New Beginnings

Official classes were starting on the 9th of September so Faith and Sarah were on their way to campus on the 7th. It was a Saturday and in perfect Cher fashion, the weekend traffic was brutal.

"Maybe you were right Sarah. We should have gone yesterday instead."

Sarah did not hear a word Faith said to her. The earphones of her walkman blocked her ears and she dived into her world of music while taking in the scenery.

The girls soon arrived at Birchmount. They had so much luggage and were struggling to carry them all to the dormitory. Josh spotted them from afar and ran to help them. Josh lightened their load.

"How was your vacation, Faith? I forgot to get your home number so we couldn't talk much." Josh started the conversation on their walk up to the dormitory.

"It was good. I came back with my neighbour this time. Her name is Sarah, we are going to be roommates here."

"Oh, hi Sarah, I'd shake your hands but our hands are occupied right now." Josh laughed. " hope we get along well." He added.

"Just leave them here, we will come back down for them." Faith said to Josh when they reached the entrance of the dormitory.

"Okay sure but Faith would you come to the GLC to play with us this year?" Josh asked.

"I don't know about that. Things got pretty awkward last semester." Faith answered.

"That's fair. I hope you still hang out with me though."

"Yea definitely."

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Room 305

Faith and Sarah moved into their new dorm room. The girls were making their beds and unpacking their luggage.

"It is crazy how one moment we are packed in a room with 12 other roommates and the next second it is just us." Sarah said as she hanged her clothes in her closet.

"We didn't even have much closet space. Some of us had to keep our clothes in our suitcases. Also I don't have to get dressed in the bathroom. That is the most exciting thing for me." Sarah continued.

"Yea yea whatever. I would honestly still rather be at Huckleberry. Hurry so I can go show you around the campus." Faith replied.

"But you know, that Josh boy he seems to fancy you." Sarah told Faith of her suspicions.

"I used to have a crush on him and I think he liked me too but...."

"But?"

" Knowing that I am not going to live a long life, I have decided to never get into a relationship. I know I won't be able to accompany my partner for their whole life and my death would just bring heartbreak. Plus I think Josh just had an infatuation, he is over it."

"Faith, you have 17 more years to live. You can't live alone for the rest of your life. You will be lonely. Don't be scared about breaking the person's heart by dying . You never know, they could die first. Don't be unfair to yourself." Sarah advised.

"Well okay. Let's make a deal. When you start dating someone then I will find someone." Faith promised and the girls laughed.

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Faith and Sarah were always together on campus except for when they had classes. Faith had not seen Keisha and Banji for a couple of weeks since going back to Birchmount. She never went to the GLC and she had been to busy to leave campus to find Keisha. When she found the time, she took Sarah to go find the two.

Faith really did not want to go to the GLC but that was the only place she could find Banji. So she went there on a Wednesday during practice. Luckily for her she didn't have to enter the building. She ran into Banji on the way there. He was late and was rushing to practice.

"Banji!"

Banji turned at the sound of the familiar voice. "Oh hi, Faith."

"It has been a while and I thought I would come find you. How are things?" Faith asked.

"I am doing good. I hope you are too. Sorry Faith I am late, I have to go." Banji sped off.

"I thought you two were close and even went to Nonubi together?" Sarah was confused.

"I thought so too. He is being cold towards me. I guess he was traumatized by what happened in Nonubi and wants to cut off anyone or anything that would remind him of that." Faith said.

"That is no excuse. You were also there and experienced what he experienced. You should find strength in each other and not shut each other off."

"Let's go. We will go find Keisha some other day. She left Nonubi without saying bye. I hope she doesn't treat me the same way. That would mean I really lost all my friends." Faith wiped a tear on her right cheek.

"Aw don't worry. At least you got me. You've always got Sarah." Sarah trapped Faith in a tight suffocating hug.

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Keisha's shift was almost ending when the two girls walked into the restaurant. Keisha was startled to see Faith.

"We will wait outside. When your shift ends, come meet us." Faith whispered to Keisha.

Keisha took the two girls to her car and on their way Faith introduces Sarah and Keisha. They didn't sit inside the car. They leaned on the trunk.

"I am sorry, I left just like that. I was going through too much mentally and I just needed a break." Keisha apologized.

"To be honest with you, I really wasn't happy with you. You left without a goodbye but I understand it must have been too much for you. Banji has started to treat me very coldly. I don't want to lose you too so I hope you don't cut me off."

"Oh Faith. I thought you would be mad at me. I could understand if you were. So I assumed you wouldn't want to continue being friends. I am sorry but I promise we will be best friends forever. We will be sisters forever. "

Faith and Keisha had a warm embrace.

"And you can take Banji's spot. I trust you'd be a better friend." Keisha said pulling Sarah into the embrace.

Keisha offered to give the two girls a ride back to campus.

"You said you're not doing t-bands and travel clubs no more until you leave the dormitory system right?" Keisha asked Faith.

"Yea no I am not taking the risk." Faith replied.

"Yea I totally get you. There are other things we can do."

There was a brief silence during the ride.

"When is your 2 year mark? When do you graduate from the dormitory system?"

"August next year."

"It is going to be fun."