“Don’t worry about it. Rae, right? I’m Meredith,” she said.
I snickered. “Sorry. Today’s been a bit of a whirlwind.”
“Right? I mean, it’s been insane. But I’m glad I found you guys. I was terrified I’d do this orientation alone.”
I heard Kristen call out. At least, I thought her name was Kristen.
“Over here, guys! We got a view with this table!”
Meredith lowered her voice. “Kirstie, right?”
I snickered. “I thought it was Kristen.”
The two of us picked up our trays and made our way to the table. We all sat down, and I gazed out through the window I sat against. It looked like the whole of the campus could be seen from here. There were lush trees and brick walkways. People walking below us and professors strutting across campus. I saw two or three different tours walk underneath us before someone cleared their throat.
And when I looked back at the girls, I found them staring at me.
“So, did you say something about your boyfriend liking classic rock?”
I paused. “Kayla, right?”
She smiled. “Yep! Kayla and Kristie.”
Kristie. That’s it. “Do you two know one another?”
Kristie smiled. “We went to the same high school. Not really friends, until we figured out we were coming to the same college.”
Kayla nodded. “And now we’re best buds!”
Meredith giggled. “Well, I’m Meredith. And this is Rae. We don’t know each other, but she’s cool.”
Kayla nodded. “Totally. But, I want to know more about this boyfriend.”
Kristie smiled. “Is he hot? High school sweetheart? Coming with you to college?”
Meredith snickered. “Who brings a boyfriend to college with all these hunky men walking around campus?”
I paused. “Wait, is that not a thing?”
Meredith looked over at me. “Is what not a thing?”
I sighed. “Not bringing a boyfriend to college. Because he’s definitely here with me right now. He’s waiting for me to get back from orientation.”
Kayla held up her hand. “Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Your boyfriend is here with you, but not on campus with you?”
Kristie grinned. “Sounds like trouble in paradise.”
Meredith took a sip of her water. “Why bring him anyway? I mean, if he’s not going to be with you here, what's the point?”
I furrowed my brow. “I’m not following.”
Kristie interjected. “What she means is, college changes people. Friends grow apart and people fade away. They find their own group of friends to fall into. Like the jocks and the geeks and the sorority girls. I mean, it’s why I broke up with my boyfriend last week.”
Kayla gasped. “Wait, you did? With Jared?”
Kristie nodded. “Uh huh. I mean, he’s going to college on the other side of the country. What’s the point? Besides, did you see those guys in front of us at orientation? I’ve already got my eye on the redhead.”
I looked over at Meredith and she shrugged.