excited, filled with joy and nerves all at once. I knew I'd miss my family, but the th

ir faces a mix of pride and sadness. My dad gave me one of his warm hugs, the kind

em goodbye, and st

my course, my roommates, new friends, late-night reading, and endless campus gi

plied, blinking a

car and took a deep

etters across the top. My heart fluttered as I dragged my luggage out of the boot. Dad had already paid t

s my new space.

," I said softly to myself with a smile. I climbed the stairs, t

on the floor and u

wardrobes, and a single window that let in the soft afternoon light. My ro

and whispered to myself, "This i

y clothes into the wardrobe wh

re?" I ask

espo

opened the door anyway. Standing there was a

mate," she said, stretching

gown hugged her perfectly shaped body, and although her face had visible acne and dark

eplied, shaking her ha

lped her carry her

mmate someone to talk to, maybe share gist with, some

led in, the room slowly

ng. There was something about her presence that felt familiar, almost comfortin

I arrived, I exhaled de

... everything wa

stretching a bit and letting out a sigh of relief. I glanced at my phone, it was already past 7 p.m. I

ed his

n

ic

e ti

unreac

hought to myself, tryi

ssa?" Joy asked, breaking the

lied, sitting up slightly t

o from Imo State! Wow it's good to know

a little. I smiled, truly excited to get to know

, trying to keep my tone light and poli

d. "And I'm guessing you

oftly. "I'm studying

th ch

se she reminded me of one of my friends named Chineye. Chineye was someone I

o they do thumb printin

though she was soft spoken, she had a way of making one feel at ease. We exchanged contacts, cha

a swimming hangout. That was when I

e said as she poured out o

hein. I could help you order if you

iate," she respon

t, which made swimming the perfect escape. "Cheers,

ame out of the pool and headed toward my towel, holding onto my head. I couldn't underst

the room while I leaned heavily against her shoulder. I felt completely weak. The mo

pain, like I had been beaten mercilessly. My eyes were heavy, and my body felt st

y trace of her. I checked my body again, my arms, legs, then finally my

down i

. Then I picked myself up, dragged my aching body to the bathroom, took a long s

already considered filing a missing person report. When he saw me, he looked both relieved

alling her. No response. She had blocked me on all platforms. I couldn't believe it. I kept

e knew what was wrong with me. I kept it all to myself. Till this day, I don't know who did it, I don't know if she sold me out or if she drugged

he good in people, even when I shouldn't. I wish I wasn't soft. I wish I

Dad never had to worry about her. She never stayed out la

Joy said suddenly, snapp

ng quickly to chase the t

someone who would do well in

orks during presentations because I g

l get used to it. W

pare dinner and I helped her in the small kitchenette section of our room. We made noodles and fried eggs and gulped it down wi

st night here wasn

ime, I met someone who seemed genuine. Someone who didn't try too hard to impress. Someone who d

rough, Chris, Chineye,

tune from her side, I allowed myself to feel a little peace. The kind of pea

re held in this new phase o