FIRST NIGHT IN UNI

After few minutes of tears, Geraldine finished packing up while Valeria crosschecked the house to see if she didn't forget anything she would be needing in school and the room, after she was sure she picked up her bag.

"I didn't forget anything Mother" Valeria said still looking teary

"Let's go dear" Geraldine said picking up another bag and they leave the room. A cab was waiting for them, the mother and daughter duo packed the bags in the trunk of the car. After packing the three bags, the can zoomed off.

Valeria was excited, sad and nervous, she would miss her family but also has the chance to be with Dennis throughout the holiday and school period. She will also be able to experience what school is before resumption. The cab halted in front of the residential building, Valeria breath in and out heavily, she looked at her mother who has been silently shedding tears.

"Mother, I know this will be my first time staying away from you especially this far but it has to happen and I'm not going forever. We will still see each other almost every time" Valeria said comforting her mother.

"Thank you for those soothing words but you can't understand the pain of a mother" Geraldine said wiping her tears

"And you won't understand the tears of a daughter leaving her confidant" Valeria said with tears. The mother and daughter cried again while the cab driver wonder what kind of close relationship they share that made it so difficult for them to leave each other. They were still in their emotional moment when someone knock on the window, they look towards the knock and Hannah was standing smiling at them.

"It's Hannah" Valeria said waving at her. They alighted from the cab.

"Hi Best roommate" Hannah greeted hugging her happily.

"Hello Hannah" Valeria greeted back

"Hi Mrs Melvin" Hannah greeted with a smile.

"How are you darling?" Geraldine asked returning the smile

"I'm excited" Hannah replied looking towards her brother who is walking towards them.

"Hi Valeria" Benjamin greeted leaving Valeria in shock. He didn't tell her he was going to be here.

"Hi Benjie Baker" Valeria greeted back still in shock.

"Hello Mrs Melvin" Benjamin greeted smiling at Valeria instead of her mother

"Hello Mr Baker" Geraldine greeted looking at how he looks at her daughter and the shock on Valeria's face

"Let's go inside" Hannah said knowing the atmosphere is about to be awkward.

Valeria packed her three bags inside with her mother while Hannah dragged in six bags.

"Your dorm is spacious" Benjamin said helping Hannah fix her bag in her assigned wardrobe

"Very spacious" Geraldine supported looking at the room again

"Now that you've helped us settle, you two can leave now" Hannah said smiling

"Oh no problem then" Benjamin said looking at Valeria who became quiet.

"Are you fine Valeria?" Hannah asked before Benjamin could

"Yeah sure" Valeria nodded

"Your brothers wants to see you on video call" Geraldine said coming towards Valeria. Hannah and her brother move away to give them family time.

"Hi brothers" Valeria greeted with a smile

"How are you Valeria" James asked

"I'm good and you guys?" Valeria asked back

"We are good Valeria" Albert replied

"Mother said you are resuming early" Benedict said and Valeria nodded

"I'm glad it wasn't a tough decision to make" James said with a smile

"It was at first but became easy since my roommate was resuming early too" Valeria replied

"How's fame taking a toll on you?" Albert asked

"I'm not living the life yet. I still don't believe I'm a celebrity, I feel like everything will die down soon" Valeria replied and she notice the stare of Benjie Baker.

"It will die down if you let it" Benedict said

"You can use it to your advantage especially in your new school" James added

"I don't want fashion to speak for me, I want my intelligence to do that" Valeria replied looking at Benjamin this time.

"My friends call me gem sister" Francis said laughing

"That name is yet to stick" Valeria replied laughing

"The name suits you perfectly cause you are a gem" Albert said with a smile

"Thank you Albert" Valeria replied with a smile

"Guys say your goodbyes" Geraldine said

"We love you sister" Francis said sadly

"Stay focus Valeria!" James added sadly

"I will brothers. Don't let us start another round of tears, I'm feeling emotional already" Valeria said and her brothers nod. Geraldine who has been holding her tears quickly end the call.

"Take care of yourself Valeria, I will leave now" Geraldine said as she pick up her bag holding her tears. Valeria hugged her mother.

"See you soon mother" Valeria said and Geraldine left without saying goodbye to Hannah and Benjamin.

"Valeria are you fine?" Benjamin asked walking towards her. He sits next to her and hug her, Valeria who has been holding her tears let it out.

"Stop crying darling" Benjamin said consoling her

"I will miss her so much" Valeria said amidst tears

"She will miss you too" Benjamin said and kiss her forehead. Valeria was surprised he did that, she move away from him.

"Thank you" She said wiping her tears. The atmosphere became awkward and thick.

"Benjamin" Hannah who was arranging her clothes turn to them, she notice how thick the air became.

"Were you crying darling?" Hannah asked walking towards them

"Just going to miss my mother so much" Valeria replied walking away from them.

"Awwwn, you too share a close relationship" Hannah said smiling

"Yes, I'm the only girl in the family" Valeria replied

"Wow! How many brothers do you have?" Hannah asked excitedly

"Four brothers" Valeria replied. She felt happy that Hannah came in with a conversation.

"I will let you guys be" Benjamin said. Hannah hug her brother and he wave at Valeria

"Bye Benjie Baker" Valeria said waving. Benjamin left the girls alone, they arranged their stuffs in their assigned wardrobe.

An hour later, they were both done arranging their luggage.

"I'm exhausted" Hannah said sitting on the bed

"Arranging and packing can be so exhausting" Valeria replied sitting on her bed too. She had unpacked earlier and helped Hannah with her stuffs.

"I'm really hungry" Hannah said touching her stomach

"You have cereals right?" Valeria asked

"Yes, I do" Hannah replied wondering what she wanted to say

"Take that before we go out to get something to eat" Valeria said

"Oh that's a great idea" Hannah replied, she stood up and did as Valeria said.

"Do you feel better now?" Valeria asked smiling at the girl who just finished eating

"Yes I am" Hannah replied smiling back.

"Can I ask you a question?" Valeria asked curiously

"What's that?" Hannah asked back

"When we met the second time in the train, you said you don't stay in Chicago but I went to your house the other day" Valeria said

"I know where you are driving at. We all don't stay in Chicago except Benjamin as at that time we met in the train, my parents bought a house here in Chicago, the one you came to the other day. My parents all of a sudden decided to leave Michigan and stay in Chicago a day before the party, most of the guest came from Michigan" Hannah explained

"Wow! Where in Michigan?" Valeria asked surprisingly

"South Haven" Hannah replied smiling knowing Valeria is pleased to know where she's from

"Why does Benjie Baker not stay in Michigan?" Valeria asked trying not to act like she's interfering

"Benjamin is the worst son and the best brother! Two different personalities, he actually works here in Chicago" Hannah replied with a smile.

"What work does he do?" Valeria asked curiously

"He keeps it secret and only his close friends know he works there" Hannah replied

"Oh okay then" Valeria said not wanting to interfere

"He works at Chicago State University" Hannah said and Valeria look at her in surprise. She wasn't expecting him to be a tutor, he looks more of a musician or club person.

"You seem surprised" Hannah said noticing her expression

"What does he do there Hannah?" Valeria asked to be sure since there are many other office position in a school setting.

"He lectures of course" Hannah replied laughing.

"I'm really impressed" Valeria said with a genuine smile

"How did you two become so close?" Hannah asked

"We ain't that close Han" Valeria replied with a smile

"So you thought or you are hiding things from me" Hannah said teasingly

"Not at all" Valeria replied looking if they are truly close or not.

"I'm not the type of sister that won't allow my friend to date my brother, I love my brother so much that his happiness matters to me a lot" Hannah said with a serious face making Valeria uncomfortable.

"Why didn't you go to Chicago State University?" Valeria asked changing the topic

"Because my brother's happiness matters to me a lot" Hannah replied still referring to the changed topic.

"That's so nice. I have four brothers and I love them so much too, I tried picking a favorite but I couldn't because they have their own usefulness and importance in my life. They play different role and I feel great to have them" Valeria said making Hannah feel emotional.

"That's so sweet" Hannah said smiling

"Let's go to the cafeteria to get food" Valeria said and they walk out of the room.