"Finally! Today is the day... I'm attending my dream college! As you can guess, I'm too excited!" Melissa screamed into her phone. On the other end, her mom giggled.
"How's your room? And what about your roommate?"
"Mom, everything's perfect. The roommate isn't here yet."
Melissa grabbed a nude lipstick and applied it carefully while holding the phone. For a moment, she zoned out, her hand pausing midair.
"Lisa... are you okay?" her mom asked gently.
Melissa snapped back. "Yes, Mom. I'm fine... I'll call you in the evening, okay? Love you."
"Love you too. Have a blast, my girl."
Melissa smiled at the phone one last time before her expression slid back into a poker face.
"Hello, beautiful!!"
A girl in a short blue dress waved at her, dragging a suitcase beside her. She was pretty — confident, bright.
"Oh... Hi, you must be Ginny, my roommate?"
"Yes! And you're Melissa George, right?"
Melissa nodded with a small smile.
Ginny arranged her bed and desk with surprising speed, slinging a backpack over her shoulder.
"So, Melissa, what's your major?"
"Umm... Art and Literature. Wha—"
"Hey, me tooooo!" Ginny jumped like a child.
"Wow... that's crazy. Let's be friends?" Ginny grinned, offering her hand for a handshake.
Melissa blinked, stunned by the energy, but eventually shook her hand.
Everything felt perfect. Melissa closed her eyes and inhaled the crisp air outside the college building.
After the first hour, the student council president gave important instructions and urged everyone to join at least one club. Melissa wasn't thrilled about it, but it was mandatory, so she applied to the music club. Ginny, on the other hand, applied for several — she was too excited about everything.
"If you're selected, we'll let you know," a tall, fair boy in glasses said, smiling at them.
"Uwu... that was creepy," Ginny shivered dramatically. Melissa laughed.
"Hey, he's our senior!" Melissa whispered.
"I don't care. Come on, let's check out the cafeteria!"
Ginny grabbed Melissa's hand and pulled her toward the crowd.
It was a scene out of a movie — students singing, dancing, laughing, living.
The cafeteria was big, but packed tight. Ginny ordered food while Melissa scanned the room, smiling at the energy.
Until she wasn't.
Suddenly, her smile dropped.
The world tilted.
It couldn't be... no. Please, no.
Brown eyes — sharp, cruel — locked onto hers.
Melissa froze. Tears welled up instantly.
Her instincts screamed: Run.
And she did. Bolted out of the cafeteria as fast as she could.
"Lisa!!" Ginny shouted, chasing after her.
"Don't I deserve happiness? Why... why is he here?!" Melissa sobbed, sprinting blindly.
Of all people —
It was him.
Alec Fernandes.