How I Met My Best Friend

Starting college is supposed to be one of the most exciting times in your life. It’s when you step out into independence, meet new people, and begin shaping the path toward your future. But for me, my freshman year began with something I never expected: bullying.

Up until that point, I had never been bullied before in my life. I had gone through middle school and high school without ever experiencing that kind of mistreatment. So when it happened in college – the one place I thought people would finally be mature and grown enough to know better – it was shocking. It didn’t feel real at first. Out of all places, I thought this would be the last.

My freshman year roommates and I couldn’t have been more different. They wanted to go out every single night, constantly brought people over without my permission, and made me feel like a stranger in my own space. They laughed behind my back, talked badly about me, and dismissed me for not wanting to live the way they did. I wasn’t looking for drama or attention – I just wanted to sleep peacefully before my 8 a.m. classes, to feel safe in my room, and to focus on adjusting to this huge new chapter of my life. Instead, I felt isolated, unwelcome, and invisible.

One night, things went too far. One of my suitemates brought a guy into my room – not even her room, but mine – while I was sleeping. They were so loud and careless that I woke up in shock and fear. I remember running out of my room crying, my chest tight, my hands shaking, not even knowing where to go. In that moment, the weight of all the mistreatment finally broke me.

But I wasn’t alone. That night, I found comfort in two people: my RA, who supported me immediately, and my best friend Maria.

Maria and I had met before classes even started, at the Biological Sciences major orientation. From the very first day, we just clicked. There was no awkward “getting-to-know-you” stage – it felt natural, like we had been friends for years. We started eating together at Pencader, spending more and more time with each other, and quickly building a bond that felt like home. Whenever I didn’t want to stay in my room, Maria was always there for me, reminding me that I didn’t have to face things alone.

When I told her what had happened that night, she didn’t hesitate. By what felt like fate, she happened to have one more spot open in her room. Without a second thought, I moved in with her. That decision changed everything.

Living with Maria brought me peace I hadn’t felt since arriving on campus. I didn’t have to walk on eggshells anymore or wonder if I’d come back to another hurtful situation. Instead, I found a safe place filled with laughter, late-night talks, and the kind of friendship that makes college worth remembering.

Since then, Maria and I have made countless memories together. We’ve laughed until we cried, studied side by side, and shared the small moments of daily life that become the most meaningful ones. She isn’t just my roommate – she’s my best friend and the sister I never knew I needed. Even now, years later, we’re still living together, and every single day I thank her for standing by me when I needed someone most.

Looking back, that painful experience shaped me in ways I never expected. It taught me that even in the darkest moments, there are people who will stand by you, protect you, and remind you of your worth. It showed me the importance of speaking up, because silence only allows mistreatment to continue. And most of all, it reminded me that sometimes the hardest chapters in life lead us to the most beautiful friendships.

I want to share this story to shed light on situations like mine, because no one should ever feel unsafe or disrespected in their own living space. College is a place to grow, to learn, and to find yourself – not a place to be torn down by others. If you’re going through something similar, I want you to know this: you are not alone, you are not weak for speaking up, and you deserve kindness and respect.

For me, meeting Maria was more than just making a friend at orientation. It was finding someone who became family, someone I know I can count on for life. And just as she was there for me, I will always be there for her.