Campus Life

Faith had just become friends with her roommates but she had to leave the dorm soon. September was the beginning of the Fall semester and the overseeing world had arranged for Faith to attend the Birchmount University in a different city. Classes were starting on the 10th but Faith was leaving on the 4th to get settled in. Sarah was teary eyed because she was going to miss Faith's stories about the future.

"You just came a couple of days ago, it is sad to see you leave. Make sure you locate a telephone booth as soon as you get to campus and call our landline frequently," Sarah said as Faith tried to break free from her tight hug.

"Okay, I think that was the last hug," said Faith and soon she was out of room 5, out of the Huckleberry dorm and on her way to school in a taxi.

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Room 210

Gwen and Trisha were childhood best friends who resolved to go to every class together from grade one of elementary school to the last year of University. One thing they did not consider was getting different dorm rooms at the University. Each room in the girl's dormitory housed two students. They talked about their disappointment in the residence arrangements on Gwen's bed.

Gwen: "Since we are not in the same room, let's decide where to meet up on the weekends so we do not end up walking around campus looking for each other. For the weekdays, we will meet anyway in our classes."

Trisha: "Great. On Saturdays how about we meet up at the entrance of the University to go to the mall at 9am. Sundays I need to sleep in a little. How about we meet up at the cafeteria for lunch?"

Gwen: "Perfect. I usually sleep in on Saturdays but I could do that on Sundays instead. Should we invite our new roommates too?"

Trisha:" No stupid! We can't just trust people. We've only got each other. Get out the box of cookies your mom gave you. I am hungry, aren't you?"

As they munched on Gwen's cookies, their conversation continued.

Trisha: When you meet your new roommate, try to show her that you cannot be intimidated. Show that you're strong. Do not be unnecessarily nice. I know you usually let people take advantage of you. But don't worry. You've got me.

Gwen: Ha don't worry. No one takes advantage of me.

They continued their conversation by talking about their goals for the next four years on campus. All of which only involved them two.

Clueless Faith burst in all smiles ready to make new friends. She dragged her luggage to the empty bed and exclaimed,

"Ugh! It was so hard to find the dormitory. I definitely need to make it to orientation or I would never find my way around this campus."

She turned to face the two girls and said "Hi, I am Faith. Which one of you is Gwen? I hope we get along well." She reached out for a handshake.

Trisha gave a smirk and walked out of the room. Seeing her friend's reaction, Gwen withdrew the hand she half extended towards Faith, smiled shyly and followed suit. Faith stood a while seemingly idle, but Faith was battling the well of tears that had gathered in her chest. She won. Or did she? That night, she silently weeped into her pillow. She missed her homes, her home in 2020 and the Huckleberry dorm in 1984.

The next couple of days, things were very awkward between Gwen and Faith. It was bearable because Gwen was usually out with Trisha all day everyday so the moments of awkwardness were minutes before bedtime and when they wake up. It was also awkward when the times they had to use the bathroom synced.

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The first day of class Faith spotted Gwen and Trisha sitting at the far end of her first period, Geog 0101. It was a nightmare. Faith immediately noticed how different the university classroom was from what she expected. There were zero laptops in front of students and there was no projector in front of the classroom with powerpoint slides. Instead, there were notebooks and pens in front of students and a blackboard in front of the class. Faith fought to stay awake for the boring 3 hour class. The professor spoke in such a soft voice, he was almost whispering. It was like ASMR for Faith. With no engaging slides and such a boring lecture, Faith soon fell asleep.

Faith woke up to a slight tap on her head and a roar of laughter. All eyes were on her. The professor had thrown a chalk to wake her up. She looked over to see Gwen and Trisha still giggling even after the laughter had died down. Gwen shyly lowered her gaze. Faith was not enjoying her campus life at all.

It was raining. Her umbrella was destroyed by the wind but Faith was bent on finding a payphone. She had to talk to someone. She searched all over campus and environs while thinking to herself how hard it was to live in an era without smart phones. She found a booth. She went in soaked from head to toe. She did not know how to operate a payphone. She took some coins out of her purse and eventually figured it out.

"Hello, password please." A staff from the Huckleberry dormitory answered the phone. Travel dormitories kept passwords as a way to make sure non-travellers were not aware of the dorms and calling them.

" A cat has two lives, may I speak to Sarah Jenson of room 5 please?" Faith answered.

"Okay, give me a second while I get her," the staff replied.

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"What's up. You finally remembered us, Faith!" Sarah said excitedly.

"It is horrible here. They hate me. I just want to come back to Huckleberry."

"Oh no! Fill me up. What's wrong?"

After Faith narrated the events of the last couple of days, Sarah was furious and she did not hide it.

"Why are they being mean for absolute no reason? From what you've told me, that Trisha girl is a horrible influence on Gwen. I think you should have an honest talk with Gwen when she is alone. Tell her you mean her no harm and you were hurt by the way she treated you. Maybe she would open her heart to you."

After Sarah updated Faith on what was going on at Huckleberry like Peter acting depressed and Jermaine of their room being in a relationship with someone in room 1, they ended the phone call.

While walking back to the student residence, Faith made up her mind to take Sarah's advice. When she got to room 210, Gwen was alone and Faith decided it was time to act.

"Hey Gwen can I talk to you?" She asked as she approached Gwen who was standing close to the bathroom door.

"About what?" Trisha replied while coming out of the bathroom.

Gwen swallowed the words she was about to speak.

Faith's heart sank in fright.