N|E

I was all brand new.
I took the train all by myself not knowing what to expect. I had convinced myself at this point that thinking about any other thing would be better than torturing myself with expectations. Expectations are the one thing that I've always hated, they're what make us unhappy when they don't accomplish how the should. I was, of course, looking forward to my new life, the simple idea of being by myself... ah! I smirked to myself as I took my seat, right next to the window. That's another fact about me, there's hardly anything I love more than being next to a window: cars, planes, buses, trains, subway... even at home! And here I was, the window-lover weirdo heading for her adult life. The train took off and I was so absorbed in my own thoughts that I hadn't even noticed one of the two seats on the front of the pair I was sat on was already occupied. A guy that looked at least 25 year old was there. He must noticed my look and looked back, then he smiled at me. I turned back to my window.
All the trees, all the woods, you could barely see the sky anymore. Was I going this away from the city? Oh my beloved city. It was not like I was moving to the suburbs or anything, I would never allow that to myself, no it was just a smaller city. Still that idea didn't have me so happy since I was born in the city, the real city, the biggest one, probably a more risky place to live, but still my city.
I must have been too busy with my inner complain that suddenly it stopped and it was rather dark outside. I even wondered whether I had fallen asleep or something but everything seemed normal. I saw the guy in front glancing at the plaid skirt I was wearing and I made a disgust gesture. I walked past him as he asked "are you traveling alone?", I was probably too far for him to hear me but I yelled back "NO" anyway.
The place was supposed to be near the train station but since it was kinda dark and I didn't had a clue of where I was (or a GPS) I decided to ask the officer guy for directions. He suggested a cab, so maybe he'll get a cut of what I'd pay or something. It was kinda close but still a bit tricky to get there, even the cabdriver got a bit confused so I hoped he wouldn't know how to get back once he dropped me. The building was really ugly, with the once-pastel paint coming off, that I immediately fell in love with it. There were a few lights on, it looked like a horror movie setting which I loved even more. I took the old elevator to my floor, the third, and go seek for my new room. Inside the building was fancier, with all the carpets and chandeliers but still very rusty and dusty which made it even more low-budget-horror-movie-like. The room was almost the last one on the hallway, cool. The room was ok, quite small but perfect for one person. Good thing I didn't have to have a roommate or one of those cliché split dorms on American sitcoms. There was a decent t.v., a fridge and a bed, so I was happy. I looked at the clock and it was fucking 5:30 p.m. This dark and 5:30 p.m. Was it really sunnier in the city? Even with all the smog? Ughh.
I proceeded to get the few things I had with me out and place it somewhere. The rest of my belongings would arrive the next day.
As boring as everything seemed I looked out the window. Trees. Great.
I woke up with the book I was reading on my chest and with the arms all numbed. I had slept with clothes on, also great.
I looked at my phone and it was 6 a.m.! What was wrong with me?! Well probably I would need to get used to a regular person schedule, so I got up, really, really hungry. There was nothing in the kitchen, of course, so I put my coat back and got the hell out of there without any destination. How was it possible that I had not seen anyone at that point? Was it a ghost town?
Just as if the gods would have read my mind, a few people started to show up, with the same dead morning faces as me. Out was really chilly, yet I kept walking hoping I'll know the way back. It was still kinda dark but I unconsciously followed the flow of people to a large building and then another and there was the whole university. Since I was carrying my bag and I was already there, I headed for the offices to get my schedule and all that shit. It was rather quick so again I did not have anything to do.
I was back to the room and all my suitcases, bags and miscellaneous crap were right there outside the door. Nice.
I proceeded to get it in and close the door with a really hard sound. For the rest of the day I found myself pasting things on the walls and placing fake flower pots, tiaras, shrunk heads, etc. all over the place. When I was done I turned on the t.v. (with no cable for my pleasure) and reviewed my classes for the next day. Monday, the loveliest day. I set my alarm this time, at 6 a.m. though, and watched t.v. until I fell asleep. I didn't give much thought to next day's perspective either, so when I woke up, I was lost.
I showered, got dressed and ate the leftovers of the precooked thing I had bought the day before on my way home, which were awful. I looked at the huge dark circles around my eyes on the mirror and go.
I got to my first class half asleep and sat in the back. Same thing with the next one. The first day classes were clearly designed to make the students extremely uncomfortable by asking them thing about their lives one by one. On one of the last classes a girl that sat next to me asked me something about what was written on the blackboard but I honestly had no idea. I thought It'd be a good chance to talk to someone else outside my head so I asked her things back. She seemed pretty normal, she was even kind of pretty and was wearing regular winterish clothing. At the end of the class she asked what was my final one that day and turned out we had the same. We headed to one of the other buildings.
-I'm Annie, by the way.
-Oh right, I'm Victoria- I giggled.
The girl was nice, and that was pretty much what I look for on a person. The last class was even more embarrassing, we had to say our expectations on the course.
-Finishing it?- the teacher gave me a snide look.
I walked home with Annie, who talked nonstop, and it turned out she lived in the same floor I did but in the front building. So we split our ways but agreed to have dinner later, cause she didn't know where or what to eat either. We agreed I would go pick her up when I had left my things.
I was carrying a small bag with me with only one notebook inside. I grabbed a purse and put some money in there. The next building looked exactly the same than mine, they were like twin sad-looking constructions. I knocked her door and a tall guy showed.
-Oh sorry, I think I got the wrong room.
-Are you looking for Annie?
-Yeah...- the guy called her immediately.
-Oh hey, let's go- Annie showed up and walked past the guy, who was still holding the door open. I was still starring at him.-Oh yeah, this is my brother, Adam.
-Hi- was all I said.
-Hi, are you a Student here too?- his voice was really low and husky.
-Yeah, I'm Victoria...
-Nice to meet you, hope Ann doesn't drive you crazy.
-Oh shut up- Annie was on the hall doing something that I could only interpret as tying her shoelaces.
-Well, I guess I'll see you around- the guy was the kind of guy I'd dig in, tall, longish hair and really skinny. That was probably the reason why I was being nice, anyway.
Annie and I ended up at this coffee shop that looked decent and had something to eat. She was telling me her whole life practically so I didn't even had to ask. She asked about mine too but I kept it simple. She and his brother were from another city, even smaller than this one and got there in his rusty car. She had a fancier car at home but their parents won't let her take it. She showed me the closest supermarket where she had bought a lot of supplies from since Saturday, when I just stayed in and fell asleep with my clothes on. We got back to her room and there was Adam again, in the fridge.
-Get your own things and stop stealing from my fridge!- she yelled at him.
-Oh come on, is just a couple of things...- he said chuckling as he left the room with almost all the things on her fridge. Then he slammed the door with his foot.
-Ughhh I swear of god...- I thought that situation was funny, maybe I should steal some goodies from Annie myself...
Her room looked very, very neat, everything was so organized, I felt a pinch of jealousy. We talked and joke about her brother stealing from her for a while, then I headed home.
-See you tomorrow- I said before I left the room. When I got downstairs by the elevator, I saw Adam smoking outside the building doors. He saw me and open it before I could -thanks.
-No problem- he took another puff off his cigarette -heading home already?
-Yeah, it's getting late and since we're in the town that does not know daylight..- he laughed quietly.
-Yeah you could get lost in the way.
-I assume they don't let you smoke inside?
-No, but there's hardly someone who can tell you to put it down in here, I'm just taking precautions.
-Oh...
-Do you smoke?- he said handing me the cigarette over-
-Yeah, thanks- I took a deep breath out of it. I forgot to buy cigarettes before coming here. I handed him back -well it's getting kinda chilly, I better go...-
-Yeah yeah me too.
-Kay, see you around- I said smiling at him. He didn't say anything else, just smiled back.