| Moving Out |

"BECCA!"

"Five more minutes, mom." She's been calling me about ten times. I'm not done packing all my things yet.

I'm moving out today because college is quivering. I was given a scholarship from a prestigious university in town. Well, I kinda didn't expect that I got one. But mom said that I deserved it. Moreover, I graduated in senior high with some flying colors.

The school has dormitories for students just like what I saw in movies. Well, it's a school for elite people, after all.

I was wonder-struck when the door opened. "Mom!... don't you know how to knock? Geez, you scared me to death."

I place the last batch of my pajamas inside my traveling bag.

"Oh, sorry 'bout that. Well, as you can see," she pointed her wristwatch, "time is running, you shouldn't be late on your first day inside Chanter University," she said.

"I'm not that intrigued at all. Because I hundred pretty sure that I'll be missing you all, guys." I said and zipped my bag. Done.

"Oh, don't mind us, we'll be alright. Just enjoy your college days, sweety."

"Wow, easy for you to say, mom. Homesick isn't easy."

My mother moved near me. She grabbed my hand and squeeze it gently. "You're a brave and tough lady. I know you'll get used to it. Besides, Reina is with you."

"But Reina and I, haven't the same course. We have different schedules."

"C'mon, sweety. You're not a kid anymore. Don't be too dramatic. I hate it," my mom said.

I chuckled. "But honestly, I will miss you mom, your dishes preferably."

"Funny young lady." She pinched my cheeks.

"Mom…" I moved my face away from her. I massage my cheeks. Damn, it hurts.

"Oh, how I loved your fluffy cheeks," she said. "But I imply, you should lessen some fats, sweety. Too much belly fats were too pretty annoying by some handsome jerks."

Yeah, I got fluffy cheeks because I'm a chubby pretty girl and it's because of her and her homemade dishes. "Like duh, mom, I'm not entering college for me to have a boyfriend."

"Seriously? You haven't introduced one since then, I think this time was the perfect one," she said and sneered.

"What? Aren't it's supposed to be academic first before boys?"

Why should I get a boyfriend if I haven't graduated college yet?

Mom stood up. "I'm just assessing you, sweety. Of course, it should be school first before boys but if ever, I'm allowing you already to have one. As long as, you'll make it as your motivation and set some limits. You're not getting younger, anyway. So, you have to try."

"Mom, I don't have plans. If I wished to have one, I should have done it earlier. I have so many dreams and having a boyfriend isn't one of them."

My mother laughed. "You sure you don't like to have or experience having a boyfriend?"

I rolled my eyes. "No. Not this time." I tugged my traveling bag. "Let's go."

Mom's still laughing until we're on downstairs and dad was busy reading some newspaper on the sofa. "Rudolf, kindly give some pieces of advice to our daughter about having an incredible boyfriend as how you got me way back then," mom said and sat beside dad.

"Mom…" I warned.

She's still laughing. "I told you, I don't have plans yet. What if I got pregnant and didn't finish college?"

"Oh, you and your silly thoughts, sweety. You will not get pregnant not unless you give your v-card. Having a boyfriend doesn't mean you must get pregnant. It's just that, it can inspire you," mom said.

"Inspiration? Or distraction? Stop this boyfriend thingy mom. I'm not going to have one not until I graduated or have a great job, perhaps."

"Girls, girls, girls, stop it," dad said. "Loida, don't force our baby—"

I interrupt him. "Excuse me, Dad. I'm not a baby anymore."

"Oh, my bad. Sorry 'bout that. Hon, don't force our lady," he emphasizes the word lady, "to have a boyfriend. She must focus on her studies—"

"Precisely. That's what I'm saying, dad," I cut in.

"Alright, alright. I surrender. Just study well but don't study hard, sweety, okay?" mom said in defeat. Laugh my ass out.

I nodded.

"You ready?" dad asked.

"Yes."

He put down the newspaper above the table. "So, shall we?" he said as he stood up.

I smiled and nodded.

*

*

*

| Chanter University |

MOM AND DAD decided to drop me off at Chanter University. Two days from now, it will already be the first day of the first semester. I hope I'll get along with my co-students. I didn't take the college entrance exam because I was immediately selected by the administrator as part of their scholarship program.

Mom and Dad don't have a high source of income, and that scholarship was a big help for us, financially. We just have a simple life. Planting some grains and crops, pasturing cows and goats. We're a typical below-average family in our village.

Getting into college wasn't an easy one, particularly it needs lots of savings and money to start with. That scholarship was not enough for me to get a living during my college times. I had to apply for a job to sustain and have a better living. Possibly, I should apply as a waitress at a fine dining restaurant near the school. As much as possible, I don't want to rely on my financial stuff to my parents.

I want to be a working student. My father doesn't like my idea but, in the end, after a long-sugarcoated word, he agreed.

"Let's pick Reina too, dad," I said as I buckled up. Reina was my first cousin on my mother's side. She will take up BS Psychology and I take up Business Administration.

Reina and I graduated with flying colors. Both of us got a scholarship and were given the privilege to enter the prestigious and international school in town, miles away from home.

"Girls, always remember what we've told you, okay?" mom said as we get off the truck.

We both nodded. I kissed mom on her cheeks and waved to dad. "Bye, you guys feed my nana on time okay?" I'm referring to my cat. I wish I could bring an animal here, but it is stated on the student handbook, no pets are allowed.

They both smiled and nodded. I waved one more time as dad drive the truck away from us. I will miss both of them.

But I have Reina with me. So, I guess, I won't get bored or homesick, after all.

"You know what, Brent doesn't want me to get in here," Reina started. She was implying to his damn of a shit boyfriend.

"For what reason?"

"He said that there are lots of handsome and rich men here. That he was frightened that I might look for a new one."

"Geez, he was so fortunate that he has you, if I'm at your place, I'll break up with him. Like who the hell is he, to bridle you, he fooled you twice. So... you should leave him and look for a new one."

"But I love him."

"Don't be a martyr. There's a lot of good men there. Don't get stuck with that dimwit."

Reina heaved a deep sigh. "He promised me that he will never do it again."

"Promises are meant to be broken. You see, he cheated on you not once but twice. I'm just giving you one hell of a knock. Speculate wisely, gal."

Reina didn't answer.

We climbed upstairs as we enter the girl's dormitory. The old lady at the entrance lends us our keys. She has listed, anyway. There were three types of dorms in C.U. For scholars, for regular students—the one who pays their tuition, and the international students. For us, we're in the lowest. Because we're only the lucky people who were selected by the administration.

We stopped at room 28. The dorm has four floors and consists of ten rooms on each floor. Chanter University doesn't have too many students correlated to other universities. As stated in the handbook, they only have 1050 students at the moment. 50 international students and 1000 local students.

Is it good enough if I consider what mom said about having a boyfriend? We can do a boy hunting and rating after we drop off our items of luggage. Just kidding.

I put the key on the keyhole and twirled the doorknob. "Woah, the room was pretty cool," Reina yelled in surprise.

"Is this your first time seeing a room like this?" I asked and rolled my eyes.

"Shut up!" she said, seems irritated.

"Chill, I'm just trying to lighten the mood."

She just rolled her eyes. Mimicking me.

"Wait, I'll stay here," I said, standing beside the left corner.

"Whatever," She replied and moved to the other side of the room.

I chuckled.

There were two beds inside, two tables, two cabinets of course. Where are we gonna eat? Well, the school has a cafeteria. I know it because I've read the whole student handbook the other day.

I toss myself on the bed. "Hmmm…" it was kinda relaxing. The bed was so soft. My back loves it.

"I'll just take a nap. I'll organize my kinds of stuff when I woke up," I said and grabbed some pillow and let myself be drenched in darkness.