Chapter 1: Opening Act
Juliette:
The campus of South Ridge University was alive with energy—students hugging their parents goodbye, upperclassmen laughing like they owned the place, and freshmen hauling overloaded suitcases through the looming doors of the doom in front of me, Maplewood Hall.
Here I go. I tightened my grip on the handle of my suitcase and swallowed against the lump forming in my throat. This is it. A fresh start. A chance to finally escape the shadow of my high school years, to be someone new. Someone people actually saw—not for laughs, not for pity, but because I was worth seeing. I worked hard to get here. My 'A' honor roll and extracurriculars landed me a full ride here. I should be excited, but my stomach was already in knots.
The key card was warm in my sweaty palm as I swiped it at the door of my dorm. Room 102B. A single. No roommate. Thank goodness.
Relief flooded me as the door clicked open. No one to judge me. No one to steal quiet moments from me. Just me.
Stepping inside, I exhaled. The space was small—just a twin bed, a wooden desk, a dresser, and a closet—but it was mine. The plain white walls felt empty, almost cold, but at least they weren’t closing in on me yet.
I dropped my duffel bag on the bed, pressing my fingers into the unfamiliar comforter, and took a long breath. Okay. You’re here. You did it.
I glanced at the full-length mirror attached to the closet door, catching my reflection. My stomach clenched. Same face. Same body. Round cheeks, softer arms, the curves I’d spent years trying to hide under layers of oversized clothing.
I pulled at the hem of my hoodie, self-conscious even though no one was watching. You’re going to change.
That had been the plan. Get to college, get in shape, blend in instead of sticking out like some kind of joke. Maybe even become someone who could look in the mirror and like what she saw.
I tore my gaze away and unzipped my suitcase, focusing on unpacking instead. One by one, I folded my clothes, stacking my leggings and hoodies neatly in the dresser, organizing my notebooks and pens on the desk. Everything had a place. If I could just get this part right, maybe the rest would fall into place, too.
A folded piece of paper slipped out from my orientation folder, landing on the bed. I picked it up.
Freshman Orientation: 4:00 PM
Location: University Commons
**Meet your fellow students! Icebreakers and dinner provided.**
Icebreakers. Fantastic.
I already knew how it would go—standing in a circle, being forced to introduce myself while everyone sized me up, literally. In high school, my name alone had been a punchline. Juliette Warner. Sometimes shortened to "Jumbo Julie" when the mean girls felt extra cruel.
I shook the thought away, forcing myself to move. This is a fresh start. That stuff is behind you.
I grabbed my phone from the nightstand. No new messages.
No "Good luck!" texts. No "You made it!" calls. Nothing.
I should’ve expected that. It wasn’t like I had left behind a ton of friends. The few people I had in high school had drifted off, leaving me somewhere in the background, where I’d always been. I had spent weeks convincing my parents not to come. I kept telling them I was fine. My parents have always been my biggest fans. They are always there to support me in the biggest way. I just didn't want any reason for anyone to notice me. Just slip in and blend. I kind of wish I had them now, though. It's fine. I'll be fine.
Another sharp pang of loneliness hit me, but I shoved it down.
You don’t need them. You’re going to be different here.
I glanced at the time. Two hours until orientation.
A shower. That’s what I needed. Something to wash off the nerves before I had to go and pretend I wasn’t terrified of standing in a room full of people who probably had no idea what it felt like to be the girl no one wanted to be seen with.
Grabbing my toiletries, I stepped into the small bathroom and turned on the water. Steam quickly fogged the mirror. I hesitated before pulling off my hoodie, catching another glimpse of myself.
Same body. Same insecurities.
Would they ever go away? Probably not..
I swallowed the lump in my throat and stepped under the hot spray, letting it wash over me.
This was my chance to start over.
And I wasn’t going to waste it.
After finishing, I stepped out and hunted for something to wear. I really wanted to wear my new sundress, but I just wasn't ready. My fingers ran along my hoodies until it stopped on the new sweater my parents got me. It was maroon with South Ridgewood printed across the front. I slid on some leggings and paired it with my converses. Simple enough. School spirit counts for something, right? I let out a sigh, pulling my hair up in a ponytail. Here goes nothing...
