Chapter 1 ۵ Moving

YARA'S POV

The screeching alarm jolted me awake, groaning my hand made its way over to silence it with the last bit of energy it had. My hand froze when I saw the time. It was already 7:30am......fuck!

"Oh no, no, no! I'm so stupid ughhhhhh" I muttered, throwing off the covers and leaping out of bed. I was meant to wake up at 5am. Well this is just great! Maybe I should hire someone to drag me out of bed because this whole alarm thing never works out for me.

Today was supposed to be perfect. I was moving into my university. I've been waiting for this day for years. I mean I've had it all planned out: wake up early, double-check my packing, have a nice breakfast with my family, and then head to London to move into my dorm. But now, everything was falling apart all because I was too lazy to wake up the first 50 times my alarm went off. Why am I like this? I questioned myself.

But that wasn't the worst part. My room looked like a tornado had struck. Clothes were scattered everywhere, on the floor, hanging out of drawers, and half-packed in my suitcase. If only I was rich and could hire someone to do pack for me. Why was this so much more difficult than I had imagined. I grabbed whatever I could find and shoved it into my suitcase, not caring if they were folded or not. I didn't have time to make my suitcase look presentable.

As I wrestled with the zipper on my overstuffed suitcase, my phone buzzed on the nightstand. Rolling my eyes I grabbed my phone saw a text from Leila making me smile. Leila was my best friend the last time we saw each other was a month ago because she moved to America with her family. I will never forgive her for that but at least she's having fun in the big city whilst I'm stuck her sitting on a suitcase trying to get it to close, oh and not to mention profusely sweating from all the hard work

'Ur still moving to London today right?????? Or have you decided to stay buried under ur bedsheet? Lol'

I chuckled and quickly typed back, 'Girl you don't understand I'm on the verge of jumping out of my window. I'm running late and my room look like a homeless persons been in here'

Leila replied almost instantly I could tell she was laughing at me through the other side of the screen 'well don't jump out of the window yet girl at least wait until you see me again hehe 😈' I rolled my eyes. Damn I miss her.

'Sounds like a tempting offer. Fine if I'll wait' I texted back, sheepishly smiling at the screen. I was about to reply to the next message Leila sent but I heard my mum call my name from downstairs.

With a deep breath and one last look at my chaotic room, I rushed to grab my multiple suitcase and boxed and dragged them one by one out of my room and down the stairs. This is probably the most calories I've burnt on this year.

In the kitchen, my mum was busy packing food into a container for me. She looked up as I entered, her expression turned judgemental "You know Yara  I'm never believing you when you say you'll wake up early" she said

"Yeah that's probably for the better mama" she chuckled at my response.

"I can't believe my little girls finally going to university. Didn't think that was possible" she joked.

"Thanks mum........I think" I was definitely taking offence to the last part of her statement.

My dad appeared from the living room, his usual smile a bit more subdued today. "Got everything?" he asked, glancing at my piles of luggage.

"Yeah pretty sure I do" I said, though I wasn't completely sure.

We shared a quiet breakfast together, trying to savor the last moments before I left. My younger sister Jasmine who was 16 shuffled in halfway through our breakfast, still half asleep, and plopped down at the table. "Don't forget to text me when you get there," she mumbled through a mouthful of toast. Her eyes were still closed shut.

"Wow you don't care about me enough to come with me?" I acted sad.

"Yeah exactly that Yara" she teased.

"I see how it is, I'll remember this" I crossed my arms with a smile on my face.

"Ok, you rat" she giggled. I was going to miss this.

Before I knew it, it was time to go. My dad helped me load everything into the car, and as I took one last look around the house, the reality of it all began to sink in. I was really moving to London. I was going to live in a university dorm. My heart pounded with a mix of excitement and nerves as I climbed into the back seat.

As we pulled out of the driveway, a knot formed in my stomach. This was the beginning of everything I had worked for. A new city, a new life. But as ready as I thought I was, leaving home was harder than I expected. I was already starting to feel sick.

🎀🎀🎀

The drive to London felt endless, and my nerves only heightened with each passing mile. By the time we reached the university, excitement and anxiety were battling for dominance.

My dad parked the car outside of the accommodation. I took a deep breath and stepped out of the car. Why was I so nervous it's not like it was my first lecture it was just my moving in day.

'Alright Yara, don't fuck this up somehow' I thought to myself. It was my only strategy to get myself hyped up.

My dad gave me a reassuring smile. "We'll help you get settled, but remember to call us when you're done" he said between heavy breaths as he lifted my suitcases.

"And remember Yara, no boys and no drugs. Understand?" I rolled my eyes. My mum was definitely the stricter out of both my parents. She grew up in a rigid household with an endless amount of rules.

I nodded my head just quickly agreeing with everything so I wouldn't have to listen to her lecture on. I found my ways around her strict rules. In all fairness her rules were understandable she wanted for me to be safe. I didn't exactly go against everything she's expected of me. I mean I don't drink or do drugs and I've never been with a guy before. Those were easier rules for me to follow.

With that, I grabbed one of the boxes and headed inside. The lobby was buzzing with students and their families, all in the midst of moving in and finding their rooms. I approached the check-in desk where a friendly receptionist handed me my keys and a welcome package. Wow well this was better than I'd thought it out to be. Room 204.

I took the elevator up and soon found myself in front of my door. My mum unlocked it and I stepped inside. A devious smile spread across my face this room actually looked pretty decent. It was fairly big and had a cutesy single bed, a desk, a wardrobe, and a window that overlooked a courtyard.

I said goodbye to my parents. They didn't look as sad as I wanted them to be.....come to think of it they looked suspiciously happy I wasn't coming home with them.

I quickly put my AirPods in my ear and shuffled my Spotify playlist. Within seconds I started unpacking and setting up my belongings in my room.

It took me a few long hours but it was worth it. My dorm room looked so much more comfy and cute.

By this point it was the afternoon. I decided to make my way out. Some students were still moving in and saying goodbye to their families. I walked down the bland hallway. Then it dawned on me starting from today I'll be a loner. I don't know anyone here.

"Hey gorgeous" a masculine voice behind me spoke. Was he speaking to me?......I turned around to face a a guy with a honey brown mullet. He had soft features but they worked perfectly in his favour.

Next to him was the prettiest girl I think I'd ever laid eyes on.

"Sorry about him, he's a bit of a creep if you can't tell" the girl spoke whilst the guy gave her a look.

"Don't worry I could indeed tell" I laughed.

"Alright guys, not funny. So this is what I get for complementing someone? For fuck sake" he rolled his eyes.

"So what is your name then.....gorgeous?" He teased, making me my face warm up.

"Y-Yara Malik" why did I stutter. What an idiot.

"Don't want to agree with anything this guy says but you are indeed very gorgeous Yara. I'm Heidi Williams and this is Ma-" he didn't let her finish her sentence.

"I'll introduce myself thank you very much. I'm Max Cameron" he put out his hand for me to shake. I rolled my eyes. Moving far away from his hand. This caused Heidi to laugh. Maybe that was mean but Max already seems like he'd cause some trouble.

Me declining his gesture didn't make him angry, instead he smirked at me. I couldn't lie the smirk made me uneasy.

"Right cut it out Max you're making the poor girl scared" Heidi smacked his hand away from me.

"No it's fine. Sorry I should've shook your hand....i just......." I was looking for an excuse.

"How about we go and explore!" Heidi squealed.

The three of us made our ways down stairs. We were probably lost by now and definitely didn't know how to find our ways back to our dorms but this was a problem for future us.

We explored the massive lounge, the game room with a pool table and arcade games, and a cozy study area filled with books and soft lighting. Okay maybe I shouldn't have lowered my expectations that much before I came here.

The three of us talked on the couch. It was weird to think I met them half an hour ago but was already having full on conversations with them. From what I could see Heidi had a lot of energy and was an extrovert unlike me. Max was more reserved but I could tell his ego was massive, a sign I shouldn't get too close with him.

Heidi was on the same floor as me. Thankfully Max was on the floor below.

"So Yara, me, Heidi and a friend on mine are all coming to my door tonight if you wanna join" in all honestly I was tired.

"I don't know......." Shit! What do I even tell them.

"No! Please you have to come I refuse to be the only girl there. I mean me and you are practically besties now" I signed in defeat.

"Fine....but only for a few hours" Heidi jumped up from the sofa and gave me a death grip of a hug.

It was 9pm and we headed down to Max's dorm, we were all in our pyjamas. I was ready to fall asleep but the disturbing thought of accidentally falling asleep in Max's room made me stay awake.

Elijah and Max were already there which makes sense considering they shared a dorm. Yes, Max was attractive but Elijah was something written out of a book. He had the most beautiful golden brown skin, majestic green eyes and the fluffiest hair. Elijah was menacingly tall and looked high, I wouldn't be surprised is he actually was. I mean either he was high or like me he was tired.

Max on the other hand looked energised up. Honestly he looked pretty high too, now I was questioning whether or not Heidi was also high.

"Yo, Heidi!" Elijah said dapping up Heidi. "You must be Yara"

I nodded my head and gave an awkward smile. I was already ready to leave.

Max decided to break the awkward silence "Come on in motherfuckers! So like what do you guys wanna do" he asked.

Me and Heidi both shared concerning glances. Yeh they were definitely high on something making us both laugh.

"Well I think we should watch a movie" Heidi spoke.

"Ok but only if me and Yara get to sit next to each other" spoke Max.

"Yeah on second thoughts let's not watch a movie" I spoke.

"Hahahaah okay fine I won't sit next to you then. Your loss princess" this guy he was actually out of his mind.

"Yeah I don't think that's a loss for anyone Max but be delusional" I couldn't help but laugh.

We ended watching a movie.

By the end of the night, I was starting to feel less homesick all thanks to Heidi and fine I guess I'll give Max and Elijah some credit. We ends up sending the night talking about what courses everyone was doing. Heidi was doing literature, Elijah was doing criminology and to make my life 50x more depressing Max was doing Mathematics just like me. Kill me now.

I guess me and Heidi ganging up on Max and Elijah made the time pass quicker beacuse it was already midnight. I couldn't help but notice Max's dark brown eyes glancing at me. His face was expressionless I couldn't tell what he was thinking. When he saw that I noticed his gaze he smugly smiled causing goosebumps to raise on my skin.

Heidi and I eventually walked back to our rooms together trying not to be loud. We couldn't help but laugh the whole way up just thinking about the night.

We eventually went our separate ways.

Just before falling asleep I called my mum.

"Salam (hello in Urdu) Mama" I said as soon as she answered. Her voice brought me comfort, though it only made the ache in my chest more pronounced. I missed her so badly.

"How are you my love " she asked, her voice full of warmth.

"I'm okay," I said, trying to sound upbeat. "I mean I made a few friends which is good"

We talked about the most random things for a while longer, her soothing words easing some of my anxiety. But as the conversation wound down, I couldn't shake the feeling of sadness and loneliness. After hanging up, I laid in bed, tears streaming down my face. I clutched my pillow, thinking about all the things that could go wrong, and how much I missed my family.

The room felt too quiet, and the unfamiliarity of it made me feel small and alone. My mind raced with worries about fitting in, finding my way around campus, and whether or not I'd ever truly feel at home here. The thought of my professor hating me hit me harder than ever. The idea of that happening made me overthink the whole night. I cried into my pillow, my sobs muffled by the fabric. At this point I couldn't tell the exact reason I was feeling sad, I just was.

Eventually, exhaustion took over. My tears slowed, and my sobs quieted down as I drifted into a restless sleep. My classes were going to start next week and I need to prepare and buy everything necessary but that was a problem for tomorrow.

A/N

New book! Hehe I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Please vote and comment <3