I was surprised, on the third day, to drive thru a small town, next to the campus. The town was surrounded by a high chain link fence, with barbed wire on the top, and a moat. When my dad pulled off at the local gas station, I asked about the fence from the attendant.

"Oh, nothing to worry about honey, we just don't want any of the problems associated with major colleges invading our little area. The fence forces anyone coming, to pass over the bridges and thru the security scanners. We devised a system, to alert us to weapons, drugs, booze, and a host of other problems. If we detect them, well, let's just say the party won't know what hit them." The attendant seemed like a nice guy, and I did a little flirting with him, just to be nice.

With the car filled with gas, my parents and I had lunch at the local diner, then we proceeded to the college. The entrance was nothing like I had expected. There was a stone wall around the whole of the campus, and again, a moat. The obvious difference was the size of the buildings. There seemed to be the typical college buildings, but there were also smaller huts around the entrances, which left me wondering what they were for.

"Well, darling, we're here. Good luck." My dad pulled the car off into the entrance of the college, and to the women's dorm building. I was surprised that the women's dorms were huge. Five stories tall, and as long as a city block, they seemed more in line with large hotel rooms than a college dorm building.

"Now be good honey, and please try your best or else....well, I know a few friends here in town, who can help you out."

I hugged my mom and my sister, and then gave my dad a parting hug, before watching them driving off. My dad had written down the names and phone numbers of some friends he had in the town, in case I wanted a warm, home cooked meal and someone to talk to.

I was ecstatic. Here I was, now out on my own, the world at my feet. All I had to do was keep me self motivated. My dad's last words had been what I was expecting, as was the note he had passed me. I knew any motivational talking was going to be accompanied by me receiving a warm welcome. But, I was a grown girl, and thought I wouldn't need it. I did, however, tuck it into my desk, just in case.

After getting settled in my dorm room, I began the task of checking in to the college. The campus wasn't that spread out, thankfully, but there were some tasks I had to do, before classes started. I headed off to the gym, to check out the exercise equipment, as well as to check in with the cheerleading coach about tryouts.

I quickly found the cheerleading coach's office and checked in, picking up my uniforms. I was puzzled by the Dalmatian on the front, till I heard the school's mascot was the Dalmatian. I was also surprised that there was a uniform for classes, one for practices, one for home games, one for away games, and even one to wear around town. I was puzzled at first, till the coach explained that as a member of the cheerleading squad, all my outfits were going to be provided. The squad had a strict policy that the members wear their uniforms at all times, so that faculty and other class members knew I was a special project, and as such, already spoken for. The town uniform was especially short, because there was a list of town residents the gals were permitted to see for advice as well as dinner and homework helpers. The list had the different families broken down by headings, and I saw a few names that seemed familiar from my dad's list. I asked the coach if I could also visit my dad's friends. The coach asked to see the list, and I said I would bring it to practice that night. The coach then sent me to change in the locker room Then gave me directions to the administration building, to get my class schedules and books.