“Lala! Breakfast is ready! And you better not take forever with that packing, girl!” Mum's voice echoed, with the aroma of mouthwatering eggs, bacon, sausage, and freshly made hash browns that filled the house.
“Five minutes, mum! ”, lala replied, glancing round her room.
A quick check showed that she hadn't packed everything: denim shorts, tank tops, towels, and a few other essentials were missing, despite her writing a packing list. Her eyes roamed the room, until she spotted them on the floor. She shoved them into her suitcase, zipped it up, and placed it beside the staircase.
Today was the day she left for university– Five hours away from home — and the thought of independence made her chest tighten with anticipation.
She ran out of her room, nearly flying down the hallway. “Stanton! Here I come!” Her laughter bounced off the walls.
She rushed down the staircase with excitement, sliding into the dining seat. Lala picked up her fork, admiring the breakfast – eggs, bacon, sausage, well-cooked hash browns, and a glass of Orange juice. Her mum had prepared.
“Mum… this is amazing,” she uttered softly, a catch in her voice. “I'm actually going to miss your food. You make the best eggs and hashbrowns.”
After breakfast, she wrapped her arms tight around her mum, tears streaking down her cheeks. “ I'll miss you, Mum.” She muttered, “But I'll be back soon.
“I know you will, baby. I'll miss you too. You’re my only child… I’ve thought about this day a thousand times.” Her mother's voice cracked, her eyes filled with tears.
Those words tore Lala's chest. She sobbed
harder, her shoulders quivering, because suddenly, it was not just about leaving for school– it was about leaving behind the late-night talks, home-cooked meals, the comfort of knowing her mother's arms were five hours away.
She rushed to the staircase and pulled her suitcase near the door. Bending down she gripped the handle, and glanced around the house — memorising the walls, the sunlight spilling across the floor, her mum’s glistening eyes, one last time.
She stepped into the 2024 Mercedes G-Wagon AMG G63, as her driver lifted the suitcases into the trunk. The door clicked shut behind her and the driver drove off onto the street.
She let her breath out, slow, and uneven. The strange mix of excitement and ache twisting in her chest — leaving home felt both thrilling and quietly heartbreaking, each heartbeat a reminder of everything she was leaving behind.
The journey should have been smooth– five hours on the highway, and maybe a nap before I set foot on Stanton University grounds.
Rather, steam hissed from under the hood as the engine died, and the car came to a sudden halt. My chest tightened as we were stranded in the Los Angeles heat.
“Of all days, why today?” I groaned.
Sweat slid down my tank top, soaking through the fabric, and the scorching sun bit into my skin.
My throat became dry - every swallow felt like sand, and the heat caused my vision to be blurry.
“It feels like the universe hates me—arrghh!” I groaned and used the back of her palm to wipe her forehead.
“Mr Jerry, how long would we wait until the new car arrives? “ I asked.
He checked his phone, calm as ever, “about twenty maybe twenty-five minutes lala”, he replied.
“Okay, Mr Jerry, “ she hissed.
Eleven minutes later, a shiny black 2024 Chevrolet Suburban pulled up behind. We didn't wait as long as I thought we would.
“Thank heavens!” I breathed out, as relief flooded my chest. I didn’t think twice — I snatched my bag and dashed to the waiting car.
“You’d think the ground was on fire,” Mr Jerry teased as he loaded my suitcase into the trunk.
I folded my arms, pretending to be serious, but the smile ruined it. “Keep laughing, Jerry. This day already hates me.” I groaned.
Still amused, he only shook his head before sliding into the front seat. And just like that, the journey continued.
Finally, the Suburban moved, weaving through LA traffic, until the gates of Stanton University finally came into view, and my chest loosened.
It was like entering a different world, as we drove past the tall iron gates, wide green lawns on each side, scattered with students dragging suitcases and parents waving goodbye.
Up ahead, the main building rose tall and regal, its red brick draped with ivy — the kind of place you see in a brochure and think, Wow, that’s where the smart people go.
We drove past a huge fountain at the centre of the campus courtyard, whose water reflected sunlight like tiny diamonds.
Beyond it stood a glass-walled library, sleek and modern, where a few students lounged on the steps, laughing easily, like they already belonged here.
My chest fluttered. ‘I can’t wait to make friends,’ I squealed, clapping my hands before I could stop myself.
The car parked near the dorm buildings—tall, clean, and lined up neatly like they were waiting to welcome every nervous freshman whole.
The moment I stepped through the doors, chaos swallowed me. The lobby was noisy — students checking in, parents juggling boxes, and last-minute hugs happening everywhere.
“Hi. Lala Davis right?” The receptionist asked
“Yes”
“Freshman, sophomore, or se —”
“Freshman!” My voice cut through without hesitation.
“Okay… Here's your keycard. Room 118”
I gripped my keycard and kept repeating the room number like a lifeline, forcing myself to stand tall even though I felt completely out of place.
Dragging my suitcase down the hall, felt like
running through a jungle – The loud music from rooms, the door slamming, and people shouting. I hadn't expected this kind of madness.
It took a few wrong turns and one awkward moment of barging into the wrong room, “Room 112…114… 116…finally! 118,” I muttered as I tucked a stray hair behind my ear with a sigh of relief, letting my shoulders drop for a moment.
I was this close to losing it, by the time I swiped the card, and stepped inside – ready to collapse, only to freeze.
There was someone already there.
A tall, broad-shouldered guy, with sharp blue eyes, and messy just-rolled-out-of-bed hair, slouched against the desk, like he owned the place, wearing a white T-shirt that clung to his chest, and grey sweatpants hanging loose on his hips.
A half-empty bottle of whiskey balanced carelessly near his elbow, a pack of cigarettes spilt out of the open duffel bag at his feet.
“You've got to be kidding me,” I blurted.
“Well… this is about to be fun” he said, a slow teasing grin, tugging at his lips as he lit his cigarette.
I stared at him, eyes darting between the two twin beds, and the narrow dresser.
“Wait… no. There's a mistake somewhere. They don't put guys, and girls the same — ”she said, disbelief in her voice, as she stammered.
“Apparently they do”, he leaned closer, eyes glinting. “And … FYI, I already claimed the left bed,”. He said, as he blew a puff of smoke towards my face.
I felt like throwing up , as he did that.
“This is insane. There's no way I'm —” he cut me off before I could finish.
“Oh, relax, princess. It's not like we're sharing a bed– just a room.” he chuckled. “And always put on your bra… I'm not one of your girls.” He added as his face lightened up, almost mocking.
A sharp knock on the door echoed through the room, and my stomach dropped.
We froze for a minute.
Whoever it was … had the power to save my day or completely ruin it.
He smirked. “Oh, oh, I hope that's the housing department… here to tell you we’re stuck together for the whole semester.”
“Oh please” I replied,rolling my eyes
Oh my gosh , I can't stand this boy. And being stuck with him for an entire semester?
In the same room? My brain can't process this.
