Page 3 of Pretty Little Fears

“Wow,”Iwhisper while letting out a low sigh.Iclose my eyes, being here feels surreal.AsItake a deep breath, the crisp, earthy scent fills my lungs.Lettingit out gradually,Iopen my eyes with more determination than before to make the most of the opportunity that was given to me.

Ipeek through the iron gates once more before walking through them and onto the campus.Ibegin to go over the mental checklistIhave to complete before orientation later today.

First,Ineed to make my way over to the housing office, whereIwill get my keys for the houseI'llbe sharing with a few girls.After,I'llgo get settled in.Followingthat is orientation and then classes start next week onMonday.

Sharinga house with three other girls is nerve wracking, to say the least.Beingan only child,I’venever had to share anything with anyone.I’mhesitant to be in a home with other girls, strangers nonetheless.

However, there’s a soft spot in my heart when thinking about what could be, a bond and friendship that will help rid this loneliness from my heart.Runninga restaurant took so much of my time,Idrifted away from any remaining friendsIhad.

Regainingfocus,Iwalk down the blue-gray cobblestone path while the light dusting of wind whips my hair around behind me.Ipull out my campus map, yes the campus is that grand.It’slikeI’mstudying at a gothicDisneyWorld.Ihad printed it the momentIgot my acceptance letter.

Ishift the map in my grip asIlook for the buildingIneed to head towards.Afterfinding it on the map,Iinput the building's name into myGPSand begin to head to the office.It’sabout a 12-minute walk, not bad, and it gives me more time to take in my new home for the next four years.

Ipull my eyes from the map and look up at the surrounding expansion of grass, trees, and bushes filled with those beautiful red flowersIsaw at the entrance.Withevery step,Ifeel the weight and stress of the past year slipping off my shoulders.

Itfeels liberating to be doing something for myself, my future, my life.Thehard work doesn’t stop now.Thatwas just the beginning.

Thehousing building has a similar look to the rest of the campus.Dark, moody, gothic, and absolutely breathtaking.Iwalk in and marvel at the interior.Whilethe outside looks historical and ancient, the inside is modern and chic.

Ahuge black and white marble desk sits in the middle of the reception area.There’sa small lamp on the desk and that seems to be the only source of light besides the sun beaming in through the windows.

Iwas right about all the natural light that comes through.Portraitsline the walls, honoring deans and teachers.It’squiet besides the gentle clacking of a keyboard.Itake a few steps toward the desk when a tiny woman pops her head out from behind the gigantic monitor.Sheresembles aBarbiedoll.Silkyblond hair, icy blue eyes, and a friendly smile.

“Hello, dear,I’mMarcelina, manager of the welcome center.Ifyou’re here for key pick-up, can you give me your first and last name along with yourID?”Sheasks with a smile.

“Hi, yes, of course.”Witha slight tremble in my hands,Ifish in my bag for my wallet and hand over myID.

“I, um,I’mBlairStirling.FromNewYork.”Ireply anxiously.Mycheeks burn with embarrassment.God, why didItell her that?I’msure she doesn’t care or need to know whereI’mfrom.

Marcelinatakes myID, nods before she returns it, and goes back to clacking on her computer.Amoment later, she turns back to me with a smile.

“BlairStirlingfromNewYork, your housing unit is located at 4873CobblestoneDrive.It’sabout five minutes from campus.Doyou need directions on how to get there?”

BeforeIcan respond, she walks over to a lockbox settled on the wall behind her desk.AfterMarcelinapops in the code, the lockbox unlocks, revealing a bunch of keys for different housing units.Shesearches for a moment until she finds the one labeled with my correct address and grabs it.Itlooks like it wasthe last one,Iwonder if my roommates have already picked their keys up.Marcelinareseals the lockbox and turns around to face me.

“No, thank you.Ishould be okay.Thankyou for the help,”Irespond politely.

“Alrightythen.Youare all set.Hereyou go,Ms.Stirling!WelcometoBlackwoodUniversity!Mayyour time here be life-changing and eye opening to a world of possibilities!”Sheexclaims, handing over my keys.

“Thanksagain,”Isay with a smile and make my way out of the office.

Fromthe welcome center, it's a brief walk to my house.Iuse the time it takes me to get there and let myself become acquainted with the surrounding area.Thankfully, my scholarship covers my housing fees too.Iwould’ve had to turn down the opportunity, again, if it didn’t.

IfindCobblestoneDriveand continue to walk looking for unit 4873.Ifreeze when it comes into view, my eyes going wide asIglance from the house, down to the key in my hand and back up to the vast structure in front of me.

“Nofucking way.”Isay in disbelief.

Theresidence in front of me is gigantic.Likewipe my ass withBenjamin'sgigantic.I’veseen pictures of the buildings and units online, but in person, they look unreal.Ishake my head, letting out a light chuckle.Ofcourse their housing would be as high society as the university itself.

Makingmy way up the front porch,Ichew on my bottom lip while debating ifIshould knock or just walk in.Decidingto go with the latter,Iunlock and push open the door.

“Hello?”Ihesitantly call out asItake a step inside.AsImakemy way in,I’mmet with nothing but the sound of the marble floors squeaking under my feet.Theentryway is open with high ceilings and more bay windows that match those of the welcome center, allowing for natural light to bathe the room in a calm ambiance.Isweep my gaze over my surroundings, soaking everything in.

Modern, elegant art is hung on the walls, and a grandU-shaped sectional sits in the middle of the living room, a plush white rug laying over the light gray marble floor.Matchingchairs are placed on the opposite side.Throwpillows are peppered throughout the seats, each with different quotes and graphics on them.Inthe middle of it all, is a glass coffee table holding a vase of blood red flowers.

Icontinue walking through the house, familiarizing myself with the layout.Tothe right, there’s the kitchen.Equippedwith magnificent stainless steel appliances, white and gold marble countertops, and sleek black cabinets.

Plants, pictures, and knick-knacks decorate the space as well.There’sa frame holding a picture of three girls posing in front ofBlackwood.Oneblonde, the other a redhead, and the last one has inky black hair.

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