First Day at San Diego State

Jake adjusted the strap of his backpack, glancing around the buzzing campus of San Diego State University. Students rushed past, some carrying stacks of books, others lugging suitcases, and a few already looking lost.

“Okay, this is insane,” Raelene muttered beside him, holding onto the dorm key in one hand and her phone in the other. “We actually made it. College.”

Jake smirked. “Yeah, and somehow, they let you in.”

Raelene scoffed, nudging him hard with her elbow. “Funny. I was gonna say the same thing about you.”

They reached their dorm building and stepped inside, dragging their suitcases down the hallway. Their room wasn’t huge, but it was definitely bigger than they expected—two beds, two desks, a mini fridge, and a window overlooking the courtyard.

Raelene plopped onto her bed with a sigh. “Well, at least we don’t have to deal with some random, weird roommates.”

“Yeah,” Jake said, tossing his bag onto his bed. “Just each other.”

She threw a pillow at him.

After unpacking a bit, they decided to explore the campus. They grabbed iced coffees from a nearby café and headed toward their first class. Students flooded the halls, chatting, laughing, some nervously looking at schedules on their phones.

“I’m actually kinda nervous,” Raelene admitted, sipping her drink.

Jake raised an eyebrow. “You? Nervous?”

Raelene rolls her eyes “Shut up.”

They finally found their classroom and walked in, immediately noticing a few open seats toward the middle. They sat down, exchanging glances as the professor entered.