Author Address:
For those of you who are new to this chapter, you're welcome. Writing this story is a dream come true for me, and you being here is already making it special. As you read Freshman Year in College, please show some love with a comment, like, vote, review back and add to collection. Even a small word from you gives me the strength to keep going. Let's get right into the first chapter (•‿•)(✯ᴗ✯).
My name is Felicity Paddington. I was born and raised in America, growing up in Houston, Texas. I recently graduated and am very ready to leave high school behind. You'll agree with me, high school is both fun and full of drama, the good, the bad, and the locker-slamming chaos. High school had its moments. During those years, we did many exciting things like junior and senior prom, late-night study sessions, joining multiple clubs, and that one unforgettable talent show where someone tried to rap Shakespeare and much more.
One thing I disliked was detention. Not my thing. I tried my best to avoid it, but it wasn't good enough. I ended up getting detention three times. The first time was a mistake, but the other two were intentional. My favourite part of high school was study class. I loved it the most because I always got good grades — straight A's? Yes, please! And of course, there was the boy drama, going on dates and the kind of crushes that make you forget your math homework.
And then there was him. Theodore Owen from the United Kingdom. We went to the same school, and we became best friends. He was cute, thoughtful, and had a dimple everyone was crazy about. British accent. Grey eyes. When he smiles with his perfect teeth, he melts my heart. He was stylish, brilliant, and way out of my league. But somehow… he was my best friend but I had a massive crush on him and I needed him to know how much I liked him. Eventually, I couldn't keep it inside anymore, so I gathered what was left of my dignity and courage, and I finally mustered the strength to tell him how I truly felt."
The next day, I found him in the hallway surrounded by his friends. It was rowdy with students slamming the locker. My heart pounded like it was trying to escape my chest. I went straight up to Theo and asked if we could talk privately, and he said:
"Anything you want to say, you can say in front of my friends".
Big mistake. Huge. So, I blurted it out: "I like you. Will you be my prom date?"
Silence. Then rejection. Unfortunately, he didn't feel the same way. Not the gentle kind either because he cut all ties with me and worse he took another girl, someone I considered a friend, leaving me heartbroken and betrayed. Who does that? The heartbreak? Brutal. Everyone laughed at me. I was so embarrassed that I told myself I would never love again. Right there, I promised myself: never again. No offence to love, but I was completely done.
High school was a whirlwind of friendships and fears, of first heartbreaks and first hopes. I thought Theo might be my beginning but instead, he was my lesson. Now that I'm older, I realise it was just infatuation, it wasn't love, it was just teenage daydreams wrapped in British charm. No more boy drama. It was time to grow, to focus, and to chase my dreams. And the biggest dream of all? College. I was determined to focus on what mattered most: getting in. I had several colleges in mind. My first-choice university was Harvard, then Princeton. My mom's first, second, and third choices? Oxford.
She always says: "Oxford is the real deal. If not Oxford, then everything else is a farce".
Her words not mine. Dramatic much? She wanted me to attend the same university where she met my dad, but why? I'm still not sure. My mom is a wonderful woman who has always taken care of me, even as a single parent. She met my dad there, during the days when they were madly in love. They married right after graduation, but when I was ten, everything fell apart. He was the love of her life and I still don't understand why they divorced and don't know what happened between them.
Now that I'm eighteen, Dad still keeps in touch with her occasionally. I guess people change. She hasn't told me why they split, but I'm sure she will one day. I'll never forget the pain he caused her. Mom tried to stay strong, but I still remember every tear she shed and that's why I promised myself never to forgive him for breaking her heart.
Mom was named after her mother, who died giving birth to her. I can't imagine the pain of never seeing your own mother. But she pushed through with Grandpa's help, and she was the real hero and became a strong, determined, independent and successful woman. She owns a perfume business. Hiding her own pain so I wouldn't feel mine.
My grandparents, Joy and George Steve, gave my mom her maiden name, Joy Steve. When she married my dad, Wyatt Paddington from the United Kingdom, she took his name and became Joy Paddington. But my dad's parents are no more. Because of all this, I tend to avoid the United Kingdom. It reminds me too much of them. My dad and Theo. Two things I'd rather forget.
Mom and I disagree on many things, especially my choice of college, but I love her more than anything. I saw her at her lowest after the breakup. She cried so much, and I felt helpless like a child. That's why I promise never to forgive my dad. Mom always says, "The past is in the past", and she moved on. After the divorce, we relocated from Houston Texas to Los Angeles, California and built a new life.
I filled out applications for Harvard and Princeton, and thanks to Mom's dramatic persuasion, I also applied to Oxford—she absolutely insisted on it.
"How's it going," Mom asked.
"Well, I've filled out my application for all of them. Now, all I can do is wait and see" I replied.
Mom was happy that I applied to Oxford and was sure they would accept me. A few months later, college decision day arrived, and the results were out. That Tuesday morning, Mom was up early and made my favourite breakfast - tea and pancakes. Then she came to wake me up.
"Mom, it's so early, come on. I want to sleep more" I groaned.
"Wake up Ninu," she sang.
She usually calls me 'Ninu' as a pet name, whatever that means.
She just smiled. "You're supposed to get your results today, so get up and eat your breakfast. I made your favourite."
"OK, but it's too early to come downstairs. Besides, my alarm clock hasn't….." Before I could finish, my alarm clock rang.
"Well, it rang now, so get up, freshen up, get dressed, and head downstairs," Mom said.
"Oh, big whoops, alarm clock," I muttered angrily, shutting it off and facing it down. With sleepy eyes, I staggered into the bathroom, brushed my teeth, took a bath, and came out wearing a purple robe and slippers. I went to the closet and picked out my little purple gown. Yes, I'm obsessed with purple because purple is not a colour, it's a lifestyle. I put on a little makeup, and I headed downstairs.
Mom had already served breakfast, so I quickly ate, then opened my laptop with shaky hands. I was a bit nervous about which schools accepted me. I didn't want it to be Oxford, but I'd still accept it if that was my only option. Mom was watching TV in the living room.
"Hey Mom, please help me check my results. I'm scared. What if I didn't get into any of them" I asked.
"Oh honey, come here and give me a big hug."
We hugged briefly and then she turned to the laptop and clicked open the results.
"Alright, let's see," Mom said.
She opened the results page while I paced nervously. I was so tense. My stomach did somersaults. The moment of truth.
"Oh, Ninu" Mom gasped softly. "I'm so, so proud of you. You got two out of three- Princeton and Oxford- but you didn't get into Harvard. I'm sorry, Ninu, I know it's your dream," she said, cupping my face, worried I'd cry.
"What! Damn….but it's okay, I got two out of three. That's awesome. I've decided to choose Oxford," I replied.
"Oh Ninu, don't be too hasty. Just take your time- I won't interfere with your decision," she said.
I never expected that from Mom. I thought she'd choose Oxford for me. But I was happy she respected my decision. And damn, I got two out of three, I was so proud of myself. That's victory.
"Mom, thank you so much." I smiled. "But I've already chosen Oxford. Whatever makes you happy, I'll do it. At your service, Mom."
Her eyes widened. "Are you sure?"
"For you, Mom. Always."
We both laughed. We hugged again and took a cab to a restaurant to celebrate. When we got there, Mom ordered a bottle of wine and my second favourite, Hawaiian pizza. We poured our glasses and toasted to a new beginning: "To a new life," we both chanted.
I don't know what's waiting for me in England. But something tells me drama isn't done with me yet.