The room was quiet, but Bibxy's mind wasn't.
She lay still on her new bed, staring at the ceiling in the darkness, her body heavy with travel fatigue but her thoughts wide awake. The sheets smelled of fresh detergent and unfamiliarity. No fan creaked overhead. No night insects hummed outside the window. It was too quiet — too foreign.
Her parents' voices echoed in her mind, like ghosts that wouldn't rest. Her father shouting in frustration. Her mother, calm but cold. The silence between them at the end — that unbearable silence — was what haunted her most.
Bibxy turned to her side, then to the other. Her pillow offered no comfort. Tears didn't come, only the ache. That dull, slow throb of a heart trying to forget.
She glanced at the clock on her phone. 3:17 AM.
She sat up and opened the curtain just a little. The campus courtyard was empty, bathed in a bluish moonlight. Everything looked peaceful — like the world had paused just to give her space to breathe. But peace was a stranger tonight.
She didn't remember when she finally drifted off, but when her alarm blared at 6:30 AM, her eyes were already open, dry and heavy. She sat up slowly, her limbs moving like they were made of stone.
First day of classes.
She pulled herself together in front of the mirror, brushing her long hair into something that looked almost intentional. Her face was pale but pretty. Lip gloss, just enough to keep her from looking like a ghost. She wore a fitted cream top, dark jeans, and her favorite silver necklace — a gift from her dad on her 16th birthday. She didn't wear it often, but today it felt… grounding.
The campus was already buzzing when she stepped out of Maple Hall. Students milled around, schedules in hand, searching for lecture halls and new friends. Bibxy walked slowly, taking it all in. The morning air was crisp, and the buildings looked different in daylight — full of promise.
But with every passing face, she felt more alone. Everyone seemed to already know someone — laughing, hugging, comparing timetables.
She tried to look busy with her phone, scanning her schedule, pretending to search for directions.
That's when it happened.
She bumped into someone — hard.
"Oh my God, I'm so sorry," Bibxy blurted, nearly dropping her phone.
The girl she ran into smiled, wide and genuine. "You're fine! I wasn't looking either. First day jitters?"
Bibxy nodded, slightly breathless. "Yeah… total chaos in my head."
"I feel you. I'm Soya," the girl said, sticking out her hand.
"Bibxy."
"Pretty name. You look new here."
"I am. Just moved in yesterday."
Soya tilted her head. "Same here. Where are you from?"
"It's… complicated." Bibxy gave a small smile. "Let's just say it's far."
"Family drama?"
Bibxy blinked. "How'd you guess?"
Soya laughed softly. "Let's just say… I have a bit of that too."
The two girls stood there for a second — a pause that felt warm instead of awkward.
"You want to go find our lecture hall together?" Soya offered. "I mean, better lost in pairs than alone, right?"
Bibxy nodded, genuinely relieved. "Yes, please."
As they walked off toward their first class, Bibxy felt something loosen in her chest — just a little. Maybe, just maybe, this place wouldn't be as lonely as she feared.