Chapter-2

...Rosalia Carter ...

The plane landed with a soft jolt, and just like that, I was in Paris.

I sat there for a moment, not moving, letting it sink in. This was real.

The city I had dreamed about for years wasn't just a picture on my phone anymore. It was outside the window, waiting for me.

As I stepped out of the airport, the cool air brushed against my skin.

Everything felt new-different accents, different sounds, different faces.

I understood the language, but still, it felt strange being so far away from home.

I pulled my suitcase behind me and looked around, my heart beating faster with excitement and nervousness mixed together.

This was my first time living alone. No family nearby. No familiar streets. Just me and the life I had worked so hard to reach.

The ride to the university was quiet. Since I was studying at Aureon University, my accommodation was provided on campus itself.

I sat by the window, watching Paris pass by slowly-old buildings, narrow streets, and soft lights glowing along the roads.

Everything felt new, yet familiar at the same time.

This was the city I had dreamed about for years, and now I was really here.

When we reached the university, my heart skipped a beat. Aureon University stood tall and calm, just like I had imagined.

I took a deep breath as I stepped out, pulling my suitcase behind me.

When I was shown to my room, I found out that it was shared. Just two of us would be staying there-me and another girl.

The room was quiet and neatly arranged, with two beds placed on opposite sides.

One side was still empty, waiting for my roommate to arrive.

I set my suitcase down beside my bed and looked around. It felt strange sharing a space with someone I hadn't met yet, but at the same time, it felt comforting knowing I wouldn't be completely alone.

Whoever she was, I hoped we'd get along.

I started unpacking slowly, folding my clothes and placing them into the wardrobe.

The room was quiet, broken only by the distant sounds of students moving around the building.

After a while, I sat down on the bed and checked my phone.

Messages from home were waiting for me. I replied to them one by one, reassuring everyone that I had arrived safely.

Just then, I heard the door open.

I looked up, my heart beating a little faster.

The door opened and a girl walked in, pulling her suitcase behind her. She glanced around the room and then smiled at me.

"Hi," she said. "Looks like we're roommates."

I stood up. "Hi. I'm Rosalia-Rose."

"I'm Chloe smith ," she replied, placing her bag beside the other bed. "Nice to meet you."

We exchanged a small smile. It wasn't awkward, just simple and easy. Chloe started settling into her side of the room, and slowly, the space felt less empty.

At least I wasn't alone anymore.

Chloe sat on her bed, swinging her legs slightly. "I'm actually from Paris," she said brightly. "Born and raised."

"Oh," I said, smiling. "That's nice."

She grinned. "If you need help with anything-places, food, directions-I've got you."

Her energy was warm and bubbly, filling the room without trying.

"That would be great," I replied honestly.

Chloe laughed. "Don't worry. You'll love it here."

Talking to her felt easy. Comfortable. And for the first time since I arrived, I felt a little less nervous.

Chloe stood up suddenly, clapping her hands together. "Come on," she said, smiling. "You must be tired after the journey. Freshen up first."

I nodded. "Yeah, probably."

While I went to wash up, Chloe kept talking from the other side of the room, telling me little things about the campus-where to eat, which buildings to avoid getting lost in, and which cafés were worth visiting.

Her voice was cheerful and comforting.

By the time I was done, the room already felt warmer.

Familiar.

Maybe Paris wouldn't feel so lonely after all.

After freshening up, I changed into something comfortable and sat on my bed. Chloe was arranging her books neatly on her desk, still humming to herself.

"So," she said, turning to me, "classes start tomorrow."

My heart skipped a little. "Yeah," I replied. "I'm excited... and nervous."

"That's normal," she said with a reassuring smile. "First days always feel like that."

I nodded, taking a deep breath. Tomorrow would be my first real day here new people

The lights were off, and the room was quiet except for the faint sounds from outside. Chloe turned on her side, facing me.

"So," she said softly, "how does it feel... being this far from home?"

I thought for a moment. "Scary," I admitted. "But exciting too."

She smiled in the dark. "That's Paris for you. It scares you first, then you fall in love with it."

I laughed quietly. "You make it sound easy."

"It wasn't at first," she said. "But you'll get used to it. And you won't be alone. You've got me."

"Thanks," I said, meaning it.

There was a comfortable silence.