My Brother's Best Friend

“Are you ready to go?” my brother yelled up the stairs. I was packed, physically ready to go but mentally nowhere near ready to leave home. I had done everything to prepare myself academically for college, however, I was a failure being ready to be on my own. My parents were downstairs, they were not the ones taking me. I understood, being that I am the youngest of 6 they were desensitized to the whole child going to college facade. It also helped that my 2 older brothers were at the same university I was going to. Matter of fact my whole family went to the University Of Maryland. My Dad played football for the university until his senior year knee injury ended his career. Calab, the youngest of the two currently attending, is on the football team. He had left weeks ago for summer training, meaning Eric would be taking me to school and helping me get settled into my dorm. I took one last look at my room. Our house was big, but still not big enough for our family when everyone lived here. When I was younger I shared a room with the oldest sister Jennifer, until she left for college. She is now married and has two kids of her own. Calab and Eric shared a room until Jack moved out for college. Jack is now a University of Maryland Alum new into his career. It had just been Eric and at home this summer which was nice after a lonely school year. The other siblings would pop in from time to time, but it made this once cramped home, a giant lonely house. Things never did seem full in that house after the youngest brother, Matthew died a year ago. I took one last look and breathed in my room. I had no idea what my dorm was going to be like but I know I’ll miss my safe space. I threw my bag over my shoulder and headed down the stairs. “All ready to go sweetheart?” My dad asked as he looked up from his laptop. I nodded my head. He must know I am not fully prepared because he shut his lap top and got up to hug me. I stopped myself from breathing in his cologne so I could stop the tears. “Do you want me to come up with you and Eric?” “No, I'll be fine, just need to get settled in is all.” I know if I asked my dad he would drop everything to help move me in. Lately work has been crazy for him and my mom being so unstable since Matt’s passing a 6 hour round trip is not something I want to add to his list. He gave me one last tight squeeze before letting go. “Ok I want to get going or else I'll have to deal with my roommates moving things around in the fraternity”. Eric was a senior and living off campus with his friends. I am sure he is more eager to get there to see his girlfriend that's been blowing up his phone. I filled my tumbler with Ice water, grabbed a granola bar and headed out the door. “I have to call Kayla back, she’s already freaking out, we are not there yet” Eric said as I closed the door to the car. “No worries” I said and I waved my air pods to show I wouldn’t be listening. Not that there was much to listen to. Kayla was type A and I'm sure she is stressing about rush week. I have no interest in being involved in any sorority but she has been pressuring me to rush. Popped in the air buds and selected my relaxing playlist. I didn’t sleep much last night so I closed my eyes. “Ok wake up or it's going to be a boring drive” my brother nugging me awake. “Ok, Ok, I am awake!” “So Kayla asked if you had decided if you were going to rush?” “I think I am going to focus on school my first year.” I replied “I totally understand that, It doesn’t seem like your crowd anyhow, you are too smart.” He smiled “I don’t even know where my dorm is. How long do you think it will take me to get moved in? I feel bad taking you away from things you need to do.” I said “Do not feel bad. I got everything I needed done when I went up last week. I just said what I said so it would get you moving. You seemed to have a hard time leaving and I just wanted to pull the bandaid off. What are you so nervous about, have you talked to your roommate at all? Your suitemates? He asked Living on campus is mandatory for the freshmans. I am in a coed dorm, how my room works is it is a shared entrance where there is a shower and a room for the toilet with two sinks and mirrors. Then two separate rooms. I will have a roommate to share a room with and two suitemates that share the bathroom, entrance way and the other room. It is a lot more spacious than one would think. My roommate is out of state but we connected through f*******:. She is very bubbly, kind and is a nursing major. My degree is accounting. I originally wanted business because I want to work for my dads company. He told me business was too broad and accounting would teach me more. “I talked a little with my roommate, her name is Haily. I have no idea who my suitemates are.” “Well I hope they like The Office and Friends as much as you do.” He smiled “If they don’t I will definitely be introducing it to them.”