Through Time to You

Chapter One

"Mum, I have to go or I'll be late for my first class." Mick cradled his phone between his shoulder and ear as he carefully placed his study books into his bag.

"Have a great day, love. Make lots of friends and study hard." There was a note of concern in her voice that made Mick smile and feel the warmth of her love.

"I will, Mum. Bye."

He slipped his phone into his back pocket, zipped his bag closed, and headed for the door of his dorm room. He'd been lucky to secure a single. It was a good size and gave him something he'd never really had before—privacy. Back home, he'd shared the largest bedroom in the house with his two younger brothers.

Since moving onto campus, he hadn't heard the end of it. His brothers had quickly claimed his side of the room and kept telling him not to bother coming back.

Of course, Mick knew their mother would never allow that, so he didn't take their threats too seriously.

He slid on his shoes, grabbed the key from the hook by the door, and stepped out.

Excitement, tinged with a little fear, filled Mick as he stood outside his first class, watching others do the same. He glanced around, hoping to catch someone's eye — someone he might be able to approach — but awkwardness overtook him. He dropped his gaze and kept to himself.

Not far away, a senior approached with another student and both introduced themselves.

"First year?" the senior asked, his confidence and maturity evident. Mick felt a pang of envy. He wished he could be so self-assured.

"I'm Ken, second-year medical student. Nice to meet you."

"Paul. First-year medical student."

"This is an open class, so you might not meet many first years here," Ken explained. "But once you settle into your other classes, you're bound to meet more students."

Paul gave a half-nod. "If I could make just one friend, I'd be happy."

Mick felt a surge of hope. Maybe he could make at least one friend to.

"Then consider me your first friend," Ken said with a smile.

Paul looked up, surprised. "Really? But you're a second year."

Ken grinned. "It doesn't hurt to have a senior as a friend. I bet by the end of the week, you'll be grateful we're friends."

Paul smiled in return. "Then... thank you."

Mick glanced at the other students gathering nearby, hoping making a friend would be that easy. Before he could act, Ken approached him, with Paul following.

"Hi, I'm Ken, second-year medical. This is my friend Paul, first-year medical," Ken said.

"Oh, hello. I'm Mick, first-year medical. Nice to meet you,"

"Excellent! Let's all be friends, shall we? Think of me as your older brother," Ken added. Mick and Paul exchanged a glance, slightly confused, but nodded. Ken's boldness was unfamiliar but oddly comforting.

When the lecturer approached, his deep, commanding voice boomed across the corridor: "No need to wait outside. Head in and find a seat."

The students filed into the classroom after him.

"Did you know we could just walk in?" Mick whispered to Ken.

"Yes," Ken said with a mischievous grin, "but it was fun watching everyone stand around, confused."

Mick and Paul exchanged a small smile. Ken's mirth was contagious.

Over the following two weeks, Mick and Paul discovered they shared nearly all their classes and quickly fell into a routine, growing into new best friends. As assignments mounted, they spent hours in each other's rooms studying together, often losing track of time and realising neither had eaten. They laughed constantly, sharing stories about their youth and family.