Episode 1: Freshman Arrival

Hello Little One

Episode 1: Freshman Arrival

The campus buzzed with the excitement of new beginnings. Freshmen scurried across the grounds, dragging suitcases, parents trailing behind with boxes. Ivy Carter, with her oversized suitcase and a backpack that seemed to weigh as much as her, was no exception. She stood in front of the dorm building, staring up at it with a mix of excitement and terror.

"This is it," she muttered to herself. "College."

Her mom, a petite but commanding woman, bustled beside her. "Are you sure you have everything, Ivy? We can run back to the car if you forgot something."

"I’m fine, Mom. Really," Ivy insisted, adjusting her grip on the suitcase handle.

Her dad, towering and stoic, chimed in. "It’s not too late to change your mind about living in the dorms. You could stay at home and commute. It’s only an hour away."

Ivy groaned. "Dad, we’ve been over this. I need to do this on my own."

He sighed. "I know, but you’ll always be our little girl."

Her mom clapped her hands. "Alright, enough stalling! Let’s get you inside and settled."

The lobby of the dorm was chaotic. Students were checking in, parents were arguing over misplaced papers, and the sound of laughter and chatter filled the air. Ivy approached the check-in desk, where a tall, athletic-looking girl with short, wavy brown hair and a confident smirk leaned casually against the counter.

The girl glanced at Ivy, her piercing blue eyes locking onto her. Ivy felt her stomach flip. The girl exuded an air of authority and mischief all at once.

"Freshman?" the girl asked, her voice smooth and teasing.

Ivy nodded hesitantly. "Yeah. I’m Ivy Carter."

The girl’s smirk widened. "I’m Elena Moore, your RA. Welcome to the dorms, Little One."

Ivy blinked. "Little One?"

Elena shrugged, pushing off the counter. "You just have that vibe—wide-eyed, nervous, and carrying half your life in those bags. It fits."

"I’m not little," Ivy protested, straightening her posture.

Elena chuckled. "Sure you’re not. Follow me. I’ll show you to your room."

Ivy turned to her parents, who exchanged amused glances. "We’ll bring up the rest of your stuff," her dad said, shaking his head slightly as if to say, Good luck, kid.

Elena led Ivy down the hallway, walking with a relaxed confidence. "So, Little One, where are you from?"

"Just an hour away," Ivy replied. "Not far."

"Ah, a local. That’s cute," Elena teased.

Ivy narrowed her eyes. "I’m not cute, either."

Elena smirked over her shoulder. "Keep telling yourself that."

They reached a door halfway down the hall, and Elena gestured grandly. "Here we are. Your home for the year."

Ivy stepped inside and took in the small but cozy space. Two beds, two desks, and a window overlooking the quad. Her roommate’s side was already decorated with posters and fairy lights. Ivy’s side was bare, her suitcase the only sign of life.

Elena leaned against the doorframe. "Word of advice, Little One: make friends with your roommate fast. You’ll thank me later."

Ivy rolled her eyes. "Is that your professional RA advice?"

Elena grinned. "That, and don’t set anything on fire. We had an incident last year with a popcorn machine. It wasn’t pretty."

Ivy couldn’t help but laugh, the tension in her shoulders easing.

Elena’s gaze softened. "You’ll be fine, Carter. First week’s always the hardest, but you’ll get the hang of it."

"Thanks," Ivy said, surprised by the genuine kindness beneath Elena’s teasing.

Just then, Ivy’s parents arrived with the rest of her things. Her mom fussed over her bedding, while her dad inspected the room with a critical eye.

"Small, but it’ll do," he muttered.

Elena watched the family dynamic with amusement. "Don’t worry, Mr. Carter. We keep the freshmen in line here. Your daughter’s in good hands."

He raised an eyebrow. "I hope so."

As her parents said their goodbyes, her mom pulled her into a tight hug. "Call me if you need anything, okay? Anything at all."

"I will, Mom," Ivy promised.

Her dad hugged her awkwardly, patting her back. "Be careful, Ivy."

"I will, Dad."

Once they were gone, Ivy let out a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding.

"Parents, huh?" Elena said, still leaning casually in the doorway.

"You have no idea," Ivy muttered.

Elena raised an eyebrow. "Oh, I have an idea. My dad’s a piece of work, too."

For a moment, there was a flicker of vulnerability in Elena’s eyes, but it disappeared as quickly as it came.

"Anyway," Elena said, pushing off the doorframe. "Welcome to college, Little One. I’ll see you around."

As Elena walked away, Ivy couldn’t help but watch her go, feeling a mix of irritation and curiosity.

"Little One," she muttered under her breath. "Who does she think she is?"

But deep down, Ivy knew that Elena Moore was going to be impossible to ignore.

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Later that evening, Ivy sat on her bed, unpacking her things. She found a small journal her mom had slipped into her bag, with a note that read: For when it gets overwhelming.

Curious, she opened the first page. Inside were handwritten prompts: What made you smile today? What are you grateful for?

Ivy smiled, feeling a wave of comfort. She grabbed a pen and wrote: Meeting Elena. Annoying, but... she made me laugh.

She paused, then underlined it twice.

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