Total pages in book: 177
Estimated words: 163387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 817(@200wpm)___ 654(@250wpm)___ 545(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 163387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 817(@200wpm)___ 654(@250wpm)___ 545(@300wpm)
Jess has always been the more worldly of the two of us, and to hear her tell it, she had no fears about being hundreds of miles away from home. As we unpacked my luggage, which was way too much for the small room, she told me of all the best places she’d found for us to try.
In the middle of unpacking, my new roommate came in. A seemingly nice girl named Alexis, who was one of those bubbly never met a stranger types. She jumped right in, and before long, the three of us were chatting away like long-lost friends.
As the evening wore on, the three of us decided to head down to the cafeteria for some dinner and for the two of them to show me around before lights out. Alexis was another one who seemed taken in by this Cody person, and I started to wonder about this paragon of manliness that made these two gush.
I didn’t have much experience with the opposite sex. Okay, I had none. Mom didn’t think it was a good idea for me to take my concentration away from my studies, and so I’d beaten back any interest from the few boys who’d shown some in me.
“What?” I caught Alexis staring at me quizzically and blushed.
“Nothing, I just realized in this light. You’re really pretty.”
“Oh, hush.” I hate being the center of attention, and I especially hate talking about my looks, which aren’t much to talk about, contrary to what Jess has been saying to me ever since we met.
“Told you. She doesn’t even need makeup; it’s sickening.” The two of them spent the next five minutes going on and on about how they would fix my hair to the best effect and so on. I basically brushed it off and picked at my fries while the excitement of being here finally started to kick in.
I’d been people watching the whole while, not taking their teasing too seriously and generally just enjoying the heck out of being here and the rush I got from being free and on my own as any self-respecting teen my age would.
LISA
Mom only called once during dinner, and I knew I had dad to thank for that, as I was sure she’d be calling every hour on the hour until I was home again. I didn’t resent her over-protectiveness, not much anyway. I’d lived with it for so long that it was like a living entity in our home. But now, with me being so far away, I expected that stifled feeling to ease a bit with time.
Dad had sat me down and explained things the way only he could. That though this was a new and exciting experience for me, it was a scary one for mom, and so I’d have to keep that in mind when dealing with her, at least for the first semester.
He didn’t necessarily have to tell me that, though. This is the woman who’d sign me up for away camp every summer and change her mind at the last minute. I’m sure she’s walking the floor biting her nails this very minute.
I put thoughts and worries aside and basked in the excitement of these two who were chatting away like long-lost pals, and I got the feeling Alexis and I was going to get along just fine as roommates. Something else that had worried mom no end.
My first night on a college campus ended early with me back in my room, going through my things and making sure that all was ready for the coming days ahead. Mom would be so pleased.
Instead of the reveling and wild parties she’d imagined, everyone seemed rather low-key here. Then again, it was Monday night, and I can’t imagine there was much to do anywhere.
Alexis was also an answer to a prayer; she didn’t seem like the type to stay out all night partying, distracting me away from my studies, or having a different guy in our room every other day, as mom supposed.
After reading some of the horror stories on the net about new college roommates, it was relaxing to have one who was so down to earth and just an all-around nice girl. It was one less thing for mom to worry about, which I’ll reassure her of the next time she calls.
The next day I had an early morning class and must’ve been the only one on the whole campus who was giddy with excitement at my first venture into the world of academia.
I had a few classes with Jess and Alexis, but this wasn’t one of them, so Alexis, who had her first class in another couple of hours, just rolled over to inquire if I knew how to find my class before mumbling and rolling over when I assured her that I did, which made me laugh.