The morning was still and gray, as though the skies mourned the moment as much as Lexa did. She folded her clothes in tight rolls, careful not to leave any space—space meant weight, and her suitcase could not afford extra weight, just like her heart.
"You're taking all that junk?" her mother scoffed from the doorway.
Lexa said nothing, her hands steady despite the sting in her chest. One final dress folded. One final sigh. Her younger brother, Elijah, hovered by the doorframe, thumb in mouth, eyes wide.
"Will you come back?" he whispered.
Lexa paused, knelt to his height, and smiled, trying not to let her voice crack. "I'll try, Eli."
Meila rolled her eyes. "Hurry up. The cab won't wait forever."
Lexa didn't expect a hug. She didn't get one either. Her father didn't come out to say goodbye. Instead, he sat in the parlor watching the news, a steaming mug in hand and scowl in place. When she dragged her suitcase past the living room, he didn't even glance her way.
But Meila did.
"Don't forget where you came from," she said with a tone laced in warning. "Don't go there and start acting like you're better than everyone."
"I won't," Lexa replied softly.
"I mean it," Meila hissed, stepping closer. "Don't embarrass us. You're there because we allowed it."
Lexa nodded, forcing a smile. "Okay, Mum."
And then she left. One foot in front of the other, down the front steps, through the rusted gate, and into a cab that smelled like lemon and old leather.
As the car pulled away, Lexa didn't look back.
***************************************************
The college campus was alive.
It buzzed with energy—students carrying boxes, laughter spilling across the green lawns, music thumping faintly from dorm windows. Lexa stepped out, clutching her single suitcase and backpack like a shield.
"This is it," the cab driver said, eyeing her through the rearview mirror. "Wish you luck, eh?"
She smiled. "Yeah."
As she stood by the dormitory entrance, a girl with dark curls and a blinding smile rushed toward her, struggling with two tote bags.
"You must be Lexa!" she beamed. "I'm Tasha—your roommate. Oh my God, I was worried you'd be late."
Lexa blinked. "Hi. No, I'm… on time."
"Come on! Our room's on the second floor—good view, bad stairs."
They climbed together, Tasha chattering the whole way. Lexa listened, offered small smiles, and nodded when expected. Their room was surprisingly clean, decorated with fairy lights and a poster of Beyoncé.
Tasha flopped onto her bed. "So… tell me everything. Where are you from?"
Lexa paused. "Not far. Just… home."
Tasha didn't push. "Cool, cool. Want to go to the welcome mixer tonight? Free food, awkward speeches, possible cute guys."
"I'll think about it."
---
Later that day, orientation began. Lexa sat near the back, notebook in hand, posture perfect. A few students whispered, giggled, passed notes. She didn't join in. A voice behind her—low, amused—caught her attention.
"You look like you're here for a conference, not college."
She turned slightly. A boy sat behind her, one eyebrow raised, smirking just a little.
"I take things seriously," she replied.
"Clearly." He extended a hand. "I'm Jayden."
She hesitated, then shook it. "Lexa."
"Well, Lexa, relax. College isn't a warzone."
She gave a half-smile. You have no idea.
---
That evening, Lexa stood by the window in their dorm room, arms crossed.
"Are you sure you don't want to come?" Tasha asked, fluffing her hair in the mirror.
Lexa gave a small shrug. "I'm okay. Maybe next time."
Tasha turned around fully, hands on her hips. "There is no next time, Lexiii... It's our freshman year. You don't get to be a freshman twice."
Lexa smiled faintly. "That's a fair point."
"Come on," Tasha coaxed, stepping closer. "You've been so quiet all day. At least come down, grab a drink, laugh at the cringey icebreakers. No pressure to stay long."
Lexa looked back out the window. A couple of girls passed by, laughing loudly, arms linked. For a moment, she felt like a ghost—watching life happen from the sidelines.
"I… I just don't know how to be that version of me yet."
Tasha's expression softened. "Hey. You don't have to be anyone else. Just be here. That's enough."
Lexa hesitated, her fingers tightening around her elbow. "I've never been anywhere people actually wanted me around."
"Well," Tasha said with a grin, "you are now. And for what it's worth—I'm really glad you're my roommate."
Lexa's eyes met hers, a flicker of something warm breaking through the guarded surface.
"Okay," she said quietly. "Maybe just for a little while."
"Atta girl!" Tasha clapped, rushing to grab a pair of sandals. "Now, let's find out if the rumors about hot seniors are true."
Lexa chuckled softly, a sound she hadn't made in what felt like forever.
And just like that, she took her first real step beyond the gates of her old life.