Chapter 2: Freshman Orientation
1170 Words
By the time I got finished getting ready, the nerves in my stomach had turned into full-blown knots.
I wasn’t ready for this.
Even though I had told myself over and over that college was a fresh start, the idea of stepping into a room full of strangers, forced to smile, introduce myself, and pretend I wasn’t completely out of place felt suffocating.
But I couldn’t hide in my dorm all night. I had promised myself things would be different.
Slipping my purse over my shoulder, I grabbed my phone, my student ID, and the crumpled schedule from my desk before heading out. The hallway was buzzing with energy—doors left open, music playing, people laughing like they already belonged here.
Deep breath, Julie.
I moved quickly through the dorm and out into the warm evening air. The University Commons was across the courtyard, a massive brick building with floor-to-ceiling windows. Groups of freshmen streamed toward the entrance, chatting excitedly as if they’d known each other for years.
I didn’t know a single person.
I walked slower, adjusting the strap of my purse over my shoulder, feeling like an outsider in my own skin. Stop thinking like that. No one knew me here. No one was whispering behind my back. I was just another student.
Still, I hesitated before stepping inside.
The large, open event hall was decorated with banners that read "WELCOME, FRESHMAN!" Balloons lined the room, and a long buffet table stretched along the far wall, filled with food. Round tables were scattered across the space, most of them already occupied.
I hovered near the entrance, scanning the room. Students were grouped together, laughing, talking, already making friends. I clenched my fingers around the strap of my bag.
Where was I supposed to go?
A loud voice broke through the noise.
"Alright, everyone! Find a table, let’s get started!"
I turned toward the stage at the front of the room, where a tall woman in a South Ridge faculty polo held a microphone. "I’m Professor Calloway, and I’ll be leading tonight’s orientation! Let’s start with a few quick icebreakers!"
Icebreakers. God, kill me now.
People shuffled to tables, but I stayed rooted near the back, hoping no one would notice I hadn’t moved.
"Hey, you looking for a seat?"
I stiffened. The voice was low, smooth, male.
Turning, I found myself face-to-face with a guy who looked like he belonged on a billboard for college athletes.
Dark hair, hazel eyes, broad shoulders.
And a South Ridge Football t-shirt stretched across his chest.
Oh.
Maddox Hayes.
I knew who he was immediately. Everyone did.
South Ridge’s sparkling new wide receiver, an all-state football player, and someone who had probably never struggled a day in his life with the things I did. He was the kind of guy girls fawned over, the kind who belonged in places like this.
The kind who had never looked twice at a girl like me before.
"Uh," I stammered. I hadn’t even realized I’d been staring. "I was just—"
"Standing here looking lost?" he guessed, smirking.
I felt my face burn.
He was teasing me. Of course. I should’ve known.
"Here," he said before I could come up with a response. "This seat's open."
I followed his gaze to a half-full table near the center of the room, occupied by other football players and a couple of girls who looked straight out of a fashion catalog.
Nope. Absolutely not.
I shook my head quickly. "I think I’ll just—"
"Sit," he said, his voice leaving no room for argument. "I don’t bite," offering a sly smile.
I hesitated. Every instinct screamed to run in the opposite direction, but his eyes stayed on me, waiting. And the longer I stood there, the more I felt like I had no other option but to sit down.
So, against my better judgment, I did.
And instantly regretted it.
I barely had time to adjust in my seat before one of the other girls at the table—blonde, gorgeous, clearly a cheerleader—leaned over to Maddox with a smirk.
"Didn’t know you were bringing home strays, Maddox."
The words hit like a slap.
My stomach dropped. I wanted to sink into the floor.
Maddox barely reacted, just throwing an arm over the back of his chair lazily. "Didn’t know your opinion mattered, Summer."
The blonde—Summer, apparently—rolled her eyes. "Just saying. You usually go for—"
"Drop it," he warned, his voice razor sharp this time.
I swallowed hard. I shouldn’t have sat here.
I should’ve found an empty table, stayed invisible like always.
"Alright, let’s start!" Professor Calloway’s voice saved me.
The room quieted as she stepped forward with a clipboard. "We’re going to go around and introduce ourselves! Say your name, where you’re from, and one fun fact about yourself!"
Oh, fantastic.
As the introductions started, I sat rigid in my chair, counting the number of people left before it got to me. The football players threw out cocky introductions, their fun facts mostly about sports accomplishments or parties they’d been to.
Summer introduced herself with a smug smile, flipping her perfect blonde hair as she talked about being a cheerleader and majoring in sports marketing.
Then Maddox’s turn came.
"Maddox Hayes. From Atlanta. Fun fact? I break records." He then added a million dollar smile.
The table laughed. Of course he did.
Then it was my turn.
The table fell silent.
I could feel all eyes on me.
I wanted to disappear.
Swallowing, I forced my voice to work. "Uh. Juliette Warner. From Michigan."
"And your fun fact?" the professor prompted.
I stared at her, my mind blank.
I didn’t have a fun fact.
At least, not one I wanted to share with this table. That I used to get bullied? That I spent my summers hiding in my room because I hated being seen in a swimsuit?
Maddox nudged me with his elbow. "C’mon, Jules. Give us something."
My stomach twisted. Jules. He just gave me a nickname.
I quickly latched onto the only thing I could think of. "I… got cast in the school play."
Maddox’s eyebrows lifted, like he hadn’t expected that.
But Summer just smirked. "Ohhh, that’s right. You’re in the lead female role, aren’t you?"
Something about the way she said it sent a shiver of unease down my spine.
I hesitated. "Yeah. I guess."
Summer’s smirk widened. "Guess you’ll have to start practicing your kissing scenes soon, huh?"
My heart stopped.
What?
"What?" I said aloud, my voice small.
She giggled, glancing at Maddox before looking back at me. "You didn’t know? The lead has a huge kissing scene with the male lead. Guess you’ll finally be getting up close and personal with someone soon."
My stomach turned. No one told me that.
Maddox let out a low laugh, like this was all hilarious. "Better start rehearsing, Jules."
My face burned, mortified.
What had I just gotten myself into?
- Writer
