University Calls

Sophia had gotten into Evergreen University for one reason — it was where Daniel lived.

But she told herself it wasn't just about him.

It was about the psychology program they were known for — ranked among the top in the region. She'd studied hard for this. Dreamed of it since high school. It was her future, her chance to grow beyond being Nathan's little sister.

Still… she couldn't lie to herself.

She had chosen this city on purpose.

She had planned every step of it.

And now, standing in front of the campus with her suitcase in hand, she realized there was no turning back.

The flight had been long.

She had flown from Harper's Landing — the quiet suburban town she'd grown up in — to Evergreen City, nestled between rolling hills and winding streets lined with old bookshops and cozy cafés.

Her parents had insisted on driving her to the airport.

Nathan had come too — grinning as he carried her luggage through security like he was doing her a favor.

Daniel hadn't shown up.

He hadn't even texted.

She tried not to let it bother her.

Tried not to feel like she was starting over without him.

But as they stood in the terminal, waiting for her flight to be called, her mom pulled her close.

"You're going to do amazing things," she whispered. "You always have."

Her dad squeezed her shoulder. "Make us proud. And make friends. Don't just study all the time."

She smiled. "I won't."

Nathan nudged her playfully. "You sure you don't want me to sneak into your dorm and scare your roommates?"

"Don't even think about it," she warned.

He grinned. "Too late. I'm already plotting."

They hugged her one last time before she stepped toward the gate, heart pounding.

As she sat by the window, watching the ground shrink beneath her, she felt it clearly.

She wasn't just moving for school.

She was chasing something — someone — who might never chase her back.

But maybe that didn't matter anymore.

Maybe it was enough that she was finally here.

Moving into her dorm was chaos.

Her assigned room was on the third floor of Maple Hall, one of the older dorms but still charming in its own way — brick walls, wooden floors, and a common kitchen that smelled faintly like burnt toast and coffee.

She pushed open the door to find three girls already inside, unpacking their things.

One turned around instantly, smiling wide.

"Hey! You must be our fifth roommate!"

Sophia gave a small wave. "Yeah. That's me."

"I'm Mira," the girl said. "Psych major, party queen, and lover of bad reality TV."

Sophia laughed. "Nice to meet you."

Next to her, a tall girl with curly hair extended her hand. "I'm Rose . I'm studying journalism."

A quieter girl sitting on the bed looked up shyly. "Hi. I'm Claire. I'm in biology. I know, I'm boring. But I promise I can bake cookies."

Sophia smiled. "That's not boring. That's amazing."

The last girl, dressed in oversized sweats, waved lazily from her laptop. "Name's Zara. Computer science. If I disappear for days, send help or snacks. Either works."

Sophia dropped her bag on the empty bed, exhaling.

This was real.

She was here.

At university.

In his city.

Later that evening, after helping carry boxes and laughing at Mira's dramatic stories about her high school crushes, they all decided to celebrate.

"We did it," Mira declared, holding up a can of soda like it was champagne. "Freshers unite!"

Zara groaned. "We should get hoodies with that slogan."

Claire smiled. "Or T-shirts."

Sophia shook her head, laughing. "I think we just survived orientation."

They were at a small café near campus — The Willow Bean, a local favorite filled with mismatched chairs, chalkboard menus, and the scent of cinnamon rolls and strong espresso.

For once, Sophia wasn't thinking about Daniel.

She was focused on the girls beside her — the new chapter unfolding right in front of her.

And then Zara asked, "So what made you choose Evergreen?"

Sophia hesitated.

Mira smirked. "Oh my god. Is it a guy?"

"No!" she yelped.

Claire raised an eyebrow. "You said it too fast."

Sophia groaned. "Fine. There's someone. But it's complicated."

"How complicated?" Zara asked.

"He's my brother's best friend."

There was a beat of silence.

Then Mira burst out laughing. "Of course it is."

"It's not like that!" Sophia added quickly. "He doesn't even know I exist."

Zara tilted her head. "Yet you moved across the country anyway."

Sophia blushed. "I picked the psychology program first. He was just… a bonus."

"A five-year-old bonus?" Zara teased.

Sophia rolled her eyes. "He's twenty-four. I'm nineteen. Not ancient."

Mira leaned in. "Okay, but if he's your brother's age, isn't that kind of awkward?"

Sophia frowned. "Kind of? Yes."

"And yet," Claire said gently, "you still came here."

Sophia nodded slowly. "Because I've loved him since I was twelve. And if I'm ever going to stop loving him…"

She trailed off.

Zara raised her can. "Then welcome to Evergreen. The place where dreams either come true or die painfully."

Everyone laughed.

Even Sophia.

Back at the dorm, they spent the night decorating their space — fairy lights, posters, personal touches that made the small room feel like home.

Mira played music from her phone.

Zara ordered pizza.

Claire baked cookies.

And Sophia sat on her bed, staring at her phone.

No messages.

No texts.

Nothing from Daniel.

She told herself it didn't matter.

She was here now.

She had people who cared.

She had a fresh start.

And maybe, just maybe, she could finally build something real — even if it wasn't with him.

But as she lay back on her pillow that night, listening to her roommates whisper goodnight to each other, she couldn't help but smile softly.

Because this wasn't just a new chapter.

It was a new life.

And whatever happened next…

She was ready.