How does a summer just dissapear from the present like it never even happened? It's almost like you are in the constant fast lane, unable to really appreciate things until they all become nothing more than a distant memory.

The summer heat, the people you discreetly check out because why not, the beach with an ocean, the clearest blue. The constant state of bliss had gone into thin air and the reality of life seeps back in as it's cold replacement.

Selena Gomez needed those few weeks to herself, just like every person needed once the bad outweighs the good in their lives. Only, rather than going for a spa weekend or drinking the sorrows away alone in her bedroom, she decided to flee to Greece the entire summer by herself so she could relish in her new-found freedom and the anxiety that came with it.

In real life, the second year of university was starting. Freshers week was not prepared for the crowds of student wanting to down every single drop of alcohol for the week to then cry about the blues the week after as an excuse to skip lectures and party even more. Typically, the university way of doing things.

This also meant autumn was finally ascending with it's fresh look on life. The weather indecisive about whether it wanted to make you feel a slight chill or drench the life out of you to make you regret not wearing a thicker coat or pack an umbrella. The burgundy, orange tones were everywhere with the rich smells of coffee shops with the popular choice of pumpkin spice.

It wasn't the worst season to be in.

But Selena had slightly bigger problems on her hands than the bad weather and unavoidable aromas of coffee beans - a worried mother.

"This room is a lot bigger than the one you had last year, Lena." She was in awe as she was looking round her daughters temporary home for the year, closely looking for the small intricate details that would make her come home instead.

From a small tatted bedroom which only contained a basic desk, a wardrobe that had seen better days and a basic bathroom last year, taking the keys for a room double in size, more floor to spare and a bathroom which was the epitome of cleanliness was a serve improvement. Then again, Selena and her friends left housing to the last minute, meaning the more expensive, yet luxurious lifestyle was not necessarily what she had hoped for.

Selena's mother and father, Mandy and Ricardo Gomez, volunteered to help Selena adjust back into the student halls life by travelling the entire 50 minutes to the campus she was residing from their family home. It wasn't a massive distance in comparison to other students, but it made her mother especially sick with thought.

"I'd like to think so, I'm spending more money on this. It's definitely a step up from the shithole I had last time." Selena says with a confident smile as she gave the room a mental thumbs up for meeting her requirements. Her mother sent a death glare in her direction, silently telling off her daughter for swearing aloud. "Is that everything from the car?"

"I think your father went to double check the car." Selena's mum barely managed to keep still, just like her mind. Her hands brushed on top of the boxes she was near, lingering around them as if she was already trying to collect dust.

Her eagerness to move around was more likely an attempt to avoid her falsified idea that her only daughter was leaving her again. Greece was a confirmation that caused several arguments between them although it was far from the truth, her thoughts manifested themselves into her worst fears which caused her to over-analyse everything.

Selena sighs as she watches her mum who looked saddened just by the sealed up boxes. They were both upset by the fact that it wasn't summer anymore. For Selena, it meant she could go off into the world again, probably somewhere she never though she'd go to yet like Thailand or Argentina. For her mother. Summer meant she could watch her baby come home again.

"You don't need to worry yourself. I'm here now, the hard part is done with the moving and the travelling. Beside, I've done this before, I know the protocols." Selena convinced herself.

"I know, baby."

"Then why are you still so worried for?"

She steps forwards and places her soft hands on her daughter's cheeks. Her thumb gently moves up and down, a comforting mechanism. It was something she would do when Selena was ever upset, just to let her know that she was there for her. "I'm your mother, it's my job too. You father worries as much as I do as well."

"It wouldn't kill him to shed a tear or something." She huffs.

"Don't be like that Sel." Her mum steps back as if she was disappointed by her daughter's words. "You know your father cares about all of this. People showcase their feelings in various ways and your dad is one to conceal them until he's drowning himself in Jack Daniel's neat."

That makes them both chuckle a little bit. The memories of her drunken father's inability to stand, speak and make an absolute fool of himself comes back. They were more of a you had to of been there to find the humour.. It was fair to say there was a few of these scenarios, all of which were not similar to one an other.

But nonetheless, she lets out a short breath. "That was unfair to say, I guess you are right. But my case still stands, promise me you won't spend all your time worrying about me, it's not healthy."

"I'll try my hardest Lena, I just hate not being close enough to nag at you when you are behind on your work or even give you a hug when you need it."

"Mum, I'm 21 years old."

"And you will never be too old for a mother's cuddle when you need one."

Selena groaned jokingly as she left that small mother-daughter moment and approached a tower of boxes she thought was going to fall over at any second due to it's faulty structure. She picked the first one up and placed it on her side beside her feet, followed by the box she had her sights on, labelled clothes, and placed it on the empty bed, ready for when her parents leave and she could make a simple start to the process.

Selena was concentrating mostly on her family as she did the task. Selena couldn't be too harsh. Realistically, could anyone really justify being harsh about a mother and father caring about the well being of their child as they're not walking distance? It would be ridiculous to even put into words.

The only difference was Selena didn't want them to worry themselves to a specific point that her phone doesn't stop ringing because her mother was afraid she wasn't eating full meals or in fear she'd get lost in the big city she was already well adapt too.

"I appreciate the concern, mum." Selena decides to speak after several silent moments and she begins to close the gap again between her mum so she could hug her tightly. She rests her chin on Mandy's shoulder lightly. "I really do but there is no need to get yourself stressed over nothing. I'm flat mates with my best friends from last year and they mean everything to me. I did this last year too, with much less support. I know the ropes to this."

Selena feared that Mandy wouldn't let it go. Or that every conversation from now until next week would be around this topic only. She closes her eyes, praying she'll drop it for now so she could spend actual time with her family before they have to go back home.

"Okay." She leans away but stays close. She raises her hand to Selena, her finger pointer towards her like a stern parent was about to give their child a lecture about something they did. "I'm a phone call away, call me whenever you need to."

"You are already on speed dial." Mandy liked those words, the stern act instantly washed away.

The women decide to tidy as much as possible. The room was very cluttered from the boxes. Mandy grabs a few of them and places them in the spacious wardrobe while Selena finds the boxes labelled bathroom and places them on top of the toilet seat for safe keeping.

"Before I forget, I got you this." Mandy kneels down to grab her massive handbag which was slightly under the desk chair. The bag itself was overwhelmingly big which made Selena wonder about why she had such a big bag for moving boxes. However, she pulled out a gift, wrapped in pink floral wrapping paper and hands it to her. "My absolutely final worry of the day."

Selena curiously opens the present, tugging on the sealed corner first. She delicately rips off the paper like it was laced with real gold and worth saving. Once the paper danced to the floor, she flips the present over. It was a book, specifically Gordon Ramsay's Ultimate Home Cooking. She was chuffed with the present, more than she thought she would.

Selena was speechless for a few seconds as she began to flick though it's contents of home cooked meals and endless possibilities. "I knew you struggled with cooking actual meals last year and I thought since you've been working on being a better cook, this can push you there and not burn down the entire building."

Selena was mesmerised by it. By her lack of communication again, Mandy worried she did something wrong. "If you don't want it, I can always take it back."

"No, no." Selena says with a little emergency and instantly rushes back to her mother's arms. "I love it so much, thank you."

"You are welcome mija."

"I doubt I'll be able to beat your infamous chilli con carne recipe, but at least I have a small chance now."

"Don't get cocky yet." They both ended up laughing together, which was all they both could ever wish for.

The footsteps in the corridor came to a halt right outside Selena's room and suddenly the door opens, almost scaring them both at the sudden disturbance.

"Well that's everything, Lena. You are all ready for another year."

"Thank you dad. Thank you both for helping me today."

"It was no problem at all, baby. It's never a problem." Selena's dad pulled his daughter into one of his rare, sober hugs. Although he was a typical moody man who loved rejoicing in toxic masculinity, he loved his daughter dearly and would contently take a bullet for her without a second ounce of thought. Mandy and Selena truly were the only pure things in his life and sometimes he was scared of tainting them with the wrong spoke words or alcohol-driven mindset.

This was coming to an end and although Selena liked to fault her father for the way he handled emotional responses, she tried to conceal her sudden rush of sadness as much as she could.

"What are you going to do food-wise? We should really take you shopping for some food before we leave, shouldn't we Ric." Mandy looks toward her husband with eyes that could make anyone cave in, no matter the ask. An argument or even worse would happen if the request was no followed through.

"You guys don't have to do that. I mean, I have enough snacks and drinks for tonight in my backpack and I'll go shopping tomorrow with everyone else." She insisted. "You have both done enough for me today."

To Selena's disappointment, Ricardo didn't side with her.

"Nonsense, kiddo. Grab your things. We'll treat you for a meal as well, it'll give your mother some peace of mind." Selena tried to protest again but before she knew it, her father had already left and her mother was waiting, holding the door.

Selena sighs to herself softly so Mandy doesn't hear it and grabs a black hoodie to wear in order to keep herself guarded from the breeze outside. She slings the bag she came with on her shoulder and follows her mother to the car.

Food shopping. Check. Packed away in the designated cupboards and fridge-freezer. Check. Clothes beginning to find themselves neatly folder or hanged in the wardrobe which meant less clutter of boxes and the room would begin to look like a room rather than some rundown office. Double check..

Selena looked around her new room with her tired eyes, feeling underwhelmed by what she was looking at. She couldn't pinpoint why she was feeling this. Could it be the moving nerves she's been trying so desperately trying to control, seeping themselves out into the open? Or was it the simple answer that it's an unfamiliar environment and not yet adjusted?

She stretched out her body after sitting up in bed, trying to rid the tiredness in her body. After, she takes out her earphones, realising she had fell asleep scrolling down Twitter and listening to Muse's entire discography. Not the worst way to go...

However, she is alerted by other presence by the sounds of voices around the flat. In fact, there was more than one. Everyone is slowly getting here, which instantly lit Selena's face with a smile.

She placed her phone in her hoodie pocket and then put her hair in a quick ponytail to hide the bed head she was more likely facing, despite sleeping for just under two hours.

Her tired body guided her out of the room to follow the incoming voices from the kitchen area. She walks in, already knowing what would be begin the door and she ws correct. It was all of her flat mates with red cups in their grasp, talking and laughing and catching up again.

"Oh my god, Selena" They all scream out at once.

"When did you guys arrive?"

"A couple of hours ago." "Just got here." "This morning." "Around midday" She heard thrown in her way, unable to connect the response with the voice.

However, she just smiles back in response to them, surprised she didn't cross paths with the ones that were hear a few hours ago.

"I'm surprised you are even here, especially with the noise we are making." Faith says before bouncing towards Selena and giving her the biggest hug she possibly could while the others stayed in their seats, too busy in their drinks and gossip.

"I was having a nap. Moving really takes it out of you."

"Fuck, you must be one hell of a sleeper. I broke an entire cutlery set right outside your door about half an hour ago and had it hoover it back up."

She could mentally image all of the chaos going on just in those few hours she was absent. It's what happens when you have a bunch of young women in a place together, especially with alcohol mixed into the equation and Selena didn't doubt that was probably the reason why.

"That really doesn't surprise me with you but I suppose accidentally falling asleep with earphones in was a very fortunate mistake."

The combination of alcoholic and non-alcoholic bottles were everywhere, the tables, the sides, the floor... Neon shot glasses were scattered along with sides too with packets of snacks. The morning hangovers was incoming and these girls would take the consequences of that than bother making a start on their rooms or just adjusting better.

The group of girls were Selena's entourage and she couldn't of been any prouder of them.

Faith Dias. She was your typical girl who definitely needed to buy herself a zip on her mouth. She didn't really give a fuck sometimes but she truly had one of the biggest hearts. If you needed advice, she would be the one to cut the bullshit and tell you how it is. But to soften the blow, she'd come equip with your favourite snacks and drinks and be there to wipe away the tears.

The only blonde in the group, Olivia Hale was the definition of a spoilt brat, although that was her only known fault. She was usually writing down everything as it was happening around her. Writing practically ran through her veins more than oxygen and cells. If you peaked at her phone, she would more likely have more notes than photos. Selena admired her for her drive, her determination when it came to something she loved.

Lucy Fuentes: the quietest one of the group but if you gave her a couple of jägerbombs on a night out, she'd be the first one dancing on the bar at risk of stripping her clothes off for all the horny guys to take advantage of. Absolute lightweight, may I add too. She was an absolute sweetheart though. Without a drink or substance, she generally had a shy personality to new people. Lucky for the rest of the group, she was more open than a book.

It's also good to note that Faith and Lucy are more than friends, but have been dating since the summer. Over two months. Despite being binary opposites personality wise, they really did mould well when they were together and just made each other the happiest, even in a short span of time. Plus, they weren't one of those soppy couples that need to show off 24/7 just to validate it or hide insecurities in fear their partner would be catching the attention of a hopeless stranger wanting to pursue them. None of that bullshit. It easily made anyone feel a twitch of envy.

And finally, we have Chardonnay Pinnock, who we all call Char for short. She definitely had a higher IQ than the group combined. You really had courage to go against her on quiz nights and you'd learnt about it. She was extremely beautiful, knew everything and anything surrounding beauty and fashion while maintaining an extremely high intellect. She definitely likes to brag about this sometimes, however she wasn't the type to watch her friends suffer if they needed a boost. She never drank alcohol due to childhood problem, but the group never judged her for that because she was crazy without the added buzz.

And where did Selena fit in with all of these incredible women? She didn't. She was an insane music/movie lover who invested so much time and money into this from concerts, vinyls, lessons and such. Not to mention, her closet consisted of one too many Nirvana shirts. The entire group did agree Selena was an excellent baker, especially when it came to a spiced gingerbread recipe, something she had learnt and perfect last year. Did she truly fit in with everyone else?

Probably not but that's okay. In some way. these girls probably didn't fit in with each other but they accepted it. They really did appreciate each other which was more important to them.

"So, what's the gossip? What have I missed?" Selena grabs herself a red cup from the small pile of them on the counter top a few steps away from the entrance she was still standing in front of and then walks over to the table with Faith by her side, who slides back to her space.

She begins to pour in some Malibu, followed by some Diet Coke, the perfect mixture and Selena's favourite drink. It reminded her of a cola cubes, a childhood sweet she adored.

"You haven't missed too much, actually. But we were talking about the spare room between you and Faith." Lucy introduces their chosen topic that would consume them for a little.

"Okay, I'll bite. What are the bets?" Selena felt eager.

"I think it's going to a lad." Faith says.

"I think it'll be a girl." Lucy says after.

"Well, I'm being different and thinking no one will move in" Char commits by slamming her hand on the table with her mind set like stone. Perhaps by the loud bang that followed, she discreetly hid that hand under the table and picked up her plastic cup of water. "Hopefully it'll be just us."

"Char, that's just boring." Olivia rolls her eyes, not satisfied with the response. In a dramatic manner, she clears her thought. "I think it'll be a first year princess who has her daddy paying her rent so she doesn't have to spend time with the regular people in the cheaper places."

"That's a little descriptive, don't you think?" Selena adds with a faint laugh at how ridiculous her friend sounded.

"She's a writer, she has to be the most dramatic." They all laugh at Faiths comment,