Against all odds : Courage to carry on

Telling the truth

“ Why? What happened?” Lisa pressed further and looked at me questioningly as she scooted further out of her bed to see my face clearly

“Um…. Well….. I caught him cheating “ which was also part of the truth but it wasn’t the complete truth.

“ It was with the person he introduced me to as his sister” I shuddered and sniffed indicating a downpour about to happen. I sunk my shoulders down and for the first time since this week I cried.

I began sobbing like a baby until I felt the soft hands of my roommates on my back

"That's so f****d up. why would he do something like that to you.” Jess looked sympathetic

“I’m so sorry that happened to you. But he acted so nice and charming. He looks like an angel but he's just a devil beneath. A sheep in wolves clothing” Jess still consoled me holding me tight. Lisa had already gotten into the bed we were on and had an arm wrapped around my shoulder

“That son of a b***h. That means I was right all along". Lisa fumed. " Hannah, you know that I have always been against this union. I'm not trying to make you feel guilty or bad or anything at all but I felt it deep within my gut that he just wasn't right for you". She looked at me exactly the way my mother would look at me. "listen to me sweetie, if there's one thing I've learnt in my life, is to trust my instinct". she exhaled

She had never really liked Brad but she just tolerated him because she saw how smitten and happy I was with him.

“I walked in on them last week Saturday and when I went to confront him about it, he didn’t even seem remorseful” I said in between sobs and cried harder.

I had met Brad the week our school took us on college tours. He was one of the reasons I was so smitten by this college. I had just come down from the bus and didn’t even realize everybody had dispersed into the bustling lanes and corridors of the college.

As I step through the grand iron gates of the university, a mix of excitement and nerves churns in my stomach. The pathway ahead is a charming cobblestone lane, flanked by lush green lawns and neatly trimmed hedges. I take a deep breath, savoring the scent of freshly cut grass and the faint fragrance of blooming flowers.

The main quadrangle opened up before me, a picturesque scene straight out of a postcard. In the center stands an ornate stone fountain, water cascading from the mouths of cherubs into a clear, rippling pool. Students lounge on the stone benches around it, chatting and laughing, their voices a comforting hum.

Surrounding the quadrangle are the university’s oldest buildings, their facades a blend of red brick and gray stone, softened by the ivy climbing their walls. Each building exudes a sense of history and wisdom, their tall windows reflecting the morning sun.

As I navigated my way through the campus, my attention is drawn to a small group near one of the lecture halls. A tall, athletic-looking guy with sandy blond hair is speaking to them. Curious, I approached them because I myself was even lost. I slowly walked to the side of the group and didn’t even bother asking what was going on because I was shy.

I stood there looking lost. I had lost the school group I came in with and now I was standing hopelessly at the side of a group I had no idea what was going on. I guess the look of helplessness showed on my face because I heard the softest and nicest voice I had heard in a long speak to me.

“Hi there,” he said, offering a smile. “Do you need any help?”. I smiled shyly and looked away. He was way taller than me.

I finally found my voice and said “Yes, please! I’m trying to find the education department.”

The guy who I just learnt his name was Brad, grins at me. “I was just about to show her the way” he said and pointed at another girl who looked even more lost than I was.” I’m Brad, by the way, a sophomore”.

He still introduced himself even though he knew I now knew his name from the guy that called him earlier. He extended his hand, and I shook it. I was so excited. I met a guy that looked like he had a tiny bit of interest in me.

“I’m Hannah,” I replied smiling up at him and adjusting my glasses. “Nice to meet you”.

Brad led the way, his confident stride suggesting he was familiar with the campus but of course he had to, he was a freaking student of their college.

As we walked, he pointed out landmarks — a library that looked like a castle, a student union bustling with activity, and the imposing education building with its modern glass façade.

“It can be a bit overwhelming at first,” Brad admits, glancing back at us especially when he saw our faces. The building looked like a place where only top grade students entered.

Everybody that came out if the building looked very serious. Of course I was intimidated.

“But you’ll get the hang of things. And don’t hesitate to ask for help. Everyone here is pretty friendly.” He said but he looked directly at me, completely ignoring the other girl that had come with us and smiled at me. I felt blush creep up my cheek. I looked away in embarrassment not wanting him to see me feel so shy.

Eventually, our school called us and told us to all meet up at a certain point. So I had to leave quickly before the bus left me. We exchanged numbers that day and for the first time in my life it looked like I would get a boyfriend.