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The distance between us seemed to grow every day, and I missed his comforting embrace and the sound of his voice. I missed our late-night talks and the way he made me laugh. But most of all, I missed his unwavering support and encouragement, especially when it came to me starting college.
Had I made the right decision in coming back to Wyoming? Would I ever feel at home here, or would I always be longing for the warmth and familiarity of San Diego? Only time would tell, but I was determined to focus on my studies and make the most of my time here. After all, it was my dream, and I owed it to myself to see it through.
During my break between classes, I sent a text to Amy, a friend from California who had recently gotten married to Mitch, another Rosedale co-owner, asking her about her honeymoon. Shortly after, she enthusiastically replied, confirming that they had returned and that everyone at Rosedale was missing me—especially Brad.
With my pang of homesickness eased a little, I rushed to my math class, and before I knew it, I was meeting up with Jenna. Thankfully, she had something fun in mind for the evening.
Jenna and I hit it off from the moment we met. It was like we were long-lost sisters, even though we hailed from different parts of the country. Jenna was a Midwest gal from Chicago, and I was a chick with one foot in Wyoming and the other in Cali. But despite our different backgrounds, we quickly discovered that we had a lot in common.
Rushing down the steps of Campus Common, I heard Jenna's voice calling out to me, "Courtney, over here. The games are about to start."
Jenna guided us as we walked towards the expansive open field on campus while the sun was setting. The field was alive with activity, brightened up by twinkling fairy lights draping across the trees. The energy was high, with students conversing and participating in games and icebreakers while laughing and having fun.
Jenna and I exchanged a quick, excited glance before diving into the fray. We joined a group of students playing a game called ‘human bingo,’ where we had to find people who fit the descriptions listed on a card—such as ‘has been to five different countries’ or ‘can play a musical instrument.’ The objective was to fill out the entire bingo card, which meant striking up conversations with complete strangers and asking them about their lives.
"Hey, I'm Courtney," I said, introducing myself to a girl with bright blue hair and an infectious smile. "Can you speak more than one language?"
"Hi, I'm Lexi! Yeah, actually, I speak English, Spanish, and a bit of French," she replied, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "How about you?"
I laughed, shaking my head. "Just English, but I've always wanted to learn another language."
We continued to chat, discovering that we shared a love of photography and travel. Lexi's easygoing nature and sense of humor made it feel like we'd known each other for ages. The game proved to be a fantastic icebreaker, and I was grateful for the opportunity to connect with new people.
After completing our bingo cards, Jenna and I decided to hit the food stands, our stomachs rumbling from the enticing smells wafting through the air. As we waited in line, we chatted with a group of guys standing nearby, discussing our favorite TV shows and movies.
"I can't believe the new season of 'Guardian Chronicles' is starting soon!" Jenna enthused, her eyes lighting up. "I've been waiting forever!"
One of the guys, a tall, lanky fellow with glasses, grinned. "I know, right? It's going to be epic. I'm Dylan, by the way."
"Nice to meet you, Dylan. I'm Jenna, and this is Courtney," Jenna replied, gesturing towards me.
The conversation flowed smoothly, and we quickly bonded over our shared love of fantasy and adventure stories. As we made our way around the food stands, filling our plates with an assortment of delicious treats, the group dynamic was easy and comfortable.
Once we'd settled down on a grassy area with our food, we continued to chat and laugh, occasionally pausing to enjoy the live music being performed on a nearby stage. It was a perfect blend of easygoing conversation and comfortable silence as we savored our meals and enjoyed the entertainment.
As the night wore on, Jenna and I noticed a photo booth set up on the edge of the field. We exchanged excited glances before making our way over, eager to capture the memory of our first night as college students.
"Let's do a funny one first!" Jenna suggested, rummaging through a box of props and pulling out oversized sunglasses and a feather boa.
Feeling grateful for the bond I was already forming with Jenna, I allowed her to lead me into a new place. Despite being a freshman college student at twenty-six years old, I was excited to embrace the connections and experiences of college life. As the evening drew to a close, Jenna and I returned to our dorm.
Jenna flopped down on her bed and shot me a curious glance. "So, what did you think about Dylan? You know, his room is just down the hall from ours.”
I smiled, remembering our conversation from earlier. "He seemed like a nice guy. Smart, funny, and easy to talk to."
She bit her lip, hesitating for a moment before asking, "Do you think he's cute or something? I mean….”
I raised an eyebrow and teased her, "Why? Are you developing a little crush on him?"
Jenna's cheeks flushed a soft pink. "Maybe a little. But I wouldn't even know where to start if I wanted him to ask me out."
I leaned over, resting my chin on my hand. "Well, what have you tried so far?"
Jenna let out a small sigh. "Honestly, not much. I tried some subtle flirting and dropping hints, but I don't think he caught on."
I grinned. "Sometimes, being direct is the way to go. Just go for it and ask him out. What's the worst that could happen?"
Her eyes widened, considering my suggestion. "Really? You think I should?"
