The morning air buzzed with excitement.

The campus of Ravenswood College looked bigger than either of them had imagined, buildings with red-bricked walls, students rushing past with maps in hand, the hum of chatter floating through the air.

Elena clutched her bag a little tighter. This place is huge, she whispered, half in awe, half in panic.

Beside her, Amara grinned from ear to ear. Huge means more adventures.

Their laughter melted into the crowd of new students being ushered toward check-in tables. All around them, voices overlapped, people searching for their dorms, their classes, their new lives. For the first time, the world felt bigger than Ravenswood itself.

.........

They got their dorm room at the same time.

Amara: Hall C.

Elena: Hall F.

Amara frowned. Different halls?

Yeah. Elena tried to sound upbeat, but her voice dipped a little.

Amara nudged her with her shoulder. Hey, it’s fine. It’s not like we’re on different planets. We’ll just meet up every day.

Elena laughed softly. Yeah. You’re stuck with me.

........

The rooms smelled faintly like fresh paint and new beginnings. Elena dragged her suitcase into a space already half-filled with posters and string lights, her roommate had clearly arrived early.

Hi! You must be Elena.

A girl with big curly hair and a bright smile waved at her. I’m Tessa. I took the bottom bunk. Hope that’s cool.

Totally fine, Elena said, returning the smile.

Within minutes, they were talking about majors, favorite snacks, and how terrifying orientation week seemed. Across campus, Amara was having a similar moment with her own roommate, Zoe, who had a loud laugh and a growing playlist of songs she swore were college anthems.

.......

Later that afternoon, the girls found each other again in the courtyard. Orientation banners hung from every lamp post, and music floated through the speakers.

How’s your roommate? Amara asked, sipping from a lemonade cup.

Talkative. Kind of sweet, Elena answered, smiling. Yours?

Loud. I love her already.

They sat on the grass, watching people pass by with wide, hopeful eyes. All around them were strangers who would soon be familiar faces.

Amara? Elena said quietly.

Yeah?

I’m kinda scared.

Amara smiled, soft and sure. Me too. But… we’re here now. We made it.

The sun dipped low over the campus buildings, washing everything in gold. And for the first time, college didn’t feel so scary after all.