“Careful with that one!” 

Leo called, watching Johan and Liam struggle with a stack of boxes near the car. 

“You’ll drop my clothes!”

“Then pack lighter next time!”

 Johan huffed, pretending to stumble.

Liam laughed.

“You act like we’re not doing you a favor here!”

Leo rolled his eyes, though a smile tugged at his lips. 

“Yeah, yeah, heroes of the day. Thanks.”

Inside, the house felt strangely emptier already — the shelves bare, drawers half open, the faint echo of a home slowly changing.

From his spot near the door, Shadow sat silently, watching the scene unfold. His tail moved just slightly, brushing the floor.

“Shadow, come here,” 

Leo said, crouching down to scratch behind his ears. 

“Don’t look so sad. I’ll come visit every weekend, promise.”

Rowan’s eyes lifted, calm and unreadable. But inside, his chest tightened.

He didn’t believe those words — not because Leo was lying, but because life had a way of breaking promises like that.

 Lily walked in, holding a lunch box wrapped neatly in a cloth. 

“Make sure you eat this when you get there, okay?”

 she said, handing it to Leo with a tender smile.

“I will,”

 Leo said, hugging her. 

“Thanks, Mom.”

As the boys loaded the last of the boxes, laughter echoed one last time through the gate.

Leo turned to Shadow.

 “I’ll see you soon, buddy. Watch over Mom for me.”

Rowan tilted his head, eyes following every movement — the swing of Leo’s bag, the shake of his hair, the way his laughter faded as he walked away.

____

The apartment smelled faintly of new paint and cardboard boxes.

The windows were wide open, letting in the golden light of late afternoon, and laughter filled every corner.

“This place isn’t bad at all!” 

Liam said, setting down a box and looking around the small living room. 

“You’ve got space, sunlight, and—”

 He peeked toward the kitchen. 

“A fridge big enough to fit all my snacks if I move in.”

“Over my dead body,” 

Leo replied, tossing a pillow at him. 

“You’re not turning my kitchen into your junk corner.”

Johan grinned from where he was untangling a pile of wires. 

“You two sound like an old married couple already.”

“Do you want this pillow next?” 

Leo threatened, raising another.

Johan laughed. 

“Okay, okay! Peace!”

As they unpacked, the apartment slowly came to life — books stacked neatly, clothes folded, posters pinned up on the wall. Leo hung a small framed photo of him and his mom near the desk, pausing for a moment to smile at it.

“Feels weird,” 

he murmured softly.

“What does?”

 Johan asked, glancing over.

“Just… being on my own. New place, new chapter,”

 Leo said, rubbing the back of his neck.

Liam plopped down onto the couch.

 “It’s called adulthood, my friend. Get used to doing laundry and crying about bills.”

Leo laughed. 

“Thanks for the pep talk.”

____

The night had settled softly over the city.Liam and Johan had already left

Leo, however, was still awake. He sat near the window, scrolling through his phone absentmindedly when it suddenly buzzed in his hand.

He smiled when he saw the name on the screen.

Mom.

He quickly answered.

“Hey, Mom. You still awake?”

Her voice came through the speaker, a little worried.

 “Leo… did Shadow go with you today?”

Leo blinked, glancing around the quiet apartment.

“Huh? No, I didn’t see him since morning. Why? Did he run off again?”

“He’s not here,” 

his mother said softly. 

“I thought maybe he followed you when you were packing. He’s never stayed out this late before.”

Leo frowned, sitting up straighter. 

“No… I didn’t see him. But maybe he’s just wandering around? You know how he is — he’ll probably come back in the morning.”

There was a small pause on the other end before she sighed.

“I hope so. It’s just… he’s been acting strange lately. Quiet. Watchful.”

Leo chuckled lightly, trying to ease her worry.

“He’s a dog, Mom. You’re reading too much into it.”

“Maybe,” she murmured, though her tone didn’t sound convinced. “Just let me know if you see him, okay?”

“Of course,”

 Leo said gently. 

“Get some rest, Mom. I’ll call you in the morning.”

“Goodnight, sweetheart.”

“Goodnight.”

The call ended, and Leo stared at the reflection of the city lights on the window.

He hadn’t even realized until now how quiet it had been without him around.

He sighed, leaning back.

“Don’t go running off too far, okay?” 

he mumbled softly, half to himself.

____

THE NEXT MORNING 

The campus buzzed with life. Students moved in groups, the air filled with chatter, laughter, and the occasional shout from upperclassmen trying to guide the newcomers.

Leo walked beside his friends, eyes wide at the size of the main courtyard.

“Whoa… this place is huge,” 

he said.

“It better be — we’re paying for it,” 

Johan muttered, adjusting his backpack.

Leo chuckled. 

“You’re just mad because you got lost three times before we even found this building.”

“That’s because someone gave me the wrong map!”

 Johan shot back.

Leo laughed quietly, shaking his head. It felt good — different. The sunlight hit the glass walls of the buildings, scattering bright reflections across the pathways. Everything seemed fresh and full of promise.

They finally reached their first classroom. Rows of sleek desks lined the space, and a tall window opened up to a view of the courtyard below. Leo took a seat near the middle while Liam and Johan grabbed the chairs beside him.

The professor walked in, setting down his notes.

 “Welcome to your first year. I hope you’re ready, because this is not high school anymore.”

The class murmured with excitement and nervous laughter.

As the professor began the introduction, Leo found his attention drifting toward the window. The trees outside swayed gently in the breeze 

“Leo,”

 Liam whispered, nudging him.

 “You spacing out already?”

Leo smiled faintly.

 “Guess I’m just getting used to this place.”

“Yeah, right,” 

Johan teased.

 “You’re probably daydreaming about cafeteria food.”

“Wouldn’t blame him,” 

Liam added. 

“Have you seen the menu? They actually have real ramen here.”

The three of them snickered quietly, earning a warning glance from the professor.

By the end of the lecture, Leo had filled two pages of notes — though half of them were just doodles in the margins.

___

The bell rang, signaling the end of their morning classes. The hallway quickly filled with students chatting, laughing, and rushing toward the cafeteria.

Leo stretched his arms as they stepped out of the classroom. 

“Finally! I thought that lecture would never end.”

“Same,”

 Johan groaned, rubbing his stomach.

“If that teacher talks one more minute, I’ll starve to death.”

“You said that during the first ten minutes,” 

Liam teased, giving him a light shove.

The three made their way into the cafeteria — a bright, open space buzzing with energy. The scent of warm rice, grilled meat, and fresh soup filled the air. Long tables stretched across the room, filled with students enjoying their first week of college life.

After grabbing trays of food, they found an empty table near the window.

Leo took a sip of his drink and smiled.

“You know, this place is way better than I expected. The food’s actually good.”

Johan nodded with his mouth full. 

“Mmhm! And look at this view—”

He gestured to the wide window showing the distant courtyard and the line of trees beyond it. 

“Not bad for a school cafeteria.”

Liam leaned back, grinning. 

“Told you Huan University was the best choice. It’s got everything — good food, good teachers, and…” 

His eyes shifted slyly toward a group of girls laughing a few tables away. “

…great scenery.”

Leo rolled his eyes, chuckling. 

“You’re hopeless.”

“Hopelessly charming,” 

Liam corrected proudly.

Johan burst into laughter. 

“More like hopelessly delusional.”

They all laughed together, their voices blending into the lively cafeteria noise. For a moment, it felt like nothing could go wrong — just three friends enjoying their youth and freedom.

Leo smiled quietly to himself, looking out the window.

 he thought. 

____

The sun was already beginning to set when the last class ended, casting long orange streaks across the courtyard. Students poured out of the building, laughing and chatting as they made their way home.

Leo’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and frowned — a message from his mom.

Mom: “Shadow hasn’t come back yet. I’m starting to worry.”

Leo’s chest tightened.

He quickly packed his things and turned to his friends. 

“Guys, I gotta head home. My dog is missing.”

Johan’s eyes widened. 

“What do you mean missing....hold on we'll go check it out with you.”

Liam nodded eagerly. 

“Yeah, we can even print out some posters, put them around the neighborhood!”

Leo shook his head, sighing. 

“We can’t… I’m not his official owner. I never registered him.”

Johan groaned, throwing his hands in the air. 

“Seriously? I thought you had some brain in that big head of yours.”

Liam shot him a glare. 

“Hey! He’s worried, man. I was just trying to help.”

Leo managed a small smile, grateful for their concern despite the tension. 

“Yeah… I know. Let’s just head home for now. Maybe he’ll come back tonight.”

The three of them walked together toward the gates, their laughter fading into the cool evening air.

Leo’s steps grew slower the closer he got to the bus stop.