College Life Settles into a Rhythm

September in Los Angeles was still hot, the summer heat not yet fully gone, but the new semester at the California Institute of Technology had officially begun.

Just as everyone had expected, the four of them from the same high school who enrolled together got their class assignments exactly as they had hoped.

Lin Hai and Gwen became classmates once again. Together, they would immerse themselves in the mysteries of cells, genes, and ecosystems, share notes, discuss assignments, and continue their exploration of biology.

Peter and Harry, meanwhile, entered the same mechanical engineering class. Complex blueprints, precision components, and fascinating mechanical creations would become the focus of their shared studies over the next four years.

The only minor inconvenience was that the biology and mechanical engineering buildings happened to stand at opposite ends of campus.

"Hey! This is almost as far as going from Midtown High School to Osborn Tower!" Peter complained when he ran over to find Lin Hai and Gwen during the first break.

"Oh, come on, Peter." Gwen smiled and comforted him. "It's not nearly as exaggerated as you make it sound. Besides, college isn't high school. The schedules are much more flexible, and we're not booked solid all day."

Indeed, one of the greatest features of college life was its freedom and relaxed pace. Every class had a different schedule, leaving plenty of time that students could arrange as they pleased.

They quickly developed a new unspoken understanding:

Whenever all four of them had no classes, they would prioritize meeting at the grand, quiet library on campus, claiming a large table by the window to read, do homework, or quietly discuss problems.

If they did not feel like staying at school, they would head straight back to the little house that belonged to the four of