***
Justin groaned and slammed his hand over the alarm clock.
Austin was already at the window, pulling the curtains open.
"Rise and shine, Justin. Time to get to university," he said, nudging him. "I got us some breakfast."
Justin blinked his eyes open, still shivering under the covers—until Austin grabbed his arm and yanked him out of bed.
"Come on," Austin urged. "Shower first, then eat. Move it!"
Justin grumbled but obeyed, dragging himself to the bathroom.
Later, with his hair still damp, he sat at the table poking at his breakfast—burnt blueberry pancakes and a cold bottle of lemon water.
Austin wasn't exactly a chef.
Justin looked distant.
"You good?" Austin asked, already halfway through his food.
Justin barely looked up. "Yeah, kind of," he mumbled through a mouthful. "Just wish Mom and Dad were here to send me off. Imagine how proud they'd be."
It had been two years since they lost their parents. Austin had come to terms with it. Justin hadn't.
Who could blame him?
Losing their parents changed everything.
Austin gave a soft smile. "They would've been proud. And they'd want you to be happy, Justin,You're starting something new—college, independence... This is your time."
Justin only nodded, feeling slightly better. "Thanks."
A few hours later, the brothers had moved all of Justin's things into his dorm. It was located just off campus—a separate building where most Lifetime University students stayed. It was spacious and bright, just how he liked it.
He spent some time decorating his side of the room with posters and photos from home. Most were of his family and high school friends.
Austin had said goodbye and left a few minutes earlier. With nothing else to do, Justin decided to explore the campus and get familiar with the place. Lifetime University had a massive campus, and he figured his classes would be scattered all over.
Thankfully, when Justin picked up his dorm keys and student ID at the main lobby, the staff handed him a blue welcome bag filled with university-branded snacks, a bottle of water, a lanyard, and a campus map. Perfect for a first-day tour.
Just as Justin reached for the door to step outside, someone else opened it from the other side.
A boy with jet-black hair and a mocha-brown complexion stepped in, a wide, cheerful smile on his face like he was born happy.
"Oh hey! I'm gonna be your roommate," he said brightly. "My name's Jonathan. John, for short."
Justin shook his hand, smiling politely.
Something in his gut told him these college years were going to be a bumpy ride.