Taking Chances (Rewritten Version)

Chapter Twenty-Five

"University"

Brielle

                  

I couldn't believe my eyes when they landed on the first tower of the University.

It was gigantic, so real. I couldn't get myself to admit that this was really happening. I kept muttering to myself and pinching my skin to realize that it wasn't a dream and it was truly in front of me.

The campus was aligned with hundreds of students and parents, most likely wishing their new college students good luck for the next two, four, or eight years they'd be gone. For me, I'd be only four years. I couldn't stand eight, and two was way too short.

I parked my car in the parking lot and sat there for a moment, smiling from ear to eat in amazement. Every student looked happy and ready, some annoyed at their parents' antics to hold onto their little girls or boys. And then there were those like me, who showed up alone and didn't bother to wait up for anyone. Maybe a friend, but no one nonetheless.

Eventually, as the campus thinned out a little, I got myself together and got out. And then I began wandering, searching for a place to register. When I had my room, I'd get my things and move them in. I just needed to know were my dorm was first.

After a good five minutes or so, I came across the front office, and walked up to the desk where a young girl, most likely in her senior year, was holding a clip board and looking over someone else's shoulder who was sat at a computer. Her long, beautiful blonde hair had me at a loss for words.

Why couldn't my hair look like that?

She glanced up to see me, and her pearly white teeth appeared as she smiled. "Hi."

"Hi," I replied quietly, but I spoke up louder as I looked at her more seriously. "Um, I'm a freshman. I was wondering where I can register and find my dorm number?"

She nodded her head, that smile growing wider. "Alright. My name is Penelope Rockford, I'm a sophomore, and before I do anything else, welcome."

I smiled, and she handed me my room key and my information. "I'll see you around...?"

"Oh, it's Brielle. Brielle Andrews." I contemplated holding my hand out for a greeting, but decided against it and instead just smiled politely.

She returned it, her round eyes crinkling in joy as she took in my features. "Brielle. It's nice to meet you."

She returned back to her work and I turned away, cuing the end of our greeting. Meanwhile, I glanced at the number, and my eyes immediately went into search mode. It took me about ten minutes before I finally found the door, and I pushed it open gently. My eyes landed right on a rather bright pink wall, and I almost frowned had it not been for the short, long haired blonde that was fixing her posters and photos. She turned to me at the sound of my entering, which was so abrupt that it made me freeze for a split second.

Her beautiful hazel eyes lit up when she saw me, and her all too pearly white smile almost knocked me to my bum. I offered a self-conscious smile in return, not nearly as stunningly beautiful as hers. Although as I took in her face, I recognized something about her. But at the same time, I had absolutely no idea where I'd seen her before or whether my mind was just playing tricks on me.

"Hi!" she beamed, jumping off of her bed and walking to me with an eager grin. "You must be my new roommate. I'm Claire Tanner."

I was going to shake her hand, but she wrapped me in a hug before I could register it, and I laughed awkwardly. So she was an intimate person, ay?