Chapter 2: New Beginnings, Old Feelings
"Sometimes, healing doesn't come in waves.It comes in small moments — like hot chocolate, shared silence, and someone saving you a seat."
If someone told me a month ago that I'd be standing in Times Square, nearly blinded by LED ads and eating a pretzel bigger than my head, I'd have laughed.
Yet here I am. In New York City.And no, it doesn't feel like a dream.It feels... loud. And freezing. And alive.
I've only been here two days, but everything already feels like a sensory overload.
After the airport pick-up and sugar-infused hot chocolate, Liam took me to my dorm at Columbia. He even wheeled my suitcase up the stairs himself despite my protests.
"I lift basketballs, not excuses," he winked.
I'd rolled my eyes, but secretly?Yeah... I smiled.
My room is small but not suffocating. I share it with two roommates.
Grace Morales, Puerto Rican-American, fashion design major, and loud in the best way. She walked in blasting K-pop on her speaker and declared, "Girl, we're gonna get along real fine."
Maya Chen, Born in California, raised in Beijing, double majoring in economics and international relations, and allergic to nonsense. She's the kind who organizes her pens by color but also sneaks chocolate under her pillow.
Both of them welcomed me like I'd always belonged.And that? That meant the world.
We spent our first night binge-watching a terrible dating show while eating dumplings and instant noodles like a proper international dorm family.
Classes don't start for another four days, which feels both like a gift and a threat.Right now, campus is bustling with orientation events, club sign-ups, and confused freshmen carrying maps upside down.
Liam's been my personal tour guide.He's a third-year and basically knows every corner of the place. Also helps that he's:
6'3
On the basketball team
Friends with the entire athletic department
Possibly part-time mayor of the cafeteria (based on how many people high-five him there)
He introduced me to some of his circle—Aiden, his party-animal roommate who thinks "sleep is for the weak," and Nina, a dancer with a pixie cut and sass that could level cities.
They were nice. Loud, but nice. I think I like loud here. It drowns out old memories.
I'm majoring in Media & Communications, with a minor in Creative Writing. Yes, I plan to use my broken heart to write emotionally scarring short stories. Sue me.
My week (starting soon!) looks like this:
Monday & Wednesday Intro to Media Theories, Academic Writing
Tuesday & Thursday Digital Communication Tools, Public Speaking
Friday: Creative Writing Workshop (a class I'm both excited for and terrified of)
Maya helped me organize it in Google Calendar. Grace made me pick a cute icon for each class. Liam said, "Nerd squad, assemble."
I think I'm going to be okay.
I've walked more in two days than I have in my entire life.My legs hurt. My wallet cries.But the food? The food is glorious.I've tried bagels, halal street food, giant pizza slices, and bubble tea from a place Liam says is "life-changing." (It was.)
The people walk fast. Talk fast. Live fast.And somehow, that rhythm is helping me breathe again.
Liam has been the anchor I didn't know I needed.
We hang out almost every evening. He drags me to campus cafés, insists I try weird American snacks, and never lets me eat alone. He even made me promise to come to his next basketball game.
He listens when I talk about Korea. He asks about my family. He laughs at my lame jokes.He's the kind of friend who makes the past feel a little less sharp.
Tonight, we're sitting on the campus lawn, sipping iced tea and watching stars peek through the city glow. There's a warm silence between us — the kind that feels like a blanket, not a wall.
Then Liam shifts a little, glancing at me with that half-grin that means trouble.
"Hey, Wonie… I've got a favor to ask."
I squint suspiciously. "What?"
"So... one of my team mate's going on a date. And his date's bringing a friend. Which means—"
"No," I cut in, grinning despite myself.
"Yes. Please?" He nudges my shoulder. "You'd be saving me. I can't third wheel. It's against the bro code."
I roll my eyes, but there's no bite in it. It's just a date, right? A friendly outing. Not a real one.
Still, my heart stutters.
I think of how easy it is to be around Liam. How safe. How new.
And I think about the boy who left without a word…still out there…somewhere on this campus.
"Fine," I sigh. "But only if the food's good."
Liam laughs, triumphant.
"You won't regret it, Queen of K-dramas."
Famous last words, I think.
As the stars flicker above us and New York hums softly around me, I wonder…
Will this date be the start of something?