After a lifetime of attending the same public school with all the same people, year after year, I had been looking forward to moving out of state for college. Attending a university full of students who took classes seriously and didn't remember my early years of failed potty training, was a dream. My acceptance letter to USC was expected and celebrated accordingly when it arrived.  

I guess most people are hesitant about leaving their friends and families, but I was excited. I always knew I was destined for bigger things in life. Friends were only temporary, I know that and never bothered getting closer to them than necessary for a group project or class nomination. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't a recluse by any means; I had sleep over parties, sates to every dance, I was Mackenzie Adams, class president, peer counselor, valedictorian, and every bodies best friend.  

None of it really meant anything thought. High school is meaningless and so are the relationships made there. All that mattered was med school, and I would do whatever it takes to get there.  

My dream of being a doctor isn't about the money, it isn't about pleasing the pathetic dreams or forceful expectations of my parents. In fact, I don't have any parents left to please, they both died in a car accident when I was eight. Being a doctor for me is all about the power you have over life and death. The control you have over fate, families, and their futures. I don't have parents, but I do have a trust fund set aside specifically for college, and I am going to go to the best.  

Why USC? Simple - it's the furthest, top -ranked school from Rhode Island, and once I left, I didn't ever want to go back. I've spent the last ten years living with my aunt, who has been kind, supportive, but all together just another person in my life that I'll be leaving behind.  

This first week on campus has been a quiet one. There were legends of parties, but since the upper classmen all had the privilege of pre-registration, most of them were still on summer vacation. My roommate was likable, she's pre-med as well, so we've managed to get a few classes together, although her job schedule gets in the way of a few.  

I like to have the same schedule every day, I find comfort in repetition. I've filled my mornings with classes in order to leave my afternoons free for studying and coursework. Sadia will be at work so I'll have the room to myself, something I'm already looking forward to as I fake interest in her rant about her parent's rules and expectations.  

"And they've forbidden me from dating during my first year! Can you believe that? I mean, what's the point in living in California if you can't even love on some hot frat boys?" 

I laugh casually at her statement, knowing that her parents weren't going to keep her from doing anything she didn't want to do. The girl has already gotten the number of every guy on our floor and between her exotic looks and flirtatious personality, I'm sure she'll have one of them nailed down in no time.  

"You're so lucky you don't have parents around to ruin your life." She continues.  

I don't react, I'm use to people making dumb, insensitive comments. I simply wait for her to realize what she's said and feel appalled by it.  

But it doesn't come, she just keeps talking. 

"I mean, it must be great just being able to do whatever you want without having to please anyone else. Never having to worry about pissing anyone off, or disappointing them. True freedom, and you have it!" 

I am stunned by her harshness, but yet, find it intriguing. I chalk it up to cultural difference - her callousness may make the perfect roommate.  

"You need to find a guy Kenzie! You've been here a week now and have barely spoken to anyone." 

"I don't need to. They'll come to me." I say with confidence. I've never been the type to chase, or even flirt really. 

"Your 'I let guys chase me' mantra may have worked in high school, but this is college, and these guys are going to have hot drunk girls throwing themselves at them every night of the week, you're going to need to step up your game - at least show some cleavage!" 

I don't respond. I've come to the conclusion that Sadia just enjoy's hearing herself talk. I find it much more interesting to see where she leads her own conversation, than trying to redirect it into anything that I might actually contribute to. I don't really agree or disagree with her on the topic at hand, I mean there are some good looking men on campus, and I would be more than interested in getting to know a few of them, but I figure it will come in it's own time, I'm not actively looking to make anything happen. With new classes, coursework, events every other hour and new people around every corner, I'm busy enough just trying to plan the next ten minutes.  

"What about the cute blonde down the hall? With the accent..." 

"I'm pretty sure he is a law student." 

"So.." 

"So he probably has less time than I do, and absolutely nothing interesting to talk about." 

"He's a college student, get him drunk and he'll get interesting." 

I shake my head at her.  

"Do you even know where we are going? I don't think the social science building is this close to the parking lot?" 

Sadia stops and looks around before redirecting us slightly left.  

"We weren't too far off track." She says, trying to reassure me. We're about 15 minutes early so I'm not too concerned.  

Backtracking a bit back to the correct building, my roommate continues on her topic of setting me up with a guy. Apparently there is a bonfire this Friday night and it would be the "perfect opportunity" to put myself out there. As she plans my outfit and how I should do my hair, I press the 3rd floor button on the elevator and lead us inside. 

Exiting the elevator and stepping into the first door on the right, I am surprised to find a normal sized classroom rather than the expected lecture hall. Sadia and I slip into the first two desks nearest to the door and I pull out my laptop and begin booting up.  

"So I figure if I'm not allowed a serious boy friend, I can spend my first year getting to know lots of different guys. I can go on a few dates, keep it casual, and I can always use my parents as an excuse if I end up not liking him." 

"Alright well now that we're back to focusing on you, what is it that you look for in a guy?" 

"Good looks, a major with job potential, a chiseled jaw line, family with money is nice, dresses well.." 

"Ho-ly Fuccckkkk..." I say, cutting her off as the most perfect specimen I've ever laid eyes on walks through the door. Tall, dark and handsome doesn't even begin to describe what this guy has going for him. Golden eyes set against dark skin and a furrowed brow. His hair styled in to a perfect quiff with light stubble splattered across his chin. He looks down at me and smirks, sending me a quick wink that lets me know he heard my profane exclamation.  

I turn my face to hide my blush and notice the figure that followed behind him. Ridiculously colored hair, atrocious piercings, wrinkly stained clothes, and the smell of cheap marijuana. I would know him anywhere, having had him in every single class since the second grade. But this is USC, how in the world did he end up here?