Liam stood in the middle of his room, staring at the half-packed suitcase as if it were a complicated science equation he couldn't solve. Shirts were folded in neat piles, socks rolled into perfect pairs—yet his hands still trembled slightly. Tomorrow he would be leaving home for the first time, heading to the Bangtan College of Science, a place he had dreamed of since he was sixteen.
A college for geniuses, innovators… and hopefully, boys who wouldn't mind someone like him.
"Okay," Liam muttered to himself, placing another T-shirt into the suitcase. "Just… breathe. It's college, not a battlefield."
His mom popped her head into the room, smiling proudly but with eyes that were just a little too shiny.
"Sweetheart, are you sure you packed enough warm clothes? You know how you get when you're cold."
"Mom," Liam groaned softly, but he couldn't help smiling. "It's a science college, not Antarctica."
"I know, but still," she said, stepping inside and smoothing the top of his suitcase like she was tucking him in. "My baby is going to college."
"Mom, please don't start crying or I'll cry too," he laughed nervously.
Before she could respond, Liam's phone buzzed in his pocket. The name Gary flashed across the screen.
He quickly answered, grateful for the distraction.
"HELLOOO future college hottie," Gary practically screamed through the speaker.
Liam rolled his eyes. "Hi to you too, drama queen."
"Are you packed? Are you excited? Are you stressed? Are you ready to be surrounded by college boys? Cute boys? Smart boys? Dumb boys with big arms?" Gary rambled.
Liam flushed instantly. "Gary! My mom is in the room!"
"Oh please," Gary scoffed. "Hi, Mrs. Dawson! Your son is about to enter Boy Heaven!"
Liam's mom laughed, shaking her head. "Gary, behave."
"No promises!" Gary chirped. "Liam, listen. College boys? They're a different breed. You're gonna be walking into those lecture halls like, 'Oh wow, look at me, a little freshman nerd,' and then BAM—some senior frat boy is gonna look at you."
Liam sputtered, nearly dropping a pair of jeans. "Frat boys do not look at guys like me."
"Says who?" Gary challenged. "You're adorable. You're smart. You're… intentionally nerdy. Honestly someone out there is already fantasizing about tutoring sessions with you."
Liam covered his face, cheeks burning. "Gary, please."
His mom grinned. "Gary, don't tease him too much. He's nervous enough."
"Nervous?" Gary repeated. "Liam, honey, you're going to thrive. And if a cute college boy doesn't fall for you… call me, I'll sue the whole campus."
Liam laughed despite himself. "Yeah, okay. I'll let you know."
Gary's voice softened a little. "Seriously though… you'll be okay. You're ready for this."
Liam swallowed a lump in his throat. "Thanks, Gare."
He hung up, feeling a warm mix of fear and excitement stirring inside him.
College. New people. New life. New chances.
Maybe… maybe even his first real crush.
As he zipped up the suitcase, his mom wrapped her arms around him tightly.
"You're going to do amazing things, Liam."
He hugged her back.
"I hope so."
He didn't know yet that somewhere at Bangtan College of Science—laughing loudly, surrounded by friends, wearing a frat jacket with confidence Liam could only dream of—was the boy whose life was about to crash into his.
And change everything.