Today was my first day as a second-year college student at Veridian University. To be honest, I wasn’t exactly thrilled to go back to school—my brain was still stuck in vacation mode.

Right now, I’m still lying in bed, scrolling through my phone, procrastinating as if I had all the time in the world. My alarm had already gone off three times, and each time I hit snooze, I convinced myself I deserved just five more minutes.

As I was scrolling through my phone, mindlessly procrastinating, my roommate Jenna burst into the room, brimming with energy and excitement.

"Hey sleepyhead!" she exclaimed, "It's our first day back at college, and you're still lounging around in bed?"

I groaned, pulling my blanket over my head. "Oh, it’s so early. It’s not like we’re gonna be late," I mumbled, my voice muffled.

Jenna wasn’t having it. Before I could even blink, she yanked the blanket off me and grabbed my arm, pulling me up with surprising strength for someone her size.

I dragged myself out of bed, the cool air of the dorm room sending a shiver down my spine. I could see Jenna bouncing on her heels impatiently, her sundress swishing around her thighs.

"Come on, Alexis, hurry up!" Jenna urged, tossing a pair of jeans and a button-down shirt at me. "We can't be late on the first day."

I caught the clothes and started to pull them on, my movements slow and uncoordinated. The jeans felt too tight, the shirt too constricting. I was already missing the comfort of my sweatpants and t-shirt.

"Fine, fine," I grumbled, doing up the buttons of the shirt with difficulty. "I'm coming, okay?"

Jenna rolled her eyes but kept smiling, her patience seemingly endless. I envied her enthusiasm, her eagerness to dive back into college life. My own motivation was still on vacation, lounging on a beach somewhere, sipping a fruity cocktail.

I slung my backpack over my shoulder and followed Jenna out of our shared dorm room, ready to face whatever challenges the new semester had in store. Even if I wasn't fully awake or excited about it.

As we got into my brand new car, which was my baby and a generous gift from my parents, I couldn't help but admire its shiny exterior. The engine purred to life as I turned the key, the hum of the car's engine filling the silence.

Jenna settled into the passenger seat, her sundress still fluttering around her, as vibrant and cheerful as ever. She fidgeted with the radio, fiddling with the controls until she found a station she liked.

I gripped the steering wheel tighter, feeling the smooth leather under my fingers. I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the lingering drowsiness. The car smelled new, like polished metal and fabric, a stark contrast to the musty scent of my room.

As I pulled out of the parking lot, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of unease. The campus looked different somehow, unfamiliar, even though I had walked these paths a hundred times before. Maybe it was the early morning light, casting long shadows across the quad, or maybe it was just the knowledge that this semester would be different, more challenging than the last.

I glanced over at Jenna as she hummed along to the music, her blonde hair whipping in the breeze from the open window. She looked so at ease, so ready to take on the world. I envied her confidence, her ability to embrace change without hesitation.

As we drove, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was missing something, some crucial piece of information that would make this semester easier to navigate. But I couldn't put my finger on it, and the more I thought about it, the more frustrated I became.

Suddenly, Jenna gasped, pointing at a group of students gathered on the sidewalk. "Look, there's Lila!" she exclaimed, waving at a tall girl with dark hair and a bright smile. "Pull over, pull over!"

I slowed the car to a stop, my heart sinking as I realized that Jenna was already making plans, already forming connections, while I was still struggling to wake up. I watched as Lila climbed into the back seat, her laughter filling the car, and I felt even more out of place.

I rolled my eyes, trying to hide the irritation bubbling up inside me. "Hey! Who said you can just hop in without asking?" I shot back, my tone more playful than harsh, though a little annoyed.

Lila grinned, completely unfazed. "What’s this? Your new car? Wow, looks like your parents spoiled you again. Why not crash it once more so we can have some fun with it?" she teased, her tone light but her words carrying a sharpness that caught me off guard.

I let out a frustrated sigh, pushing the memory of that accident out of my mind. I really didn’t want to think about it, especially not now. I had already gone through enough last semester, and the last thing I needed was to be reminded of that stupid crash.

"Okay, okay," I muttered, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes. "Just don’t start with that again. I’m not in the mood."

Jenna, sensing the tension, chimed in to lighten the mood. "Alright, alright, we get it. Let’s just get to class, or else we’ll actually be late." She glanced at me, her eyes filled with understanding. I knew she could sense I wasn’t fully there yet.

I nodded, grateful for the distraction. As Lila chatted away in the backseat, I focused on driving, trying to shake off the feeling that everything felt a little out of sync today.

We finally reached campus, and as I parked the car, I noticed that the usual buzz of excitement from the first day back wasn’t quite there for me. The familiar faces of students scattered around the quad didn’t feel as comforting as they normally did.

"Come on, sleepyhead," Jenna teased, unbuckling her seatbelt. "Let’s make the most of this day!"

I forced a smile, following her out of the car, but deep down, I couldn’t shake the sense that something was off. This semester was going to be different, and I wasn’t sure I was ready for it.

:))

As we stepped onto campus, the brisk morning air hit me, jolting me slightly awake. Students were milling about, their chatter and laughter blending into a familiar hum that felt both comforting and alien at the same time.

Jenna tugged on my arm, pulling me toward the main building. "Hurry up, Alexis! We need to check where our first class is."

"Why are you so excited?" I groaned, dodging a group of giggling freshmen. "First day back is always a drag."

I trudged along behind Jenna, my feet feeling heavy as we made our way across the bustling quad. The brisk autumn air nipped at my cheeks, a stark reminder that summer was well and truly over.

When we reached the bulletin board, Jenna leaned in, scanning the list with laser focus. I leaned casually against the wall, glancing at the crowd around us.

Just a few meters away, a group of sorority sisters chattered loudly, their laughter piercing the crisp morning air. I couldn't help but feel a pang of envy; their enthusiasm was both endearing and infuriating.

Jenna was still diligently studying the bulletin board, her lips moving as she read the class schedule. I groaned silently, shifting my weight from one foot to the other.

I glanced over at Jenna as she studied the schedule intently, her brow furrowed in concentration. I couldn't help but smirk slightly at her dedication, even if I didn't share her enthusiasm.

"There it is," Jenna said suddenly, pointing at a line on the schedule. "Our first class is in room 205 of the main building, at 9 o'clock sharp."

She looked up at me, her eyes sparkling with renewed energy. "Come on, let's go! We have to hurry if we want to get good seats."

I rolled my eyes but pushed off the wall, falling into step beside her as we navigated the crowded hallway. Students jostled past us, their arms laden with heavy backpacks and textbooks.

As we climbed the stairs to the second floor, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in the pit of my stomach. The semester was starting, and with it, the pressure to perform, to excel, to prove myself worthy of the hefty tuition my parents paid.

Jenna seemed oblivious to my apprehension, her steps light and eager as she led the way to room 205. She pushed open the door, revealing a classroom filled with rows of desks and a whiteboard at the front.

"Looks like we're the first ones here," Jenna said, grinning as she chose a desk near the window. She tossed her bag onto the chair and plopped down, crossing her legs and leaning back casually.

I followed suit, taking the desk next to hers. As I sat down, I couldn't help but let out a sigh, the weight of the semester already feeling heavy on my shoulders.

As we settled into our seats, the classroom slowly began to fill with students, all of them eager to kick off the semester. I tried to shake off the lingering feeling of dread, focusing on the dull murmur of conversations around me. Despite my best efforts to avoid it, the pressure of the upcoming classes crept in like a shadow, hanging just over my head.

Jenna, however, seemed unfazed. She was chatting animatedly with the student next to her, her infectious energy making me feel like an outsider in my own skin. I tried to smile politely, but my mind kept drifting back to the long to-do list already forming in my head.

The professor finally walked in, a tall, older man with a thick accent and a no-nonsense air. He introduced himself, briefly outlining what the course would cover before handing out the syllabus. "You’ll all have plenty of time to get used to the pace," he said with a dry smile. "But make no mistake—this semester will be challenging. Get used to the workload."

As he spoke, my thoughts started to wander again, my gaze drifting to the clock on the wall. All I could think about was how much more comfortable I would feel curled up in bed with a book or maybe playing games with friends, anything other than diving headfirst into the pressures of the semester.

But there was no turning back now. The reality of being a second-year college student had finally hit, and I had to face it head-on. Just as I was sinking deeper into my thoughts, Jenna nudged me with her elbow, snapping me out of my trance.

"Hey, just one more class after this, then we’re free!" she whispered, flashing me a grin. I managed a weak smile in return, though the weight of the semester still lingered in the back of my mind.

I glanced at the clock again. Only a few more hours to go. I could handle that. Maybe the next subject would be easier to get through.

Suddenly, the professor cleared his throat, and all attention in the room snapped back to him. He gave a small, almost sympathetic smile, as if he could sense the exhaustion that hung over the class like a thick fog.

"I know the first day back after summer can be tough," he said, his voice a gentle rumble. "But I'd like to start class with a small ice-breaker exercise. Why don't each of you introduce yourselves and share one fun fact about your summer?"

The professor smiled warmly as he addressed the class. "So, let's start, shall we? We'll do this in the order of the seats."

The room fell silent for a moment as everyone braced themselves for the awkward introductions. I could already feel my stomach twisting in knots. I hated being put on the spot, especially when I wasn’t prepared for it.

Jenna nudged me again, her excitement almost palpable. "Come on, you’ve got this!" she whispered, her wide grin making me feel even more self-conscious.

One by one, students began to stand and introduce themselves. The first student went confidently, sharing a fun fact about a trip to the beach over the summer. The next talked about a cooking class they took. As they spoke, I could feel the dread building up, and I found myself gripping the edge of my desk a little tighter.

When it finally came to my turn, I stood up, trying to ignore the eyes that were now on me. "Uh, hi, I'm Alexis," I began, my voice coming out slightly shaky. "For my summer, I mostly spent it catching up on sleep..." I cleared my throat awkwardly. "And, uh, I got a new car."

I could feel a few pairs of eyes on me as I sat down quickly, relieved it was over. My palms were sweaty, and I couldn’t help but wish I could just disappear for a moment.

The next student introduced themselves with a bright smile, and I let out a quiet sigh of relief. It wasn’t as bad as I had made it out to be, but I still felt exposed, like I had just given away a little too much about myself in a room full of strangers.

Jenna, on the other hand, seemed to be thriving. She was chatting with the people around her, exchanging summer stories with ease. I tried to focus on her energy, but it was hard to ignore the quiet buzzing in my head.

The professor continued the introductions, and I let my thoughts drift a little. I had one more class to get through, then the day would be done. Maybe I’d be able to relax afterward—if the mountain of work waiting for me didn’t drive me crazy first.

As the ice-breaker exercise continued, I tried to center myself, reminding myself that this was just one of many days to come. One step at a time.

:))

After the professor wrapped up the introductions, he began diving into the syllabus. He went over the course objectives, the grading system, and the expectations for the semester. His voice was steady and monotone, which only made it harder to stay focused. I stole a glance at Jenna, who was busily jotting down notes. How could she be so motivated already?

I flipped through the syllabus halfheartedly, my mind wandering to my next class. I wondered if it would be just as dry as this one or if it might hold something more interesting. My thoughts were interrupted when the professor handed out an assignment sheet.

"Your first task is a reflective essay on how literature has impacted your life. It’s due next week," he announced. "This will set the tone for the semester, so take it seriously."

A groan rippled through the classroom, but the professor didn’t seem fazed. He continued explaining the details, but my focus wavered. Writing about literature wasn’t the worst thing in the world, but I couldn’t shake the unease that had been following me all morning.

When the class finally ended, Jenna was practically glowing. "That wasn’t so bad, was it?" she asked as we walked out of the room.

I shrugged. "I guess. Reflective essays aren’t my thing, though."

She laughed, giving me a playful nudge. "You’re overthinking it, as usual."

As we walked to our next classes, Jenna suddenly stopped in her tracks. "Wait, this is where we split," she said, pointing to a hallway that veered off to the left.

I blinked, realizing we weren’t in the same class for the next subject. "Oh, right," I muttered.

"Good luck! Don’t get lost," she teased before disappearing into the crowd.

I sighed and checked my schedule. My next class was "Exploring Poetry in Modern Contexts" in room 312. With a deep breath, I navigated the labyrinthine hallways, trying to shake off the nerves that crept up again.

When I finally found the room, I hesitated at the door. It was already half-full, students chatting quietly among themselves. I scanned the room, choosing a seat near the back where I could observe without drawing too much attention.

As I settled into my seat, a mix of anxiety and intrigue filled my mind. This class was different than my previous one, and as I glanced around the room, the mix of students was noticeably different, too.

I glanced around the classroom, taking in the eclectic mix of students. There were a few familiar faces from my previous classes, but mostly, it was a sea of strangers.

...----------------...

Finally, the last class of the day ended—or more accurately, never started. The professor hadn’t shown up, leaving everyone confused until a staff member from the admin office arrived to dismiss us.

I felt equal parts relieved and annoyed. Sure, getting out early was nice, but skipping the very first class? Not exactly the best first impression.

As I stepped out of the building, the sun had dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the campus. Jenna was already waiting for me near the entrance.

"Hey, what happened to your class?" Jenna asked as I approached, her brow furrowed in concern. "You're out early."

I shrugged, stuffing my hands into my pockets. "The professor never showed up. Apparently."

"Seriously? First day, and they’re already absent?" Jenna said, shaking her head. "That’s such a waste. Who’s your professor, anyway?"

"Dr. Celeste Alarcon," I replied, leaning against the building’s cool wall.

We waited for a few minutes until we saw Lila approaching from the other side of the quad. She waved at us with her usual bright smile.

"Hey, guys! Sorry I’m late," Lila called out, jogging the last few steps. "How was your first day back?"

Jenna immediately launched into a recap of her classes, her energy as high as ever. I listened quietly, the weight of the day finally starting to lift as I realized I was in good company.

Even if the first day wasn’t perfect, at least I had my friends to make it a little better.

:))