"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.

They met other students and sometimes sat with them between classes, but most of their time was spent together. Ken attended only their Monday morning class, and outside of that, they rarely saw him.

"He's so random," Paul said on their way to the last class on Friday afternoon. "He turns up when I least expect him." They had already grumbled about having no morning class but one in the afternoon, making the last day of the week feel unnecessarily long.

"At least you get to see him. If you couldn't ask him for help, I'd still be stuck figuring out how to present the assignment," Mick replied.

Paul laughed. "It's because we're on the same floor in the dorm. That's why I'm able to see him."

"Ask for his contact details next time," Mick requested.

"Okay. I'll ask the next time I see him," Paul agreed.

Paul loved his life at university. The youngest of four children, with three older sisters, he had been anxious about making friends and fitting in. But having met Ken and Mick, he found his new life genuinely enjoyable. Though he rarely saw Ken, on the odd occasion he did, it was in the dormitory corridor. Ken's room was two doors down, and sometimes they would meet in the mornings as they left for class.

Ken was always inquisitive about Paul's life, asking how he and Mick were managing and offering assistance whenever needed. His support helped Paul adjust to being away from his family and gave him the confidence to thrive at university. It was often Ken's encouragement that allowed Paul to grow and embrace his new life fully.

Mick and Paul were the last to leave the lecture room.

"Had I known there would be this many assignments so soon, I might not have chosen medicine," Paul whined.

"Me too. How do they expect us to finish them all on time?" Mick chimed in.

From behind, Ken appeared, wrapping his arms around the juniors' shoulders.

"Hey! You're not both complaining already, are you? Wait until mid-year exams — then you'll really be doubting your life choices."

Both Mick and Paul groaned in displeasure.

"How do you manage?" Paul asked.

"Well, I have a best friend who pushes me as hard as I push him," Ken replied.

"Oh. How come we haven't met him yet?" Mick asked curiously.

Ken shrugged and dropped his arms, changing the subject. "Do you have any plans for this weekend?"

"Assignments," Mick said, and Paul nodded in agreement.

"There's plenty of time for that," Ken said. "If you get the chance to go out and meet new people, you should take it."

"Yes, Pa," Paul joked, catching Ken off guard.

"Hey, do I detect a little sass there?" Ken teased.

Paul laughed. Ken continued, "Don't get too caught up in studying and assignments. Every year gets harder, so make the most of this one. Have some fun. Check the dorm notice board — there are always events posted there. Anyway, I've got to go. See you both Monday morning."

They watched Ken disappear into the crowd of students heading back across campus.

"You should have asked him for his contact details?" Mick asked.

"Ah... bother. I was waiting to see him alone at the dorm. I'll have more courage then," Paul admitted.

"Next time, I'll ask," Mick said as they continued toward the dormitory.

"I still don't get why he's friends with us," Paul said, shaking his head.

"I know, right? But he has a point — we should see what's happening this weekend," Mick replied.

At the dorm, the notice board in the foyer advertised events for the coming weekend and beyond. How they had missed it before was a mystery.

"There's lots advertising food and drinks," Paul observed, scanning the notices.

"Here's one for karaoke," Mick said.

"Mmm... I'm not a good singer. Let's skip that," Paul replied.

"Here's one for pool and darts," Mick pointed out. "But I've never played either — not sure I'd be any good," Mick admitted.

"Mmm, there's one nearby with live music," Paul said, leaning down to read a flyer pinned in the bottom corner. "A different artist every week."

"That sounds good. What time does it start?" Mick asked.

"6 to 11 p.m.," Paul replied.

"Let's do that. We can study all day tomorrow and celebrate by going out."

"Sounds like a plan," Paul said, straightening up with a grin.

When they entered the bar, there were very few people there, and the band playing sounded decent. Mick and Paul found a free table and settled in. They didn't have to wait long before a waitress approached to take their order.

"Can you recommend something?" Mick asked.

"First time at a bar?" she replied, and both men nodded. "Then how about we start with something light."

Mick and Paul glanced around. The décor was modern and classy, yet casual. The soft green leather chairs they sat in were comfortable, and each small wooden table — odd shades and shapes scattered throughout the venue. The dark wooden floors looked muted, but the bright overhead lights with glass covers reflected a prism of colour across the ceiling, adding a lively touch to the space.

At the back, the small stage was lit up, showcasing the band playing.

"I like it here," Paul said, leaning back and getting comfortable.

When the waitress returned with their drinks — a Mai Tai, a Tahitian punch — they clinked glasses in a small toast.

"It's not too crowded. I like that," Mick observed, glancing around at the few other patrons.

They sipped their first drinks slowly. For their second, Mick asked for something different, and the waitress returned with two beers. The second round went down faster. By the time they ordered a third, the venue was beginning to fill.

"Do you think we should leave now?" Paul asked, noting the growing crowd.

Mick looked around. There wasn't anyone there he recognised. With a nod, they finished their drinks and made their way outside.

On the walk back to the dorm, Paul said, "I liked that place, but it got a little too crowded and noisy towards the end."

"It did. Maybe we can ask Ken if he knows a spot with fewer people," Mick suggested.

Monday morning, as Paul was leaving his room he ran into Ken, making his way toward the lift.

"Shall we head to class together." Ken suggested.

Paul nodded in agreement and proceed to tell Ken about their weekend and the bar they'd visited.

"That's a nice bar, but it's good you left when you did," Ken said. "Depending on the band, it can sometimes get a little rowdy."

"Can you recommend a better place for us?" Paul asked eagerly, as they entered the lift.

"Mmm... I can. Give me your number, and I'll send the details through," Ken said, holding out his mobile.

Paul stared at the phone, then at Ken, before he tentatively took the phone and typed in his number and saved it.

As Paul handed the phone back, Ken suddenly held it up and snapped a photo of him.

"Hey! Why did you do that?" Paul exclaimed.

"To save to your number," Ken replied casually, scrolling through his phone as he saved Paul's photo.

"Ow. Let me see!" Paul leaned over Ken's shoulder, squinting at the screen. "Ow! That's a terrible picture. Don't save it."

Ken laughed and slipped the phone into his back pocket. "Too late now. I'll have to change it later."

The lift doors open and Ken walked out, leaving Paul to trail behind with his sulky expression.

At classroom, Mick waited for his friends and when he saw Paul's sulky expression, he quickly pulled Paul towards his as Ken passed and asked what was wrong. Paul explained about the photo.

"It wasn't that bad, was it?" Mick whispered as they followed Ken inside.

"No. But still... he could've asked," Paul whined.

Mick chuckled. "He now has your number. Do you have his yet?"

Paul gave a nod. Although he'd been less thrilled about the photo, Ken had sent him a message to save his number and this had secretly delighted Paul.

"When are you planning to go out again?" Ken asked as they found their seats.

Mick leaned forward, peering past Paul. "We haven't decided, but Saturday night seems good — a nice break from studying."

"If you want somewhere quieter, a weeknight would be better," Ken advised.

"I'm not sure that's a good idea," Paul said.

"I'd only recommend it if you don't have morning classes," Ken explained.

"We don't have a morning class on Friday, only the afternoon," Mick said.

"Perfect. Even if you end up with a hangover, it's only one class before the weekend."

"I'm not so sure about that," Paul said.

"You were fine Sunday morning," Mick pointed out.

"I was, but that doesn't guarantee I'll be fine next time," Paul replied.

"I'd definitely recommend a weeknight, and it doesn't need to be late. Crowds are quieter and less trouble." Ken said. "I'll send you the location of the place I like. You can decide for yourselves."

Paul leaned toward Mick and whispered, "Do you think he's trying to lead us astray?"

"I heard that," Ken said, giving them both a side glance.

Paul straightened in his seat. Mick leaned toward his friend. "I think he's looking out for us."

Ken huffed, and Mick and Paul shared a smile.