First day of campus

Silverwood University stretched before Sophia Mills like a vision from one of the books she used to lose herself in as a child. The red-brick buildings stood tall, draped in ivy, their grandeur framed by lush green lawns and ancient oak trees whose branches swayed gently in the autumn breeze. It was a world away from the small, quiet town she had grown up in, where opportunities seemed like distant dreams. But now, standing on the threshold of this new chapter, it all felt real—and overwhelming.

Sophia's legs ached from the endless walking she'd done all morning, providing documents and posing for photos during her admissions process. Her parents, who had accompanied her, had already said their goodbyes after what felt like hours of walking around campus together. Her mother had been feeling paranoid, trying to offer last-minute advice about staying safe and making good choices, while her father had given her one last squeeze, his words few but full of pride.

Now, as she stood outside Oakwood Hall, her dorm for the next year, she took a deep breath. The air was filled with the excited chatter of other freshmen, the shuffling of luggage, and the occasional honking of cars as families dropped off their kids. Sophia clutched her dorm key in one hand and her phone in the other, her heart fluttering between excitement and nervousness. This was it ,the start of her journey at Silverwood.

As she stepped into Room 204, she was greeted by the sight of her first roommate already settling in. A girl with deep brown skin and her maroon braids pinned neatly in a bun sat cross-legged on the bed, directing a few final adjustments. Standing next to her was an older girl petite and poised, who looked like she could have been her sister. Her calm demeanor immediately caught Sophia's attention. A man—clearly their father—was just finishing placing a few last items on the desk, offering a nod of approval at his handiwork.

"You must be Sophia," the girl said with a smile, standing up to greet her. "I'm Ivy. And this is my older sister, Monica, and my dad."

Sophia smiled, the warmth in Ivy's voice soothing her frayed nerves. "Hi, nice to meet you all."

Monica gave a friendly nod before turning to Ivy. "Well, little sis, you're all set up now. Just remember to stay focused, okay? Have fun, but keep your head on straight." Her advice was given with the authority of someone who had already walked the college path, and it was clear Ivy respected her sister's wisdom.

Ivy grinned. "I will, I promise."

Their father, his face lined with a lifetime of hard work, looked at Ivy with a gentle but proud expression before turning to Sophia. "You two take care of each other. College is a whirlwind, but you'll get the hang of it."

With one final round of hugs and goodbyes, Ivy's family departed, leaving the room in a quiet, peaceful calm. Sophia finally sat down on her own bed, letting out a sigh of relief as the exhaustion of the day began to catch up with her. It felt good to be in a space where she could finally breathe after the whirlwind of admissions, pictures, and walking.

Ivy, noticing her tired expression, smiled softly. "Long day?"

Sophia nodded. "Yeah, it's been a lot. I feel like I've been walking for hours. But I'm excited to be here."

Ivy laughed gently, her calm presence radiating across the room. "It'll get better once classes start. At least now we can relax a bit before everything gets busy."

Just as the atmosphere began to settle, the door swung open again, and in walked a short, energetic girl with extended corn rows and a stylish handbag practically bouncing on her toes. Her trendy clothes and bright smile instantly lit up the room as she dropped her purse on the bed she had claimed earlier.

"Hey, roommates!" she exclaimed with infectious enthusiasm. "I'm Kendra! Sorry I wasn't here earlier—I dropped off my stuff and ran out to handle some things, but I'm back now. Ready to start the wildest year ever?"

Sophia blinked at the sudden burst of energy, but her exhaustion melted away with the girl's exuberance. Kendra's presence was like a shot of adrenaline, and Sophia couldn't help but smile.

Kendra winked at both of them. "I hope you two are ready for some serious fun—parties, campus events, the whole shebang. We're going to do it all!"

Ivy chuckled softly, the contrast between her calm demeanor and Kendra's high energy already amusing. Sophia felt the same—a mix of comfort and excitement filled the room. Between Ivy's quiet wisdom, Kendra's lively spirit, and the thrill of starting her journey at Silverwood University, Sophia knew that this was going to be an unforgettable experience.

Taking in the quiet of the room, her thoughts drifted back to her parents. She could still feel the warmth of her father's proud embrace and hear her mother's concerned yet loving words echoing in her mind. They had sacrificed so much to get her to Silverwood University, and she was determined not to let them down. Sophia had promised herself that she would make them proud—more than proud. She would excel, rise above her humble beginnings, and achieve the dream she had nurtured for as long as she could remember. She didn't just want a degree; she wanted to be a force to be reckoned with—a boss lady who would someday command respect and inspire others.

Romance? That could wait. The idea of getting swept up in the distractions of dating didn't fit into her plan. She had seen too many people lose their way because of it. No, not her. She had made a promise to herself to stay focused, to build a future where she was in control. Maybe, just maybe, she'd consider dating in her final year—when she was about to graduate and ready to step into the world with her head held high. For now, her mission was clear: study hard, stay determined, and make her parents' sacrifices worth every bit. This was her time to shine.