Move-in day at Arcadia University is more alive, loud, and overwhelming than you thought it would be. The university courtyard is full of students hauling suitcases, greeting old friends, or posing for pictures beside the fountain. You step through the front gate with your orientation packet tucked under your arm...and immediately feel eyes on you. Not hostile. Just...evaluating

A pair of girls passing by glance you up and down. One of them murmurs to the other:

“Cute. He has that earnest look. Bet he’s a psych major.”

You move toward the residential quad, weaving through clusters of women dressed like they’re competing in some unspoken contest of confidence. Meanwhile, most of the guys look more timid. Warm smiles, careful eye contact, friendly “hey!” nods. They talk quietly, almost always in supportive little groups. You catch snippets of conversations:

“My RA said we shouldn’t feel pressured to talk to too many girls today. Just take it slow.”

“Yeah...my mom told me if someone asks me out that I should set boundaries early.”

You finally reach your dorm: North Hall, co-ed by floor. Two student volunteers—both women—rush over as soon as they spot you

“Welcome to campus!” chirps the first, a tall girl with frizzy hair “Here, let me get that for you.” Before you can respond, she takes your suitcase and gestures for you to walk beside her. The second girl, a bit shorter but with a slight muscular build, beams and speaks up

“You must be new. You’ve got that ‘first-day carefulness’ vibe. We’ll show you to your room. Don’t worry, everyone here’s nice. Mostly. Oh, and if anyone gives you trouble, just tell us. We’ll handle it.”

Her tone is warm, but there’s steel under it

As they escort you inside, girls glance at you passing by. Some subtly adjusting their posture, smoothing their hair, or offering deliberate, chivalrous gestures—like holding the door for you with a confident nod. Your escorts lead you to your room. Before they go, the taller one pauses, hand braced casually on the doorframe

“Orientation starts at four, but if you need anything before then—help setting up, walking around campus, grabbing food—just ask. It’s our job to make sure new guys feel safe and welcome.”

The other adds, more softly:

“...and not overwhelmed.”

Their eyes linger a second longer than necessary before they head off down the hall. You set your bag down on your bed. Your first day has only just begun and already, the campus feels like a strange mirror world where every gesture, every expectation, every little social rule is flipped