Chapter 1
Iris Bennett had been at the University of Oakland for two weeks, but it still didn’t feel real. The first week had been nothing but icebreakers, campus tours, and late-night Target runs — a carefully packaged version of college life meant to make everything seem easier than it was. But now that classes had actually started, reality was sinking in. The dining hall coffee tasted burnt, her dorm mattress felt like cardboard, and half the time she got lost walking to her own lectures. Still, there was something exciting about it — the chaos, the freedom, the sense that her life was only just beginning.
Iris adjusted the strap of her backpack as she trudged across the sun-dappled quad of the University of Oakland. It had been a week since she’d arrived, and so far, college life was… underwhelming. Classes were starting, syllabi were being handed out, and everyone seemed to already know where they were going except her. Marketing 101 had been informative but hardly thrilling. Her dorm room felt like a waiting room to something more exciting, something she hadn’t yet found. “Hey, you’re alive!” a bubbly voice called.
Iris turned to see Madison, her roommate leaning casually against the dorm door frame. Perfect hair, perfect outfit, perfect everything. Her long, golden blonde hair fell in glossy waves around her sun-kissed face, and her blue eyes sparkled with mischief. Madison’s smile was wide, confident, magnetic, the kind of smile that made everyone notice when she entered a room. She had already made quite the impression on campus, and Iris couldn’t help but feel a little in awe.
Iris and Madison weren’t exactly strangers before college, they had been neighbors growing up living only a few houses apart in their hometown. They had gone to the same high school, drifting in and out of the same friend groups, sharing late night study sessions and weekend hangouts. While Madison had always been the confident, outgoing head cheerleader type, easily making friends and turning heads. Iris was always the quieter one, more introspective, content to watch from the sidelines. Despite their differences, they had developed an easy camaraderie, a balance of personalities that somehow worked. Now, stepping into college together, it felt natural for Madison to pull Iris into new experiences, nudging her out of her comfort zone in the same way she had in high school, just with bigger stakes and louder music this time.
“I’m… surviving,” Iris said with a small smile, brushing a loose chestnut wave behind her ear. Her hazel eyes met Madison’s with a hint of hesitation. She knew she was attractive, but unlike Madison, she had never quite learned how to handle it. Her soft features and quiet beauty often drew glances, but she had a way of fading into the background unless she forced herself forward. Madison laughed, twirling a strand of her golden hair. “Good. Because tonight, you’re going to actually live. I scored a +1 invite to the Theta Pi party. You’re coming with me.”
Iris froze mid-step. Theta Pi was the top fraternity on campus. Invitations were almost impossible to get unless you were a rising star, a campus celebrity, or somehow on someone’s list. She couldn’t believe Madison had a ticket, let alone a +1. “You’re serious?” she asked, a mix of excitement and anxiety rising in her chest. “Dead serious. You need a break from textbooks and awkward cafeteria food. Trust me, this is your initiation into real college life.” Madison’s grin was infectious. “Come on, it’s Friday night. Let’s make some memories.”
Iris hesitated. She didn’t do parties. Loud music, crowded rooms, strangers pressed too close it wasn’t her scene. But Madison’s energy was impossible to resist, and something inside her whispered that maybe, just maybe, she needed this. “Okay… fine. I’ll go,” Iris said, letting herself be swept along by Madison’s radiance.
“Yesss!” Madison cheered, grabbing Iris’s hand and tugging her toward the dorm exit. “You’re going to thank me later.” Iris laughed nervously, letting herself be pulled along. “I’m counting on it… I guess.” The two walked toward the dining hall, the early evening air warm with the last traces of the sun. Students milled about, some rushing to grab dinner, others lounging in small groups and enjoying the mild Georgia fall.
“So… how was your first week really?” Madison asked as they joined the line for trays. “I mean, classes, professors, cafeteria food, give me the real story.” Iris picked up a tray and loaded it with some pasta and salad. “Honestly? A bit… boring. Marketing 101 is interesting, I guess, but it’s mostly just lectures and syllabus overload. And everyone already seems to know what they want to do.” She sighed, balancing her tray. “I feel like I’m still figuring out who I am.”
Madison slid her tray next to Iris’s, piling it high with grilled chicken and roasted veggies. “Well, that’s the beauty of week one. Nobody really knows anything yet except me, of course,” she added with a wink. “I’ve got this whole campus thing figured out. Dorms, classes, the best late-night study spots… even the best parties.” Iris raised an eyebrow. “Yeah? Sounds like you’ve got a full schedule.”
“Fashion merchandising, my dear Iris,” Madison said, tossing her blonde hair over her shoulder as they began to find a table. “It’s all about appearances. I need to know what’s hot, what’s not, and what everyone’s going to be wearing before it hits the shelves. So yes, I do have my life organized.” Iris smiled, shaking her head. “I can barely organize my laundry, let alone a fashion empire.”
Madison laughed, the sound bright and infectious. “You’ll get there. And tonight, you’re going to get your first taste of real college life, the fun part.” As they found a table and began eating, the conversation drifted to lighter things: favorite shows, professors who already seemed strict, and the quirks of dorm life. Madison animatedly described her latest project, designing a mini capsule collection for her merchandising class while Iris listened, fascinated by how confidently Madison navigated every topic.
“You know,” Iris said, chewing thoughtfully on a piece of salad, “I never thought I’d have a roommate who could make even the dining hall sound… glamorous.” Madison smirked. “Stick with me, kid. I’ll show you how to survive, and maybe even enjoy this place.” After finishing their meals, they carried their trays to the disposal station. Madison clapped her hands together. “Alright. Showers, hair, makeup whatever. We leave in an hour. This is going to be epic.” Iris nodded, a mix of nerves and anticipation tightening in her chest. She wasn’t sure what “epic” looked like yet, but with Madison leading the way, she had a feeling she was about to find out.
