Still you

STILL, YOU Chapter One — A New Beginning Talia Lawson stood outside the gates of Northbridge University with one hand gripping the handle of her suitcase and the other holding her phone. For a few seconds, she simply stared. Students walked past her in every direction, carrying boxes, backpacks, laundry bags, and the unmistakable nervous excitement of people beginning something new. This was supposed to be her fresh start. No one here knew her. No one knew about the father she had lost when she was five. No one knew how complicated things had become between her and her mother over the years. No one knew about the nights she lay awake wondering whether she was doing enough, being enough, becoming enough. Here, she could just be Talia. She took a deep breath. “Okay,” she whispered. “New school. New people. New life.” Her suitcase immediately got stuck on a c***k in the pavement. Talia looked down at it. “Seriously?” She pulled harder. Nothing. A laugh came from behind her. She turned. A girl about her age stood there with two bags hanging from her shoulders. “Need help?” Talia looked at the suitcase, then at the girl. “I’ve got it.” The girl raised an eyebrow. “Clearly.” Talia tried not to laugh. “Fine. Help me.” Together, they pulled the suitcase free. “There,” the girl said. “Crisis avoided.” “Thank you.” “I’m Maya.” “Talia.” “First year?” Talia nodded. “Same. Come on. If we stand here any longer, we’ll both look lost.” “I don’t look lost.” Maya glanced at the suitcase. “You’ve been fighting that thing for five minutes.” Talia laughed despite herself. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad. They walked toward the student residence together, talking about their courses, their hometowns, and how confusing the university map was. For the first time that morning, Talia felt some of the tightness in her chest disappear. Maybe a fresh start didn’t have to mean forgetting everything that came before. Maybe it simply meant giving herself permission to begin again. By evening, Talia had unpacked half her clothes and left the other half scattered across her bed. Maya sat on the floor, eating biscuits. “You’re definitely not unpacking all that tonight,” she said. “I am.” “You’re lying.” “I am not.” “You’ve been holding the same shirt for ten minutes.” Talia looked down. She was. “Okay,” she admitted. “Maybe tomorrow.” Maya smiled. Talia’s phone buzzed. Mum. Her smile disappeared. She stared at the screen before answering. “Hello?” “Have you settled in?” “Yeah.” “Good.” Silence. Talia waited. Her mother didn’t say anything else. “You can go,” Talia finally said quietly. “All right. Take care of yourself.” “You too.” The call ended. Talia lowered the phone. Maya noticed but didn’t ask questions. Talia appreciated that. Outside their window, the campus lights came on one by one. Somewhere nearby, students were laughing. Talia looked out at the unfamiliar campus and smiled faintly. Tomorrow would be her first real day. And she had no idea what was waiting for her. Chapter Two — The Boy By the end of her first week, Talia had learned three things about university. One: lectures could be painfully boring. Two: cafeteria food was dangerous. Three: making friends was much easier than she expected. Maya had somehow become her person. “Come on,” Maya said one afternoon as they walked across campus. “We’re going to the student center.” “I have an assignment.” “You’ll do it later.” “I don’t like you.” “You love me.” Talia rolled her eyes but followed. They had barely reached the student center when Maya stopped walking. “Oh.” “What?” Maya nodded toward a group of students standing nearby. Talia followed her gaze. One of the boys looked in their direction. He was tall, dressed simply, with a relaxed smile that made him stand out without trying. Their eyes met. Talia immediately looked away. Maya laughed. “Oh, you saw him.” “I saw a person.” “Sure.” “Who is he?” “Daniel. Second year, I think.” Talia shrugged. “Okay.” Maya gave her a knowing look. “Okay?” “Yes. Okay.” They continued walking. Talia didn't look back. At least, she tried not to. The next day, she saw Daniel again. This time, he was sitting outside her lecture hall. She slowed down. He smiled. “You