• The August sun hung high over Hawthorne University as students and parents crowded the campus. Red-brick buildings, huge oak trees, and winding sidewalks stretched in every direction. The lawn was filled with students carrying boxes, meeting roommates, and taking photos in front of the clock tower at the center of campus.

Grace stood outside Maple Hall, staring up at the dorm building.

“You’re overthinking again,” Michael said with a smile.

Grace laughed. “Maybe a little.”

Michael Jackson, her boyfriend of four years, adjusted the box in his arms. They had started dating at sixteen and had been inseparable ever since. Now, at twenty years old and fresh out of high school, they were beginning a whole new chapter together.

“Nervous?” he asked.

“A little.”

“You checked our room number six times.”

“Seven.”

Michael laughed.

They climbed the stairs to Room 214 and opened the door.

The dorm was small.

A tiny living area connected to a kitchenette, a shared bathroom, and two cramped bedrooms. Grace looked around.

“This is smaller than my bedroom at home.”

Michael nodded. “My guitar might take up half the room.”

Before they could unpack, a familiar voice echoed down the hall.

“Grace!”

Kelly came running toward them and immediately wrapped Grace in a hug.

Kelly had been Grace’s best friend since middle school. She was energetic, talkative, and always knew what was happening before everyone else.

Following behind her was Brock, Kelly’s boyfriend, carrying several boxes.

“I’ve been moving her stuff all day,” Brock complained.

Kelly rolled her eyes. “You carried one lamp.”

“It was a very demanding lamp.”

Michael laughed while Grace shook her head.

The four friends spent the afternoon unpacking. Kelly covered her walls with decorations, Brock accidentally built a shelf backwards, and Michael organized his records and music equipment while Grace tried to make the dorm feel cozy.

By evening, there was a knock at the door.

Grace opened it to find a tall boy standing there.

Dark hair. Blue eyes. Confident smile.

“Hey,” he said. “I’m Tyler. I live across the hall.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Grace.”

His smile widened.

“I know. I saw your name on the door.”

Michael stepped beside her, casually placing an arm around her waist.

“I’m Michael.”

Tyler glanced at him.

“Yeah, I know.”

For a moment, the atmosphere felt strange.

Tyler quickly smiled again. “Well, I’ll see you guys around.”

After he left, Kelly raised an eyebrow.

“That guy definitely noticed you.”

“Kelly,” Grace groaned.

“I’m just saying.”

Michael didn’t say anything, but he wasn’t a fan of the way Tyler had looked at Grace.

Later that night, the four friends sat outside near the campus fountain. String lights glowed above them while students gathered across the lawn, talking and laughing.

Kelly stretched out on the grass.

“We’re actually in college.”

“Terrifying,” Brock replied.

“Exciting,” Grace corrected.

Michael squeezed her hand.

She smiled.

Everything felt perfect. Her best friend was here. Michael was here. They had an entire future ahead of them.

Then Grace glanced across the lawn.

Tyler stood near the fountain talking to another student.

And none of them knew how much their life was gonna change.*