The bitter cold fall air was felt by everyone on campus. Groups of people huddled together as they walked up the path to the doors of the University. Except for one young man, who walked completely alone.

There was a bite in the air. That special type of chill that nips at one's nose and causes the heat of one's breath to make small puffs that float upward towards the overcast sky above. It is for this reason that students on campus had begun huddling together like penguins. Gloved hands tightly wrapped around paper cups steaming with coffee from the coffee cart. Cheeks, Noses, and ears turned varying shades of pink by the Autumn breeze. A young man, not huddled in any group, was marching his way across campus as briskly as he could. Trying to make it to the dorm he had scarcely had the chance to settle into before It was time for orientation in his first class. 

He reached up to pull his beanie over his ears, protecting them the best he could. He then drew his phone from his pocket, checking the time as he continued forward without care to check his surroundings. His swift pace was brought to a halt as his face collided with the cold metal of a lamppost, sending him stuttering back and falling on his ass with an ungraceful thud. He winced, tilting his head up as he grabbed his nose in pain. His eyes watered and he chuckled a bit to himself, amused by his own carelessness. A handful of people with brows furrowed in concern approached him. 

"Are you alright?" A girl with light brown hair that coiled and bounced as she walked said. A look of clear concern and faint amusement painting her features. 

"Yeah I'm fine," the young man said still wincing in pain.

"Here," another female voice said, "let me help you up."

A girl with straight black hair extended her hand towards him. Her face worn with worry, in the way a mother's face is after helping wipe away the tears of her hurt child. She had a gentle and soothing nature about her. Looking into her blue eyes, the young man couldn't help feel like he was having his bruised pride healed.

"Thanks," he said, as the girl helped him to his feet. She scanned his face closely, checking for any injury before offering him a sugar-sweet smile. As if to give him the go-ahead to step back a bit.

"My name is Peggy," The curly haired girl from before said, and the young man nodded to her in acknowledgment. The girl then gestured to the girl who had helped him up.

"That's Eliza," she said. She then gestured towards two other young men. 

"I'm John, and this is my buddy Lafayette." A young man with tight bouncy curls and freckled said. The man beside him offered a wave and a smile. This other man was taller and had a tanned. He had a smile that felt like sunshine that caused warmth to bubble up in the young man's chest and deepen the pink in his cheeks.

"I'm Hercules um, Herc" The young man said, stuffing his nervous hands into the pockets of his coat.

The group all smiled and initiated light-hearted small talk. Herc fell into the group as they continued walking, taking the opportunity to perhaps make some new friends. 

At some point, the girls split off from the group and Herc followed the other two towards the male dormitory. 

" Where are you headed?" said John, as they slipped through the building's front door.

" Just going to my dorm."Herc said "51B."

" Hey," Laf said grinning. "That's right across the hall from me and John's room."

"Really? " Herc said. " What a coincidence."

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To readers new and old, as of this day (08-14-21), I have begun re-writing this story to allow it to reach the quality that can be worthy of all of your love and support. For those who may be concerned, the story and timeline will remain completely the same. I only intend to lengthen chapters, correct grammar, and improve the general flow. This story was an experiment when I first wrote it. A project built from my passion for the fandom and as a testament to my abilities as a writer. Since then, my passion for the fandom has dimmed but my writing has only improved. With that knowledge, I would like to put more life into the story you all decided to click on. I want this story to be worthy of your love and assistance. However, if you would like to preserve the story as is, feel free to copy and paste it, but I hope most of you will enjoy what I consider to be vast improvements. 

For those who read the story in its earliest stages, I hope there is nostalgia that still lingers in the pages. A light that glowing where your interests once faded. 

Thank you, 

WelpHereItIs