It was the end of summer, and September had arrived, which brought a busy atmosphere to campus. Students and faculty members were bustling around with purpose. The new school year had just started a week ago, and as a first-year student, I felt the pressure to navigate this new environment. It was easy to spot other first-year students like me, darting around with campus maps or phones, searching for their destinations. However, I was content to be here finally. This prestigious school was a culmination of Dan's and my hard work.

"Argh! I don't know what to do." Dan's head lay comfortably in my lap as he flipped through fraternity brochures.

New York is not usually known for hot temperatures, but this summer was exceptionally scorching. Luckily, we found shade under a massive oak tree that protected us from the relentless afternoon sun. Other students were scattered around us, lying on the grass to seek refuge from the heat.

"Caden, what do you think?" Dan waved one of the pamphlets before me.

"Uuh, whatever," I replied absently, my eyes still fixed on my book.

"Come on, dude. This is where we'll spend the next four years. Right now, I'm torn between APA and PKP. S-"

[APA stands for Alpha Phi Alpha, and PKP stands for Pi Kappa Phi.]

"But didn't we talk about joining the basketball team instead?"

"Yeah, we are. But I want the full college experience: girls, parties, and-"

I couldn't contain my laughter.

"Do you realize your perfect Christian parents would have a heart attack if they heard you right now?"

"Well, I intend to keep up with my studies and attend Sunday Mass... so they have nothing to worry about!" Dan scoffed.

Dan grew up in an overly religious household and was feeling burdened by his parents' expectations. He hoped that going to college away from their strict influence would give him some freedom. As I closed my book, Dan handed me some brochures for the two popular fraternities on campus. These fraternities were known rivals and had banners and flyers everywhere. Dan was stressed about which one to choose, as we didn't want to pledge different houses and risk straining our friendship that had been going strong since middle school.

"'Nothing shall tear us asunder... One Man is no man'... pfft! Isn't that a bit overrated?" I chuckled.

"Shut up."

"Hahaha. Yeah, they do sound a bit over the top. Maybe they have orgies every weekend. Is that the kind of college experience you're after?"

"You think that?" Dan sat up, looking at me.

"I mean, I've heard rumors..."

"But rumors aren't truths," he argued.

"Yeah, but there's usually some truth behind them."I could tell he was taking my words seriously. Although I had no proof, I enjoyed teasing him. I burst out laughing and leaned against the tree trunk.

"Damn, you got me." Dan's poker face broke, and he threw a playful punch my way.

"Idiot," he cursed, half-angry.

"It was worth it for your expression," I said between laughs as he continued to jab at me playfully.

"I'll give you an expression!" He tackled me, wrapping an arm around my neck and pulling me into a headlock.

"Shit! Shit!" I tapped on his arm, laughing. A sign of surrender. He eased his grip.

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry!"

Dan was quick and agile on the wrestling and basketball teams, so it wasn't surprising that he could overpower me like this. While neither of us was exceptionally muscular, we let our guards down around each other.

"Your grip was tighter this time," I joked, faking a cough.

"You deserved it."

We both laughed, and I picked up the pamphlets from the grass.

"This one." I handed him the Alpha Phi Alpha booklet.