Hey guys! I'm back! So excited to finally get into this story. I hate all the boring chapters that have to be done. I know that there will still be plenty of those to come but trust me. This story is going to get interesting. Clare just needs to adjust and get into the flow of Columbia first. So bear with me. Hope you guys enjoy this chapter, and I will see you guys next Wednesday!

As always, Read and Review!

**Hey guys! I am soo sorry! I didn't realize I was still having those stupid technical issues. I don't know what it is, but I honestly had this chapter posted Wednesday morning before work. I had no idea that it didn't post on your end. I will be more careful and prepared for that in the future. I hope you guys still enjoy this chapter, and I apologize for the wait.

Clare's POV

"Come on." I muttered, while searching for my dorm key. I was propping a box in between me and the door, while searching through my purse that was slung over my shoulder.

"Here. Let me help." A voice said. I turned to see a girl grab my purse off of my shoulder, and search through it. She found the key I was looking for, and moved to open the door. After the door was unlocked, she held it open for me to go through. "Let me guess, Freshman?"

"How'd you know?" I asked, smiling.

"Because that's what I looked like last year." She smiled. "Hi, I'm Katie."

"Clare." I smiled back.

"Do you need some help moving things in?" She asked.

"Oh. I don't want to bother you. I'm sure you have a lot of stuff to do to." I stated.

"I moved in early. So I'm free today. My roommate won't be moving in until tomorrow, so I don't mind." She reassured.

"Okay. That would be great. Thanks." I smiled.

Katie and I walked out of the building and down to the van. We talked about our personal lives, as well as the campus. Katie showed me around briefly, as we continued going back and forth, bringing boxes up to my dorm room. I also found out that she was in a double with her childhood best friend, Marisol, down the hall.

It took us over an hour to bring all the boxes and other things from the van into my room. I was glad I had help, because I knew that if I didn't, I would've been working on it for more than twice as long.

"Are you hungry? The dining hall is serving dinner right now, and we can head over and then we can start unpacking?" Katie asked. "Plus I can show you around more."

"Sure." I agreed, following Katie down the hall.

The campus has several dining areas, and our dorm was actually right next to one of the main halls. When we arrived there, I was stunned at the size. It was massive, and very expensive looking. There was enough seating for almost the entire undergraduate class. There were a least five different lines you could go to, all having different foods.

Katie walked towards one line, and I decided to follow her. I wasn't really picky, especially after what happened last year. I would eat what I could get. So I was willing to eat anything. When we had finally gotten our food, Katie directed us over to a table with a couple other students. We sat with them, and greeted them but Katie said she didn't really know them.

"Most people come and go at different times, so you won't always see the same people. Marisol usually eats at the earlier ends of serving times, because she has class afterwards. But I tend to go later on because I can't eat that early." She explains. "Most people are friendly though, so you can pretty much sit wherever. Sometimes I'll sit and talk with people, other times I'll just sit with them and read something I brought with me."

"That's cool." I nodded. I glanced around the room, scoping the place out a little, when I see that guy from before. He was cleaning up and chatting with a large guy. "Out of curiosity." I began. "Who's that guy?"

"Who? Mo?" Katie asked confused.

"Is that the one wearing mostly black?" I asked.

"No. That's Zig. Mo is the other guy. He's actually dating Marisol. Zig is his band mate." Katie explained. "Why?"

"No reason. I just bumped into him earlier, and I was just curious." I said. I didn't want to mention the fact that he reminded me of Eli. That would open a whole can of worms I wasn't ready to open.

"Do you like him?" She asked curiously.

"No. No. He just reminds me of someone I used to know." I sighed.

"Your ex." She stated. "Did you leave him back home?"

"I—" I cut off. How could I possibly explain Eli? How could I possibly explain our situation in just a few simple words? "It's complicated."

"Isn't it always?" She smiled.

"Seems that way." I exhaled, thinking back to K.C. and then to Eli. "It really does."

We continued to talk while eating. We kept the conversation light and safe, by keeping it on school. We didn't really talk about our families, which I was grateful because that was also another subject I didn't want to get into just yet.

After we finished we headed back to our dorm, taking the long way so Katie could show me around a little more. When we made it back, we began unpacking. We spent another hour doing that, before calling it a night. I was tired after the long drive, and Katie said that she needed to call her sister before it got too late.

When I finally climbed into bed, I just laid there, staring at the ceiling. I wasn't able to sleep even though I knew I was tired. My mind was just swimming with everything that has happened. I was in Columbia University. I was miles away from any family. I didn't have a job. And I missed the three friends I had. I would've still had been friends with Alli, but I missed her. She didn't deserve to die like that. Especially because of me.

Adam and Eli, however, were out there somewhere. I just hadn't spoken to them in over a year. A year and two months. Just as long as my parents. I cried so many times over not having them in my life. But then I beat myself up over the fact that I pushed them away. I was the one at fault here. I felt bad because I knew that. I knew that if I hadn't run away, I would've still been friends with Adam and most likely would still be dating Eli.

No one is to blame but myself. I realized then that I was still not over him. I hadn't thought about him in months, but after Zig reminding me so much of Eli, I know that I am not over him. I don't know if I ever will be. I guess I have to try. And what better way, then to try at college? I don't have anything holding me back here. Nothing to keep the past with me.

I will begin my fresh start tomorrow. I will get over Eli. I will create new friendships. I will become strong. I will become a confident person. And I will get through this. That's what I kept telling myself over and over again until I fell asleep. Too bad I knew I wasn't even fooling myself.