Chapter two

                                    

                                          
Alana:
My first day at university felt like the beginning of a novel—exciting, chaotic, and full of new impressions. The hours passed in a whirlwind, filled with unfamiliar faces, loud voices, and rooms I was still trying to figure out. Everywhere I turned, people were rushing from one building to another, while I clung to my crumpled campus map, desperately trying to orient myself.
Sometimes it all felt like too much. The constant pressure to fit in, to not miss anything, to not make a single mistake. At some point, in the middle of all the chaos, a moment of weakness crept in. A quiet thought whispered: *Maybe I can't do this.* I felt my shoulders sag under the weight of the day. But giving up? On the first day? No, that wasn't an option. So I stopped for a moment, took a deep breath, and felt something stir within me—a mix of defiance and a quiet hope that this new chapter might turn into something special.
When the lectures finally ended, I felt drained but also a tiny bit proud of myself for getting through the marathon. The walk home, to my new home in the dorms, felt almost like a reward. Just thinking about Carla, my roommate, waiting for me with one of her legendary dinners, made me smile. Carla was a true kitchen wizard. Her meals could easily be served in a five-star restaurant, and the best part? She didn't just cook for herself—she always made sure I got my share too.
I quickened my pace, eager to leave the university behind. Just as I was rounding the corner onto the street leading to the dorms, a voice called out behind me. "Hey! Wait up!" Someone was trying to get my attention, and I stopped, surprised.
I turned around and saw a girl smiling at me. She had curly brown hair, a smattering of freckles across her nose, and an open, friendly aura that immediately put me at ease. "Hi, sorry to bother you—I'm Mary. We're studying medicine together."
For a moment, I was caught off guard. *Why is she talking to me?* But then I returned her smile and said, "Oh, okay. I'm Alana. Is something wrong, or... why are you stopping me?"
"No, sorry if this is awkward," she said, laughing nervously. "I saw you in the lecture and thought we might live in the same area. If we're heading the same way, I figured I'd just say hi. You live in Dorm 3, right?"
I nodded slowly, surprised by how observant she was. "Oh, wow. I didn't even notice, but yeah, I do. Sure, we can walk together. How was your first day?"
"Pretty good! I mean, yeah, some classes seem tough, but I think we'll manage, right?" She looked at me with an optimistic smile.
"Hopefully," I murmured, feeling a small smile creep across my own face. It was comforting to talk to someone who seemed just as new and unsure as I was.
The conversation with Mary made the walk to the dorms surprisingly pleasant. We talked about the professors, the schedule, and how overwhelming it was to feel like a tiny cog in such a massive machine. By the time we reached the dorm's front door, we had already promised to sit together during tomorrow's lecture. We said goodbye, and I waved as she headed off down the hallway to her room.
When I entered my dorm, it already felt a little bit like home. The smell of fresh herbs and roasted vegetables wafted down the hall, and I couldn't help but grin. Carla was truly a lifesaver.
I opened the door to our small apartment and found her in the kitchen, juggling a frying pan while music played softly in the background. "Oh, perfect timing! Dinner's just about ready," she called out, glancing over her shoulder at me.
"You're a literal angel, you know that?" I said, dropping my backpack onto the floor with a relieved sigh.
"Of course I know that," she replied with a playful grin. "So, how was your first day? Did the university chew you up and spit you back out, or did you survive?"
I collapsed into one of the kitchen chairs and grabbed a water bottle from the table. "A little bit of both, honestly. It was so much—getting to all the rooms, seeing all those people, the lectures... At one point, I really thought I might not make it. But somehow, I did."
Carla nodded knowingly. "Sounds like a classic first day. But hey, you got through it, and you're still standing! That's a win."
I laughed as I watched her plate up the food. It looked like something you'd find in a fancy restaurant—perfectly grilled vegetables on a bed of fragrant rice, topped with fresh herbs. "And this? This is definitely the highlight of the day," I said, taking a deep breath of the delicious aroma.
"I know," Carla said with a wink, sliding the plate in front of me. "Food fixes everything. Even university stress."
As we ate, I told her about Mary, about the chaos of finding my way around, and about the little moments where I'd felt like I was finally moving in the right direction. Carla listened intently, nodding at all the right moments and throwing in the occasional comment that made me laugh.
After dinner, we washed the dishes together, chatting about tomorrow's schedule and what Carla planned to cook next. By the time we were done, I felt a sense of calm settle over me. The first day was behind me, and although it had nearly overwhelmed me, I felt stronger than I had in the morning. Maybe this chapter in my life wouldn't just be something to endure. Maybe it would actually be something to cherish.
Later that evening, I curled up in my room under a cozy blanket with a book on my lap. The soft hum of Carla's music played in the background, blending with the occasional sounds of people in the hallway. For the first time all day, I felt completely at ease. The world outside could wait until tomorrow. Tonight, everything felt just right.