Chapter 21
Nesta POV
The next morning dawned bright and early, the sun casting a golden glow across the pack house. The windows in my ro were open. I forgot to close them.
I was awake before the knock on my door, my nerves and excitement making it impossible to sleep in. Elara burst into the room, her enthusiasm palpable,
It is college day!
“Nesta, rise and shine! It’s your first day of college!” she exclaimed, her voice filled with infectious energy.
I smiled at her, the excitement in her eyes reflecting my own. “Good morning to you too, Elara,‘ I greeted her, pushing back the covers and swinging my legs out of bed.
“Come on, let’s get you ready,” she said, practically bouncing on her toes.
She shooed me towards the bathroom, and I laughed as I made my way to the shower, the warm water washing away any lingering sleepiness. I have been laughing a lot lately.
While I bathed. I could hear Elara rummaging through my closet, muttering to herself about sizes and styles. I finished. quickly, eager to see what she had found for me
Wrapping myself in a towel, I stepped out of the bathroom to find Elara holding up a couple of outfits, her brow furrowed in concentration. That is definitely from her closet and not my empty one.
“These are a bit big, but they’ll do for now,” she said, her eyes lighting up when she saw me. “We’ll go on a shopping spree later and fill up your closet properly”
I nodded, grateful for her thoughtfulness. “Thanks, Elara. I really appreciate it.”
She waved off my gratitude with a smile. “It’s no problem at all. Now, let’s get you dressed.”
She chose a simple but comfortable outfit, the clothes a bit loose but manageable. Elara helped me adjust the fit, her hands working quickly and efficiently.
Once I was dressed, she stepped back and gave me an appraising look. She is slowly making me love my body again. The way she praises it every step of the way.
“You look perfect,” she declared, beaming with pride. “Are you ready to conquer college?”
I took a deep breath, feeling a mixture of nerves and excitement. As ready as I’ll ever be,” I replied, my voice steady with determination
Elara grinned and linked her arm through mine. Then let’s go make your first day unforgettable.”
As we made our way out of the pack house and towards the college, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of gratitude for Elara’s support and encouragement. With her by my side, I knew I could face any challenge that came my way.
I stood at the threshold of my new journey, nerves twisted in my stomach like a restless storm.
The imposing building of the college loomed ahead, filled with unfamiliar faces and unknown challenges. My doubt seeping into my mind despite the determination I had felt earlier.
My steps faltered.
Sensing my hesitation, Elara squeezed my hand reassuringly. “Nesta, you’re going to be amazing,” she said, her voice a soothing balm to my frayed nerves.
Her presence was a constant source of comfort, grounding me when the uncertainty threatened to overwhelm. She has this easy feeling around her.
She introduced me to the faculty and helped me fill out forms, her confidence infectious as she chatted with the staff, making the whole experience feel less daunting.
“You’ve got this, Nesta, she kept saying, her smile never wavering. Her support was unwavering, her encouragement a lifeline 1 chung to.
Once the formalities were over, Elara handed me a phone. It is a small rose gold with a chewed apple at the back. So sleek and looks extremely expensive.
“Here, this is my other phone. I want you to have it,” she said, placing it gently in my hand. “You’ve already learned how to use it. Remember all that research we did on those werewolf websites about pregnancy?”
I nodded, a small smile tugging at my lips. The countless hours we spent together, diving into the wealth of information online, had been an unexpected source of bonding and fun-
It had made me more comfortable with the technology, and now the phone felt like a lifeline, a connection to Elara and all the knowledge she had shared.
“Thank your Elara,” I said, my voice filled with genuine gratitude. For everything.”Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.
She grinned, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Anytime. And remember, I’m just a call or text away if you need anything.
You’re not alone in this.
With Elara’s encouraging words echoing in my mind, I took a deep breath and stepped into the college building. Despite the nervousness still gnawing at me, I felt a flicker of confidence.
I wasn’t just stepping into a new chapter of my life; I was doing it with a friend who believed in me wholeheartedly. And that made all the difference.
Elara led me through the bustling corridors of the college, her energy as vibrant as ever. The hallways were filled with students rushing to their classes, their laughter and chatter creating a symphony of activity that made my heart race.
The reality of starting college hit me hard; my stomach churned with nerves as we approached my first classroom.
“Here we are,” Elara said, stopping in front of a door labelled with the class number. She gave me a reassuring smile, her hand resting gently on my shoulder.)
“This is your first class. I know it’s already a few weeks into the session, but you’ll catch up in no time. You’re a fast learner, Nesta
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. The prospect of walking into a room full of strangers, already settled into their routines, was daunting. But Elara’s confidence in me was a beacon of hope.
“Don’t worry about a thing,” she continued, her voice a calming presence. I’ve spoken to the professor, and they’re expecting you. Everyone here is really nice, and you’ll fit right in”
I nodded, my grip tightening around the strap of my bag. “Thanks again, Elara. For everything.”
She gave me one last encouraging smile. “You’ll be great. Just be yourself. With that, she opened the door and gently nudged me inside.
The room fell silent as I stepped in, dozens of eyes turning to look at me. My heart pounded, but I forced myself to take another deep breath and smile
The professor, a kind–looking woman with glasses perched on the end of her nose, smiled warmly and gestured for me to come forward
“Class, this is Nesta, she introduced me. “She’s joining us a bit late, but I’m sure you’ll all help her feel welcome.”
The students murmured greetings, and a few even smiled at me. I felt a small measure of relief wash over me as I found an empty seat near the back.
As I settled in, I glanced back at the door to see Elara giving me a final thumbs
final thumbs up before disappearing from view. I took a deep breath with my eyes closed then opened them to ease the tension.
The class resumed, and I focused on the lesson, trying to absorb as much as I could. The initial nervousness began to fade as I immersed myself in the material
Despite the late start, I knew I could catch up. With Elara’s unwavering support and the determination burning within me, I was ready to tackle this new challenge head–on.