When hearts collide

The First Day

Sydney woke up to the bright beam of sunlight filtering through the thin dorm curtains, casting a golden glow across the room. The heavy scent of fresh coffee from the lounge downstairs drifted into her nose, and she rubbed her eyes, blinking into the unfamiliar morning light. It was her first day of college, and despite the excitement that had built up in her chest for months, a sudden wave of nervousness gripped her. She glanced at the clock on the wall above her desk—it was nearly seven-thirty.

The sound of quiet snoring from the other side of the room made Sydney smile. Luna, her roommate, was still fast asleep. They had spent the night talking about everything and nothing, laughing over the silly things that only people on the verge of something new could laugh about. Luna had been a whirlwind of energy, almost as though she didn't sleep—until she did, collapsing into bed with a kind of exhaustion Sydney could only envy.

Sydney stood, stretching her limbs, the knots in her back protesting at the sudden movement. The past week had been a blur of packing, unpacking, and saying goodbyes. Moving in, setting up, finding the essentials—like where the dining hall was located and how to get to the library. It had all been so chaotic that she hadn't had much time to think about what college actually meant. Now, though, with the campus outside her window and the reality of it all sinking in, she felt a mixture of nerves and anticipation.

She grabbed a sweatshirt from the edge of her bed and tugged it over her head, trying to shake off the anxiety creeping in. The crispness of the morning air was a welcome relief, and she could hear the distant sounds of students chatting as they made their way to breakfast or early classes. Sydney had made sure she wasn't registered for anything too early, but still, the thought of it all—the classes, the professors, the people—was enough to make her stomach flip.

She turned toward the bed where Luna was still buried beneath her blankets. Luna had always been a night owl, even in high school, and Sydney figured the adjustment to an early college schedule might take some time. The two of them had been friends for several years, meeting at school when it was Luna's first day. They had gotten to know each other over long conversations about music, ambitions, and, more recently, college dreams. When they found out they could pick roommate's, the excitement was palpable. It was hard to imagine college without Luna by her side now.

Sydney stepped closer to Luna's bed, standing at the edge of it for a moment, and then bent down to tap her gently on the shoulder.

"Luna, wake up! First day of college!" Sydney said, her voice teasing but soft.

Luna groaned, turning her head slightly toward Sydney. "Ugh, nooo," she mumbled, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Five more minutes."

Sydney chuckled and pulled the blanket off Luna's feet, watching as Luna let out a little squeal of protest, her arms flailing in a half-hearted attempt to grab it back.

"Come on, you know you're excited," Sydney said, standing back and crossing her arms over her chest. "We've been waiting for this for months. You're not going to waste it by sleeping in."

Luna sat up, rubbing her eyes and stretching her arms out dramatically. Her hair, a tangled mess of dark waves, fell over her shoulders as she glanced at Sydney with a sleepy smile.

"Alright, alright. You win. But I swear, I'll need an extra hour of sleep tonight to make up for this," Luna grumbled, kicking the blanket aside and pulling herself into a sitting position. She glanced at the clock. "Seven-thirty? Seriously?"

Sydney just laughed. "It's only the first day. We've got plenty of time."

The two of them took turns getting ready for the day. Luna was quick, brushing her hair into a messy bun, throwing on a baggy t-shirt, and making sure her Converse sneakers were on. Sydney, on the other hand, took her time, trying on a few different outfits before settling on a simple blouse and jeans. She pulled her long hair into a ponytail, trying to look effortlessly put together, though she knew she was probably overthinking it.

"Alright," Sydney said, looking at Luna, who was now leaning against the doorframe, tying her shoes. "Breakfast? Or are we going to brave the day without any food?"

Luna shrugged and grabbed her backpack. "Food first, definitely. We can't do the whole 'new college life' thing on an empty stomach."

They left their room, stepping out into the quiet hallway of their dorm. The walls were a soft beige, decorated with posters of various student organizations and a few signs advertising upcoming events. The floors were glossy wood, and Sydney could hear the echoes of other students moving about, heading toward the stairs or the elevators.

The dormitory itself was not what Sydney had imagined. It was old, built in the 70s, but it had character. It felt like a place full of stories, every wall and floorboard a witness to countless students who had walked these halls before them. There was a charm in its worn-down feel—something comforting about its imperfection.

They made their way down to the main dining hall, the smell of bacon and fresh bread filling the air as they entered. The cafeteria was buzzing with activity. A few people were already sitting down, talking excitedly about their schedules, while others were grabbing their food in a rush.

"Pancakes or eggs?" Sydney asked, looking at the options.

"Pancakes. Definitely pancakes," Luna answered with a grin. "We deserve a treat."

Sydney agreed, and they filled their trays, then found an empty table near the window. They sat down, exchanging smiles as they dug into their food, the quiet hum of the cafeteria in the background.

"So, what's the plan for today?" Luna asked between bites, her eyes wide with curiosity.

Sydney swallowed her food and shrugged, trying to act casual, though the truth was, her mind was racing. "Well, I don't have any classes until eleven. I'm thinking I'll just check out the campus, maybe find the library and get familiar with everything. You?"

Luna wiped a bit of syrup from her cheek and laughed. "I have a history class at ten, so I'll probably just try not to look too lost when I walk in. But after that? I'm down to explore. I want to see the music department, maybe check out the theater. You know, get a sense of what I'll be spending the next few years doing."

Sydney's heart skipped a beat at the mention of the theater. She had always wanted to join a performing arts club, but she hadn't gotten the courage to audition for anything yet. She wasn't sure if she was ready to dive into something so public just yet. Luna, on the other hand, had always been the performer, the one who wasn't afraid to put herself out there.

They finished their breakfast and made their way back to their dorm. The hallway felt different now—busier, louder, full of people coming and going, talking about their classes or laughing with friends. Sydney felt a little out of place, like she was still adjusting to this new world.

Luna, however, seemed completely at ease. She had always been the confident one, the type who could walk into any room and make friends within minutes. Sydney admired that about her, but it also made her feel a little self-conscious. She wasn't quite sure where she fit in yet.

"I'm gonna grab my stuff for class," Luna said, giving Sydney a playful nudge as they entered their room. "I'll catch up with you later?"

"Yeah, sure," Sydney replied, giving Luna a smile.

After Luna left, Sydney sat on her bed for a moment, looking around the room. It was still new, still unfamiliar. She wondered how long it would take before this place felt like home. Would she ever truly fit in?

She shook off the thoughts and grabbed her backpack. No use worrying about it. She had a whole day ahead of her to figure things out.

Sydney and Luna had always been different, but it was that difference that had drawn them together. They balanced each other out in ways that neither of them fully understood. Sydney was quieter, more introspective, while Luna had an energy that was hard to ignore. It was the perfect pairing for their first year of college, a year that was sure to shape them in ways they couldn't even imagine yet.

With a deep breath, Sydney stood up, slinging her backpack over one shoulder. It was time to step out into the world. To take the first step into this new chapter, side by side with Luna.

And whatever happened next, they'd figure it out together.