Echoes of Us

Chapter 1: The Encounter

The memories of our love, woven into the fabric of my thoughts like a bittersweet melody, continue to haunt me. I was just 19, brimming with youthful innocence, and he was 23 - a time when I had fallen in love for the first time in my life. It was on my first day at Elmsworth University, a place that felt both thrilling and terrifying in its newness. I was new to the city. After traveling 10 hours from my hometown, everything felt unfamiliar, and I didn’t know anyone. As I moved around like a stranger, I wanted to get familiar with the massive campus. I was navigating through the campus, having missed orientation week, when I first met him, and in that instant, my world shifted.

“The library is that way” said a handsome young man in a sports uniform.

I turned to see who it was. He stood tall and confident, muscular without a doubt, in a well-fitted vest. The sharpness of his jaw and the depth of his cheekbones carved out his face well even as the shade of his brown eyes made it even more captivating. With a warm, genuine smile, he exuded an effortless charisma. It took me minutes to understand the simple words he said because, at that moment, I was completely drawn to him.

“Huh! Well! Thank you,” I said.

“Freshman? You seem lost where you headed?” he asked.

“I was navigating through the campus, and yes, freshman. I am Elizabeth Klein; you can call me Liz”. Stretching out my hand to greet him.

“Cool”

With a bit of embarrassment, I pulled my hand back as he ignored my attempt at a handshake.

“Are you a freshman too?” I asked.

“Not really,” he replied casually.

“I’m majoring in Marketing. How about you?”

“Why all the questions?” he shot back, his tone a bit cold.

“I just wanted to get to know you, nothing much,”

He paused, then I glanced at his clothes,

“I see you’re into sports. Do you play basketball?”

“Isn’t that obvious?” he replied, his voice still cold. Look at what I’m wearing.”

I love basketball too. And by the way, that vest looks good on you, I added, trying to lighten the mood.

He gave me a quick, uninterested glance,

“I’ve got to go, I am running late for practice.”

With that, he walked past me, leaving behind a chilly vibe that made me feel a bit uneasy. “He didn’t have to be so rude,” I thought to myself. His confident stride and the subtle scent of his cologne left a lingering impression, making my heart skip a beat. I wanted us to talk more since he was the first person I spoke to after I arrived.

******

After navigating through the maze of the building, I went down to the room to finish unpacking. I was too shy to talk to my roommate at first. She seemed so classy and outgoing, while I felt like just a simple country girl, stepping into the city for the first time because of school. I imagined greeting her to ease the awkwardness.

“Hi”

“I see you are already settling in, Rose said.

“I was just checking out the area.”

“I am Rose Saltman, I will be your roommate for the entire semester or maybe forever lol, who knows. And you are Elizabeth Klein, right? I happened to see your diary on the ground, and I promise I didn’t read anything.”

“That’s totally fine; my diary is just filled with everyday thoughts.”

“Thoughts like how you hide your problems in your smile?”

“Says the person who claimed she didn’t read my diary. Huh? I smiled.

“Honestly, I might have read 1 or 2 pages, but definitely not more than five. Anyway, you better be ready for tonight’s party!” she said with a playful glint in her eye.

“What party? I just arrived,” I replied, completely surprised.

“The only parties I have ever been to were birthday parties back at home. My mother and my brother Ethan would throw them. I couldn’t even begin to imagine what kind of party Rose was talking about.

“Besides, I didn’t pack anything for an event like that.”

“You don’t have to worry about that. I have enough clothes for both of us for the whole semester. In fact, we are going shopping this weekend. Now, go hop into the shower, and let’s go get that party started!” Rose said.

Fortunately, my roommate was incredibly cheerful. Despite our different personalities, we quickly bonded. It turned out we were both enrolled on the same course. I finished unpacking and reluctantly headed straight to the bathroom. When I came back, I found some clothes neatly laid on the bed. The outfit looked uncomfortable for my liking, the clothes were bold, a far cry from the jeans and t-shirts I was used to wearing. For a moment, I was hesitant to put them on, but I decided to give this new look a try. The top was daring with more bodice than I was used to and the skirt hugged my waist. I paired them with black heels that Rose had left for me as well.

Hurry up and put some make-up on, or we’ll be late!” Rose yelled.

“I don’t know how to apply makeup,” I admitted.

Rose laughed, her voice light and teasing “What are you, living under a rock? Even my granny in her 60s knows how to use a makeup brush! I will do your only this time and make sure you learn. I won’t be doing it for you all the time,” she teased.

We left our room and headed to the men’s dormitory, where the party was already crowded by 07:00 p.m. The second we stepped inside, I was hit by a whirlwind of noise and activity. The room was packed with people, most of them strangers to me. Some were dancing, others playing drinking games, a few were already taking shots or smoking weed, and couples were already tucked in corners making out. I squeezed Rose’s hand tightly, not wanting to lose her in the crowd.

“Let’s start the night with some tequila shots!” Rose shouted over the music.

I wasn’t about to tell her I don’t drink, especially since I knew she’d just tease me again.

I took many shots of tequila, one after another.

“My gosh, slow down, you alcoholic! The night is still young,” Rose laughed.

I was tipsy and excited, fully embracing the party mood. We played some games and soon the unfamiliar faces were no longer strangers, thanks to the alcohol. I couldn't see Rose anywhere in the crowd. Suddenly, across the room, I saw a familiar face. The handsome basketball player I met on campus earlier that day, with a girl, a beautiful blonde girl who clung to him, their faces too close for comfort. My heart sank a little, but before I could dwell on it, he looked up. Our eyes locked for a moment before I snapped out of it, worried the girl might notice. I turned too quickly, and in my tipsy state, I tripped, falling right into the arms of a tall, dark-haired guy who had been standing behind me.

“Whoa, careful there, beautiful. You, okay?” he asked with his deep voice.

“Yeah, I’m just a little bit tipsy.” I mumbled.

“Come on, let’s get you some fresh air?”

“Yes please, I need to sober up a bit.”

“The rooftop will do you some good,” he said.

Gently guiding me toward the exit.

After we reached the top of the building, we both stared at the twinkling stars in silence for a few moments. But more than the stars, there loomed over us an unrelenting tension in the atmosphere which I was not prepared to for as, in his case, he moved decisively closer and closer to me.

“Feeling better now?”

He moved even closer. I wasn’t sure of what he was trying to do. He leaned on to kiss me. I looked away. I didn’t want to kiss someone I had just met.

Just then a voice called out behind me.

“Derek, the boys want you inside.”

I’ll catch up with them later. I’m a bit preoccupied right now,” Derek replied, his tone annoyed.

“Derek, don’t make me repeat myself.” the voice warned.

Derek signed and turned to me “don’t move. I’ll find you here,” Derek said as he left.

I remained on the spot, with my head spinning in circles. Out of nowhere, there was a voice I heard that seemed to be scolding me. I turned my head, but I couldn’t see this person due to blurred vision. His words were abusive and scornful. I could hardly make out what he was saying.

“I didn’t know you were this stupid and loose. Imagine what would have happened if I hadn’t come. Why did you drink so much when you clearly couldn’t handle it?”

I wanted to respond, but my throat was dry, and my mind was too clouded to form the words, “Please…. Can you take me to my room? I whispered.”