College Life 101: Freshman Orientation
by J.B. Vample
Genre: NA Contemporary Fiction
Release Date: December 18th 2015
Summary:
Leaving home for the first time to attend college is stressful enough. But when the roommate lottery of Paradise Valley University strikes, it produces couples who have absolutely nothing in common; causing personality clashes which takes the stress to a whole new level. Dismay hits Sidra Howard, the prim and proper princess, when she contemplates spending an entire semester with Chasity Parker, the troubled beauty with a sharp tongue and even sharper claws. Malajia Simmons, a boy crazed, attention seeking diva, is no happier. Not only does she get stuck with the upper bunk bed, she has to share a triple room with Alexandra Chisolm, a nosey and overbearing, self proclaimed “know-it-all”. But even the meddling Alexandra isn’t as bad as Emily Harris, the shy, mommy’s girl with a non-existent backbone.
Coming to college to escape her home life, Chasity hopes to get through the semester without any problems. Her hopes are tainted once she begins to have to resist the advances of a determined football star, on top of dealing with family drama which seems to have followed her. Alexandra’s need to fix everyone’s problems not only rubs her roommates the wrong way, it also causes her to fall blind to the problems brewing with the boyfriend that she left behind. Eventually she’ll be forced to face the issues head on. Emily’s refusal to come out of her shell is too much to handle for party girl Malajia, whose main purpose is to have fun and be seen. The same doesn’t apply to Sidra, who’s more concerned with trying to keep her over-the-top stress level under control.
These five young women try to handle family drama, pressure, and conflicts; all while trying to maintain their grades. They quickly learn that college life isn’t what they expected and must adapt to their new environment if they ever hope to make it through their first semester.
Excerpt:
Sidra sucked her teeth. Seriously? she thought, of all the colleges in this country, we had to pick the same one. She had known Malajia for years. Right up until their second year of high school, they had been friends. Then the arguments started, and they drifted apart. They didn’t have anything in common anymore; their new personalities and interests clashed. It was a relief when Malajia and her family moved to Baltimore.
“So I take it that you two know each other,” Alex concluded.
Sidra rolled her eyes, “Unfortunately, yes.”
“You act like knowing you is a joy,” Malajia snapped.
Sidra huffed, “Still loud and extra.”
“And you still overdress,” Malajia shot back.
“Ah, here we go with the comments about my damn clothes.” Sidra dismissed her negative comments by elegantly tossing her hands in the air. All through high school she had been the butt of snide remarks. She ignored them and never attempted to dress down.
“So? You started it, you snobby, prissy, freak,” Malajia shot back, pointing at her.
Emily hated it when people argued, and petty arguments simply annoyed Chasity. Both girls, so unalike in personalities, reacted in a similar fashion. They turned away, trying to pretend that Sidra and Malajia were not sitting a couple of feet away.
“Come on you two, that’s enough,” Alex interrupted, her patience exhausted. Malajia and Sidra startled, stopped arguing, and sat back like two children whose mother had told them to be quiet. “We’re in college now,” Alex reminded. “Whatever happened between you two in the past needs to stay there.”
“Whatever Alexandra,” Malajia responded acerbically. “Save that nonsense for this girl over here,” she advised, pointing to Chasity. “She looks like she needs a good talking to.”
“Bitch, I’ll beat that fake ass hair color off your head,” Chasity threatened, gesturing to Malajia’s burgundy locks
“I’d pay to see that.” Sidra cracked up laughing.
Malajia rolled her eyes at Sidra, then focused on Chasity. “Was that really necessary?”
“You shouldn’t have said anything to me. That was your mistake,” Chasity pointed out.
Alex decided to diffuse the situation. She leaned over and introduced herself to the sullen girl. “Hey, I’m Alex. What’s your name?”
“Why are you talking to me?” Chasity snarled with a cold bluntness that took Alex aback. Chasity had insulted Malajia, but Alex figured it was payback for saying something smart to her first. She didn’t think that she would snap over a simple introduction.
“Alex, this ball of sunshine is my roommate Chasity,” Sidra interjected in a not-so-enthused tone.
“You won’t be my roommate for long,” Chasity threatened.
“What are you going to do? Kill me? Because that’s the only way that you’re going to get me out of that room,” Sidra shot back.
“Don’t tempt me Princess,” Chasity warned.
“Will you two stop it?” Alex butted in sternly, her patience worn out. “Can we all just start over? I think that if we can do that, then we’re all gonna end up being the best of friends.”
The four girls stared at her, dumbfounded at the insane suggestion.
Alex shrugged, “We could,” she maintained.
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About the Author:
J.B. was born in Philadelphia, PA but has lived in California, Arizona and Maryland (while attending The University of Maryland Eastern Shore). Although she works as a Lead Time Entry Analyst, her first love is and has always been writing. She admits to having an over active imagination and to being a chronic day dreamer, both have helped with her writing. (She says that the scenes from her books play like a movie in her head). Aside from writing, she enjoys martial arts and reading.
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