Nick's car came to a slow halt at the gates of the university campus. The girls pressed their faces against the window, their eyes wide with curiosity. The buildings rose tall and grand, their brick walls covered in climbing ivy that whispered of history and tradition.
Just a day earlier, they had landed at Heathrow. While Stella and Hannah collected their luggage, Nick had headed to the rental counter to pick up a car he had arranged in advance. "It'll be easier to move around the city," he had said, tossing the keys into his palm with casual confidence. The small silver sedan wasn't flashy, but reliable—and now it carried them through London's winding roads.
"We're here," Nick said, his voice steady, though there was a trace of emotion in his eyes. He turned to Stella and Hannah. "Remember, you're not alone. You have each other—and I'm just a call away."
Stella smiled faintly. "Thanks, Nick. For everything."
Hannah nodded, adjusting her bag strap nervously. "Yeah… you really helped us a lot."
Nick gave them a reassuring smile before helping them unload their luggage. After a quick glance at his watch, he added, "Alright, you two head in. I'll go check the apartment and make sure everything's in place. When you're done here, you can go straight there without worrying."
Relief flickered across Stella's face. "You're a lifesaver, Nick.""Exactly," Hannah agreed, her tone half-teasing, half-grateful.
With one final wave, Nick drove off toward the apartment, leaving the two of them standing at the entrance, hearts fluttering with both excitement and unease
As they stepped inside the university grounds, they were immediately surrounded by a bustling crowd of students. Some laughed in groups, others hurried along with maps and schedules in hand. Stella and Hannah exchanged a look—both equally lost.
"Uh… where do we even start?" Hannah whispered, glancing at the large notice board filled with sheets of paper.
Before Stella could reply, a cheerful voice broke in. "First day?"
They turned to see a tall girl with shoulder-length brown hair and bright eyes smiling warmly at them. She wore the same departmental badge pinned neatly to her jacket.
"Yes…" Stella admitted. "We're kind of… confused."
The girl chuckled lightly. "Don't worry, I was the same. I'm Jessica—third year."
Hannah's eyes lit up. "Really? That's great! I'm Hannah, and this is Stella."
Jessica shook their hands enthusiastically. "Nice to meet you both! You're lucky you ran into me. Most freshers end up wandering around for hours on the first day."
They laughed, instantly feeling at ease. Jessica motioned for them to follow. "Come on, I'll take you to the lecture hall. Your orientation is about to start."
As they walked through the long corridors buzzing with chatter, Stella felt the weight in her chest ease a little. Meeting Jessica felt like a small stroke of luck in an otherwise overwhelming day.
Meanwhile, Nick parked near the apartment complex where Stella and Hannah were to live. Carrying the spare key he'd arranged earlier, he stepped inside. The small flat smelled faintly of fresh paint, the walls newly polished. He flicked the lights on and tested the switches—working fine. A quick check of the kitchen showed stocked utensils, the fridge humming softly, and in the bedrooms, neatly made beds with clean sheets.
Nick exhaled slowly, a sense of responsibility loosening from his shoulders. "Good," he muttered. "They'll be comfortable here."
He made a mental note to buy a few groceries before picking them up later. Though the girls were starting their journey of independence, Nick couldn't help but feel protective—it wasn't just about helping them settle, it was about making sure they felt safe.