Campus//Phan

One

Dan's pov

"Are you nervous?"

"Are you kidding? I'm terrified."

I say to my little sister as I shove my last suitcase into the car. The thought of finally going to college was absolutely terrifying but exciting as well. My stomach was in knots, all of it felt so surreal.

As I close the trunk of my car with all of my belongings inside, I said my final goodbyes to parents and my little sister, Yazi, who suprisingly was a bigger supporter of me than my parents were.

"You'll do great Dan I believe in you." She whispered as we hugged.

I smiled, "I love you, I'm gonna miss you so much."

We pulled away and I waved to my family before getting into my car and making the drive to a college in Manchester.

*3 hours later*

I park my car, get my suitcase and other necessities, from it and make the walk through the school to where my dorm was.

I came from a fairly wealthy family, so I ended up getting a dorm where I didn't have to have a roommate. I was quite happy about this because I'm a total control freak and I kinda have annoying habits that used to annoy just about everyone I came into contact with.

I get the key out of my pocket and push the door open, it was nice and cozy just how I expected it to be. I go into my room, set my suitcase and backpack down and began to unpack.

After I finished unpacking my things, I leave my dorm to go through the school's gardens to relax.

I walk a short ways until I see a gorgeous green spot with tall trees, rose bushes, butterflies gliding through the air, a small waterfall with water trickling down, a small bridge that went over the pond that had coi fish in it that seemed to be almost flying through the water.

I walk over the wooden bridge and sit beneath a tall tree. Hearing the water trickling softly into the pond instantly relaxed me and I began to focus only on my breathing and clearing my thoughts of unnecessary worries and negative thoughts about anything and everything that could possibly go wrong.

After a good maybe fifteen minutes, my eyes flutter open and I reach for my backpack that I had brought with me and pull out my sketch book.

I loved art so much, it was probably one of my favorite things in the world. I loved nothing more than to draw and sketch beautiful scenes that were just in reality and fantasy ones that only existed in my little bit twisted imagination.

I begin to sketch the garden scene, trying to be careful not to smudge the already drawn lines. As time passes and I was just about finished with my sketch when I look up to see the sun slowly starting to sink down making the clouds turn an red-orange color with purple twisting in and out.

"That's such a wonderful drawing." Says a voice coming from behind me. I turn around to see a girl with blonde hair with curly ends, and kind blue eyes.

"Sorry if i startled you I was walking past and I saw you drawing this amazing picture and I couldn't help but watch." She says smiling.

"Thank you so much." I say standing up to introduce myself. "I'm Dan."

"I'm Louise."

We shook hands.  "Is this your first year here?" She asked rocking back and fourth on her heels. "Yeah! Is it that obvious?"

She giggled. "No, it's just I didn't see you last year, and I would've definitely remembered if I did so I kinda assumed.." Her voice trailed off as she looked behind me and her eyes widened a bit.

"I'm so sorry D-Dan but I have to g-go I'll try and talk to you a-another time." Before I got the opportunity to say something she was already walking off.

As I watch her get farther, I notice a silhouette of a person and they both walk away together.

Why did she look so afraid?

Who did she walk away with?

I shook it off and grabbed my sketch book and pencil, shoving it back into my backpack and slinging it over shoulder.

I take a deep breath, breathing in the crisp evening air, glancing up at the already beautifully shining stars every once in a while.

How does something so far away from earth manage to be seen, and shine so brightly this way? Miles and miles of complete and utter darkness surrounds it but yet it burns with such passion and determination that the inevitable darkness that surrounds it ceases to be a problem for it.

Things like this have always fascinated me, things usually have a reason to fight, keep going, and shine through the darkness. What if I never find my purpose for existence? What if art doesn't get me far like I'd hoped? I would eventually find my reason for existence though.

Right?

I unlock the door of my new home and set my backpack down by the door. And I call Yazi on Skype.

After a few rings she picks up.

"Hey Danny!!" She smiled, "I miss you so much already and you haven't even been gone a day."

"What did I tell you about calling me Danny? I'm not cool enough for it, and I miss you too."

She rolled her eyes, a bad habit of hers, "Whatever, you are to cool enough for it don't you dare say that you aren't or I'll make mom drive me to Manchester and I'll kick you."

It was my turn to roll my eyes, "C'mon Yazi, you know you love me too much to hurt me."

She scoffed, "Anyways, how is it?"

"It's been pretty good so far, so much unpacking though." I said, tapping on the table subconsciously.

"That's good, and stop tapping before I actually chop off your fingers."
"Whoops didn't notice sorry, I'm just nervous."

She smiled, "Don't be, I know you're going to be great, you're so smart I bet you'll ace all the classes.

"I don't know about that."

"Well I do." said Yazi. "Well we'll just have to wait and seen then." I say chuckling.

We sit and talk for bit before it got too late and we say our goodbyes and I turn off my laptop setting it on the drawer next to my bed and I lay down. Staring up at ceiling and I begin to tap my fingers again.

I was still extremely nervous, who knew what tomorrow had in store for me. However, my anxiety began to subside as my eyelids began to be pulled down by a force stronger than gravity and I let eventually let precious sleep take over.