The sound of a car horn shattered the peaceful silence, jolting Gabriel from a restless sleep. His head snapped up from where it had been leaning awkwardly against the window, and he winced at the dull ache in his neck. His parents' old sedan was stuck in traffic, the rumble of the engine vibrating beneath him. Gabriel rubbed his eyes, the world outside blurring before coming into focus.
The highway stretched endlessly, but the surrounding scenery had started to change. The tall buildings and strip malls of the city were giving way to small-town charm—trees lined the road, their branches swaying in the morning breeze. The faint scent of damp earth filtered in through the cracked window, a stark contrast to the recycled air inside the car.
"Finally awake, huh?" his dad teased, glancing at him through the rearview mirror.
"Yeah," Gabriel muttered, his voice thick with sleep. "What time is it?"
"Just past ten," his mom answered from the passenger seat, her voice soft but chipper. She turned slightly to face him, her kind eyes full of unspoken emotions. "We'll be there in about fifteen minutes."
Gabriel nodded, leaning back in his seat. The reality of the day hit him like a brick: this was it. The start of college. A new chapter in his life. His stomach twisted uncomfortably, a mix of excitement and fear bubbling up inside him.
"You feeling okay?" his mom asked gently, sensing his unease.
"Yeah," Gabriel lied, offering her a weak smile. "Just... nervous, I guess."
"That's normal," she reassured him. "It's a big change, but you'll settle in. Everyone feels this way at first."
"Your mom's right," his dad chimed in, his voice steady and reassuring. "You'll do great, Gabe. Just be yourself. You've got this."
Gabriel swallowed the lump in his throat and nodded again, but the tightness in his chest didn't go away. He'd spent weeks preparing for this moment—packing, saying goodbye to friends, imagining what college would be like—but now that it was here, all he could think about were the what-ifs.
What if he didn't make any friends? What if his professors thought he was an idiot? What if he got lost on campus or embarrassed himself in front of everyone? The spiral of anxiety was relentless, and Gabriel had to take a deep breath to steady himself.
The car turned onto a quiet street lined with redbrick buildings and banners that read, **Welcome, Class of 2028!** The campus sprawled out before him, a mix of modern glass structures and ivy-covered stone halls that exuded history and promise. Students and parents bustled about, unloading cars, hugging goodbye, and chatting excitedly.
Gabriel's dad pulled into a parking spot near the dormitory. "Here we are," he said with a grin, turning off the engine.
Gabriel stepped out of the car, stretching his stiff limbs. The air was crisp and fresh, carrying the faint hum of activity from the busy campus. His parents began unloading the trunk, but Gabriel lingered, taking it all in. The reality of it hit him again: he was really here.
"Come on, Gabe," his mom called, breaking him out of his thoughts. "Let's get you checked in."
He grabbed his backpack and followed her toward the dorm building. The lobby was buzzing with activity—students hauling suitcases, parents snapping pictures, staff handing out keys and maps. Gabriel stood in line, his heart pounding as he watched other students confidently chatting and laughing with their families.
When it was finally his turn, he handed over his ID to the smiling woman at the desk. She quickly found his information and handed him a packet. "Here's your room key and welcome guide. You're in Maple Hall, third floor, room 312."
"Thank you," Gabriel said quietly, clutching the packet tightly.
As he stepped back outside, his parents were still unloading his suitcases. His mom was trying to wrestle his largest bag out of the trunk, and his dad was balancing a box of books. Gabriel sighed, feeling a familiar mix of gratitude and embarrassment.
"Need a hand with those?" a voice called out.
Gabriel turned to see a boy leaning casually against a lamppost nearby. He was taller than Gabriel by a few inches, with dark, messy hair that framed his face in an effortless way. His sharp jawline and confident smirk were hard to ignore. He was dressed in a faded hoodie and ripped jeans, his posture relaxed but his gaze sharp and observant.
"Oh, uh..." Gabriel stammered, caught off guard.
The boy straightened up and walked over, his hands shoved into his hoodie pockets. "Your bags," he said, nodding toward the car. "You look like you could use some help."
"Uh, yeah, sure," Gabriel said awkwardly. "Thanks."
The boy grinned and easily hoisted Gabriel's largest suitcase onto his shoulder, barely breaking a sweat. Gabriel grabbed a smaller bag and followed him toward the dorm building, his parents trailing behind with the rest of his things.
"I'm Eli," the boy said as they walked. His voice was smooth, his tone casual.
"Gabriel," he replied, glancing at Eli's confident stride. "Nice to meet you."
"You a freshman?" Eli asked, though it sounded more like a statement than a question.
"Yeah. First time away from home," Gabriel admitted, his cheeks flushing slightly.
Eli smirked. "Figured. You've got that deer-in-headlights look."
Gabriel let out a nervous laugh. "Yeah, that obvious, huh?"
"Don't worry about it," Eli said, his tone softening. "Everyone's been there. It gets easier."
As they reached the dorm entrance, Eli held the door open, and Gabriel stepped inside. The hallway was a flurry of activity—students unpacking, parents saying emotional goodbyes, RA's trying to direct traffic.
"Which room are you in?" Eli asked.
"Uh, 312," Gabriel replied, glancing at the number on his key.
"Third floor, huh? Nice. I'm just down the hall from you, in 318," Eli said casually.
"Wait, you're my neighbor?" Gabriel asked, surprised.
"Looks like it," Eli said with a grin.
They climbed the stairs together, and Eli helped carry Gabriel's suitcase all the way to his room. The door was already propped open, revealing a small but cozy space with two twin beds, two desks, and a shared closet.
"Not bad," Eli commented, setting the suitcase down near the bed on the left.
Gabriel nodded, taking it all in. It wasn't much, but it was his for the next year.
"Well, I'll let you get settled," Eli said, stepping back toward the door. "If you need anything, just knock on 318."
"Thanks, Eli," Gabriel said sincerely.
Eli flashed him another grin. "No problem. Welcome to college, Gabriel."
As Eli disappeared down the hall, Gabriel sat on the edge of his bed, his heart still racing. Something about Eli—his easy confidence, his friendly demeanor—stuck with him. Gabriel couldn't shake the feeling that meeting him wasn't just a coincidence.
For the first time that day, Gabriel felt a spark of excitement. Maybe, just maybe, this wouldn't be so bad after all.