C2

My dad and I made our way to the fifth floor of the building as said on the directory, and we began our search for my room. It wasn't long before my dad exclaimed, "304," pointing at the door a few steps in front of me and I nodded before putting the key in only for it open anyway suggesting that my roommate was already inside.

We walked in and found that it beautifully decorated the other half of the room with plants, photos, and paintings. It was very minimalistic, yet artistic all the same. My lips draw to a smile as I continued to look around. The door to the bathroom was right behind the front door. The walls were a bright white and carpeted floor. My roomie's side was surely already halfway done, with lights hanging here and there and her bed beautifully set. Her desk, placed by the foot of her bed, already set up with her computer and other essentials. There are televisions neatly folded into a shelve the settled next to the bed and I laughed at the innovation.

I noticed the storage underneath the bed and another closet space opposite the bathroom door. This place didn't fail with being spacious yet effective.

Both beds were doubles and had a comfortable distance from each other and I'm immediately comforted.

Finally, the auburn-haired girl turns around from sticking up more pictures above her bed and her eyes widen in shock at the sight of us. But it quickly turned into a welcoming and exciting expression.

"Oh my God, are you my roommate?" She said jumping off her bed and walking towards me, not taking my dad's existence. Her voice was high but sweet. It was clear and childish.

She was small, and I was barely taller than her, but her beautiful model body pays off. Her eyes were a beautiful russet brown and her light make-up complimented the light freckles on her light skin tone. She was small and petite, but her assets fit her well.

"This is 304, right?" I said jokingly, and she chuckles, catching me off guard when she wrapped her arms around me.

"Oh, okay, " I said in awkward surprise but hugged her, anyway. I already like her personality, she seemed very sweet and nice, which is what I need in college.

"I'm so sorry, I'm just so excited and you seem nice and I've been eager to find out if my roommate was weird or worse, bad." She laughed as she pulled away and I joined her. I like her. We had the same thought process and I wonder if we are similar in other ways too.

"Well, ladies, I'm glad that you both found likeable people." My dad said making the girl turn to him and her eyes widen.

"Oh geez, you must be her dad, I hadn't noticed." She laughed before reaching her hand out to him. "My name is Julia, " she said, and my dad - who had settled my things on a corner near my bed - shook her hand with a smile. "I'm Ken Parker and my daughter Grace, " he introduced, and I rolled my eyes at his professionalism.

She looked over at me and smiled. She seems so bubbly and smiley, probably one thing I am not to worry about.

"Well, I already had settled in. It's Wednesday, and I planned on checking clubs out or even just the town. They say there's a street near campus that opens each night and is just a hangout for college students and I plan ongoing. It would be nice if you'd come too." She immediately suggested walking back to her bed, picking up some trash lying around from her decorations.

I looked over to my dad but see no disagreement. "I might, I think it'll be good to familiarize myself but I need to settle in first," I said looking over to my side of the room which was drab and plain.

"Oh, I can help you with that. Do you play?" She said making me confused, but her finger towards the guitar bag hanging on my bag made me chuckle.

"Oh yeah, I hope you don't mind, " I said with a warm smile before setting it done on my bed, now feeling comfortable enough.

"Oh no, I am friends with musicians, I live in music by now so no worries, " she assured waving he hands as if to say "no problem"

I nodded and my dad finally speaks up, "Well, I'm glad you ladies are getting along. I'll be off now. Don't get yourselves in too much of a problem and if you need anything call me hun, bye." He walks up to me, giving me a reassuring kiss on top of my head before walking out with his hands carelessly in his pockets.

As my dad closes the door, Julia looks at me with curiosity in her eyes, "How long have you been in LA? " she said sitting pretty in her bed.

"Oh, I just got here. I'm from the other side of the country." I said, and she nodded as if she was correcting herself. "Thought so, the accent gave it off." She said, and we both laughed. She was right. We had a subtle difference in our accents.

I sighed in relief as I finally settled in.

All night and through the entire flight over here I worried about how good my roommate will be, or just how people will be, and now, I was more comfortable because they are very warm and nice. I couldn't feel more relieved, and I knew that if I told my mom she would be happier that I was in a salubrious place.

I had two enormous suitcases with me, filled with everything I'd ever need. On the other, I filled it with some books and some of my notebooks and other stationery. I also made it my decision to bring some of my studio equipment such as my recording mic, interface, and some other pieces. I surely wouldn't live without them. I am a producer and a singer/songwriter. With it were a few clothes, the lighter ones like sundresses and skirts. On the other, we're more clothes, some decorative pieces like fairy lights, some of my favorite posters, some accessories, toiletries, makeup, and other essentials such as a blow drier and a hair curler.

I had a laptop bag sitting on my bed with the guitar and another backpack that contains my camera and some other devices and some snacks.

As I sat with two organized and opened suitcases, Julia plops down on the floor beside me and looked at all my things.

"Wow, you came prepared." She laughed, hesitating to reach down for a moment but does, anyway. "No, not really, there are still a few things that I need to get like blankets and bedsheets," I mumbled disappointingly.

"Oh, hush. I mean yeah you do, but for now, you can use some of mine. I got extras. Don't waste your time worrying and let's just get your side done and we can get to business." She said clapping her hands in enthusiasm and I can't help but get excited like her. It was like her energy was contagious.

And with that, we began our long and enjoyable work.

• • •

After we had finally placed the last poster up on the wall behind my desk, I looked down at my watch and sees that it was already four in the afternoon and the skies were darkening but with the tinge of pink and purple dancing around.

We had been working on the decorations for six hours straight and we mustn't have noticed the time passing by. Though, I can see why it was such a treat to hang out with Julia. She was sweet, talkative, but very cautious.

In our talks, I found out she has a boyfriend is also in this university and she spoke dearly about how happy she was that she had some friends here already and she was happy to introduce me. Though socializing wasn't my scene, I agreed thinking for a change.

She also spoke about how she moved to LA just a year ago after taking a gap year because her mother was fighting off cancer and I was sympathetic and listening intently as she spoke about how she was now happy that her mother was lucky and strong enough to survive.

I told her vaguely about my mom and dad and she was sympathetic too, but I didn't go to too much detail. I mostly went over the few enjoyable things in my life, like how I got considered a star for music in high school and how I planned on releasing some music. I told her about my three ex- boyfriends and she laughed, saying she's had more.

We continued talking some more, but my mind focused on the fact that I could meet unfamiliar people. I thought about the people they are. Will they be like Julia? I hope so because I wasn't looking forward to meeting or dealing with some immoral people and I know my mom wouldn't appreciate that either.

"Well, clubs are definitely out of the question. Venice it is!" She announced happily as she walked over to our closet, which was big enough to fit our coats and dresses. We stuffed the other clothes in the drawers underneath our beds.

I looked at her curiously, wondering what she was talking about. "Venice?" I asked half-laugh, hoping she wasn't talking about Italy because we all know that's very far.

She slides the door to our closet open and looks at me as if I should've known, but I shrugged.

"Oh dear, you didn't research." She laughed, continuing to rummage through her dresses. "Maybe I missed it, " I shrugged again.

To be honest, I didn't pay attention to the different activities you can do in and around campus. All the research I went through was the courses and the internships, but besides that, I know nothing about the hangouts here. I guess I just didn't care about them.

"It's the street I was talking about, it's at the edge of the campus and since we are a few good blocks away from the campus principal building, we gonna take my car." She explained walking into the bathroom, a dark red sundress in hand.

I laughed at her enthusiasm but took notice of the fact that she had her car. Mom said that I had enough money in my savings to buy a car, but I thought I should save it for the second semester when I can buy my apartment off-campus. I like Julia and her company, but if I want to succeed with my music; I need my private space to work on it.

I sighed as I filled the room with silence while Julia got dressed and I crouch down in front of my bed, opening the drawers and looking for some clothes to wear.

Today I decided that a black turtle-neck with a beige denim overall dress would fit well with the occasion. For a moment I thought about how what I'm wearing now would be enough, but thought against it since Julia was getting dressed, anyway.

After a minute, Julia got out of the bathroom wearing a beautiful ominous red off-shoulder sundress that moved down to her thighs which weren't too short and it looked good on her, anyway.

"Looking good, " I said standing up to change too. She smiled at me before walking to her desk to retouch her makeup.

I lock the door behind me, and I have left to myself again, facing the mirror. I looked at myself. My dark blonde hair was in a messy ponytail that was pointing in different directions, but it wasn't so much that it was ugly, it looked half decent. My light green eyes were bright, much brighter than I had remembered them to be, probably from the excitement. I was paler than before, but not to a bad extent, and I lost a lot of weight. I scanned over the scar just below my bottom lip. From when I had a bike accident as a kid, I've always thought the scar made me look cool, but sometimes, I loved hiding it.

I sighed at the sight before putting on my clothes.

I've never been too overly confident about my body, or my whole being. One thing my mother taught me is that no matter how destructive things get, you still need to look your best and I took that to heart and it works for me. No one ever questions if I'm ok or so, I dress to impress - well to hide.

I've never really had big assets per se, but they were also above average for someone my age. But then again, it never really mattered to me.

I pulled the zipper from my back and tugged on the hem of the dress, making sure it wasn't too short. I looked at myself again in the mirror and let my natural waves fall as I took my hair tie off. I neatly folded the shirt and the jeans I had previously worn and made my way out.

"Dang, soft but a statement," Julia exclaimed as she stood up from her chair raking my body up and down and I chuckled. "Thanks, " I said politely before heading to my desk to just retouch my bare make up.

I rarely wear makeup either. On a casual day, I just wear some concealer, bronzer, blush, and mascara and I bring some lip balm. That's just about it and that exactly what I do today.

"You are naturally beautiful, and I am jealous, " Julia said, fake envy lacing her voice as she pouts dramatically and I laugh at her. "Says you, " I replied as I dusted some blush on and finished.

"Hey, take your ID, you can get discounts from those." She said grabbing her own and putting it around her neck.

I nodded and put mine in my pocket with my phone and wallet, leaving the band hanging out

We both grabbed our shoes, mine being some black sneakers and hers being some sandals, and we made our way to this Venice place.

• • •

The car ride to the event was chill and fun, especially with us blasting music in her white Prius. She told me about some of her friends, though the names just kind of slipped my mind. She told me about how there is a variety within her friendship circle and he would make fond jokes about them, I would earnestly laugh too.

After we had parked, she led me to an open alley just outside the campus. It was buzzing with college students and some occasional others. The street was littered with bright lights, pop-up tents filled with different merchandise and food, and some buskers. It was a beautiful scene, and the atmosphere was happy and loud but calm in away. The street looked beautiful with the brick road. It leads to the park beyond the street, but the complete thing extends to there.

It was a bigger hang out than I had expected, but I had read in my light research on LA that it's recognized for these things.

"It's nice, huh?" Julia said as we continued to walk through the street.

On some parts, there were chairs and tables, some bars, and everyone was just mingling as the music blared all around us. "Yeah, it's beautiful," I said in enchantment.

"Yeah, but this isn't even the full thing, it extends up to the end, towards town. It's a tremendous event, but it opens every Wednesday and Friday. Technically, it's every day, but it's much smaller than the other days." She explained as we made our way through the crowd, me getting distracted sometimes by the beautiful surroundings.

"Yeah, it is big, " was all I could say. This astonished me. I mean I knew LA was a pretty place but I never really thought to what extent it was.

From where I came from, these things barely exist. All I know is the few bars down the street and some strip clubs there that I surely despised since it brought out the worst crowds. I lived at the edge of town so it was mostly suburban, barely any buildings, and nothing really to do, but most people weren't that bad. This was a big change.

For a moment, my mind traveled back to the fact that I wouldn't do this kind of scene if I was back in Rhode Island. I would just be at home sulking in my bedroom like I usually do or I would study intently, reading every book I could because that's just what I do.

A part of me stays doubtful and I'm thankful for it, maybe it'll help make the right choices through college but a part of me also just wants to let loose and I hope to myself, maybe one way or another I could do that.

I don't wanna be the sad little girl everyone saw after the divorce; I wanna live. For once in my life, I wanna feel alive again. Happy again.