Crossing States

Chapter 4

The years had passed like a blur, and before they knew it, both Ethan and Luca were standing at the threshold of a new chapter in their lives—college. They hadn't spoken in years, their lives having taken such different paths that the thought of reconnecting had faded into the background of their minds. And yet, in a twist of fate, they had both chosen the same university, unaware that their worlds were about to collide once more.

Ethan arrived at the sprawling campus with the easy confidence of someone who had always been comfortable in his own skin. High school had solidified his role as the charismatic, athletic guy who everyone wanted to be around. He'd played varsity soccer, gone to all the parties, and found himself surrounded by people who admired his energy and charm. College felt like a continuation of that life—new faces, new friends, but the same old Ethan.

The first few weeks of freshman year had been a whirlwind for him. Between soccer practice, dorm parties, and endless activities, Ethan barely had time to catch his breath. He'd fallen in with a good group of friends—guys from his dorm and a few teammates from the soccer team. Life was fast-paced, fun, and full of excitement. There was always something to do, someone to meet. He loved the buzz of campus life and how it felt like the world was his for the taking.

But every now and then, in the quiet moments between all the noise, Ethan found himself thinking about his past. About Luca. He hadn't thought about their friendship in a long time, but sometimes, late at night, he'd remember the summers they spent together, the treehouse, the adventures. He wondered what had happened to Luca—if he was doing okay, where he ended up. But the thought was fleeting, quickly replaced by the rush of college life.

Luca, on the other hand, was struggling. College hadn't been the fresh start he had hoped for. He had always been quieter, more introspective, but the vastness of the university campus made him feel smaller than ever. In high school, he had excelled in his studies, but the social aspect of college felt overwhelming. He wasn't like the other freshmen—excited and eager to make friends. Instead, he found himself retreating more into his books, the weight of loneliness pressing down on him in a way that was all too familiar.

His dorm was crowded and noisy, filled with students who seemed to instantly click with each other. Luca didn't know how to fit into that world. He tried to join a few clubs, to make casual conversation with his roommates, but every effort seemed to fall flat. He was used to being alone, but this kind of solitude, surrounded by people who didn't seem to notice him, felt different. It felt isolating.

Classes were his only escape. He buried himself in his studies, determined to focus on academics, where he felt more at home. He spent most of his time in the library, avoiding the bustling social life that everyone else seemed to thrive on. The big campus, once full of promise, now felt like a maze he couldn't navigate, and every day it seemed a little harder to find his place in this new world.

One day, after a long lecture, Luca walked across the crowded quad, his backpack slung over his shoulder, head down, lost in thought. He had grown taller since his middle school days, his once round face now sharper, more serious. He blended into the crowd, just another freshman trying to get by. As he made his way toward the dorm, he noticed the groups of students laughing together, walking in packs, and couldn't help but feel a pang of envy. It was the same old feeling—like he was always on the outside looking in.

Meanwhile, across campus, Ethan was heading back from soccer practice, his duffel bag slung over his shoulder, chatting with a few of his new friends. They were laughing about something—Ethan's easy-going nature drawing people to him as usual. As they passed the quad, he noticed a familiar building ahead. The library.

The memory came back in a flash—summers spent in Luca's backyard, quiet afternoons when they'd sit under the tree reading comics or talking about whatever popped into their heads. Ethan hadn't thought about Luca in a long time, but something about the library made him pause.

"Yo, Ethan, you coming?" one of his friends called, pulling him out of his thoughts.

"Yeah, yeah," Ethan replied, shaking his head to clear the memories. He jogged to catch up, pushing the thoughts of Luca aside once again. This was college. This was his new life. The past was long behind him.

As both boys navigated their first semester, their paths unknowingly crossed on more than one occasion. They ate in the same cafeteria, studied in the same library, and walked the same campus streets—but neither had any idea the other was there. They were living parallel lives, so close yet so far apart, both struggling in their own ways to find their place in this new world.

For now, they remained strangers in each other's lives, unaware that their history was waiting to catch up to them. But fate had a funny way of working, and sooner or later, the invisible thread that tied them together would pull taut once more.

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