The next morning came far too quickly.
Liam sat in the passenger seat of his mom's old silver hatchback, clutching his backpack like it was a life jacket. His stomach fluttered with nerves as the tall gates of Bangtan College of Science came into view, decorated with banners welcoming the new freshman class.
His mom reached over and squeezed his knee.
"Deep breaths, sweetheart. We made it."
The campus was alive. Cars lined the sidewalks, students were dragging suitcases across the pavement, parents shouted directions, RA's waved clipboards in the air, and excited freshmen ran around like caffeinated birds.
Liam stared out the window, wide-eyed.
"It's… so busy."
"Of course it is," his mom said with a proud smile. "Everyone's starting their new journey today."
They parked in a crowded lot, and the moment they stepped out, a gust of excited chatter washed over them.
Liam looked around nervously—groups of students hugging, laughing, taking photos. Some already looked like they belonged. He tugged his suitcase behind him, trying not to block anyone.
"Room 304… Room 304…" Liam muttered, his eyes darting between buildings. "Why did they make this campus so big?"
Together, he and his mom moved through the chaos, dodging families, piles of luggage, and a guy blasting music from a portable speaker.
"Excuse me," his mom said politely for the tenth time, "sorry, coming through!"
Liam was already sweating a little. "Mom, maybe we should've brought a map."
She stopped, scanning the crowd. "Let's ask someone. Maybe they can help us find the right dorm."
Before Liam could protest, his mom pointed toward a tall guy standing by a stack of boxes. He wore a simple T-shirt, athletic shorts, and a smile that made Liam's heart nearly stop.
He was cute.
Like jawline, messy dark hair, warm brown eyes cute.
His mom marched up first. "Hi! Sorry to bother you—do you know where Room 304 is?"
The guy turned, and when he smiled at them, Liam swore the sun got brighter.
"Yeah, sure," he said. "Name's Blake, by the way. You guys lost?"
Liam froze. Completely. Utterly. His brain short-circuited.
His mom nodded cheerfully. "My son is in Room 304, and this campus is just a maze!"
Blake chuckled, a deep and friendly sound.
"Oh, 304? You're in Maple Hall. I'm an RA on the floor below. It's just up those stairs and to the left."
"Thanks," Liam managed to say, though his voice cracked a little.
Blake's eyes flicked toward him, amused. "First day nerves?"
Liam nodded, cheeks burning. "Something like that."
"Don't worry," Blake said. "Everyone feels like that. You'll settle in fast." He lifted one of his boxes with ease. "Maybe I'll see you around."
Liam's heart did a full somersault.
His mom thanked Blake again, then gently nudged Liam forward.
As they walked toward Maple Hall, she whispered, "He was cute. You okay?"
Liam whispered back sharply, "Mom!"
She just smirked.
But as they climbed the stairs toward Room 304, Liam found himself smiling too.
Maybe… just maybe… this first day wouldn't be so bad after all