I told her I understood and she wished me good luck when I left the building. I followed her instructions, feeling a tad geeky with the huge map in front of my face, but it had to do for now. When I was on the campus, I was amazed. It made me feel like it was a whole neighborhood only for people my age. There were small cafes, a starbucks, petit bakeries and other small shops and things that made it even more real. There were a lot of cute guys too, sometimes looking at me curiously to see if I was new fish in the water. When I reached the apartment building Mrs. Grace told me about, I studied it for a moment.

It had three floors, with five apartments in width. There were probably more on the other side. It looked really new and artistic. This was my new home for the next few years.

I entered the building and went to the first person I found there. the girl looked a few years older than me and I guessed she must be one of the higher graders. When she noticed me she turned around to face me.

'Hi, I'm Mila and I'm new here. Do you have any idea where I need to go or how to find my room?" I asked, stammering a bit here and there. The girl smiled, her blue eyes twinkling.

'Sure Mila! I was expecting you actually. My name is Becky and I'm one of the housebuddies. If there are problems or anything in the house then you can contact one of the buddies and we solve the problem. But anyway, I'll lead you the way to your room. You're sharing it with Alice." Becky told animatingly while I nodded every time I understood her. I followed Becky though the corridors, taking in my surroundings. I'd expected some boring, old house with a few paintings but it looked all very classical and pretty.

'Hey Alice! Your new roommate is here!' Becky shouted through the aisle, making a girl stick her head out of the doorway. She was tall, lithe looking and had short, spiky black hair. When she noticed me standing there, her smile widened. She pushed herself from the door and hurried toward Becky and me.

'Hi! I'm Alice Cullen! You're Mila right?' she asked, shaking my hand fiercely. I nodded, 'Yep, that's me. Nice to meet you Alice.'

Alice made a weird squealing sound and dragged me by my arms to what I assumed was my new apartment. Becky had turned to leave, shaking her head and giggling, probably because of Alice's weird actions.

When we entered the room, she let go of me and closed the door. it was a nice room with purple walls, decorated with white and black. Alice explained me where everything was – kitchen on the left, her room first on the right, bathroom in the middle and my room third door on the right.

'I've already made up a bed for you since I thought you didn't feel like doing after traveling,' Alice said shrugging indifferently. I smiled, 'Thanks. You didn't have to do that though.'

'Nah, I didn't mind. Hey, but I'm sure you're hungry. Are you up for some pizza or anything else? I can make dinner.' She proposed. I thought about that for a minute.

'I don't mind as long as its edible. Do you cook often?' I replied. Alice nodded explaining while I shrugged of my jacket and took of my shoes where she'd insisted on earlier to make myself comfortable.

'Yes, I do. I've always done at home and I really enjoy it! my mother does too, so I think I got it from her,' she gushed. I scowled a little too obvious at her mentioning her mother. It was still hard to hear such a thing when I lost my parent s only over two years ago.

'What's wrong?' Alice asked, frowning and walking up to me. she laid her hand on my shoulder, seeking my eyes.

'I…Eh…I don't want to talk about it..yet. It doesn't have anything to do with you, I swear!' I assured her. Alice patted my shoulder and turned around to dig into the refrigerator. I noticed the obvious large brand of designer jeans and looked down at my own. I wasn't really a fashion chick.

'Okay, so…I can make salad or pasta….do you like Ravioli?' Alice questioned with her head still stuck in the refrigerator.

'Yeah, ravioli is fine,' I answered, 'Alice I'm going to unpack. Or do you need help with dinner?'

Alice stood up straight again and shook her head, 'No, I've cooked here alone for months so it won't be a problem. You go unpack. Than we have dinner and maybe we can watch a movie or something?' I told her that was alright and went to the door she pointed at as my room. Opening it I smiled, seeing the blue color on the walls. Blue was one of my favorite colors. in the corner was white bunk bed with only an actual sleeping part on the upper side. Beneath is was a desk along with a chair and a book case. There was a small dresser behind the door and a nightstand-like shelf next to the bed. My suitcases were already here and I started to zip it open. I placed my clothes neatly on the shelves and my underwear in the drawers. My toiletries I kept in my beauty case – I could take it with me when I needed to shower or apply my makeup. I grabbed the few photo frames with pictures of me, my grandma and my parents and set them on the shelf next to my bed. I placed the novels I'd brought from home on the desk along with my laptop. I'd bought me and Grandma Marie a pair of webcams so we could Skype. Before I left I created an account for her.

When I was busy with my jewelry case, I saw the shiny bracelet of my mother and dark watch of my father. I'd taken them with me as in trying to keep them close in some way. I brushed the upper side of the clockwork of my dad's watch, seeing the clockwise hit five in the evening. I missed them dearly, being angry with myself for forgetting the good memories form my early youth. I only had fewer pictures which I had to share with Grandma Marie. My parents were gone a lot for their jobs which I never understood. But maybe now, while I was going to study and someday have a job myself, I'll understand. I smiled faintly feeling a single teardrop leak from my eye.

'Hey, dinner is ready,' I heard Alice say from behind me. I dropped the watch, startled by the sudden sound of her voice.

'Mila are you sure you're alright?' I heard Alice ask again. I took a deep breath and stood up form my spot on the ground, quickly drying the tear form my cheek.

'Never better,' I answered, setting up my best fake smile.


Lexilicious: so Mila's settling in, see you next chappie! and please review :)