew it before, yet the predicament hadn't seemed to be that important until now. This Clara girl appeared to be nice. How much of it however was simple act of mercy bothered him a lot.

Without any hope in his heart, he fell on the bed and glanced at the ceiling above. He felt a deep urge to call his sister and ask to pick him up but decided to ignore it.

He had to make it through, somehow.

The next few months would likely be anything but fun, but for the sake of regaining his memories he needed to try. Besides he couldn't hide in Donna's house forever. She had her own life and family and definitely didn't need another burden now.

A bit more convinced to fight, he got himself up from the mattress and approached one of the suitcases lying on the floor. From a tiny pocket, he retrieved a package of mini apple pastries Lilah shared with him earlier. He took the box in his hands and tried to form his lips into anything that even slightly resembled a smile. Baby steps- he kept repeating to himself as he wandered down the corridor. For today, he needed to find one person familiar to him in the zoo they called a university.

Clara was still sitting in the kitchen and read a thick book with a smile on her face. 'May I come in?' He asked sheepishly seeing her preoccupied.

'Of course you can. Jasmin or honey and orange blossom?' She said pointing out on a cans of tea standing on one of the kitchen counters.

'Orange blossom sounds exotic,' he smiled back and handed her a package of cookies he kept in his hand.

She made the tea, passed him a red mug with hot beverage inside and gestured him to sit down. 'What you'll be studying then, John?' She asked him.

Carefully he placed the mug on the table, wrapped his fingers around the glass and inhaled a sweet aroma the tea leaves released. 'I wanted to do Microbiology but since I have a PhD in this area already, they wanted me to choose something else. I'll stick with Biochemistry this time,' he rasped from behind the mug, in spirit hoping she would let it go. 'What about yourself?'

'Master in History of Art,' she said without excitation. 'I've graduated in Literature already, so you're not the only comeback kid in the group. Do you know there was a Fresher Week?'

'I did it on purpose. I know I can't avoid it forever but I'm a little bit terrified. I can't wait to see reactions of other students when they see me,' John tried to chuckle but stopped when even he himself could spot nervousness in his words. 'I've done my degree here by the way. Class of 1986.'

'I was born in 1986,' Clara started but broke mid-sentence once she must have spotted terror on his face. She leant in over the kitchen table and gave his a friendly smile. 'No worries. Unis are not only for youngsters anymore. Besides, it's kinda cool you decided to come back. You know after PhD and stuff. Just try not to sabotage the lectures.' She winked at him.

A little laughter left his lips at the sound of her advice. 'I wouldn't dare.'

'Oh, I would love to see that,' she giggled too. 'Excuse me guys, but you have no idea what you're talking about. You would be a legend after something like this.'

It all seemed brand new but he had to say there was something about this girl of rather woman that he liked already. She seemed a bit too talkative, but her enthusiasm was definitely infectious. Maybe it was rushed, but he had a feeling she liked him too.

So it looked like he really made it today- he befriended the first person on the campus.