I woke up in my bed in my dorm. Mandy was already bustling around, getting ready for the day. I rubbed my eyes and sat up on one arm, wincing from the pain. "What time is it?" You could hear it in my voice. She looked at me in surprise. "I didn't think you'd be up before I left," she started. "How are you feeling?" "Like I just went through H311," I responded. She helped me to sit up. "That's how it always feels." She replied. "I'm surprised you even got up - I slept for two days after my first." "Really?" I asked incredulously. She nodded. "Just so you know, no one expects you to go in today." "But it's my first day!" I protested. "I have to prove something of myself!" She sighed. "You really shouldn't," she started. I shot her a look. "Fine. If you can get up and get ready in the next 15 minutes, I'll walk you down to the freshman complex. Sound like a plan?" I nodded, eager to prove how strong I was to her. "I'll help you get out of bed, but that's all I'm helping you with." "Fine by me," I responded. I limped over to the closet and grabbed my uniform. I turned back to Mandy. "Do I have time to take a quick shower?" I asked. She looked at her watch. "It has to be really quick - like five minutes." She replied. "I can do that." I said. I turned to the bathroom, but she stopped me. "I have to run over to my friend's dorm real quick, I'll be back in ten minutes." "Okay," I replied. With that, I scrambled to the bathroom and turned on the water. I was in and out of the shower in five minutes, just like Mandy said. I threw on my ugly uniform and grabbed the brush laying on the countertop. Within the next five minutes, I was back out in the main dorm putting on the ugly grey dress boots. Mandy walked in the door as I tied up the laces. She held a plate of biscuits. "Mandy!" I exclaimed. "Where did you get those?" She shrugged. "I told you I was going to visit a friend." She handed me the plate. "Hurry up. You missed breakfast and have to get down to the complex soon." "I'm trying!" I said, stuffing my mouth. "You certainly seem fixed up," she observed. "almost as good as new!" "What can I say? A shower does wonders for me." I said, still stuffing my face. I stood up slowly and wiped the crumbs off my pants. "Still a little bumped and bruised, though." I said, rubbing the back of my head. "Ready to go?" She asked. "Yep," I said, grabbing two more biscuits for the road. She held the door open for me. "After you."
