CHAPTER TWO

The day i finally get to leave for college is upon me! I can’t wait, Annabel has been buzzing my phone non stop, chill girl I need to be in my femininity.

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

“Girllllll, where the hell are you? “

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

“Mi amor, I’ll miss you” my mom hugged me before dad engulfed us both in hugs.

“I’ll miss you guys too, it’s not so far. I can drop by during the holidays and it’ll be as if I never left”

*beep!!*

A horn came from outside. “Okay, I better get going before Anna hangs my head by the door. They chuckled and helped take my things to the car, stuffing them in the boot.

“Bye girls” my mom called out as they both waved to us, we waved back and drove out, ready to face college life.

The drive to tge campus was pure chaos, Anna wouldnt stop talking about hot guys. The car stereo was blasting some afrobeat song, I was too excited to hear what she babbled about.

“I can’t believe we’re actually doing this,” Annabel said for maybe the 100th time today.

“I know right? No parents, no curfews, no rules just us and our freedom” I grinned at her.

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

“Lectures can wait, I’m here for the fun part. I mean I will read but fun comes before anything else” I teased

She laughed out loud, loosing focus as our car spiraled. “Careful Ann, I don't want to be in cast before tge fun even begins”

The gate of the university came into view, we got in and students could be found wheeling their suitcases and parents looking at them anxiously. Thank God my parents agreed to stay back.

“This is it,” I whispered to Ann as she packed the car and got 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. I could feel sweat dripping down my back from the heat.

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

“You’re in…wait, Faculty of Social Sciences?” 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, scanning it like she could rewrite reality. “Mine says Block C, Room 47. What about you?”

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

“Ughhhh, that sucks. You better not make new besties”

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

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

Ann helped me to carry my boxes up the stairs, my room was small but cozy. It had two beds, two desks, and a single 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 said, rolling my eyes. “Go find your own dorm before you get lost.”

“Fine, fine but call me when you unpack. I want to explore this place tonight.”

When she left, I stood by the window, taking it all in. The loud chatter, basketball bouncing somewhere. I pulled myself from the window and unpacked quickly, arranging my clothes, photos, and toiletries.

I was halfway through setting up my little corner 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, yeah, nice to meet you!”

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

“You’ll love it here,” she said. “The parties you have to brace yourself for. Freshers’ Week is madness.”

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

She grinned. “There’s a big fresher’s party tonight at the Student Union, everyone will be coming. Do you want to come?”

Before I could answer, my phone buzzed and 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 now, my friend just message me about it and she seemed excited”

We got to talk more while we arranged our stuff and before we could know what was happening, it was already 7. I and Zara got dressed and headed out, we were to meet Ann at the party.

We got to the building and students were everywhere, guys howling and girls been girls. I sighted Anna and she looked stunning.

She was putting on a short denim skirt and a white crop top. Her braids bounced as she walked toward me. “Finally! I was about to drag you out myself.”

Zara and Anna exchanged pleasantries and it was time to get the groove on, we made our way inside hand in hand. People were everywhere, bodies grinding on each other, music blasting all over.

Someone handed me a cup of soda and I took it, already feeling the buzz of adrenaline in my veins.

“Felicia, dance!” Annabel yelled over the music.

“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 found myself laughing uncontrollably as Annabel tried to copy a TikTok dance and failed miserably. Zara was already talking to some tall guy near the drinks table.

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

I grinned. “Let her live.”

Then, out of nowhere, someone bumped into me, nearly spilling their drink. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry!” a voice said.

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

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

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

“Is it that obvious?” I said, laughing.

“It is, you have that freshers glow. Trilled and excited”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t hide my smile. “And what about you? Sophomore?”

“Third-year,” he said. “Student Union Committee, we organize these things.”

“Ah, so you’re the one responsible for this madness.”

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

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

He leaned closer, voice dropping just enough to be heard over the music. “Save me a dance before you disappear then?”

My stomach flipped, but before I could respond, Annabel came running back. “Fifi! Come on, they’re starting the Freshers toast!”

Jay smiled. “Go ahead, i’ll find you later.”

Anna dragged me to wherever the toast was, when I turned to look back he winked at me and my heart flipped.

The DJ called out names of faculties and each group screamed louder than the last, it was madness in the best way.

When the time the lights dimmed and everyone was leaving, I was drenched in sweat and adrenaline. Annabel was buzzing beside me.

“That. Was. INSANE!” she said, fanning herself.

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

“Definitely,” I said smiling, my thoughts drifting back to the guy I had met earlier.

Annabel turned to me, her eyes twinkling. “You know what, Fifi? We’re going to make this place ours.”

I laughed. “We already are.”

We headed back to our dorms, our voices echoing as we sang through the night, giggling. We waved at Anna as she disappeared down her hallway.

I and Zara got to our room, and collapsed on the bed. Tara was fast asleep, her shoes kicked off mid floor. I stared up at

“Save me a dance before you disappear….” Rang in my head as I drifted off.