10

10

Sophia’s POV

*A week later*

“Sophia!”

I groaned, turning around on my bed and cuddling my teddy. I wasn’t ready to wake up. Not yet. And I didn’t understand why mother was waking me so early in the morning. I was done with school after all so I had enough time to sleep if I wanted. It was Sarah and Simon she had to be disturbing about school.

“Sophie,” she called out again and the door to my room pushed open. “Why are you still sleeping?”

“Why am I – mom, why not?” I mumbled sleepily.

“Sophie, what’s the day today?” She asked.

“Um…Monday?” I asked. “It’s Monday. You’re supposed to be with Sarah and Simon, not me,” I mumbled, snuggling mh teddy.

“No, Sophie. Today is Sunday, you’re supposed to be backing,” she said with a sigh.

“Packing?” I asked, opening an eye. “Packing for what? Ooh. Shit! I have completely forgotten about it!”

I sat upright instantly and rubbed my face. “I’m sorry, I forgot.”

“It’s fine,” she replied and smiled at me. “Good morning sweetie.”

“Good morning mom,” I answered and kissed her cheek. She kissed my forehead and patted my hair.

“I totally forgot that I’m leaving today,” I murmured. “Do you think I can postpone that till tomorrow? I’m really tired,” I said.

She shook her head. “I’m afraid you can’t,” she answered. “Your classes start tomorrow and I don’t want you to miss them. If only you had listened to me when I told you to pack all your things yesterday.”

“Mom,” I pouted. “It really doesn’t matter if I miss classes tomorrow. It’s just the first day. Do you think the lecturers are really going to teach us anything? Besides most students will just be arriving school tomorrow.”

“Just because most students will doesn’t mean you should.” She gave me a stern look. My shoulders dropped.

“Why must mine have to be so different?” I mumbled.

“If you feel like it’s going to be too much work for you to pack, I can help with it. Just tell me all you want to take a long with you,” she offered with a gentle smile.

“Yes, please,” I answered with a nod of my head, and then I remembered of the pills I had hidden in my wardrobe. “No,” I said quickly. “Actually I don’t really have much to pack so I can do that myself.”

She gave me a look. “Are you sure? You wee just jumping at the offer now.”

“Yes mom. Besides I need to start doing these things on my own. I won’t be with you forever, you know,” I told her.

“Yes, but you can let me do it for you now,” she insisted. I shook my head. “There’s really no need for that, mom.”

She sighed and shook her head slightly. “Well, if you insist,” she murmured.

“I do,” I said and smiled.

“You’re growing up rapidly. I can’t believe you’re off to college now,” she said with a sigh and then ruffled my hair. “I still remember when I had you. You were such a cute little girl, always clinging to your parents.”

“And now I’m grown. And I’m not leaving forever. I’ll still be here to visit every now and then,” I assured her and then squeezed her hands. “I’ll be here in a few weeks for the holidays.”

“I’ll be expecting you,” she answered and kissed my forehead. “I’ll leave you to pack now.”

I grinned as she left and only when I was sure she was far away from my room did I jump up from my bed and run to the wardrobe. I quickly pulled out my travelling box and opened it then put the bottle of pills in it first, and then I began to fold a few clothes and put them on it so it was carefully hidden now.

I tucked my hair behind my ears and sighed as I looked around. I was really going to miss this room. I was going to miss home. But at the same time I was excited to start this new phase of my life. The freedom, the new environment, it excited me.

I inhaled deeply, and then sighed, my shoulders relaxing. I continued packing my things.

Dad drove into the parking lot of my dorm and parked. I got down from the car and went to the trunk to pick out my traveling bag.

As I looked around the environment, I felt a little bit overwhelmed. Just a little bit. And I was also feeling a little bit out of place. I stared down at my simple shirt and shorts and began to wonder if it was even the perfect fit for such a prestigious collect like this.

“Do you want us to follow you?” Mom asked, staring at me with watery eyes.

I sighed and shook my head before offering her a gentle smile. “There’s no need mom. I can find my way around d here,” I assured her.

“Just be careful. Okay?” Dad said.

“Yes, dad. I’ll call you when I’m all settled in. Promise,” I answered.

They smiled at me before he drove off. I inhaled deeply before making my way to my dorm, which I had to ask a few people before I could locate.

I opened the door and got in, closing the door behind me. I turned around and looked at the room. The person I saw sitting there made me drop my bag in shock.

“Jenny!” I screamed.

She let out a loud laughter as she jumped down from her bed and ran to me. “I wanted to surprise you,” she squealed.”

“I thought you were going to that private uni,” I said as I pulled her into a hug.

“No, I told my parents I’d rather go here instead,” she answered and dragged me to her bed. We sat.

“And let me guess, your parents are the one who arranged for us to be in the same dorm room, huh?” I asked with a raised brow, a wide smile on my face.

“Yes, duh! I wanted it to be just the two of us, you know,” she answered with a casual shrug.

I grinned at her. “Just the two of us. I like the sound of that.”