*~*Rika's POV*~*
There was a lot to settle into for the beginning of this school year. I had to learn where each of my new classes were, exactly what time to leave to get to school at the right time, and all that other good stuff. On top of that, I was learning how to be an independent adult, living out on my own. I didn't dislike it at all, but it was a lot to get used to all at once.
The thing is, as overwhelming as it seemed at times, I don't think that I could have been happier. I liked being on my own. I liked having my own place. And, most of all, I liked that I didn't have to always keep up appearances in front of my family.
During the first week of the new semester, I was able to relax and be myself at home. I was able to work on the introduction assignments and not worry if someone saw me getting emotional because it made me do a lot of self-reflection. There was a lot that I needed to think about, now and later, and I didn't want to know what my family thought of it all.
