CHAPTER TWO

The day I finally got to leave for college was upon me. I couldn’t wait. Annabel had been buzzing my phone nonstop—chill, girl, I need to be in my femininity.

“Hi, Anna! One more call and I’ll think you’ve been robbed.”

“Girllll, where the hell are you?”

“I’m coming. I’ll be there in a jiffy.” I hung up, grabbed my bag, and rolled my box downstairs.

“Mi amor, I’ll miss you,” my mom said, pulling me into a hug before Dad engulfed us both.

“I’ll miss you guys too. It’s not that far. I can come home during the holidays, it’ll be like I never left.”

Beep! Beep!

A horn sounded outside.

“Okay, I better get going before Anna hangs my head by the door,” I joked.

They chuckled and helped load my things into the car, stuffing everything into the boot.

“Bye, girls!” my mom called as they waved. We waved back and drove off, ready to face college life.

The drive to the campus was pure chaos. Anna wouldn’t stop talking about hot guys. The car stereo blasted an Afrobeats song, and I was too excited to care about whatever she was babbling.

“I can’t believe we’re actually doing this,” Annabel said for maybe the hundredth time that day.

“I know, right? No parents, no curfews, no rules. Just us and freedom,” I grinned.

“Freedom and lectures, don’t forget the boring part,” she corrected with a smirk.

“Lectures can wait. I’m here for the fun part. I mean, I’ll read but fun comes first,” I teased.

She laughed loudly, losing focus as the car swerved slightly.

“Careful, Ann. I don’t want to be in a cast before the fun even begins.”

The university gate came into view. Students wheeled suitcases around while parents hovered anxiously. Thank God my parents had agreed to stay back.

“This is it,” I whispered as Ann parked and stepped out, shutting the door behind her.

She adjusted her glasses like a model and I couldn’t help but chuckle, she was already casting her net.

“Let’s go cause some chaos, baby!” she squealed as we grabbed our suitcases.

We registered at the main hall. The queue was long, and sweat trickled down my back from the heat.

Eventually, we got our student ID cards, accommodation forms, and a starter pack that included a map, a lanyard, and one extremely ugly campus T-shirt.

“You’re in—wait Faculty of Art?” Annabel said, scanning my form.

“Yeah. And you’re in Engineering. Which means…”

She groaned. “We’re not even in the same hostel!”

I winced. “They couldn’t even pity us?”

She flipped the paper like she could rewrite reality. “Block C, Room 47. What about you?”

“Block F, Room 102. That’s like a fifteen-minute walk.”

“Ughhh. That sucks. You better not make new besties.”

I laughed, bumping her shoulder. “Relax. You’re stuck with me.”

We hauled our luggage across campus paths, passing clusters of excited students and upperclassmen offering directions. The dorm buildings loomed ahead, brick walls covered in ivy and laundry already hanging from windows.

Ann helped me carry my boxes upstairs. My room was small but cozy—two beds, two desks, and one wardrobe. My roommate hadn’t arrived yet, so I claimed the window side.

“You sure you’ll be fine?” she asked, fluffing my pillow like a mother hen.

“Yes, Ma,” I rolled my eyes. “Go find your own dorm before you get lost.”

“Fine, fine. But call me when you’re done unpacking. We’re exploring tonight.”

After she left, I stood by the window, taking everything in- the chatter, laughter, a basketball bouncing somewhere nearby.

I pulled myself away and unpacked quickly, arranging my clothes, photos, and toiletries.

I was halfway through setting up when a girl walked in. She was petite, with honey-blonde braids and a bright smile.

“Hey! You must be Felicia,” she said, dropping her suitcase. “I’m Zara, your roommate.”

“Hi! Nice to meet you.”

We hit it off instantly. She was bubbly and talkative, already telling me where to get the best food and who to avoid in the hostel. Apparently, she’d arrived early for orientation.

“You’ll love it here,” she said. “But brace yourself, Freshers’ Week is madness.”

“Oh?” I asked, pretending not to care, though my curiosity was piqued.

“There’s a big Freshers’ party tonight at the Student Union. Everyone’s going. Want to come?”

Before I could answer, my phone buzzed it was Ann.

Anna: You better be ready by 7. There’s a party at the SU! We’re goinggggg.

I laughed. “Guess I don’t have a choice. My friend already texted me too, she’s excited.”

We talked while finishing up, and before we knew it, it was already 7. Zara and I got dressed and headed out to meet Ann at the party.

The building was packed—students everywhere, guys howling, girls being girls. I spotted Anna instantly, she looked stunning.

She wore a short denim skirt and a white crop top, her braids bouncing as she walked toward me.

“Finally! I was about to drag you out myself.”

Zara and Ann exchanged pleasantries, and then we headed inside hand in hand.

The place was wild—music blasting, bodies grinding, people everywhere. Someone handed me a cup of soda, and I took it, adrenaline buzzing through my veins.

“Felicia, dance!” Annabel yelled.

“I am dancing!” I shouted back, laughing as we moved to the beat.

The DJ switched to an old-school jam, and the crowd lost it. I laughed uncontrollably as Annabel tried and failed

to copy a TikTok dance. Zara was already chatting with a tall guy near the drinks table.

“New semester, new crushes,” Annabel whispered, nudging me.

“Let her live,” I grinned.

Then someone bumped into me, nearly spilling their drink.

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry!”

I turned and met the sharpest hazel eyes I’d ever seen. He was tall, broad-shouldered, with messy curls and a dimpled smile.

“No worries,” I said, trying not to sound flustered.

“I’m Jake,” he said, setting his cup down. “You’re new, right?”

“Is it that obvious?” I laughed.

“You have that freshers glow—thrilled and excited.”

I rolled my eyes, smiling. “And you? Sophomore?”

“Third year. Student Union Committee, we organize this madness.”

“So you’re responsible for all this.”

“Guilty,” he chuckled. “You’re doing great though. Most people hide their first night.”

“Maybe I’ll do that after another drink,” I joked.

He leaned closer. “Save me a dance before you disappear?”

My stomach flipped, but Annabel suddenly grabbed my arm.

“Fifi! They’re starting the Freshers toast!”

Jake smiled. “Go ahead. I’ll find you later.”

Ann dragged me away. When I glanced back, he winked, and my heart flipped.

The DJ called out faculties, and each group screamed louder than the last. It was chaos in the best way.

By the time the lights dimmed and people began leaving, I was drenched in sweat and adrenaline.

“That. Was. INSANE!” Annabel said.

Zara stumbled out behind us, giggling. “Best first night ever.”

“Definitely,” I smiled, my thoughts drifting back to Jake.

Annabel nudged me. “We’re going to make this place ours.”

I laughed. “We already are.”

We headed back to the dorms, singing and giggling through the night. I waved at Ann as she disappeared down her hallway.

Zara and I collapsed onto our beds. She was asleep almost instantly, shoes kicked off mid-floor.

I stared at the ceiling.

Save me a dance before you disappear…

The words echoed in my head as I drifted off.