A New Beginning

Bella arrived at Eldermere with a storm of emotions swirling inside her. There was a heaviness in her heart—an uncertain weight she couldn’t quite name. Was this the start of something new? Or would it be just like her high school years—lonely, quiet, and invisible?

She stepped through the gates of Eldermere College, took a deep breath, and made her way to the admissions office. There, she collected her admission form, filled it out, and learned she would be staying in the college hostel. The staff directed her to the hostel and mentioned that she’d be sharing her room with a roommate.

That news made her stomach twist with anxiety.

Bella had never had anyone close to her. Throughout high school, she was the quiet girl no one spoke to. She walked alone, sat alone, lived alone in the world she had built to protect herself. The idea of sharing a room with someone—of letting someone that close—frightened her.

She found her room and stepped inside. It was empty. With a small sigh of relief, she placed her suitcase in the corner and started organizing her shelf. The silence was comforting. She wandered over to the balcony, drawn by the golden evening light.

The view was breathtaking. Rolling hills stretched in the distance, kissed by the sunset, and a gentle breeze whispered through the trees. For the first time in a long while, Bella felt something close to peace.

And then—a gentle touch on her shoulder.

She turned quickly, heart pounding.

A girl stood behind her, smiling warmly. “Hey! I’m Ava,” she said brightly. “I’m your roommate.”

Ava looked kind and open, but Bella’s walls shot up instantly. She had been hurt before. People pretended to be nice, then left. Would Ava be the same?

“I’m from Eldermere too,” Ava continued, stepping inside. “My parents are always busy with work, so I’ve lived in hostels most of my life.”

Then she looked at Bella with curiosity—not in a judging way, but like she genuinely wanted to know her.

“What about you?”

Bella froze. Her voice caught in her throat. She didn’t want to share her past. She feared that once Ava knew the truth, she would keep her distance like everyone else.

Ava seemed to sense her hesitation and quickly added, “Hey, it’s okay. You don’t have to talk about it if you’re not comfortable. I just wanted to get to know you, that’s all.”

Bella looked down, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’m an orphan. I don’t have anyone.”

A moment of silence passed between them.

Then, without a word, Ava stepped forward and hugged her tightly. “It’s okay,” she whispered. “Everything will be alright.”

And for the first time in a long time, Bella believed it might

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the window, waking Bella gently. She opened her eyes slowly, almost forgetting for a moment where she was. Eldermere. The hostel. A roommate.

Ava.

Bella sat up and saw Ava already awake, sitting cross-legged on her bed, flipping through a book. She looked up and smiled when she saw Bella stir.

“Good morning!” Ava chirped. “I didn’t want to wake you. You looked peaceful.”

Bella nodded shyly, still unsure how to respond to so much kindness. “Morning,” she said softly.

“Classes start tomorrow,” Ava said. “But today’s orientation. Want to go together?”

Bella hesitated. Her instinct was to say no—to avoid crowds and keep to herself—but something about Ava’s genuine warmth made her nod. “Okay,” she said.

Ava beamed. “Awesome! Let’s grab breakfast and head to the main hall.”

They walked side by side to the cafeteria. Students filled the space—laughing, talking, already forming groups. Bella kept her eyes down, her old fears trying to creep back in. But Ava stayed close, occasionally pointing out something funny or trying to lighten the moment with a quiet joke. Slowly, Bella felt her tension ease.

At the orientation hall, they sat near the back. A few professors gave speeches about college life, expectations, and how Eldermere was more than just a school—it was a place to grow, to find your path, and to build lasting friendships.

Those words struck something in Bella. Could she really find her place here?

After the session, a group of students approached Ava. One of them, a tall boy with a confident grin, waved at her. “Ava! You made it back early this year.”

Ava laughed. “Of course. I missed this place.”

They exchanged hugs and stories, and then Ava turned to introduce Bella. “This is Bella. She’s my roommate.”

Bella’s heart skipped. Being introduced felt strange… and nice.

The tall boy extended his hand. “I’m Euston. Welcome to Eldermere.”

Bella shook it, surprised by his easy smile. “Thanks,” she murmured.

Soon, the group included her in their conversation. It was awkward at first—Bella wasn’t used to being acknowledged, let alone included—but no one treated her like an outsider. They asked about her classes, joked about campus food, and told her the best and worst professors to look out for.

Later that evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon again, Bella stood on the balcony with Ava.

“You okay?” Ava asked, leaning on the railing beside her.

Bella nodded slowly. “I think… this place might be different.”

Ava smiled. “It already is.”

For the first time, Bella let herself hope. Not all beginnings had to be lonely. Maybe, just maybe, this time she wouldn’t have to walk alone.

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