kindness

Kept Friendship As Safety

Secutiry is the feeling of holding someone, arm in arm, a constant presence, an unwavering declaration of support, an impenetrable bond. This is a connection Kiandra and Yaanca have fostered since they were children and were lucky enough to bring into college. Everything about freshman year lacks security—a new environment, new people, new lifestyle, new sets of expectations. Kiandra and Yaanca got to serve as each other’s anchors to stay grounded during this time.

While having that security was comforting, they also felt how it was limiting, and stopping them from branching out and forming new connections. This changed when they met India. When they first met, they clicked, but the real depth of their relationship was cultivated Junior Year when India and her roommate Anny asked Kiandra and Yaanca to join their room.

The three fondly recalled the first night they spent together in the dorm after spending months apart due to COVID-19. They were somewhat apprehensive, unsure of what to expect from their still developing and long interrupted friendship, and now living together for the first time. The girls sat in the living room eating District Fried Chicken and for the first time were able to truly bond with each other.

I met India, Kiandra, and Yaanca separately, so learning the three were also friends and would be rooming together made so much sense—the perfect combination of personalities and energy. Their dynamic radiates a pure serenity and lightheartedness. Anyone in their presence can feel how much they cherish each other and how much they can rely on each other.

Their story shows the power warm smiles shared in passing, an invitation, and a bucket of fried chicken have to bring people together in a very meaningful way.