After an exhausting climb up to the third floor of the building, we left the bags in the hallway. Ghosteisd resembled Itaphum, only with twice as many inhabitants—mostly because of students from neighboring towns. With so many shared apartments around the university, it hadn't been hard to find our new home.
Rafael got the key from Márcia, the apartment owner, and raised it as if unlocking a castle."Welcome, Miss Meneguchi! To our new home." He made an exaggerated bow.
I played along, held the corners of an imaginary dress, and bowed too.
The apartment was small but cozy. Boxes were already scattered around the living room, promising plenty of work for the weekend. The kitchen opened into the living room with a half wall, and the biggest charm was the little door that led to a tiny balcony with a view of the street. To the right was the bathroom. To the left, the surprise:"Only one bedroom?" I glared at Rafa.
He scratched the back of his neck, avoiding my eyes, embarrassed."We didn't have money for two bedrooms, Aza. But don't worry, I'll sleep in the living room. The sofa opens up, it's comfortable.""No way. You're not sacrificing yourself," I huffed, irritated at the assumption. "We'll take turns, that's it.""You don't have to, Aza…" he tried to interrupt, but I put my finger on his lips, making him shut up with a grimace."This way, when one of us wants to bring someone over, nobody gets in the way.""Bring… someone?" he repeated, swallowing hard as soon as I took my finger away, stepping into the room.
Inside, there was only a double bed and a mirrored wardrobe. Luckily, I had brought some decorations from my old room, because this one desperately needed life."Yes, of course!" I said, turning toward him at the same moment I dropped onto the bed. "Don't tell me you haven't thought of that? Because my grandma didn't let me forget it for a single minute during lunch.""Actually, no!" Rafa muttered, sitting beside me.
I stretched my legs over him, laughing."Then start thinking about it. We're in college now, Rafa. A place where anything can happen. I really want you to find someone who makes you happy."
He looked at me over his glasses as if I'd spoken another language. Then he shook his head, as though trying to clear his thoughts."What are you thinking, ladies' man?" I teased, nudging his face with my foot until he grew annoyed. "Planning your seduction tactics?"
He laughed and glanced at me, dodging my foot, though his body stayed tense."I think it's time to organize this mess." He stood up, set my legs back on the mattress, and headed for one of the boxes.
Always running away from the subject.
I jumped up, grabbed a box, and ran after him.
The weekend was nothing but cleaning, organizing, and grocery shopping. On Sunday night, we inaugurated the place with popcorn, guaraná, and Netflix. Me in a tank top and saruel pants; Rafa in a gray hoodie and a white T-shirt. I pestered him by throwing popcorn in his face while he tried to focus on Scofield's newest prison escape. His irritated expression was hilarious, making me burst out laughing. And, as always, he ended up giving in to my games and laughing too, even if begrudgingly.
Monday. First day of class.
Even with our buildings far apart, Rafa insisted on walking me to mine. The sun was warm on my face while the wind played with my hair. The campus was beautiful: green grass, the fresh smell of earth mixed with coffee from the student café, and dry leaves dancing in the breeze.
Besides the carefully kept gardens, the architecture of the buildings resembled that of the town itself, making the whole view even more stunning, like something out of a fantasy film. Walking that path, with the jingling of bike bells and laughter in the background, filled me with anticipation. It didn't feel real—but it was.
We entered a covered outdoor corridor that led to the entrance of the Arts building. Passing students sat on benches nearby, and once we confirmed the place, it was time to say goodbye."You'll be okay?" he asked, adjusting the strap of his bag."Of course! I'm just nervous. But I promise to look normal.""I'll try too." Rafael smiled, taking a deep breath. "Be friendly. Make friends. I don't want to see you alone.""Relax, Rafa." I smiled. "This is our new chapter. I'm not the girl who put up with everything in high school anymore. This is my dream, our dream. Nothing's going to ruin it.""If you say so… then I'm off." He hugged me goodbye. "See you at lunch, okay?"
He kissed the top of my head, and I smiled back."I'll call you!" I said.
He nodded and walked away.
A faint smell of fresh paint drifted from the open doors of the Arts building, reminding me that soon I'd be diving into painting and drawing. A shiver ran down my skin as I walked through them, smiling in a mix of fear and excitement.
Inside was a wide corridor full of identical doors, bulletin boards overflowing with announcements that practically screamed get lost here! In the corner, a huge plaque about the building's construction, and to the right, a staircase.
My heart was beating faster than I wanted to admit. Every step echoed inside me, like everyone could hear my fear. I gripped the strap of my bag tightly, trying to look confident, but my stomach churned. For the first time, it wasn't just excitement—it was the fear of being just another lost freshman.
I looked around and saw groups of upperclassmen laughing and greeting each other like they had belonged there forever. Me? Just a stranger in the crowd, unsure of where to look without seeming out of place. Every face seemed to judge if I "fit in" or not, and I wondered if anyone would even notice my weird name on the list.
At the end of the hallway, a crowd gathered in front of one of the rooms. Freshmen, I assumed. I glanced at the crumpled registration sheet in my hand and confirmed—it could be my class."Is this Art History I?" I asked a dark-skinned guy sitting on a chair right in front of the door, holding an attendance list."Freshman?" he asked without even looking up."Yes!" I answered eagerly, watching the hallway's back-and-forth."What's your name?" Still without looking at me.
Seriously, what was this guy's problem? There I was, all smiles, first week, and he was acting like he owned the place."Azaléia Meneguchi Ross," I said slowly, putting extra irritation in my tone—just to see if he'd finally look at me, even if just to complain.
"So you're the girl with the weird name." He raised his head and gave me a mocking smile.
No, no, no! This wasn't happening!
I rolled my eyes. Of course, he wasn't satisfied—he looked me up and down, making me uncomfortable."Yep, that's me, the girl with the weird name. Can you just confirm my question, or is that too hard for you, Mr. Common Name?"
He laughed, shamelessly entertained."Feisty," he commented with a mischievous smile before checking the sheet in his hand. "You're in group two. Professor José Paulo asked everyone from that group to go straight to the auditorium on the second floor. Just take the stairs behind you, at the end of the hallway.""Thanks!" I replied with the sourest face I could manage, turning my back on him. Who did he think he was, ruining my first day?"You're welcome, little flower!" he shouted loud enough to echo. I didn't turn back, just raised my middle finger as I walked away. His laughter followed me, confirming he'd seen it.
SPOILER ABOUT MY FIRST DAY AT COLLEGE:A total disaster! It felt like I was back in high school. Worse, because Professor José Paulo went on and on and on… and the practical part wouldn't start until the following week. It was so much pointless talking that I fell asleep mid-lecture and woke up to upperclassmen announcing the start of hazing.
Wonderful. I just wanted to draw, paint, dive into art. Not become a living canvas for seniors armed with brushes and cheap paint.
"This sucks," muttered the girl next to me, pulling a complicit laugh from me.
I turned my head and there she was: short black bob, flawless eyeliner, and a silver nose ring catching the light. Her expression screamed boredom, but there was something magnetic about her."Are they really going to force this on us?" she continued, shaking her head."Technically, it's optional," I replied, sneakily opening a bag of Doritos inside my backpack. I completely ignored the "no food in the auditorium" sign. "But without hazing, we'll go totally unnoticed.""And what do I lose with zero popularity?" she shot back, raising an eyebrow.
I pretended to think for a second, chewing."Nothing. Absolutely nothing."
She laughed, and her laugh had that husky tone that mocked the world. She extended her hand like we were sealing a pact."Lorena.""Azaléia." I made a face right after. "Call me Aza. It's a long story.""Aza…" she repeated, savoring the nickname, then smiled slyly. "I like it. Fits you way better than the other one." She winked and adjusted her backpack strap. "So, Aza, how about we ditch this snooze fest?""Ditch?" I looked around, nervous. "What if they say something important?""Nothing worth it." She was already standing, tugging at my arm. "Come on. College life doesn't start with boring lectures."
And just like that, without realizing it, I let Lorena drag me straight into the first wrong—or maybe right—decision of my college life.