Chapter Five: New Friend

One week before my first ever semester in college start.  I am excited and nervous at the same time. Will I live the life I had when I was in high school or have my best life in this university?  I hope it’s the latter one.

I’m at my University now since there is an orientation for fresh students. University wants us to be familiar with this place before the opening of this school year starts. I observed the surroundings.

This place will be my new environment for the next few years.

I’m still anxious about getting bullied.

Our house is a two-hour drive away from here, and I need to rent an apartment near this university. At first, I was hesitant, but I have to be independent. I will miss my parents so much. I wonder how things will go through now that I can only depend on myself.

I shook my head; I should focus on this orientation first.

After the student assistant toured us, I checked all the rooms on my schedule, including the laboratory room for Culinary Students. I can’t wait to learn here. Just by looking at it makes me so excited for my classes.

 “Ooops. Sorry!” I apologized. I was in the middle of imagining things when I bumped into someone. I immediately helped her stand up. I can feel that my hands are shaking.

“Ooops. I didn’t see you, it was my fault.” She said while reaching for my hands. I can feel the lump in my throat.

“I-i-I’m sorry.” I apologized again, afraid of what would happen next.

“It’s okay, you don’t have to apologize. I should be the one who’s apologizing, so I’m sorry.” She smiled.

“A-are you s-sure?” my voice is shaking. I have to make sure she’s really okay. She might be angry or something.

“Yes. I’m sure. It’s just an accident, don’t mind me.” She reassured me. I nodded and walked away fast. I don’t want her to remember my face so I should leave before she can memorize my face. I don’t know, she might be a potential bully.

I walked faster and faster but I can still hear her calling me. Oh no, I’m screwed!

“Giiirl! Your schedule!” I heard her yell. I looked over my things and found out that my paper with a schedule on it is not with me. I stopped walking and looked back at her.  I feel so embarrassed. I want to go home. Why am I going through this?

She’s catching her breath and her hand is on my shirt.

“Girl, you walk so fast. Here, you left it there.”  She said while still catching her breath from following me.

“I’m sorry.” She smiled at me.

“Stop saying sorry. It’s okay! Anyway, my name is Anvien. And you are?” Her hand is extended, waiting for me to accept it.

“I’m B-bliss.” I stuttered. We shook hands. I smiled nervously. She smiled nicely.

“Now that we are not strangers, can you please go with me?” She asked me while she wrapped her arms around mine. Like we’ve known each other before. I was shocked. My heart seems to palpitate but in a good way. I’m not used to this. I’ve never experienced someone getting this close to me. I smiled.

I don’t even get the chance to say no, she’s already taking me somewhere.

“Are you also a freshman?” she asked while we’re walking. I nodded. She smiled at me. Anvien smells like candy. Her style is so chic. It suits her beautiful face. She’s also taller than me. Her looks really stood out, because she’s walking with someone like me.

“From now on, we’re friends. Do you have twitter? F******k? I***a? Somewhere we can be mutual?” She asked me. I told her I don’t have f******k and i***a. I only have a twitter account.

“Alright, let’s go to the mall.” She said, I just followed her. This feels nice. I’m thankful that I found some good people.

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One week has passed and it’s the first day of classss!  My excitement can’t really be contained. It’s 6:00 am and I feel energized despite how early it is. I made myself some breakfast. I made some Avocado toast and coffee-- simple yet healthy, at least for me.  I ironed my clothes the night before this it’s ready.

Doing these things made me feel like a grown-up. I feel so independent. But I still miss my mom. I never had to worry about these kinds of things before. I just smiled as I sipped my coffee. 

After breakfast, I took a shower and got ready to take off.

My first class today has no relation to Culinary; I don’t know why it’s in our curriculum. But it’s good to learn something aside from cooking, I guess.

I sit in the front row like I always do. I don’t know but I like sitting here. You can hear the professor properly and focus on the class properly.

The professor came in and he introduced himself. My classmates groaned when he started writing something on the board. I brought out my new notebook and wrote down what my professor is teaching.

I felt someone poked me. I bolt out of the blue. Good thing my professor didn’t even notice it.

“Hey, can I borrow a pen?” He said, and I lent him some. He smiled at me and whispered thank you so that he won’t disturb the class. I smiled at him back.

My professor discussed the introduction of that subject for three hours. I was not used to having lectures this long. I don’t know if I can be enthusiastic about listening when his discussion is this long. 

I felt hungry after that 3-hour long class. So I decided to eat, I texted Anvien to let her know that I am free. I went to the cafeteria after that.

 *Cafeteria* 

I just ordered some Mango smoothie since I don’t have that much appetite yet. I noticed that some students here seem to be nice and friendly unlike the people from my high school. Well, I guess they are matured and have more manners. 

I sipped my smoothie and I felt someone sit beside me. 

I looked up and smiled thinking it was Anvien, but it was not. It was the guy from earlier. 

“Hey, I forgot to bring back your pen. I’m sorry.” He said as he reached for my pen. I got it from his hands and smiled. 

“Can I sit here?” He politely asked. I nodded. He brought out his sandwich and offered it to me but I declined. 

“Are you waiting for someone?” He asked while taking a bite of his sandwich. 

“Yes but I don’t know if she’ll be here.” I said, talking about Anvien. 

“You seem nice. Are you a culinary student as well?” I was uncomfortable with talking, but I still answered. I felt awkward, I didn't know what to do. So I just stared at my phone pretending that I’m doing something. 

He’s still talking. He’s babbling about how he wants to be a chef and that this university is not his dream school. I don’t know if I’ll answer it but I just laughed when he thought he’s saying something funny. 

He seemed nice too, though. But I’m slightly annoyed by the way he talks. He’s very talkative. I’m not very fond of talkative people. 

“I’m Lunan, by the way.” I shaked hands with him. 

“I’m Bliss.” I said. Well, I guess there’s nothing wrong with making friends. Besides, this is just a first impression. 

“How about you? Why did you want to be a chef?” 

“Uh. I just like to bake, I want to be a pastry chef someday.” 

He nodded and made an okay-that’s-acceptable face. 

“I’m sorry for being talkative.” he laughed. I’m glad that he knows he’s talkative. I was about to say something when I heard Anvien. 

“Oh! My! god! Why are you with this butt-looking guy, Bliss?” Anvien said with a disgusted look on her face. I looked at Lunan. He waved his middle finger at her. I was surprised by their interaction. I don’t even know how to react. 

“You know her? You know this Angela?” Lunan asked me. I nodded but still confused. Who’s Angela?

“Ha, I let people call me Anvien now, Luna.” Her hands on her waist. I laughed at the way she raised her eyebrows.

“What a lame name.” Lunan added. Anvien sat down with us. 

“Are we talking about lame names? Yours is Lunan. That’s lamer.” She rolled her eyes. 

“Anyway, Lunan is my cousin..” She looked at me then back to Lunan. “Why are you studying here?” I was relieved that their actions a while ago were not serious. It was just a playful act. That moment was cute though. 

I do have cousins but I’m the youngest. There’s a very huge age gap so we can’t be close like this. 

“Is your name really Anvien?” I asked her. She laughed with Lunan. 

“I made it up, my real name is Angela Vivien.” She said while taking a bite of Lunan’s sandwich. Lunan seemed irritated by it but he had no choice. Anvien is a cool name, it suits her more than her real name. 

I was mind blown by how the world is really small.  How come I am friends with cousins, coincidently? 

But nonetheless, I am thankful. Though Lunan and I may not be that close, as well as Angela, I can feel that this is the beginning of a long-lasting friendship. 

I’m glad I met them. 

After that day, I messaged my parents that I have two friends. 

I like to update my parents about what’s happening around me, they’ve been my walking diary ever since I moved to my apartment. 

I was just kind of annoyed how my mom was reluctant about me being friends with a guy but my dad reprimanded her. I was glad he did.

My mom is kinda strict when it comes to boys and boyfriends. She’s so protective of me when it comes to something like this. 

But they have nothing to worry about. I don’t see myself in a relationship now. 

There’s nothing wrong with it. 

All that matters now is I have friends. 

At last, for 17 years, I gained not just one, but two.