Arista's POV
School life ended. I was already started missing those times when I was in school. The chaos, the memories. Nevermind.
College officially began the moment my suitcase wheel betrayed me at the main gate.
It got stuck. Loudly. Dramatically. Right in front of a security guard who watched me struggle like I was part of an orientation skit titled Freshers vs Gravity.
"I'm fine," I muttered to no one, yanking it free and walking away with as much dignity as a rattling suitcase allowed.
New campus. New rules. New beginning.
That was the plan.
The girls' hostel smelled like detergent, instant noodles, and panic. Third floor. Room 304. I unlocked the door, pushed it open—
"WAIT. WAIT. WAIT."
Mira's voice hit me first.
Then Sana's gasp. "NO. THIS IS A PRANK."
Zoe leaned in from the balcony, squinting at me. "Either I'm hallucinating or fate has a sense of humor."
I blinked. Once. Twice.
"…You're joking."
Mira ran at me and hugged me so hard my bag slipped off my shoulder. "I KNEW IT. I TOLD YOU PEOPLE. I MANIFESTED THIS."
"You manifested nothing," Sana said, dragging my suitcase inside. "This is administrative chaos."
Zoe smiled, softer. "Guess we're roommates."
Something inside me loosened.
After everything—after school ending the way it did—I hadn't realized how badly I needed this exact moment. Familiar faces.
Familiar chaos.
"So," I said, looking around the room, "same trauma, new walls?"
Mira grinned. "Exactly."
Sana pointed at the beds. "Rules. Mira stole the window bed. Zoe wants silence. I want snacks. Arista—"
"I'll take whatever's left," I said quickly.
Zoe nodded approvingly. "Low maintenance queen."
We unpacked while Sana narrated our personalities like a reality show commentator.
"Arista folds clothes like she's preparing for a future interrogation."
"Mira owns five notebooks per subject—why?"
"Zoe hasn't unpacked because she believes in emotional minimalism."
"Ibelieve in procrastination," Zoe corrected.
I laughed. Real laughter. The kind that didn't hurt afterward.
Orientation started an hour later. We walked together, shoulders brushing, laughing about how none of us trusted the university map.
"If we get lost on day one, that sets the tone," Sana said.
Zoe added, "I refuse to ask for directions. Builds character."
The lecture hall was huge. No assigned seats. No patterns. No invisible rules from school.
"Choose wisely," Mira whispered. "This seat defines your college personality."
Sana flopped into the back row. "I choose chaos."
I sat between Mira and Sana, notebook open, trying to listen as the professor talked about independence and responsibility.
My eyes drifted once—just once—toward the door.
Nothing.
I scolded myself silently. This wasn't school.
This was a new chapter. I wasn't supposed to look for empty seats anymore.
Lunch was… an experience.
Sana stared at her plate. "This pasta has emotional damage."
Mira poked hers. "Why is it crunchy?"
Zoe shrugged. "College prepares you for disappointment."
We laughed, loud and careless.
Then Mira leaned in. "Okay. Serious question."
I sighed. "Why do you say it like that?"
"Have you seen him?"
My grip tightened on my fork. "Seen who?"
Sana smirked. "Tall. Quiet. Emotionally unavailable. Trauma-coded."
"Ididn't come here for that," I said flatly.
Zoe nodded. "Good. Then eat your crunchy pasta in peace."
I appreciated that they didn't push. That they let it go.
Evening settled in softly. Our room buzzed with chatter and inside jokes like no time had passed at all.
Sana lay upside down on her bed. "If I fail college, I'm blaming all of you."
Zoe replied, "We accept no responsibility."
Mira looked at me. "You okay? Really."
I nodded. "Yeah. Just… adjusting."
And it was true. College didn't erase the past—but it didn't drag it behind me either.
Lights went out eventually.
Mira whispered, "If I played a super hit song at night, pretend you don't know me."
"I will dance on it," Zoe said instantly.
Sana laughed softly.
I stared at the ceiling, listening to familiar breathing patterns, and for the first time in months, my chest didn't feel tight.
Whatever waited ahead—awkwardness, explanations, unanswered questions—it could wait.
Tonight, I was here.
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Kaelor's POV
I arrived early.
Old habits don't die just because buildings change.
The university felt bigger than school—less personal, easier to disappear in. I chose a seat near the back, hoodie up, bag at my feet.
I told myself not to look.
I looked anyway.
She was laughing. Surrounded. Safe.
That was good. That had to be good.
I looked away before she could notice. I wasn't ready—not yet.
Hostel life was louder than expected. My roommate tried to bond within ten minutes.
"So… you got a girlfriend?"
"No."
"Situationship?"
"No."
He squinted. "Villain arc?"
"…Maybe."
He laughed. I didn't.
That night, as I unpacked, a photo slipped out. I picked it up immediately and turned it face down.
Not today.
Soon—but not today.
I lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling, knowing she was somewhere on this campus.
Breathing the same air.
I whispered, barely audible, "I'll explain. Just not yet."
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