The midday sun bathed the quiet streets as Rose sat in the backseat of her parents' car, college was finally here. Her hometown, a place filled with bad memories and echoes of the past, was now behind her. She hoped she could have a more eventful life here in California. As they pulled up to the curb in front of Rose's new apartment building, a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation fluttered in her chest. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for the bittersweet moment of saying goodbye to her parents. She knew she would miss them dearly, but the desire for independence was stronger.

Her mother turned to Rose, her eyes filled with both pride and a touch of sadness. "Here we are, sweetheart," she said, her voice tinged with emotion.

Rose's father chimed in, his voice warm and reassuring. "We're so proud of you, Rose. We’re going to miss you, honey.”

With heartfelt hugs and final words of encouragement, Rose stepped out of the car, her suitcases in hand. Her parents watched as she approached the entrance of the apartment building, their love and support evident in their smiles.

Opening the door to her new apartment, Rose took in the sight of the cozy space that would soon be filled with her own personal touches and memories. It may have been small, but it had a warmth and charm that made her feel instantly at ease. It was perfect considering it could have been much worse, and the payments were going to be covered by her parents. She couldn’t possibly ask for more.

As she unpacked her belongings, arranging them carefully in her new space, her parents' voices echoed in her mind. What was this going to be like? She was both excited and terrified. She had never been out of her hometown in Ohio before…

Rose paused for a moment, looking out the window at the bustling city beyond. It was a stark contrast to the tranquility of her hometown, and yet it was exactly what she craved. The city held endless possibilities-

…and the possibility it all could go wrong… Rose thought to herself.

No. I can’t get nervous now, it’s too late for that. It’ll be okay.

As Rose continued unpacking her belongings in the new apartment, her mind wandered to the exciting task of decorating her space. She imagined colorful posters adorning the walls, cozy cushions scattered across the couch, and shelves filled with books and trinkets that reflected her personality. Lost in her thoughts, she couldn't help but smile at the prospect of transforming this blank canvas into a cozy haven.

Just as she was contemplating which corner to designate as her reading nook, a sudden knock at the door broke her concentration. Surprised, Rose set down the box she was holding and hurriedly made her way to the entrance. She had no idea who it could be, maybe her parents had come back for another goodbye.

Opening the door, she was greeted by the polished smiles of two girls. They appeared to be older than Rose, and definitely a lot more preppy. Their bleached blonde hair and tan skin was a stark contrast to Rose, who was as pale as a ghost and currently had a mess of red hair. The plane ride and long drive did not help her situation. She could tell by their appearance alone, that they exuded a lively energy that was impossible to ignore. Rose instantly felt a divide between them. She stood there studying them, and after a few moments of silence, she realized in horror that she hadn’t even said hello.

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“Uh, hello.” Rose said quietly. Crap, that was a terrible first impression…

Luckily, the girls didn’t seem to pick up on the atmosphere.

"Hey there, I’m Sarah and this is Alex! We saw you moving in and thought we'd come over to say hello," she said cheerfully, her voice filled with excitement.

Alex spoke, leaning against the doorframe. "Yeah, we're your neighbors next door! Always nice to have another girl around here. Do you go to HSU?"

Sarah looked like the epitome of femininity, her luscious golden locks cascaded down her shoulders, framing a flawless face adorned with a soft smile. Her sparkling blue eyes shimmered with warmth, and her stylish outfit reflected her impeccable taste. On the other hand, Alex had a more effortless grace. With a carefree demeanor, she radiated a sense of confidence. Her casual attire, consisting of a simple t-shirt and shorts, perfectly matched her relaxed attitude.

Together, the contrasting beauty of Sarah and Alex created an intriguing balance. Sarah's graceful femininity complemented by Alex's natural ease formed a captivating pair. They were like two sides of a coin, each possessing their own unique allure that drew people in. Rose felt tiny in comparison, she wished she could capture the charm people like them had.

Rose's nerves kicked in, and she felt a knot forming in her stomach. She wasn’t prepared to socialize so soon. Meeting new people had always been a challenge for her, and the fear of saying the wrong thing or coming across as awkward gnawed at her. Especially when facing such intimidatingly extroverted people.

"Oh, um, h-hi. I'm Rose." She offered a small smile, her eyes instinctively avoiding direct contact. “Yea, I’ll be a freshman.”

Alex, trying to ease the tension, chimed in, "Nice to meet you, Rose! Moving can be tough, huh? How’s it going so far?"

Rose's mind went blank for a moment before she managed to mumble, "Yeah, um, it's okay, I guess. Lots of boxes... and stuff."

shit shit shit shit shit shit you’re ruining it

Alex spoke again in an attempt to save the conversation. “So… uh, we were actually wanting to know if you’d like to drink with us at our place later tonight. It’s always a fun way to get to know each other, y’know?”

Rose's face flushed with embarrassment as her mind raced. "Oh, um, thank you, but I can't. I'm not old enough to drink."

A moment of silence hung in the air, and Rose's face turned bright red as she realized how lame she must have sounded. She wished she could take back her words or find a way to make it less awkward.

Sarah and Alex exchanged a quick glance, sensing Rose's discomfort. "Oh, no worries! That's totally understandable.” They tried to keep the conversation flowing, asking about her hometown and what she planned to major in. But Rose's responses remained short and awkward, leaving gaps of silence that grew more uncomfortable with each passing moment, and Rose’s embarrassment only deepened.

Sensing the mounting unease, Sarah cleared her throat, her voice strained. "Well, it was really nice meeting you, Rose. We should probably let you get settled in. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."

Alex nodded, a forced smile on her face. "Yeah, definitely. We'll catch up later, maybe."

Rose's heart sank as she realized her awkwardness had pushed them away. She wanted to apologize, to explain that she was just nervous, but the words caught in her throat. Instead, she managed a feeble, "Th-thanks. See you around," before closing the door with a heavy sigh. The potential for a new friendship had slipped through her fingers thanks to her anxiety. She never seemed to have the right words to say. Rose's cheeks still burned with embarrassment.

Oh my god…I’m an idiot

Rose sat frustrated and embarrassed on her couch, replaying the awkward conversation with Sarah and Alex in her mind. She couldn't shake off the lingering embarrassment that clung to her like a heavy cloud. Unpacking her belongings seemed impossible as her mind wandered back to the social mishap. Feeling restless and in need of a distraction, Rose made a decision that would change her life.

She would go to the campus library.