CHAPTER 5 - College Was Made For Her

　　Chelsea's POV;

　　It's afternoon, and I'm alone in the room. Tracy took Ashley to the medical center last night after I got the inhaler. Before I got back, Tracy had calmed Ashley down a bit with the help of honey.

　　Now, she's gone to bring Ashley back. I would have loved to go too, but my sprained ankle didn't allow that. The pharmacist told me not to stress the leg too much if I want it healed in a day or so.

　　I turn to the door in excitement, when it opens, Ashley walks in with Tracy behind her.

　　"Ashley! How are you?? "I question as Ashley slowly makes her way to her bed, and Tracy sits on hers.

　　"I'm good... Thanks to you guys... "She says, and I smile.

　　"You know, things could have gone really wrong last night if neither of us arrived the times that we did. We're roommates, we... We should try to know each other better... "Tracy says and looks between Ashley and me.

　　"And we can start by at least have each other's phone numbers. "She adds, and I nod in agreement.

　　With that, we all get out our phones and share our numbers. When we're done, silence follows, and Ashley speaks.

　　"I lost my parents in an accident when I was 13. I stayed at a foster home till a really nice, old couple came to adopt me. I'm 18 years old now, and although it's been five years, I still miss my parents.

　　I miss them badly. Yes, my current folks are nice, but... I can't get my parents out of my head, or the images of both of them covered in blood. I live a very social life cause the noise, parties, drinks, and adventures help me push my nostalgia and nightmares to the back of my head.

　　My folks are old now, and I know they'd leave me soon too. It saddens me cause I'd lose my parents again. I know it's not their fault. They helped me by taking me in and showing me so much love, but I feel bitter each time I remember that old age is gonna snatch them away from me soon.

　　It makes me feel alone and distressed... "She narrates and I stare at her with parted lips... Wow.

　　"I also love books too. They're my escape from this cruel world... "She adds, and I smile as I have gotten a whiff of how much she does love books.

　　"I lost my parents too. At the age of 10 on my birthday. It was also in an accident. I was quite young and asleep in the back seat, so I don't quite remember what happened...

　　I also got adopted by a nice family. They're stinking rich, and my adoptive mom is incapable of having children. So, I'm their only heir. They've been good to me, and all, and I love them very much.

　　But like you said... We can't forget our parents... There's this... Nostalgia and sorrow from within. My goth style is low-key linked to my late parents. My mom loved black a lot, and asides from that... I feel my life isn't as colorful as it should be.

　　So I try to fill it up with a lot of... Things that might bring color. "Tracy narrates, and I stare at her in silence. I inhale deeply and chose to speak.

　　I've never really confessed my true emotions to anyone before now. Not even to my mom. Sure, my story isn't as bad as theirs, but it still hurts badly. That my dad didn't want me and doesn't even care if I'm alive or dead.

　　"I was 11 when my father left. He left me, my mom, and my 9 years old brother. He left us to go and start another family with some strange woman.

　　Since then, life was never the same. My mom took on three jobs to keep the house running and send my brother and me to school, and as soon as I turned 15, I got my first job to support the house.

　　Coming to this university had been a massive dream for all my life. I just... I want to make my mom proud, and I want my dad to regret ever abandoning me. I want to be better than his new kids. I want him to see that we didn't need him to survive... "I confess, but stop as I feel my tears threatening to fall.

　　"I guess we've all been through our fair shares of pain, haven't we? "Ashley questions with a bitter chuckle, and I scoff, I look up at them, and Ashley gets off her bed and walks over to me. Wrapping me in a hug.

　　"I guess we're all sisters now... "She says, and I laugh as I hug her back.

　　"I'm normally not a people person, but you little girls have quite the effect on me... "Tracy says before getting off her bed, and walking over to us, and we pull her into the hug, giggling.

　　I guess university isn't as bad as I thought it would be. I have such awesome roommates. I didn't expect to be paired with such strong people. I feel we'd get through this year just fine together.

　　I'm glad I didn't get too judgmental about their ways of life. I don't see any trouble waiting for me... These girls could be my sisters in school.

　　******

　　It's Saturday and it's about 7:00 pm. I'm arranging my books again, because I plan to go to church tomorrow, and that may not give me enough time to prepare for my classes.

　　I've been at this for about ten minutes. My first day of lectures needs to go well. I've had a whole week to settle in. Nothing will ruin my first classes. You can call me sentimental or superstitious, but I believe that how I start this journey would have a great significance on how I end it. So, I intend to start right!

　　Tracy is laying on her back on her bed, using her phone, and I believe she's surfing the internet, while Ashley is reading yet another novel. She definitely loves books more than I do. I can't read that much!

　　Tracy suddenly sits up and turns to Ashley and me.

　　"What do you guys say to attending a party with me tonight? "She questions and I raise a brow at her, before looking at Ashley who slowly pulls the novel in her hands away from her face.

　　"A party? What party? "She questions and I turn to Tracy in wonder.

　　"There's a party at my frat house tonight. You both should come. It would be really lit! "Tracy speaks again, and I stare at her with nothing but red flags waving in my head.

　　I don't do parties. I mean, the only parties I've ever attended are church functions and birthday parties. Not parties like the one Tracy is talking about that's clearly just being thrown for... Wait...

　　"What's the party about? "I can't help but question and Tracy turns to me.

　　"Well, it's to get freshmen like you who would like to join our fraternity, and also just to have fun. "Tracy speaks, and I instantly make a decision in my head.

　　I'm not going.

　　"Cool... "Ashley mutters, but I speak my mind anyway. "I'm not going. "

　　"What? Why? "Tracy questions and I inhale deeply.

　　"I... I just don't want to go. I mean, I... Joining a fraternity is the last thing I'd ever think of doing. "I speak, and Tracy chuckles.

　　"Oh, Chelsea. First off, ouch. Cause I'm a frat girl, but then again, you don't have to join our fraternity, I just don't want to go alone.

　　It will be fun, I promise. Just come over, and you can decide if you want to miss the next party after this one... "She begs, and I look over at Ashley.

　　"You should totally go. Take it from me, having connections makes school a lot more fun. Besides, I'm not sure you've attended any party since you got here, or made enough friends.

　　Parties make school fun and less stressful. I would totally have gone if I didn't have plans for tonight. "Ashley says, and I raise a brow.

　　"You have plans? "Tracy questions, and she nods.

　　"I'm going clubbing off-campus with ma girls!! "She replies energetically and my eyes pop.

　　"Off-campus?? "I question, and she chuckles.

　　"Yes, Chelsea. Off-campus. It's adventure. Which is very good for one. I mean, If you don't do all these things, imagine the bland stories you'd be telling to your kids about your college life... "She replies, and I fall silent.

　　"Come on Chelse. Please come... You'd love it, I promise. You need a little fun before school sucks you into all its work... "Tracy begs, and I shut my eyes. I don't want to look like a little miss priss by turning them down, but I also don't want to do anything wrong...

　　"Fine... I'd go... "I reply, and Tracy and Ashley squeal while clapping and celebrating, and I can't help but laugh.

　　Ashley might be a freshman, but she so doesn't act like it. She acts like she's spent years in this school and knows everything about it.

　　Which always stuns me. How is she so... Cool? It's almost like university was made for her...