The first day came faster than Victoria Loveth expected.
University.
Just the word alone felt heavy.
Exciting.
And terrifying.
Victoria stood in front of a much bigger gate this time.
Nothing like her old school.
This one was wide, crowded, alive with unfamiliar faces moving in every direction.
Students dragged suitcases, laughed loudly, argued, made calls.
Everything felt fast.
Too fast.
Victoria tightened her grip on her bag.
"This is it…" she whispered.
No uniforms.
No fixed seats.
No familiar faces.
Just a new world waiting to be explored.
She stepped inside.
And instantly felt lost.
Buildings stretched high around her.
Voices echoed from every direction.
Different accents.
Different styles.
Different lives.
Victoria walked slowly, her eyes scanning everything, trying to understand where she fit in.
"Excuse me," a voice said.
She turned.
A girl stood in front of her, smiling.
"Are you new?" she asked.
Victoria nodded. "Is it that obvious?"
The girl laughed. "Very."
"I'm Ada," she said, extending her hand.
"Victoria… Victoria Loveth."
"Nice to meet you," Ada said warmly. "You look like you need help."
Victoria smiled slightly. "I do."
"Come on," Ada said. "I'll show you around."
As they walked, Ada talked non-stop.
Pointing at buildings.
Explaining where everything was.
Giving small advice.
"Don't trust everyone here," she said casually. "But don't be scared either."
Victoria listened carefully.
"You'll be fine," Ada added.
Victoria hoped she was right.
Later, Victoria found herself sitting in a large lecture hall.
Hundreds of students.
No one knew her.
No one cared.
For the first time in a long time…
She felt invisible.
She sat quietly, watching people form groups, laugh, share conversations.
She adjusted her bag on her lap.
A small part of her missed the classroom.
Missed knowing everyone.
Missed being known.
Her phone buzzed.
She looked down.
Tobi: First day abi? Don't go and forget me because of big university o.
Victoria smiled instantly.
Victoria: Never. I'm just trying to survive here.
Tobi: You'll be fine. You always are.
She stared at the message for a moment.
Something about it made her feel… grounded.
Like a small piece of her old life was still with her.
Days turned into weeks.
And slowly…
Victoria began to change.
Not in a bad way.
But in a necessary way.
She became more confident.
More aware.
More independent.
She learned how to move through crowds.
How to speak up.
How to stand on her own.
She and Ada became close.
Sharing classes.
Laughing together.
Studying late.
But even with all that…
Sometimes…
Victoria still felt a quiet emptiness.
One evening, she sat outside her hostel, watching the sky turn orange.
Students passed by, laughing, arguing, living their lives.
Her phone buzzed again.
Tobi: I miss our school days.
Victoria smiled sadly.
Victoria: Me too.
There was a pause.
Then another message came.
Tobi: Do you miss me?
Victoria stared at the screen.
Her heart beat a little faster.
She hesitated.
Then typed slowly:
Victoria: Maybe more than I expected.
She hit send.
And immediately felt something shift inside her.
Moments later, her phone rang.
Tobi.
She answered.
"Hello?"
"'Maybe'?" Tobi's voice came through, teasing. "That's all I get?"
Victoria laughed softly.
"What do you want me to say?"
"The truth."
She looked up at the sky.
Then said quietly,
"I miss you."
Silence.
Then Tobi said softly,
"I miss you too, Victoria Loveth."
For the first time since leaving school…
Victoria didn't feel lost.
She felt…
Connected.
But she didn't know yet…
That this new life she was building
Would test her in ways she never imagined.