6:00 AM
Buzz buzz, buzz buzz, buzz buzz
I squinted at my phone's alarm vibrating on the nightstand, dragging me out of a very promising dream involving a certain hot guy from my graduation party.
Crap... morning already... I was just about to—
Knock knock
"Come get breakfast before you get cleaned up, sweetheart," Dad's voice came through my door as his footsteps continued down the hallway.
I rolled over and looked out my window at the early morning light filtering through the curtains.
Today's the day, Miyuki.
The excitement hit me all over again. In a few hours, I'd be at AMU starting my real adult life.
Breakfast flew by in a blur of last-minute reminders and nervous energy, and before I knew it, we were loading the car.
"You sure you have everything?" Dad asked for the third time as he loaded my last suitcase into the back of our car.
"Yes, Dad. I'm sure." I double-checked my phone, wallet, and keys one more time anyway. The grandmother's charm was safely tucked in my jeans pocket where I could feel its reassuring weight.
"Textbooks?" Mom called from the front porch.
"Ordered online. They'll be delivered to my dorm Monday."
"Bedding?"
"Already packed."
"Birth control?" Daven asked with a shit-eating grin.
"DAVEN!" Mom's voice could have shattered glass.
I flipped him off behind Dad's back. "Mind your own business, twerp."
Though honestly, yeah. Obviously. A girl's gotta be prepared.
Twenty minutes later, we were on the highway heading toward Astoria City and my new life. I stared out the window watching the suburbs give way to urban sprawl, feeling that weird mix of excitement and nervousness that comes with big changes.
This is it. This is really happening.
"You nervous, sweetheart?" Dad glanced at me in the rearview mirror.
"A little. But mostly excited." Which was true. The nervous butterflies were definitely there, but they were outweighed by anticipation. Four years of freedom, of being an adult, of making my own choices without parents breathing down my neck.
And hopefully getting laid regularly by hot college guys.
The thought sent a little thrill through me. High school boys had been... adequate. But college men? Older, more experienced, probably better at what they were doing?
Fuck yes.
Astoria Magical University was bigger than I'd expected. Way bigger.
The campus sprawled across six city blocks in the heart of Astoria's academic district, with modern buildings mixed seamlessly into the urban landscape. Students and families crowded the sidewalks, hauling suitcases and boxes toward various dormitory complexes.
"Holy shit," I breathed, staring up at the towering glass and steel structure of Elderwood House.
"Language," Mom said automatically, but she sounded impressed too.
This place is fancy as hell.
The dormitory rose twelve stories into the sky, with floor-to-ceiling windows reflecting the late morning sun. A sleek digital display near the entrance showed "Welcome AMU Class of 2029!" in scrolling letters.
And I earned my place here.
The pride hit me square in the chest. Scholarship student or not, I'd gotten accepted to one of the most prestigious magical universities in the country based on my own merit.
"Let's get you checked in," Dad said, grabbing two of my suitcases.
The lobby was controlled chaos. Students lined up at registration tables while parents hovered nearby with last-minute advice. I spotted at least three different races in the immediate area—humans, high elves, and dark elves like me all mixed together like it was completely normal.
Because it is normal here.
That was still taking some getting used to. Back home, our neighborhood was mostly dark elf families with a few humans scattered around. Seeing this level of integration felt both exciting and slightly overwhelming.
"Next!"
I stepped up to the registration table where a cheerful human girl with a clipboard smiled at me. "Name?"
"Miyuki Shadowmere."
"Perfect! You're in Elderwood House, third floor, suite 347. Here's your key card, room assignment packet, and orientation schedule." She handed me a small stack of papers. "Move-in is until 4 PM today, orientation activities start tomorrow at 9 AM in the Grand Dining Hall."
Suite 347. This is really happening.
The elevator ride to the third floor felt like it took forever. My stomach was doing little flips of anticipation mixed with anxiety.
What if my roommates hate me? What if they're weird? What if we don't get along?
Suite 347 was at the end of a long hallway lined with identical doors. I slid my key card into the reader and heard the lock click open.
"Hello?" I called out, pushing the door open.
The common area was nice—really nice. Modern furniture, a small kitchenette, large windows looking out over the campus. Two other suitcases were already stacked near the couch, so at least one of my roommates had arrived.
"Oh! Are you Miyuki?"
I turned toward the voice and saw a petite human girl emerging from one of the side rooms. She had shoulder-length brown hair, warm brown eyes, and the kind of sweet face that probably made older relatives want to pinch her cheeks.
"That's me. You must be one of my roommates?"
"Maya Chen." She smiled shyly. "I'm so nervous about all this. I've never lived away from home before."
Cute. She seems nice.
"Same here. Where are you from?"
"About three hours north. Small town, mostly humans. This is..." She gestured around at the suite. "A lot fancier than I expected."
"Tell me about it. My family's apartment could probably fit in this common area."
Maya laughed, and I felt some of my own nervousness ease. At least one roommate seemed normal and friendly.
"Have you met our third roommate yet?" I asked.
"Elara? She got here about an hour ago. She's in her room arranging things." Maya lowered her voice slightly. "She seems... very organized."
Uh oh. Please don't let her be a neat freak control maniac.
As if summoned by our conversation, the third bedroom door opened and out walked what could only be described as high elf perfection.
Long, silvery-blonde hair that caught the light like spun moonbeams. Pale, flawless skin. Tall and elegant with the kind of natural grace that made regular people feel clumsy by comparison. And—
Damn... those are... perky.
I tried not to stare, but holy shit, this girl was seriously blessed in the chest department. Her plain white t-shirt couldn't hide the fact that she was working with some serious natural assets.
Focus, Miyuki. Eyes up.
"You must be Miyuki," she said in a crisp, cultured voice that screamed 'expensive private school education.' "I'm Elara Silverleaf. I trust you'll be keeping your belongings to your designated areas? I've already claimed the bathroom schedule that works best for my morning routine."
Maya and I exchanged a look.
Oh. She's one of THOSE.
"Nice to meet you too," I said with a sweet smile that didn't quite reach my eyes. "I'm sure we'll all get along great."
This is going to be interesting.
After helping my parents haul all my stuff upstairs and enduring the inevitable round of emotional goodbyes, I finally had a chance to explore the building properly.
And check out the talent.
The first thing I noticed was that college guys were definitely a step up from high school boys. Like, a significant step up.
Holy fuck.
I passed a group of what looked like upperclassmen in the lobby, all casually athletic builds and confident postures. One of them—a tall guy with dark hair and gorgeous arms—caught my eye and smiled.
Hello there.
I smiled back, letting my gaze linger just long enough to be interesting before continuing toward the elevators.
This semester is going to be fun.
The elevator doors opened to reveal another excellent specimen—sandy brown hair, bright green eyes, and the kind of broad shoulders that came from actual physical training rather than just gym vanity.
"Going up?" he asked.
"Third floor," I said, stepping in beside him.
God, he smells good too.
"Same here. You just move in?"
"Yep. Freshman year, here I come." I gave him my best confident smile.
"Cool. I'm a sophomore, Jake Morrison. If you need any tips about navigating this place, feel free to ask."
Oh, I can think of several things I'd like you to help me navigate.
The mental image that popped up made my panties dampen slightly. College guys were definitely going to be a problem for my self-control.
"I'm Miyuki. And I might take you up on that offer."
Ding
The elevator came to a stop.
"Room 347," he said, reading the number on my key card as I stepped out. "Cool, you're just down the hall from my buddy's room. I'm sure we'll see each other around."
I certainly hope so.
As the elevator doors closed, I stood in the hallway for a moment, processing the interaction.
Fuck, college guys are hot.
That was just one random elevator encounter, and I was already getting turned on. What was it going to be like when I actually started attending classes and meeting people regularly?
Time to go explore some more.
By evening, I'd had a thorough tour of Elderwood House and confirmed my initial assessment: the male student population was significantly more attractive than anything I'd encountered in high school.
This place is like a catalog of hotness.
I'd seen guys studying in the common areas, playing pool in the recreation room, and working out in the building's fitness center through the glass windows. Athletic, academic, artsy—every type represented and all of them looking significantly more mature and appealing than the teenage boys I was used to.
My panties have been wet for like three hours straight.
The anticipation was building to an almost uncomfortable level. All these gorgeous options, and I hadn't even started classes yet. What was orientation going to be like? What about parties? What about just regular social interactions?
I need to pace myself or I'm going to jump the first guy who shows interest.
Back in suite 347, Maya was arranging her textbooks in perfect alphabetical order while Elara organized her closet by color and season.
"How was your campus exploration?" Maya asked sweetly.
"Educational," I said with a grin. "Lots of interesting... architecture."
If by architecture you mean jaw lines and shoulder muscles.
"Did you locate the library?" Elara asked without looking up from her color-coordinated sweater collection. "I want to establish my study routine as early as possible."
"Yep. Eight floors, including a restricted section for advanced magical texts. Very impressive."
Also passed at least six guys I wouldn't mind getting to know better.
"Excellent. Academic excellence should be our primary focus here."
Right. Academic excellence. Sure.
I unpacked my own clothes, hanging up my carefully selected going-out outfits and party dresses. Tomorrow was orientation, which meant meeting even more people, including more of the gorgeous male student population.
I should probably try to get some sleep.
But as I lay in my new bed, staring at the unfamiliar ceiling, my mind kept wandering to all the attractive possibilities this semester held.
College is going to be amazing.
The thought sent another pulse of heat through my body. Four years of freedom, four years of independence, four years of attractive, mature guys who hopefully knew what they were doing in bed.
Best decision I ever made.
I touched the grandmother's charm in my pajama pocket, feeling the warm metal against my fingertips. Grandmother Veliana had hidden her abilities and missed out on so many opportunities. I wasn't going to waste mine.
Tomorrow's going to be the start of something incredible.