Lana adjusted the strap of her bag as she and Mason strolled through the campus, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows across the sidewalk. The energy of NYU was infectious students chatting on benches, music playing from open dorm windows, and the occasional skateboarder weaving through the crowds. It was nothing like home, but that was exactly what she wanted.
"Alright," Mason said, glancing over her schedule. "Business major, just like me. You finally admit I have great taste."
Lana smirked. "Let's be real, I was already planning on business before you started your little recruitment campaign."
"Uh-huh, sure," Mason said, unconvinced. "I distinctly remember when you were debating between business and some artsy major."
Lana groaned. "I was fourteen! I thought running a café bookstore sounded cute!"
Mason grinned. "To be fair, you did make a solid argument for it."
"Exactly. But I realized making money was more important than spending it all on cute décor and overpriced pastries."
"Now that," Mason said, pointing at her, "is business major thinking."
Lana rolled her eyes, but she couldn't hide her smile. This was exactly why she and Mason had clicked so well over the years. Even without ever meeting in person, their conversations had always been effortless—filled with teasing, debates, and way too many inside jokes.
"You know," Mason said as they crossed the courtyard, "it's kinda wild that we've been talking for, what, three years? And this is the first time we're actually hanging out."
Lana nodded. "Yeah. But at the same time, it doesn't feel weird, you know?"
"Not at all," Mason agreed. "I mean, we've already been through all the embarrassing phases your short-lived K-pop obsession, my conspiracy theory phase"
"It was not short-lived," Lana corrected.
"And I still stand by some of my theories," Mason shot back.
Lana laughed. "Oh, trust me, I know. You spent two whole weeks trying to convince me the moon landing was fake."
Mason shrugged. "And yet, you never proved me wrong."
"Because I didn't need to," Lana said, shaking her head. "Anyway, let's change the subject before I start regretting this friendship. How's your family doing?"
Mason glanced over at her. "Same old, same old. Dad's busy with work, Mom and my sister are around, but we don't live together. My sister's at that fancy fashion school in the city."
Lana raised an eyebrow. "Wait, so she's in New York too?"
"Yeah," Mason said. "She's been here longer than me, actually. She stays with my mom, but, you know, we do our own thing. We see each other when we feel like it."
Lana nodded. "That's cool. What's she like?"
Mason smirked. "Dangerous. She could outdress and out-roast you in under five minutes."
"Sounds like my kind of person," Lana teased. "When do I get to meet her?"
Mason chuckled. "I'll think about it."
Lana decided not to push further. Instead, she shifted the conversation. "My parents are good too. They wanted to come with me, but, you know, farm life doesn't stop just because their daughter is moving to the big city."
Mason smirked. "I still can't believe you grew up around cows and pigs."
"What's so unbelievable about that?" Lana asked, raising an eyebrow.
"You just don't have… farm vibes."
"Farm vibes?"
"Yeah. You're more… I don't know. I expected farm kids to be all 'wake up at sunrise, milk the cows, wear flannel unironically' types."
Lana laughed. "Okay, first of all, I did wake up early sometimes. Second, I've definitely worn flannel before."
"And third?"
"Third," Lana said with a smirk, "I was the 'sneak out of chores and read in the hayloft' type."
Mason laughed. "That checks out."
They finally reached her dorm building, and Mason glanced down at the number on the door. He frowned.
"Wait a second," he said. "No freaking way."
Lana looked at her dorm key, then back at the door. "What?"
Mason pointed to the number. "This is my building too."
Lana's eyes widened. "Seriously? I thought you lived off-campus."
"I do," Mason said. "But I use the study lounges here a lot. My dad's place is cool, but sometimes I need a break. Too much father-son bonding, you know?"
Lana smirked. "Oh yeah, that must be exhausting."
Mason chuckled. "You joke, but wait till you meet him. He's chill, but he talks. You'd be his new favorite person in like ten minutes."
Lana unlocked her dorm door, stepping inside. The space was small but cozy, and a wave of excitement rushed through her.
"Well, Carter," Mason said, leaning against the doorway, "at least now I know where to find you if you start ignoring my texts."
Lana smirked. "Like I could ever get rid of you."
Mason chuckled. "Damn right. Anyway, I'll let you unpack. Text me if you need help or if your roommate turns out to be a weirdo."
Lana laughed. "Deal."
With that, Mason gave her a mock salute and headed off, leaving Lana to take in the reality of her new home.
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