"Hey Mama" by Jonas Blue played softly.
Caroline turned off the alarm, waking up with a grin that felt almost deliberate—like she was choosing optimism before the day could argue back.
"Daisy," she said, tugging gently at the blanket. "Wake up. You said you wanted to shower first."
Daisy groaned and pushed herself upright, eyes still closed, swaying slightly as if gravity itself was negotiable this early.
"I'm up… I'm up," she muttered, though she didn't move.
Caroline laughed under her breath and headed to the washroom. By the time she returned, Daisy was still sitting there, staring vaguely at the wall.
"I'm going. I swear," Daisy said, finally grabbing her clothes and disappearing inside.
Caroline connected her phone to the speaker, letting music fill the small dorm room. She moved through her routine easily—lemon-honey water, light stretching—her body already syncing into dorm life as if it had been waiting for this rhythm.
An hour later, Daisy emerged fresh and alert, and Caroline immediately rushed in. Ten minutes later, she was done—changed, ready, hair tied up without much thought.
Daisy watched her with mild disbelief. She had noticed it the day before too—how Caroline shifted outfits for the gym and dinner with an efficiency that suggested long practice.
She really doesn't need help, Daisy thought.
Her cream palazzo and black tank top suited her tall frame perfectly. If only she didn't hide it under that shirt…
"Daisy?" Caroline waved a hand in front of her face. "You okay? I've been calling you."
"Oh—sorry." Daisy paused, then decided to say it. "Do you want a coat or earrings? I don't mean to be rude, but… the shirt kind of dulls the look."
Caroline turned toward the mirror, evaluating herself honestly. "Is it really that bad?"
Instead of answering, Daisy rushed to her closet and pulled out a cream cardigan, holding it up eagerly. "Try this."
Caroline slipped it on. Daisy immediately followed up with a pair of hoops, offering them too.
"The cardigan makes a difference," Caroline admitted, smiling softly. "But I'm not much of an earrings person. Still—thank you."
Daisy nodded, a little disappointed but not offended. She grabbed her blush leather bag, slipped into her low heels, and waited by the door.
Caroline slung her caramel leather bag over her shoulder, tied her white sneakers, and linked her arm through Daisy's as they stepped out.
"So… breakfast?" Daisy asked, clearly more relaxed now.
"We've done Apple and Bat," Caroline said thoughtfully. "Cat today."
"Then you're coming back with me once we cover the rest," Daisy warned, raising a brow.
"Yes, miss." Caroline saluted with two fingers. They giggled as the elevator descended.
They spotted Marcus and Kevin already standing in line at Cat.
"Good morning," Caroline said brightly. "Or maybe not—you both look like pandas."
Kevin let out a tired laugh. Marcus didn't even try.
"Don't," Marcus said flatly. "Just don't."
Caroline and Daisy exchanged a quick glance.
"Okay," Caroline said lightly, sensing the shift. "We'll find a table. I'll take a sandwich and juice."
"Pancakes and juice for me," Daisy added.
Marcus and Kevin raised thumbs without turning.
They found a four-seater and placed their bags across the chairs.
"Do you think they have weird habits?" Daisy whispered, trying to lighten the mood.
Caroline studied the line where Marcus stood, shoulders slightly hunched. "No. And that's what worries me."
Kevin arrived first, tray in hand, setting it down carefully.
"It's bad," he said quietly. "And it's only the beginning."
Marcus followed, dropping into his chair and immediately taking a large bite of his sandwich.
"Marko," Caroline said, lowering her voice. "Did you meet them?"
Marcus exhaled slowly, chewing as if food was the only thing grounding him.
"Last night," he said. "Seniors."
He leaned closer. "They called all first-year boys out. Said it was a 'welcome tradition.' Forced exercises. Humiliation. Anyone who tried to escape—names noted."
Daisy's fork froze mid-air.
"They made some strip," Marcus continued, voice controlled but tight. "If anyone resisted, they laughed. If anyone complained, they acted like it was all a joke."
Kevin swallowed hard. "We knew something like this could happen. We didn't sleep."
Caroline's eyes sharpened. "How did you get out?"
"We ran," Marcus said simply. "All night. Hiding between buildings, stairwells, anywhere dark."
Kevin added, "One of them used a master key. Slept in our room, waiting."
Daisy gasped softly.
"He broke my football," Marcus said, taking another bite. "Said it was a mistake."
"And he tried to take my sneakers," Kevin said grimly. "Left only because the warden started rounds."
Caroline's grip tightened around her juice glass, but she didn't stop eating.
"Cheez," Marcus said quietly. "We need to hurry in our search."
She nodded immediately. "After class."
Daisy looked between them, confused—but something in Caroline's calm stopped her from asking more.
"Why didn't anyone mention this before?" Daisy asked, fear creeping into her voice. "Is it only boys?"
Caroline reached across the table and squeezed her hand.
"KITS is officially ragging-free," she said gently. "But we looked into it before joining. Former students. Forums. It's been getting worse the past two years."
Daisy swallowed. "And girls?"
"Less severe," Caroline said carefully. "From what we know."
Marcus wiped his hands. "We'll talk later. First day—we can't be late."
Caroline nodded. She finished her sandwich, deliberately calm.
"Daisy left half a glass of juice and barely touched her pancakes."
They walked toward their respective classes in silence.
Yesterday had been excitement, laughter, discovery.
Today felt like awareness.
Daisy stayed close to Caroline without realizing it. Kevin looked like he already knew what they were talking about, and for the first time, Daisy felt out of the loop. Though she didn't understand everything, she chose to trust her new friend, Caroline.
If it were another day, Caroline would have matched Marcus's pace. But today, she noticed Daisy's fear and chose to walk beside her instead—slower than Marcus and Kevin.
And for the first time since arriving at KITS, the campus felt less like a dream—and more like a test.