After

Chapter 2

I wish I could say the familiar scenery of my home state calmed me as we drove, or a sense of adventure took hold of me with each sign that indicated we are getting closer and closer to walk certain Central. But I was mostly in a daze of planning and obsessing. I'm not even sure what Noah was talking about, but I know he was trying to  I know he was trying to B reassuring and excited for me.

" here we are!" my mother squeals when we drive through the Stone Gate onto campus. It looks just as great in person as it did in the brochures and online, and I'm immediately impressed by the elegant Stone buildings. Hundreds of people, parents hugging and kissing their children goodbye, clusters of freshmen dressed head-to-toe in wcu gear, and a few stragglers lost and confused, fill the area. The size of the campus is intimidating but hopefully, after a few weeks, I will feel like home.

s my mother and sister that she and Noah accompany me to my freshman orientation. My mother manages to hold a smile on her face the entire 3 hours and Noah listens intently, the same way that I do.

" I would like to see your dorm room before we head out I need to make sure everything's up to par," my mother says once the orientation is over. Her eyes scan the old building full of disapproval. She has a way of finding the worst in things. Noah Smiles, lightening the mood, my mother perks up.

" I just can't believe you're in college! My only daughter, a college student living on her own. I just can't believe" she whines, dabbing under her eyes, so careful not to mess up her make-up. Noah follows behind us, carrying my bag as we navigate through the corridors.

" it's B22... We are in c hall" I tell them. Luckily I see the large bee printed on the." down here" I instruct when my mother begins to turn the opposite way I'm thankful that I only brought a few close a blanket and some of my favorite books along so Noah doesn't have too much to carry and I won't have too much to unpack.

"B22" my mother Huff. Her heels are outrageously high for the amount of walking we endure. At the end of the Long Haul, I slide my key into the old wooden door, and when it creaks open my mother let out a loud gasp. The room is small with two twin size beds and two desks. After a moment my eyes travel to the reason behind my mother's surprise one side of the room is covered in music posters of bands I've never heard of, the faces on them covered in piercings and their bodies covered in tattoos. And a girl is laying on the bed her bright red hair, eyes lined with what looks like inches of black eyeliner, and arms covered and colorful tattoos.

"hey," she says, offering a smile, I smile that I find quite intriguing, much to my surprise. " I'm Steph" she sits up on her elbows causing her cleavage to push tight against her laced up top I gently kick Noah's shoe when his eyes focus on her chest.

" h-hey. I'm Tessa" I choked out, all my manners flying out the door.

" Hey, Tessa, nice to meet you. Welcome to wcu, where the dorms are tiny and the parties are huge." the crimson-haired girl grins wider. Her head falls back into a fit of laughter as she takes in the three horrified expressions in front of her my mother's draw is ride open, practically on the carpet, and Noah shifts uncomfortably. Stuff walks over, closing the gap between us, and wrapping her arms around my body. I freeze for a moment, surprised by her affection, but I returned the kind gesture. A knocking sound at the door just as Noah dropped my bag on the floor and I can't help but hope this is some sort of joke.

" come in!" My new roommate yells. The door opens and two boys walk inside before she finishes her greeting.

Boys inside the female dorms on the first day? Maybe Washington Central. was a bad decision. Or perhaps I could find a way to scream my roommate first? I assume by The Painted expression covering my mother's face that her thoughts have taken the same course. The poor woman looks like she might pass out any minute.

" Hey you step roomie?" one of the boys asked. His blond hair is styled up and there is a section of brown peeking through. His arms are scattered with tattoos and the earrings and his ears are the size of a nickel.

" um... yes. My name is Tessa,"  I manage to say.

" I'm Nate. Don't look so nervous" he says with a smile reaching out to touch my shoulder." you will love it here" his expression is warm and inviting despite his harsh appearance. 

" I'm ready guys," Steph says, grabbing a heavy black bag from her bed. My eyes shift to the tall brown-haired boy leaning against the wall. His hair is a mop stick wave on his head, pushed Steph says, grabbing a heavy black bag from her bed. My eyes shift to the tall brown-haired boy leaning against the wall. His hair is a mop stick wave on his head, pushed off the wall back off of his forehead, and he has a metal eyebrow and lip ring my focus moves down his black T-shirt to his arms, which are also covered in tattoos his appear to be all black, gray, and white. he's tall lean and I know that I'm staring at him in the most in a polite way, but I can't seem to look away. 

I expect him to introduce himself the way that his friend it, but he stays quiet, rolling his eyes and annoyance and pulling a cell phone from the pocket of his tight black jeans. He isn't as friendly as death or Nate. He is more appealing though Karma something about him makes it hard to tear my eyes away from his face. I'm fully aware that no its eyes are on me as I finally look away and pretend I was staring at a shock.

Because that's what it is, right?

" see you around, Tessa," Nate says I'm the three of them except the room. I let out a long breath. Calling the last few minutes uncomfortable would be an understatement.

" you are getting a new dorm!" my mom Roars as soon as the door click shut.

" no, I can't." I sigh " it's fine mother" I do my best to hide my nerves. I don't know how well this will work out, either, but the last thing I want is my overbearing mother causing a scene on my first day of college " are you sure she won't be around much at all anyway." I tried to convince her along with myself.

"Not. We are going to switch from now." her clean appearance clashes with the anger in her face, her long blond hair is flipped to one shoulder every curl it's still perfectly intact." you will not room with someone who allows men in like that-- those punks at that. 

 those punks at that. I look into her gray eyes, and then to Noah " mother, please, let's just see how this goes. Please" I beg. I can't begin to imagine the mess it would create to try to get a last-minute door and change. And how humiliating it would fail.

My mother looks around the room again, taking in the decor covering stuff outside, and house traumatically at its Dark theme.

" fine" she's without, much to my surprise." but we are going to have a little talk before I go."