"I want to eat noodles."
"I want to eat fish."
Caroline and Marcus spoke at the same time, both stopping mid-step and staring in opposite directions—each fixed on their preferred canteen sign.
Caroline's shoulders sagged in disappointment. Marcus rolled his eyes like he'd been expecting this.
"You had noodles yesterday," he said. "Let's try fish. Max said it's good at Cat, and we haven't checked that canteen out yet anyway."
He nudged Caroline forward by bumping her shoulder bag toward the Cat building. She resisted for half a second, then moved.
"They said the menu at Cat and Elephant changes every day," Caroline argued. "We don't even know if they'll have fish."
"But there's a chance," Marcus said. "Which is better than guaranteed disappointment."
She shot him a look but didn't stop walking.
"And don't you think the names are oddly specific?" he added. "Like someone sat down and said, let's emotionally confuse college students with a children's alphabet chart."
Caroline laughed despite herself. "You're just mad you didn't get something cooler."
"I'm saying the system's questionable," Marcus replied. "Some of us are going to spend four years explaining our address."
They were still laughing when they stepped into the Cat canteen.
The place was crowded, loud with voices and clattering trays. The smell of spice and oil hung thick in the air. Caroline scanned the menu quickly.
"I'll take soup and chicken fry," she said. "You order. I'll find us seats."
She moved through the tables with practiced efficiency. Near the far end of the hall, a group stood up, trays in hand. Caroline immediately claimed the space, dropping her bag onto one of the chairs to secure it, then raised her hand slightly to signal Marcus across the room.
While waiting, she pulled out the KITS brochure. The campus map was already creased, corners bent from overuse. She traced routes they hadn't taken yet, mentally planning the rest of the day.
"Hi," a voice said. "Do you mind if I sit here?"
Caroline looked up. A student stood beside the table, holding a tray, scanning the room with mild desperation. It was a table for four.
She glanced at the empty seat, then nodded once. "Go ahead."
"Thanks," he said, relieved, setting his tray down.
Marcus appeared a moment later, balancing plates. "Cheez. Take your tray."
Caroline didn't look up. "Soup's good," she said after a spoonful. "Chicken fry is… average."
She slid one piece onto Marcus's plate. "Here. Don't expect seconds."
"Yeah, I agree," he said, already digging in. "The chicken's forgettable. Try mine."
He angled his bowl toward her. "Spicy fish with prawn rice. This one's actually good."
Caroline tasted it and paused. "Okay. You win."
Marcus nodded. "We should ask when they'll put this back on the menu."
She leaned back slightly, eyes bright. "We still need to check the shopping complex near Fountain Frog. And the ice cream place at the back of campus—we missed it yesterday because it only opens in the evening."
Marcus nodded, shoveling food. "Add it to the list."
The student across from them ate quietly, eyes mostly on his phone. He didn't interrupt, didn't react, just listened.
"Hopefully we get our roommates today," Caroline said casually. "I'm tired of seeing walls—and your face—all the time."
"Feeling's mutual," Marcus replied without looking offended. "Since today's the last intake for Mech, if no one shows up by the time we're back, we'll probably get paired with someone from another major."
He grimaced. "I want someone who can actually talk thermodynamics with me."
"I'm excited and scared," Caroline admitted. "Roommates mean adjustment. Or clashes. Or schedule disasters."
She met his eyes. "We survived two brutal years with all kinds of oddballs. Everything else should be manageable."
They finished quickly, confidence settling comfortably between them.
The student seated with them had been quietly listening, pretending to scroll through his phone. When they both stuffed their mouths with food out of frustration and finished their soup in one go, something flickered across his face—brief, unreadable, almost a smile—before he stood and walked away.
As he left, he typed something into his phone.
Cheez — Mechanical Engineering.
Afterward, Caroline and Marcus stocked up on snacks—enough to last the night and most of the next day—then still found themselves wandering toward the back of campus, chasing curiosity more than hunger.
By the time they returned to their dorms, Caroline felt pleasantly drained.
"Finally back," she muttered, entering Bat. "I'm heading to the gym later. Ping me if you get a roommate—I'm too exhausted to think about it now."
Marcus waved once and continued down the road without turning back.
The door had barely closed behind Caroline when a bright voice filled the room.
"Hi! I'm Daisy—from Mech."
Caroline looked up to see a girl standing beside one of the beds, hand extended, smiling openly.
Caroline took her hand with both of hers. "Hi. I'm Caroline. Mech too. I'm really glad to meet you."
They talked easily—classes, hometowns, expectations. Daisy was warm, chatty without being overwhelming. By the time Caroline's phone buzzed, nearly an hour had passed.
I've got a new football partner now — Kevin.
Marcus had sent a photo. Two boys grinning, arms slung over each other's shoulders, flashing victory signs.
Caroline smiled.
"How about we take a picture to commemorate this beginning?" Caroline asked, already positioning her phone.
She snapped a photo of them smiling.
"Would you mind if I share this with my family and friends?" she asked.
"Only if you share it with me first," Daisy said.
"Deal." Caroline sent it, then forwarded the same picture to Marcus with a message:
I've got shining Daisy to accompany me.
Music hummed softly as Caroline shut off her alarm and stretched. "I'm heading to the gym," she said. "You can join if you want."
"I'm not really a gym person," Daisy admitted. "But… I'll try."
"Trying's enough," Caroline said. "Fifteen minutes."
Soon, Daisy and Caroline reached the gym.
"Marko, where are you? I'm already here," Caroline called scanning the room.
"I'm here too. Look right." Marcus waved above his head. "Cheez."
He waved, standing beside another boy. "This is Kevin—Mech, football fan, and unfortunately, my roommate."
"Hi. I'm Caroline, and this is Daisy—also Mech."
"Nice to meet you," Kevin replied easily. "So—you and Marcus knew each other before?"
"Yeah. Since middle school. Our families are close," Marcus replied, keeping it brief.
"Oh," Daisy said slowly. "So Cheez and Marko are … nicknames?"
"Oh—sorry," Caroline said calmly. "This is Marcus. And yes, those are just names we use—only between us."
Daisy paused, understanding. Kevin smoothly changed the topic. "So, workouts—do you need help?"
"Not me," Caroline said. "Daisy?"
"I'll start with running and shoulder exercises."
"Alright. We'll do our sets. Call if you need anything," Kevin said, heading off with Marcus.
An hour later, they left together, plans already forming for dinner.
Caroline felt lighter than she had all day. Their new roommates seemed easy, understanding—maybe even the start of something steady. She hoped it would last.