Page 2 of Beautiful Beginning

Her dad started shoving luggage in corners, as her mom opened the box.

“Honey, we’ll grab the rest of the things. You get settled.” Before her mom walked out of the room she said, “Thank you for your help.” She didn’t look as concerned as she did in the lobby. Had a beautiful smile too. “I am already feeling much better about her being here.”

“Good,” I said, “I’m glad.”

As a campus ambassador that was my duty. To welcome students and reassure their parents. At least that’s what our advisor told us. For me, it was the easiest way to meet the new kids on campus.

“So,” Halle slid her hand across one of the beds, “I do know my roommate. She’s my best friend from back home. But she’s not coming today.”

“Unless you’ve already agreed,” I walked to the other side of the room. Away from the window. “I suggest you pick this bed. The sun shines extra bright through that window in the morning.”

She narrowed her eyes and tilted her head to the side. “I can’t believe you stayed here.”

I nodded. “I did.” Then I told her, “My mama too.” I warned, “Not much has changed about Destiny Hall in all that time.”

“I’ll know exactly who to come to for questions.” Then she cringed. “I mean, if you don’t mind.” Her hand flung to her chest. “I don’t want to bother you.”

I shook my head and opened my arms. “Halle, it’s no bother at all.”

She wrapped her arms around me, and when she pulled away, she said, “Thanks, what’s your name?”

I groaned. “My bad. My name is Journey Thompson.”

“Journey Thompson,” she repeated. “It’s nice to meet you.” Then her voice hushed, and she asked, “How about the guys? Grade A like I’ve heard, or trash?”

I wagged my head. “There’s a healthy mix. I wouldn’t worry about them as much for a while. You’ll have plenty to keep you occupied on campus. Let them come into the mix later.”

It was the best advice I could give. Advice someone should have given me. Advice I may, or may not, have taken back then. But at least I could offer it.

The ratio at Hillside circulated to everyone on campus, I reminded her anyway, “It’s two women for every guy here. And the guys tend to take advantage of that.” I emphasized, “Heavily.”

Her mouth rounded. “Oh.”

The door opened and her parents walked in with more boxes.

“Remember, if you have any other questions don’t hesitate to ask. Nice meeting you.” I extended my hand to her parents before leaving room 404 behind.

Lauren and Nia were in the same spot in the lobby. They didn’t take to the Campus Ambassador role like I did. They didn’t care to meet new kids but liked the perk of assigned parking so they stuck with it.

“She settled into your old room?” Nia looked up from her phone.

“She’ll get there.” I scrunched my nose. “But her main question was about dudes.”

Lauren shook her head. “Must be something about that room.”

“Yeah,” I mumbled. “Hopefully she has better luck than me though.” Unlike my mama who found my daddy freshman year on campus, I stayed single most of freshman year. “I’m starting to think chances of finding my husband on campus are slimming down.” With only a year left, the odds were not in my favor.

Lauren stood from the wall she leaned on and said, “Our shift is over, let’s grab some coffee.”

Nia trailed behind us and said, “Who knows, Journey, you might meet someone this year.”

I looked over my shoulder. “Guess I could meet a guy, fall in love, and graduate with him by my side.” I walked down the steps of Destiny Hall. “I won’t knock it if it happens.”

“Okay,” Lauren nudged her chin across the street, “what about him?” She eyed the group of guys. “The one with the red shirt. Remember him? He was pretty nice.”

“Nice, but he had that obsession with rapping his answers in class.” I shared, “We had math together. Who raps equivalents and statistics?”

Nia joked, “I mean, that’s creativity at its finest.”

---