Victoria’s phone blared out the alarm she had set for nine-thirty, stirring her from her already uneasy sleep. She shouted and nearly fell off her bed, her heart racing as she struggled against the blanket wrapped around her.
	Realizing what had woken her, she forced herself to go about her usual morning tasks. She got ready for her day as much as she could without leaving her bedroom, then hesitantly went to the bathroom the three girls were to share. To her relief, she did not run into Cali.
	Not entirely sure what all she would need, Victoria shoved her laptop, the books for that day’s couple classes, a few pens and pencils, and a couple folders into a backpack just large enough for the items. With her already well-folded map of the school with the routes she should take in hand, and Alex’s tour the other day in mind, she went to the dorm door.
	She stopped in front of the door, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath to steady her nerves and try to tame her fears.
	[i]Only two classes today,[/i] she reassured herself. Taking another deep breath, she opened her eyes then stepped into the hall. She kept her head down, as always, avoiding people as much as possible.
	She made it to the classroom for English without incident. She instinctively ignored the other faces already there. Choosing a seat near the back, she sat and took out her computer.
	When the teacher, Professor Witkins, entered and the class began, Victoria’s attention wavered from her laptop only long enough to look over the syllabus that got passed out. She found herself glancing to the time on her laptop frequently. The minutes ticked by sluggishly as Witkins went over the syllabus.
	When, at long last, the class ended, Victoria eagerly packed up her things and hurried to the courtyard to wait for Alex. 
	Choosing the same seat as she had before, she pulled her phone from her pocket and checked the time. Eleven-twenty. Unsure when he would arrive--and hoping it would be soon, with her growing stomach already angry from her lack of breakfast--Victoria sat in the same place as yesterday. She dropped her pack to the ground at her feet, pulled out the book for English, and began to read the pages assigned for Wednesday.