The Boy That stayed

Chapter Twelve - The First Step

After so many brutal hours, the train finally came to a stop.

For a few seconds, I remained in my seat, staring through the window at the unfamiliar station.

The journey had felt endless. I had spent most of it watching unfamiliar towns blur past the window, my thoughts wandering between everything I had left behind and the life waiting for me at the other end.

Now, it was over.

I had finally arrived.

The passengers around me gathered their belongings and hurried toward the doors. Suitcases rolled across the floor while voices filled the carriage.

I reached for my bag and stood.

My legs felt stiff after sitting for so long.

When I stepped onto the platform, the noise of the station immediately surrounded me. People moved in every direction, taxis waited outside, and announcements echoed overhead.

I stood there with my suitcase beside me, taking a slow breath.

This was it.

I was really here.

Far away from the home I knew.

Far away from everything that had happened.

I pulled out my phone and checked the university address Mum had written down for me.

After asking a few people for directions, I eventually found the taxi stand.

I placed my luggages in the trunk and climbed into the back seat.

As the taxi pulled away, I rested my head against the window.

The city passed outside in a blur.

Tall buildings.

Busy roads.

Strangers walking along the sidewalks.

Everything looked unfamiliar.

Yet, beneath my exhaustion, there was a strange sense of excitement.

This was my chance.

A chance to start over somewhere no one knew my history.

I reached for my phone and sent Mum a message.

I'm in a taxi now.

Her response came almost immediately.

Call me when you get there.

I smiled.

I will.

The university was farther from the station than I had expected.

By the time the taxi finally stopped in front of the university gates, the sky was already beginning to darken.

I came down from the taxi, paid the driver and made my way towards the security office next to the gate.

When I got there, they asked me for my details and school ID , I told them that I haven't received it yet, that today is my first day.

After asking me some more questions about my admission, they allowed me to pass through.

The campus was enormous.

Buildings stretched across what seemed like endless grounds. Trees lined the roads, and students moved between the residences and academic buildings.

Some were laughing with friends.

Others hurried along with backpacks hanging from their shoulders.

I watched them quietly.

This was going to be my life now.

I kept on dragging my suitcase and bag along.

For a moment, I had absolutely no idea where to go.

I took a breath.

"One thing at a time."

Then I started walking again.

The administration building was still open.

Thankfully.

I entered and approached the woman behind the desk.

"Can I help you?"

"Yes. I'm a new student. I'm here about my accommodation."

She asked for my admission details.

I handed them over.

After typing for a few seconds, she looked at the screen.

"Found you."

She printed a document and passed it to me.

" Girl's residence. Room 214."

I glanced down at the paper.

"Will I be sharing the room?"

"Yes."

"How many people?"

"Four students altogether."

Four.

I swallowed.

I'd never shared a room before.

She explained how to reach the residence and gave me a key.

I thanked her and picked up my luggage.

By the time I reached the dormitory, my arms were aching.

I climbed the stairs slowly, dragging my suitcase behind me.

When I finally found the door marked 214, I stopped.

My hand hovered over the handle.

This was it.

My new room.

My new life.

I turned the handle.

The room was quiet.

A girl sat on one of the beds, wearing headphones.

She was dressed almost entirely in black—black trousers, a loose shirt, and heavy boots. Her dark hair was wavy and it looked like spilled ink on the plain white pillow case and she had a nose piercing and had several piercings on her ear and one on her eyebrows, and she looks like a pale beautiful Gothic doll.

She looked up and I realized that I was staring .

Her eyes moved briefly over my luggage before returning to my face.

"New roommate?"

I nodded.

"Yeah."

She removed one headphone.

"I'm Leah."

"Maya."

She pointed toward the empty beds

"Choose one."

"Thanks."

I pulled my suitcase towards the bed by the window.

One of the bags was heavier than every other one. I struggled to lift it onto the bed.

Leah noticed.

Without saying much, she stood and grabbed one side.

"Here."

Together, we lifted it.

"Thank you."

She gave a small nod and returned to her bed.

The headphones went back on.

That was apparently the end of the conversation.

And honestly, I didn't mind.

After everything I had been through, silence felt easier than forced conversation.

The remaining two beds were empty.

My other roommates hadn't arrived yet.

I began unpacking.

Clothes went into the wardrobe.

Books went onto the shelf.

Shoes underneath the bed.

Toiletries in the small cabinet beside me.

Slowly, my corner began to feel less unfamiliar.

Then I reached into my bag and pulled out the little stuffed toy Mum had won for me at the amusement park.

I placed it beside my pillow.

My fingers lingered against it.

I could still picture Mum laughing as she struggled to win it.

"Keep it."

I smiled.

Then the smile faded.

I missed her already.

I looked around the room.

It wasn't much—just my bed, a small wardrobe, a desk, and a window overlooking part of the campus.

Still, it belonged to me now.

I sat on the mattress and exhaled.

My plan had been to explore the university that evening.

I wanted to find the library, cafeteria, lecture halls—everything.

But the sky outside had already darkened, and my body was begging for rest.

There would be time for exploring tomorrow.

For tonight, I needed a shower and something to eat.

I grabbed my towel and headed toward the bathroom.

The hot water ran over my shoulders, and I closed my eyes.

For a few minutes, I let everything else disappear.

The university, high school, the memories I'd carried with me—all of it faded into the background as I simply stood beneath the warm water and breathed.

When I returned to the room, Leah was still absorbed in whatever she was doing.

The other beds remained empty.

I changed into something comfortable and checked the time.

My stomach growled.

I needed food.

Since I didn't have the energy to search for the cafeteria, I walked to a small shop nearby and bought something simple.

On my way back, the campus looked completely different beneath the night sky.

Most of the pathways were quiet.

A few lights glowed along the walkways.

Then something caught my attention.

Far across the grounds, one building was almost completely dark except for a single bright light.

I slowed down.

There seemed to be someone sitting beneath it.

I couldn't make out the person's face.

I stared for a second longer.

Then shrugged.

I was far too tired to start wondering about strangers.

I continued toward the dorm.

Back in my Room , I ate quietly.

Leah barely spoke, and I didn't try to start a conversation.

When I finished, I picked up my phone and started a video call with Mum.

She answered almost instantly.

"There she is!"

I smiled.

"Hi, Mum."

"How are you?"

"I'm okay."

"Are you in your room?"

"Yes."

"Let me see."

I turned the camera around and showed her my little corner.

She smiled.

"Oh, it's nice."

"It's small."

"You don't need a palace."

I laughed.

"True."

"Have you met your roommates?"

"One of them."

"What's her name?"

"Leah."

"Is she friendly?"

I glanced toward her.

"She's quiet."

Mum smiled.

"Maybe you'll become friends."

"I don't know."

She studied my face through the screen.

"You look tired."

"I am."

"Did you eat?"

I laughed.

"Yes."

"What did you eat?"

"Mum..."

She laughed.

"I'm just asking."

"I bought something from a shop nearby."

"Good."

We continued talking for a while.

She asked about the journey.

I told her it had been long.

She asked how I had found the dorm.

I told her about the administration office.

She laughed when I mentioned carrying my suitcase up the stairs.

Then the conversation became quieter.

"Are you happy?" she asked.

I paused.

I looked around my room.

"I think so."

She smiled.

"You'll be fine."

I nodded.

"I hope so."

"You've got this."

Something tightened inside my chest.

"Thank you, Mum."

She smiled warmly.

"Get some sleep. Tomorrow is your first proper day."

"Okay."

"Call me tomorrow."

"I will."

"Goodnight, baby."

"Goodnight."

The screen went dark.

I placed my phone beside me.

Leah was already getting ready for bed.

The hallway outside had grown quiet.

I covered myself with my blanket and stared at the ceiling.

Tomorrow would be my first real day at the university.

Tomorrow, I'd finally see the place properly.

Find my classes.

Learn my way around.

Maybe even talk to a few people but that is most unlikely.

I didn't know what was waiting for me.

Maybe that was frightening.

Maybe it was exciting.

Either way, there was no turning back now.

I closed my eyes.

For the first time in years, I had no idea what tomorrow would bring.

And somewhere beneath the fear, there was a tiny feeling I hadn't allowed myself to have in a long time.

Hope.

I fell asleep before I could decide which feeling was stronger.