The courtyard buzzed with laughter, and the occasional crash of fallen boxes. First year to last year students bustle around trying to find classrooms and dorm rooms. Lydia and her parents made their way through the crowd, but had no contribution to the energy around them. She wanted to believe it was due to their focus on not dropping the various boxes, but she also knew better. If her parent's hands weren't occupied then they would be locked in on their phones engulfed in their work. That's how things were, and that's how things had been for as long as Lydia could remember. Their true love was not each other, it was their jobs.
Left turn here, right turn there, and Lydia caved, deciding it was best to ask someone for directions around campus. After what seemed like years, they finally made it to her dorm room.
The door was propped open, a slight breeze coming from the window across the room. A girl had her back to the Martins, arranging clothes to her liking. Lydia felt the need to knock despite this being her home too, but there was a feel of intrusion creeping into the pit of her stomach. One knock, and then one more, caused the girl to turn around. In two seconds flat the girl was approaching Lydia with a smile so bright it made Lydia blink twice.
"You must be Lydia! My name is Allison Argent your new roommate!" Her voice was soft and electric all at the same time. The dark haired girl simpled seemed to radiate, and Lydia found herself at a loss for words.
"I apologize if I come off strong, I'm just thrilled to meet you! Here, let me take those." Allison grabbed the boxes from Lydia's arms and brought them to an untouched corner of the room. It gave Lydia a chance to finally look around her new home.
The room was small, but in a homey sort of way. Two big windows on the far wall brought in natural sunlight, two beds, two desk, and a closet to share. It was simple, but it was her's, and at that thought a small smile appeared.
Behind her, the Martin parents finally made their way inside. Without a second thought both parents were throwing boxes and suitcases to the ground wherever they seemed fit.
"Alright darling that's everything. Your father and I must be on our way. Good luck and do well, we'll see you for thanksgiving."
Her mom was quick, giving Lydia a tight smile and brief hug. Just like that, Lydia's parents were gone as fast as they came. A normal college freshman would probably burst into tears, but by now she was numb to it.
Turning around, Lydia noticed the confused look Allison was sending her way, but soon it was masked as if Allison didn't want Lydia to worry about it.
"Come on, let's get our things in order, and then how about we get some lunch so we can start getting to know each other?"
Lydia still found herself uneasy from the kindness that seemed to radiate off the girl infront of her, but she told herself she just wasn't used to someone so sweet. There were no words escaping her lips, so Lydia forced a nod signaling that she agreed.
"Wonderful! Do you mind if I take the bed by the door? I have a hard time sleeping by windows."
Lydia smiles a genuine smile, "That's fine. I prefer sleeping next to the window anyways."
The girls spent the next two hours unpacking and telling each other about themselves. Allison was studying the medical field as well, but in hopes to become a pediatrician. She was from a small town in California called Beacon Hills, and was an only child. She did archery in her free time, and promised to teach Lydia first chance they got.
They decided to grab lunch, and then spend some time exploring campus. Lydia found herself back in the courtyard, now seemingly quiet after today's earlier activities. Allison was giving her a tour of the college, showing Lydia where all the classrooms were located.
"We'll have our science and medical classes in that building over there. Stay away from Professor Harris, he's boring and a total asshole."
Lydia nodded along mindlessly, "Where about Literature classes? I'm taking some electives in that department."
Allison points across the courtyard, "That reddish building right over there. If you want a suggestion, you should take Mythology with Professor Hale. He's intelligent, interesting, and pretty cute even though he appears to be a hard ass."
A laugh escaped Lydia's lips, "I'll keep that in mind. Allison you seem to already know everything about this school."
The brunette let out a laugh of her own, and looked down at the ground slightly embarrassed. "I'm sorry, I should have maybe mentioned this earlier but I've spent a lot of time here already. My boyfriend is a junior here, so I've spent my fair share of weekends here over the past two years. I've just heard a lot from him and our friends."
Lydia let her eyes drop down to the ground below her. Sadness crept into the back of her mind, of course Allison had friends here already. She was just showing her around to be nice. Negative thoughts swarmed Lydia's head, she thought they were going to be friends but it was too late for that, Allison already had her-
"Would you like to meet everyone?" The words practically made Lydia trip over her own two feet due to the sudden interruption of her thoughts. Allison although, had that radiating smile shining once again, "Lydia you should come hangout with us tonight. Scott has an apartment across campus from our dorm. He's having a welcome back party! And no, don't worry it's not a typical college party. It'll just be our group of friends and a few others. There will be drinks and pizza, but completely casual. It would be so much fun if you came, and then everyone could meet you!"
Lydia felt herself panicking, "I don't know.." she let out in a stutter. "I would hate to intrude."
"Not possible. We're friends now, I want you to come."
And suddenly, Lydia was sold. Because right there and then someone wanted her presence, something that she felt hadn't existed for quite some time. She worried that Allison was just doing it to be nice, but in that moment Lydia didn't care.
Red, Pink and Orange hues danced into the room from the open window. The setting sun sent in its last bits of warmth before ending the day and starting the night. Allison hummed in the corner, a song Lydia only knew parts of. She curled her dark locks while the strawberry blonde sat upon her bed reading the new book she started that same morning. (She was already halfway through.) It was simple, it was peaceful, it was home.
"What are you wearing tonight?" Allison asked, taking one last look at her hair before nodding in approval. Lydia sighed, bending the corner of her page to save for later.
"Black jeans, grey top with my army green jacket and probably my adidas."
"Edgy, I like it." Allison smirked as she pulled a floral skirt, black halter top, jean jacket and some heeled sandals.
Lydia rolled her eyes playfully. The two girls were leaving in an hour, and Lydia was avoiding the responsibility of getting ready. Truth be told, there was a mix of emotions rolling over her five foot three body. New people were scary. They were the unknown, the line outside your comfort zone, and that line just wasn't easy to cross for the little red.
But Allison was back to humming as she turned on their twinkle lights as the sun finally vanished from the sky. Stars began to illuminate the dark night, and in that moment something ticked in the back of Lydia's mind.
This is different.
Because without her knowing it, Lydia was humming along to that very song she hardly knew a word to.
Because her roommate was sending her the brightest smile showing the joy she found in her joining along.
All of this, these 12 hours and 37 minutes were unique. It was the beginning of something, but Lydia wasn't sure what. So instead of worrying she smiled and continued to hum the unfamiliar tune.
Because this was home now, and it made her feel as though she was prepared for whatever came crashing her way.
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