Settling in campus

After unpacking most of her belongings, Sophia collapsed onto her bed with a tired sigh. It had been a long day of settling in and meeting new people. Across the room, Ivy was busy arranging her things on her desk, her movements slow and thoughtful.

"So," Ivy said after a moment, glancing at Sophia. "How are you feeling about everything so far?"

Sophia smiled. "I think I'm settling in okay. The room's nice, and the campus is beautiful. What about you?"

Ivy gave a soft chuckle. "Yeah, it's all good. But I've been thinking… I got appointed to study Human Resources, but I'm actually planning to switch my course to Hospitality and Catering. It just feels like something I'd enjoy more."

Sophia raised an eyebrow. "That's a big change. Are you sure? Plus it's quite a tiring process."

"Yeah," Ivy replied, looking more confident now. "I've been thinking about it for a while, and I'm going to see what I can do to change it."

"Well, that sounds like a good plan if it's what you want. I'm sure you'll love it."

They exchanged small talk about their backgrounds and ambitions, gradually getting to know each other better. Ivy was calm and mature, a quiet presence who seemed grounded, and Sophia found herself relaxing as they talked.

However, there was one person notably missing—Kendra.

"Kendra didn't come back tonight?" Sophia asked, glancing at the empty bed next to hers.

Ivy smiled knowingly. "She's with her new best friends in their dorm room. She made a quick exit earlier."

Sophia laughed. "Of course she did. Who are these new friends, anyway?"

"Oh, Bree and Serena. They're in the same course as us—Public Relations and Advertising. Bree's the sporty one. She's tall, super athletic, and she has her hair cut short and dyed blonde. Serena, on the other hand, is quieter around strangers but has amazing style. She's majoring in fashion design but she's also in your PR course, so it's a good balance."

"Wow, sounds like Kendra found her people already."

"They seem like a perfect trio," Ivy added with a soft smile.

Sophia grinned, imagining Kendra already fully immersed in her social whirlwind. She figured she wouldn't see much of her tonight, given how quickly Kendra had latched onto her new best friends. But that was just Kendra—always jumping into the action.

As the evening wore on, Sophia and Ivy continued to chat, their conversation relaxed and comfortable.They shared the snacks they had brought with them to campus since they were not familiar enough with the facilities in Silverwood.Eventually, they both climbed into bed, the day catching up to them.

The first day of orientation kicked off with excitement and anticipation. As soon as the initial session wrapped up, Sophia checked her phone, finding a message from Leah, the girl she'd bonded with online in the weeks leading up to move-in day. Leah lived off-campus in Elmwood, a nearby student town where many preferred to rent instead of staying in dorms.

Leah: "Break in 10! Wanna meet by the fountain?"

Sophia smiled, typing back quickly: "On my way!"

Leah was someone Sophia had clicked with even before they'd met in person. She was light-skinned, social, and talkative—someone who could turn even the most mundane situations into something fun. Today was the day they'd finally meet face-to-face.

Sophia made her way toward the campus fountain, spotting Leah almost immediately. They both burst into laughter when they saw each other—both of them wearing identical yellow hoodies.

"No way! We're twinning!" Leah exclaimed, walking over with a bright smile and pulling Sophia into a tight hug. "This is amazing! It's like we're on the same wavelength."

Sophia laughed, hugging her back. "I can't believe this! We look like we're in a coordinated team or something."

Leah pulled back, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Well, this just confirms what I already knew—we're going to be besties."

As they sat down by the fountain, Leah immediately launched into conversation about life in Elmwood.

"Honestly, living off-campus is a total game-changer," Leah said, her hands flying as she spoke. "I get to cook my own food, and the rent's cheaper than dorms. Plus, it's super close to campus."

"That sounds awesome," Sophia replied. "Though I don't mind the dorm so far. Ivy's pretty chill, and Kendra… well, she's everywhere."

Leah chuckled. "Yeah, I saw Kendra in our clas group chat. She's like a social butterfly on steroids."

"She didn't even come back to the dorm last night," Sophia explained, shaking her head. "She's already best friends with Bree and Serena."

Leah raised her eyebrows, laughing. "Oh, the dream team! Those girls are inseparable. They're going to be a PR power squad for sure."

"I'm sure they'll drag us to The Vibe soon enough," Sophia added with a grin.

Leah's eyes lit up mischievously. "Oh, for sure. We'll all be at Pulse in no time. But let's get through orientation first before the real fun begins."

Their conversation was lively and full of laughter, the kind of instant chemistry that felt like they had known each other for years. They talked about their love for public relations, shared dreams for their future careers, and even threw in some playful gossip about the orientation leaders.

As the break ended, Leah gave Sophia a quick side hug. "I'm so glad we finally met. We're going to have the best time here. I also can't wait to meet Ivy."

"I feel the same," Sophia agreed, feeling lighter than she had all morning. "This year's going to be awesome."

---

Back at the Dorm: Debriefing with Ivy

Later that day, back in Oakwood Hall, Sophia felt a sense of contentment as she entered Room 204. Ivy was sitting on her bed, a book open in her lap, and she looked up when Sophia entered.

"So," Ivy said, smiling, "how was your meetup with Leah?"

Sophia dropped onto her bed, stretching out with a grin. "It was great! She's exactly how I imagined—funny, energetic, and we totally hit it off. We even wore matching yellow hoodies, like a total coincidence."

Ivy laughed softly. "That sounds like wonderful. Make sure you bring her along tomorrow."

"I think we're going to be really good friends," Sophia said, feeling more confident than ever. "It's nice having someone like her around."

"Well, good friends are essential," Ivy said, her calm tone ever-present. "Especially in a place like this."

Kendra's voice suddenly cut through the air as she burst into the room, her phone in hand. "What's this I hear about matching hoodies? You two are too cute."

Sophia laughed. "Where have you been all day?"

"With my new besties, of course!" Kendra beamed, throwing herself onto her bed. "Bree, Serena, and I are going to run this place. We already have plans for The Vibe this weekend, and you two better come."

Sophia glanced at Ivy, who smiled but shrugged. "We'll see."

"Ugh, you two are no fun!" Kendra teased. "You have to come. It's going to be legendary."

As the night went on, the three of them continued talking, sharing stories about their goals and the exciting possibilities that Silverwood University held. With every passing hour, Sophia felt more secure in her new surroundings, knowing she had found both friendship and a fresh start.

Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but for now, Sophia let herself enjoy the feeling of belonging.