Episode 1

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.

:))

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