I stood dazedly in the airport, grasping my luggage. I watched people rush purposefully and frantically by while I looked on dumbly.

I tried to make sense of the signs and arrows directing me in (what seemed to be) conflicting ways. Eventually I thought I had it sorted out. I took a deep breath and plunged into the chaos. After several tries I succeed in getting out of the airport, on a ‘bus and going at least in the general direction of the college.

Once I was safely ensconced I had time to reflect. I should have been contemplating my next plan of action, namely, how I was going to get into the college itself without further ado, but instead I found myself chuckling merrily over the thick British accents that surrounded me. It was going to be very strange: to the majority, I was the one with a peculiar accent!

Before I knew it the whirlwind continued, and eventually I found myself in a tiny dorm room, sitting on the bed despondently, wondering what I was to do, exactly. A lady at an information desk had gotten me to my room, and told me that my roommate would probably be along sometime, and that there was an orientation program tonight. As utterly disoriented as I was now, I wished the program where sooner. In the meantime, however, I would simply have to explore on my own. Mom and I had visited in the Spring, and so I remembered where the library was right away, though we hadn’t had time to go in before. I walked through the door and promptly labeled it as my sanctuary. The librarian beamed benevolently down on me, I was surrounded with books and all was quiet. I smiled back at the librarian, who was an elderly lady with fake-y looking blond hair, a wrinkled face, and chunky jewelry.

“May I help with something?” She asked in a perfectly correct, and again, very British voice.

“Well, no, thanks, I’m not looking for anything in particular.”

“New here?” She asked.

“Yes. I’m just trying to figure out where everything is. My mother and I visited here several months ago, but it all seems so strange still.”

“You’re from the U.S.? Or Canada, perhaps.”

“The U.S.” I said. So, my accent gave me away that quickly, did it?

“It’s nice to have you here. My name is Helen.” She said.

A good looking boy walked into the library, and I stepped aside to let him talk to the librarian. I glanced over the library, but didn’t move to explore it.

“Perhaps you would show this young lady from America around the campus, Jack.” The librarian said, rather loudly (for a librarian), so as to catch my attention.

Jack and I turned and stared at each other for a moment. I smiled as nonchalantly as I could.

“Sure.” Jack agreed and smiled back at me. A very peculiar feeling came over me then: this Jack was taken with me. The realization made me feel very embarrassed and awkward. Despite people sometimes telling me that I’m good looking, and that I’m smart, et cetera, I’ve always been considered a geek who isn’t interested in anything so non-academic as guys and boyfriends, which has some truth to it, I’ll admit. But then, deep down, what girl isn’t just a little bit interested in guys? Yes, this new sensation was not altogether unpleasant. After all; every soprano needs her tenor.

“Her name is...” The librarian began, then trailed off, since she hadn’t learned my name yet.

“Miriam.” I supplied.

“So...what are you planning on majoring in? Or are you not sure yet?” Jack queried as we walked away from the library.

“Voice.” I replied. “How about you?”

“History.” I was a little surprised since this college was mostly renowned for it’s music department. But it was ridiculous to suppose that everyone I met here would be studying music. “You’re a freshman, I take it?” He said.

“Yes. And you’re not, I take it.” I laughed.

“Right, I’m a Junior.”

We continued to chat as Jack gave me a personal tour of the campus. It was a pretty campus, and very old fashioned, as Mom and I had observed when we’d visited.

“Hi, Jack.” A girl cried from a small distance away and ran toward us.

“Hi, Bethany.” Jack greeted her, and they shook hands.

“I’m so glad to see you again! Doesn’t it seem like it’s been ages since the Spring?” She gushed. Jack nodded.

“Bethany, this is Miriam. She’s a freshman this year, and I was appointed official and personal tour guard, which duty I’m happily discharging now.” Jack said and we girls giggled.

“Nice to meet you.” Bethany said, extending her hand which I shook. “Have you met your roommate yet? I’m extremely nervous about meeting mine. They changed who I’m with since last year, and I’m supposed to be with a some freshman girl now, and I’m awfully afraid she’ll think I’m the dumbest person she’s ever met, or that she’ll do something weird like sleep walk or kick-boxing.” I couldn’t help laughing a little at this proclamation, then I nodded as solemnly as I could.

“No, I haven’t met my roommate yet.” I said. “I’m sure you’d be a good one; you don’t look like the type to do quirky things.” She said biting her lip and scrutinizing me.

“Well, thanks, but I’m afraid I am rather quirky. And not just because of my American accent.” I said.

“I think your accent is very quaint.” She giggled, then turned to Jack. “Have you seen anybody we know yet? I’m just dying to see them again. Like I said, it seems like it’s been forever, and I have so much to tell them.” She turned toward me again. “I can guess what you’re thinking, Miriam; you’re thinking: this Bethany, she talks a lot.” She said attempting to mimic my voice tone and accent.

“I confess I was thinking something along that line.” I laughed. “But that’s not necessarily a bad thing.”

“Just tell me if you get too annoyed, and I am able to be silent, occasionally.” Bethany assured me. “Wouldn’t it be funny if we were roommates? I mean, you’re a freshman. But then, what are the chances. Slim to none. So...what to you like to do? I’m a bassoonist.”

“I’m a singer.” I replied.

“Oh, that’s grand.” She said. “I love listening to the choir and such here, they’re so good. I’m sure you’ll like it here a lot.”

My day continued in the company of Jack and Bethany. Mostly Bethany did the talking and Jack and I exchanged bemused but pleasant looks every once and while. Bethany would regularly exclaim “Why don’t either of you say something? I’m don’t have to monopolize the conversation. Just push in and say something whenever you want.”

That evening after tea, which event amused me vastly, I attended the orientation program with the other freshmen at the college, and I was feeling pretty welcome when I returned to the dorm. I was still itching to meet my roommate when I opened the door to my room.

There, sitting on the other bed in the room was Bethany. We looked at each other and laughed and laughed.

“Just so you know, I don’t think you’re the dumbest person ever.” I stated once our laughter had subsided. “And I don’t kick-box.”

“What about sleep walk?” Bethany said, pretending to be suspicious. I shook my head.

“Not that I know of.” I laughed, sitting down on my bed. “ I can’t believe how welcoming everyone here has been. I mean, a lot of the people I’ve seen today completely ignored me, but then there’s Jack, and you, and Helen. I’m feeling very lucky right now after all the college horror stories that seem to float around about practically being shunned and feeling like you don’t fit in at all.”

“Save your judgement until classes start, Miriam.” Bethany advised.

I called Mom before I went to bed and told her how wonderful everything seemed to be. I dare say Bethany’s suggestion was well founded, but still, that night I fell asleep surprisingly contented, and eager to meet my teachers and classmates.