Serendipity

Chapter 1: First Day

Its funny how life works. The plans we set for ourselves, can all come crashing down. The hopes and dreams that are an arm reach away can be suddenly taken.

Then sometimes it can work out perfectly. What was a horrible twist in fate can turn out to be the best thing that ever happened.

This is a story. My story. Some call it luck, some call it karma, some call it fate but I call serendipity.

Stared out the window aimlessly. Watching the red and gold of the leaves whip through the air. The soft hum of the tires as we traveled down the quiet country lane. College.

Today was the first day. Not technically since classes didn't start till next week, but today I was moving into my dorm. I tried to tell my mother that her coming out to New Hampshire was a waste of time. A train ride would have been more conventional but she wanted to spare every minute she could with me.

I was her only child. She had her rich boyfriend Pete but she couldn't bare to let me go. So me going to college in another state was kind of setting her over the edge. But come on, it was Dartmouth. Ivy League. How could I say no. All my dreams of becoming journalist were finally being realized.

The seven hours dragged on. Literally. She wanted to get one more night in with me so she insisted on a stay at this five star hotel-courtesy of Pete the rich boyfriend extraordinaire- and talked about-well she did- about how fun and life changing college was going to be. The way she talked you thought she was the one going to Dartmouth.

But she was my mother and I was her only child and I was leaving home-much to early for her liking. She was actually willing to let me travel Europe- with her of course- to take an educational break. Whatever, I was getting out, whether she liked it or not.

I finally saw the sign that said 'welcome to Hanover' . I turned to the natural blond that was my mother and saw her hands tense on the steering wheel. I just shook my head slightly and turned back to the rustling leaves. Staring out at the rolling hills of New Hampshire. It wasn't much different from Massachusetts. I don't know what my mother was getting all bent out of shape about, it was practically home-just seven hours away.

Then I saw it. My new home for the next fours years. Dartmouth. It looked even better in person. It practically radiated freedom.

The pristine campus was like a castle in a fantasy. My eyes lit up with satisfaction. We drove around till we got to the dorms. They weren't exactly a castle, but they do. The moment the car was parked I had the door opened.

"Anxious are we?" my mother yelled after me as I went up to dorm room nine. I put the key in and watched as the door opened. It turned out that my roommate hadn't yet came. It was dark with drawn curtains. Two beds, two desks, two chairs it was like twins lived here.

"Are you going to help me or not?" She came in with her arms full with boxes. She went right past me and set the boxes on the desk. I turned on a light and the room lit up instantly but held an institutional glow to it. It made me disappointed. Hopefully some of my things will brighten up the room.

"So," I let out an exasperated sigh. I angled my body to her watching her eyes as they threatened to spill tears. I turned back out the door and went to the car. I carried as many boxes as I possibly could. She eventually came to help me and we very silently moved in my things.

I was surprised by how little I brought. While I was packing at home in Salem it seemed like our tiny car couldn't hold enough boxes for my liking. Now I wished there were more to carry to fill the void of time. But there was no avoiding it. The tearful goodbye would have to come whether I wanted it to or not. Me and my mother were to much alike. Either she break down in about ten seconds or I would when she left and beg her to come back and stay with me for one night.

I turned to stare at her and the tears started to flow. " Oh Sophie, my baby," she grabbed me and forced me to her shoulder. She patted and smoothed my scarlet curls. She kissed the top of my head and let me back so she could look into my eyes. It only caused more tears, but this time she just held a hand to her mouth and stared at me. "My beautiful, beautiful, baby is leaving me," she reached out a hand to feel the silky curls and hold my face in between her hands, squeezing my cheeks till they were fat and red.

"Uh… Mom your going to permanently redden my face."

She smiled and me and loosened the hold to my face, trying to laugh away the tears.

"Oh, Sophie, what will I do without you? I've had you to myself for almost eighteen years, I'm not sure ready to let you go."

"Mom," I let out an exasperated sigh, "You're the one who wanted me to go to Dartmouth in the first place, and besides," I gave her one last hug and smoothed the natural blond of her hair, "You have Pete now, and I'm sure he's not going anywhere. Who knows, he may pop the question." I said the last part with a wink.

She blushed and sniffled a bit. "Oh, do you think so, I know we've talked about plans far in the future, I just never thought he was thinking of marriage, and besides, I rather see my daughter walk down the aisle before me." she winked and kissed me on the tip of my nose. "I think you left one more bag on the front seat."

We both went to the her shiny Volvo and I opened the passenger door and grabbed the large duffle bag and very carefully slung it on my shoulder. She went over the driver's side and got in. she rolled down the window and I came around to give one last goodbye.

"Well Soph', I think you got everything under control. Now if you need anything don't hesitate to call, and you still have that credit card Pete gave you for graduation. And don't be modest, if you need something, anything, don't hesitate to use it, it was a gift and he expects you to use it to your advantage."

"Yeah, I think I'll be okay, and tell Pete thanks and that I will use the card." Even though I hated taking money from him. He was only trying to get on my good side, but whatever, he loved my mom and most likely planned to marry her.

She shuffled in her purse for a minuet before retrieving her keys and starting the engine. "Well, I don't think I'm forgetting anything." She stared up at me with her dazzling sapphire eyes. Her blond eyelashes covered in black mascara. "I want you to call me whenever you can. Its never to late to call."

"Yeah mom I know. I've heard the same conversation the entire ride hear. Your available whenever you need me."

She flashed me a smile with red brimmed eyes. "That's my girl, now remember I want a lengthy phone call about all the cute guys you meet. Who knows, you may find the one."

"I highly doubt it, but I'll keep the dream alive." She smiled and put the car in gear and backed away. I watched as she sped away and drive into the distance. I let out a sigh, already aware of how much I already missed her.

I turned and lugged the heavy duffle bag but could barely manage to get it very far. The door t the dorm was shut so I had to shuffle around in search of keys. I was becoming increasingly difficult and I swore under my breath mumbling incoherent sentences to know one in particular.

Just then a shadow descended on me. "Do you need some help?" I long slightly tanned hand was outstretched before me.

I looked up to a tall male. He had light caramel colored hair with eyes so light they were practically grey. His face looked clear of blemishes but held a history of a rough adolescence. His thin gold framed glasses slid down his nose a bit, but he ignored it.

I stared at his hand and then back to his face. "No, I'm fine," I lied finally retrieving my key from my pocket only to struggle for the key to turn. He stood there with a goofy grin plastered to his face.

"Alright, whatever," He chuckled under his breath and continued to stand there.

He was making me very aggravated as I tried to turn the key over and over but it refused to unlock the door.

"Here," he took the key from my hand and maneuvered himself around me to unlock the door. It only took him a second before the door was open and he motioned for me to enter.

I looked up at him and said, "Thanks," I went in a dropped the duffle bag in the middle of the floor. He cleared his throat so I turned to him. He had his hand out for me to take the key.

I rolled my eyes and snatched the key from his long boney fingers. " Are you always like this?" I asked.

He looked at me confused. "Like what?" He asked.

"Always so irritating"

He laughed. "No, not usually." He laughed lightly again.

"Was today I special occasion?" I questioned.

"Yeah, you interest me." He said with a flushed face.

I let my eyes wander. Unsure what to say. "Is that a good or a bad thing?" I said trying to lift the duffle bag to the bare mattress. "Because if this is going to be a regular thing, I'll know to avoid you."

He laughed replacing the duffle bag from both my hands and putting the bag onto the mattress for me. "Well, now that I know that irritating you isn't your style of flirting, I guess I stick to my usual charm." He gazed down at me to wink. "I thought you had a sense of humor."

"I do," I said, "I just don't like lame ass come on's."

"Ooh, harsh much. I was just being a friendly neighbor," He said as he grinned down at me beaming.

"No! Please don't tell me you live at this dorm." I said exasperated.

He grinned wider. "Sorry to burst your bubble but live two doors down." He laughed.

"Ugh, great, just what I need. An annoying neighbor."

"Hey, listen, I'll stick to my usual material. Its far more attractable."

"Psh… I highly doubt that."

We just stared at each other for a bit before I looked around at my packed room. "Well," he said, "I guess I'll leave you to unpack. But I'll be back." he said seductively with a wink be for disappearing behind the door.