My heart pounded, and my stomach performed somersaults that could put any gymnest to shame. The hardwood sign read: Pacific Shore College. We had arrived. My new home away from home. I reached over and grabbed my mom's hand. She squeezed it and I felt an inkling better. I swallowed hard and looked at the students walking around...some were already in pairs. My heart began pounding again...had I arrived later than everyone else? Was everyone already making friends with one another? My mom pulled our 4-runner in front of Oakley Hall...my new home. Carrying all of my stuff in wasn't hard at all. No, what was hard was standing at the curb to the dorm and bidding my mother and brother farewell. I hugged them both...I was trying fo my sake and for theirs not to cry. The tears were already flowing freely down my mother's face. I choked back a sob as I held my mother. She hopped in the car and drove off.

"Honey...you'll make so many new friends."

But as I ran blindly back to my new room, making new friends was the last thing on my mind. I was so absorbed in my despair that I didn't even see him. I collided into him...my face ended up close to his neck. Embaressed not only because I had just invaded his personal space--but because I was embaressed to be caught crying. Before he had a chance to say anything I mumbled a quick apology and continued on my way to my room. I needed to get away from everyone...I needed to be alone...but most of all...I needed to be back at home.