Your parents just left. Maybe a few hours ago.
Or maybe it’s already been longer than that—you’re not even sure.They’re probably halfway through the long drive back to Virginia, or maybe they’re already home. Unpacking the car in the driveway, You can almost see it: your mom putting the kettle on even though she doesn’t drink tea, your dad sitting on the edge of the couch,

They helped you set everything up. The desk. The twin XL bed. The mini-fridge. Even the stupid little plastic drawers. Your mom kept smoothing the comforter like she could somehow make this feel like home Your dad, always trying to act like he wasn’t feeling things too deeply, was fiddling with the coaxial cable And right before they left, he pulled you aside, gave you that serious look

“Don’t let them change you,”he said.
“Do things because you want to. And for the love of everything holy… don’t just sit in here being a bookworm. Live a little. Go on dates. Hit a party. Not too many. Just enough to make some bad decisions"

Then you open a book because it’s familiar.

But the door opens behind you with a soft click and in comes Stacy—your new roommate, a walking contrast to everything you've ever known.
She’s glowing. Not in a "nice skin care" kind of way, but in a "she knows who she is and doesn’t care if you do" kind of way.
She starts pulling off her clothes without a second thought. There’s a confidence in her that’s magnetic. You try to keep your eyes on the page

She slips into a sleek shirt dress, dabs on highlighter and pauses in the mirror, meeting your gaze with a knowing look.

“By the way,” she says, not even looking over her shoulder. “Your dad? He’s hot.

the dorm door swings open again and in walks Nate—her boyfriend, apparently. Tall, broad-shouldered, handsome

“I’ve been standing outside for, like, thirty minutes, Stacy. You said two.” He scowls, but it’s lazy, not serious.

His eyes land on you, flick up and down. Just a second too long. Stacy grabs her bag “Be back later!” over her shoulder