Afton Family: Michael and Isabella.

Chapter 1: First Day of College Classes

Michael woke up to the blaring sound of his alarm clock, the harsh beeping cutting through his sleep. He groaned, rolling over to hit the snooze button, but then remembered—today was his first day of college classes. With a surge of nervous excitement, he sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

The room was still dim, the early morning sun barely peeking through the curtains. Across the room, his roommate Sam was already up, typing away on his laptop. Michael was grateful for Sam's calm presence; they had quickly become friends over the past few days, and it made the adjustment to college life a bit easier.

"Morning," Sam greeted without looking up from his screen. "Ready for the first day?"

Michael stretched and let out a yawn. "As ready as I'll ever be, I guess."

He got out of bed and began to get ready, feeling a mixture of excitement and anxiety. He pulled on a fresh shirt and jeans, grabbing his backpack and double-checking to make sure he had everything he needed—pens, notebooks, and his schedule. His first class was Introduction to Robotics, a subject he was eager to dive into.

"Which class do you have first?" Sam asked, closing his laptop.

"Intro to Robotics," Michael replied, a hint of enthusiasm in his voice. "Been looking forward to it. You?"

"Calculus," Sam sighed. "Not as exciting, but necessary. Hey, wanna grab breakfast at the dining hall before we head out?"

"Yeah, sounds good," Michael agreed. He felt a bit of relief; it would be nice to have a friend by his side as he navigated the newness of college life.

They headed out of their dorm, joining the steady stream of students making their way across campus. The air was crisp, filled with the chatter of first-year students discussing their schedules, sharing tips, and trying to find their way around. The campus was alive with energy—nervous but hopeful.

At the dining hall, they quickly grabbed breakfast—a bagel and coffee for Michael, eggs and toast for Sam. They ate quickly, both eager to get to their respective classes.

"I hear the professors here are pretty tough," Sam mentioned between bites. "But it's all about making an impression on the first day. Show them you're serious."

Michael nodded, though he wasn't sure how to do that just yet. He finished his bagel and checked the time. "We should probably head out," he suggested. "Don't want to be late."

They parted ways outside the dining hall, Sam heading off to the math building while Michael made his way to the engineering department. He walked briskly, his heart pounding with anticipation. He scanned the campus map on his phone to ensure he was heading in the right direction.

As he approached the engineering building, he saw other students with the same unsure expressions, looking around for their classrooms. Michael found the lecture hall for his Robotics class and stepped inside, taking a deep breath. The room was large, filled with rows of desks and a massive whiteboard at the front. Students were already filling in, chatting with one another or quietly reviewing their notes.

Michael chose a seat in the middle, not too close to the front but not at the back either. He pulled out his notebook and set it on the desk, his fingers tapping nervously on the cover. A few minutes later, a tall man with glasses and a thick beard entered the room, a stack of papers in hand. He had an air of authority but also a friendly demeanor.

"Good morning, everyone," the professor greeted, setting the papers down on the desk. "I'm Dr. Harris, and this is Introduction to Robotics. Welcome. I hope you're all as excited as I am to get started."

The students quieted down, all eyes on Dr. Harris. Michael felt a jolt of excitement. This was it—the beginning of something new.

Dr. Harris began the class by outlining the course objectives and expectations. He spoke passionately about robotics, sharing his experiences in the field and what drew him to it. Michael found himself captivated, hanging on to every word. The professor had a way of making the subject come alive, and Michael could already feel his curiosity growing.

"Robotics isn't just about building machines," Dr. Harris continued. "It's about understanding how to make machines think, how to solve problems, and how to innovate. By the end of this course, I want each of you to have a project that you're proud of, something that showcases your creativity and skills."

Michael's mind began to race with ideas. He had always been fascinated by the concept of artificial intelligence and machines that could learn. He wondered what kind of project he might create.

The professor then handed out the syllabus, outlining the assignments, exams, and projects for the semester. Michael scanned through the pages, his excitement building. This was exactly what he had hoped for—a chance to learn, create, and push himself.

After going over the syllabus, Dr. Harris jumped straight into the first lecture, diving into the basics of robotics, covering sensors, actuators, and the fundamental principles of robotic design. Michael took notes furiously, eager to absorb everything.

When the class finally ended, Michael felt a rush of exhilaration. He packed up his things, feeling a sense of accomplishment. As he stepped out of the lecture hall, he couldn't help but smile. The first day wasn't so bad after all. In fact, he was looking forward to what came next.

Michael spent the rest of the day attending his other classes—Physics, Computer Science, and a general education course on philosophy. Each class had its own unique vibe, and he enjoyed the variety of subjects. By the time he returned to his dorm room in the evening, he was exhausted but content.

"How was it?" Sam asked as Michael entered, slumping down in his chair.

"Not bad," Michael replied, a tired smile on his face. "Actually, it was pretty great. I think I'm going to like it here."

Sam grinned. "Told you. It's only the first day, but I think we're gonna have a good time."

Michael nodded in agreement, feeling a sense of relief. The first day of classes was behind him, and though it was just the beginning, he already felt like he was on the right path. College was going to be challenging, but it was also going to be an adventure—a chance to grow, learn, and maybe, just maybe, find out what he was truly capable of.