My friends were here.
It was as though everyone had planned to move in at the same time.
And I was happy.
Finally, I didn't have to worry about inconveniencing anyone.
I could have fun with them without feeling like I was being too much.
Without feeling like I was overstaying.
The second semester had begun, and everyone was back in the hostel, including my roommates.
Even though things were still the same in the house, I wasn't bothered.
My friends were around, after all.
Everyone had started going for lectures.
Attending classes.
Keeping up with school.
And I was still the same.
Still not attending classes.
I had tried to, but it was as if the universe was telling me not to.
From having trouble entering the school to having trouble coming out.
It was always something.
I wasn't built for that level of stress.
So I stuck to what worked for me.
Practicals.
Those, I never missed.
And sometimes, when I felt like it, I'd go for lectures.
But most of the time…
I stayed at home.
My friends were around me, but they were busy.
Always busy.
We were all in different departments.
Although most of them—except one—were in the same faculty.
They were engineering students.
I was in physical sciences.
And the other was in the education faculty.
We all had different timetables.
Different schedules.
Different routines.
So most of the time…
I was alone.
Even with them nearby.
Despite spending some time in my department, I was still a stranger there.
I rarely attended classes.
So people didn't really know me.
Only my group members were somewhat familiar with me.
One day, I decided to go for a lecture.
Random.
Unplanned.
When I got to school, I realized I didn't even know where the lecture was holding.
So I went to the department group chat and picked a random contact.
I asked for directions.
The person replied.
Gave me the location.
Simple.
That should have been the end of it.
But it wasn't.
We kept talking.
Not too much at first.
Just small conversations.
Questions.
Clarifications.
But somehow…
It became easier.
Maybe because the person was a stranger.
Or maybe because I didn't know who they were.
There were no expectations.
No pressure.
No judgment.
It felt like I could say anything.
And not worry about how it would sound.
And for the first time…
I made a friend by myself.
Without anyone introducing me.
Without being pushed into it.
Even if it was just a virtual friend.
Thanks to them…
I wasn't so lonely anymore.
We were similar in some ways.
Different in others.
But it worked.
The semester went by quietly.
Nothing special.
Nothing dramatic.
Just time passing.
Before I knew it, it was over.
It was December.
Close to Christmas.
And we were given a break.
I wanted to go home.
Not because I missed home—
But because the hostel had become too quiet.
Most people had traveled.
Including my roommates…
Except Victoria.
I didn't understand why she didn't travel.
But she was barely around.
She'd leave during the day.
Come back at night.
Sometimes, she wouldn't come back at all.
So technically…
I was still alone.
I didn't have money for transport.
So I called my sister and asked for help.
She sent it.
I went to the ATM to withdraw the fare.
Everything seemed fine.
Until it wasn't.
I was debited.
But the transaction failed.
I didn't understand.
I tried again.
Nothing.
The money was gone.
The only thing I could do was complain to the bank.
They told me to wait.
Three to seven working days.
Three to seven.
That meant one thing.
I would be here for Christmas.
At first, I didn't know how to feel about that.
But it wasn't so bad.
Three of my friends didn't travel either.
For reasons I didn't even bother asking.
And honestly…
I wasn't complaining.
It just meant I didn't have to be by myself.
Christmas was different.
But somehow…
It was memorable.
Maybe Christmas away from home wasn't so bad after all.