The bus turned off the main road and into Ridgeway's campus. New banners hung across the gates — Ridgeway Boarding Program: A New Chapter Begins!
Maliya stared out the window as the buildings came into view. The place looked different now — not like a school, but a whole small city. There were dorms with wide glass windows, a courtyard with benches and bright planters, and students dragging suitcases everywhere.
Beside her, Khadija pressed her forehead against the glass. "Whoa. They really went all out."
Maliya smiled faintly. "Yeah. It feels… bigger."
Khadija grinned, tugging her cap lower over her loosely wrapped hijab. "Bigger means more people to annoy." She flicked the braid that escaped from the side and winked.
Maliya laughed quietly. "You're impossible."
"Exactly why you need me," Khadija said, grabbing her bag as the bus stopped.
They stepped down into the chaos — the sound of wheels rolling on pavement, people calling names, parents giving last-minute hugs. Maliya spotted Leo a few feet away, balancing a skateboard under one arm and two duffel bags under the other.
"Hey!" he called. "Dorm life begins!"
"Don't fall down the stairs again," Khadija teased.
Leo pointed at her. "That was once. And the stairs attacked me first."
Maliya chuckled, shaking her head.
Then her gaze caught — across the courtyard, by the tall oak tree near the entrance — Matteo.
He stood with a group of guys from the soccer team, hands in his pockets, dark curls messy as always. He looked the same, maybe more tired. Or maybe she just hadn't seen him in sunlight like this for a while.
Their eyes met.
For a second, the noise around her faded — the luggage, the laughter, the movement — all background.
Then he tilted his head slightly, like he wanted to say something but wasn't sure how.
Khadija nudged her. "You good?"
"Yeah," Maliya said quickly, looking away. "Just thought I saw someone."
But she didn't need to look again — she could still feel his gaze on her.
They walked toward the dorms, checking the list pinned by the door.
Dorm 3A – Maliya Khalil, Khadija Benali.
Khadija gasped. "We're roommates!"
Maliya blinked, then grinned. "You're kidding."
"Do I look like I'm kidding?" Khadija laughed, throwing an arm around her shoulder. "Fate said: give her someone loud and fabulous to balance her moody energy."
Maliya snorted. "You're not wrong."
Their room was small but bright, sunlight spilling through the window. Two beds, a shared desk, posters of the Ridgeway crest already on the wall. Khadija immediately claimed the left side, tossing her bag onto the bed.
"Okay, we're rearranging," she declared. "This lamp? Too dull. That curtain? Sad. I need vibe."
Maliya watched, amused. "You're really serious about this, huh?"
"Obviously," Khadija said. "You can't heal or study in ugly lighting. That's a rule."
They spent the next hour unpacking, joking, and rearranging until the room looked alive — one side neat and warm (Maliya's), the other a splash of color and chaos (Khadija's).
Later, when they went back outside for orientation, the air felt cooler, fresher — new.
Leo found them again, skateboarding lazily near the fountain. "They're saying dorm curfew's at ten. Ten! What are we, children?"
Khadija raised a brow. "You are a child."
Leo gasped dramatically. "Rude. I'm mature. I pay for my own Spotify."
Maliya laughed — a soft, real laugh — the kind that came easily these days.
But then she saw him again.
Matteo stood alone now, leaning against the railing near the main hall. He looked up, met her eyes, and this time, he did walk over.
Her heartbeat kicked.
"Hey," he said simply, stopping a few feet away.
She nodded, cautious. "Hey."
For a second, neither spoke. The air between them was awkward — but not cold. Just… unsure.
"So," Matteo said, scratching the back of his neck, "boarding life, huh?"
Maliya gave a half-smile. "Guess so."
"You nervous?"
She hesitated. "A little."
He nodded slowly. "Yeah. Same." Then, quieter, "I'm glad you're here, though."
That caught her off guard. She blinked, unsure how to respond.
Khadija's voice called from behind her, "Maliya! They're giving out dorm snacks before orientation starts!"
Maliya turned back to Matteo. He looked like he wanted to say more — but she only smiled, small and soft.
"See you around," she said.
He smiled back, that familiar tilt of his mouth that always left something unsaid. "Yeah. See you."
As she walked away, Khadija tossed her a granola bar.
"Who was that?" Khadija asked, eyebrows tilted.
"Just Matteo," Maliya said, trying to make it sound casual.
Khadija's face shifted into something sharper — equal parts warning and annoyance. "What do you mean just Matteo?" she snapped, lowering her voice. "I told you not to cozy up to that boy. He's not a good influence."
Maliya blinked. "I know, I know — you told me. It wasn't serious. He just asked a question. That's all."
Khadija gave her that one look — the half-whiny, half-disbelieving stare that meant she'd tease Maliya about it for weeks. "Hmph. Famous last words," she murmured, but there was a soft smile at the corner of her mouth.
Maliya rolled her eyes, trying not to smile back. "Don't start."
Khadija linked her arm with Maliya's as they headed toward the fountain. "I'm only starting because I care. You're not getting distracted on my watch."
Maliya let herself laugh. "Okay, guard dog."
Khadija bumped her shoulder playfully. "Exactly."
The courtyard glowed gold under the late afternoon sun.
For the first time, Ridgeway didn't feel heavy.
It felt alive — like maybe, just maybe, it was giving her something she didn't know she'd been missing.
New walls. New winds.
And maybe… new beginnings.
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