Westpoint College was built around a lake. It was traditional for the graduating class to take a swim on their big day.
Other than that, it was a standard university, one where no students cared about education and every professor was worried more about their research than the students.
Noah, or at least this world's Noah, was one of the best students in his year. Not one of the popular smart kids that everyone asked for advice, but good enough. His scores floated under the scores of others, and he never really talked to anyone.
Yet somehow, he was scheduled to give a freshman speech today about the rules of the university and give a personal anecdote about his experience in school.
He originally planned to skip the first day and just get high. But the new Noah wanted to turn around his act. Fara was in the freshman class, he needed to put on a good show for her.
He navigated through the crowded hallways and climbed up to the second floor where the assembly would be held. He bumped into a girl on the way; she had red hair and emerald eyes that shone as she apologized.
He quickly waved her off and walked into the auditorium. It was high and dark, with spotlights strobing over the rows of talking students. Then he got on stage to greeting the dean of his department.
"Professor Cali, good morning, sir. Sorry I'm late, the freshmen clogged up the halls—"
"Noah?" the professor asked, squinting his eyes through his square glasses.
Professor was rather old, the top of his head already bald while white hair ringed his sides. Noah hoped it wouldn't be strange for him to doubt his eyes.
"Yes, sir," Noah said, forcing a laugh and rubbing the back of his head. "I had a growth spurt over the break."
"Oh, good for you then. I haven't grown in fifty years, hahaha," the professor started laughing at his own joke, and Noah just followed. "You'll speak after the faculty rep. Wait… that's me! Hahaha."
Noah's jaws felt heavy after just a few seconds of fake laughing, so when the ceremony began, he was overjoyed. The students quieted down, and the lights all focused on the podium as the dean came up and gave his speech.
It was a long drag, and he used that time to go over his speech and maybe cut out any joke he didn't feel so good about now.
Soon Professor Cali's speech was done too, and as they passed on the way to the podium, the professor clapped him on the back.
"Go get 'em, tiger! I mean you, there's not an actual tiger out there, hahaha."
Noah only offered a smile that he kept plastered on as he faced the entire student body. He took a moment to clear his throat before speaking.
"Welcome, everyone, I'm Noah Stromer, second-year undergrad of the Department of Computer Engineering."
He let them clap for a moment, the few of them that did, before he continued.
"I'm only here to welcome you to out school as someone who sat where you sit just a year ago. And because the professor caught me in the hallway a week ago."
That got a few laughs from some people; it also got Professor Cali laughing, but anything made him laugh.
"I bet it feels like a movie reel. The auditorium and all these lights make everything feel grander. I felt like this would be where my life started… getting interesting, and I'm sure many of you feel the same. Well, you'll feel the same for a week."
His facial expression made them laugh this time. But he was remembering all the assignments you'd have to balance the first week.
"It's going to get a bit hard for you guys, but you'll adapt. And when you're done adapting, then you can have fun. But don't let that distract you from your schoolwork. Make the most of the money you're spending here and work hard. Then you can party; trust me, there are enough parties for a lifetime."
He raised his hand and released a breath.
"So let's all take a breath, slow down, and find our own pace. Then once you're settling into your own time, fun will come. Thank you for coming, have a great day."
His returning applause was far greater than before, and he even felt a bit better when he found Fara in the crowd, clapping slowly.
The dean clapped him on the shoulder and gave him a satisfied smile as they passed, and he decided to use the faculty exit before the assembly closed, waving at Professor Cali as he crossed the doors.
Once he was out of the auditorium and free of it's noise, Noah felt full. He spread out his arms, stretching his back.
"I'm sure you like that too," he said to himself. Doing something like that was something the previous Noah could only dream about. Now he had to deal with Linear Algebra.
Seems a bit easier now.
He pushed into the class and did a cursory scan of the room and its exit points instinctively. Students were scattered around in a large group that was loud and had a lot of people standing, and smaller groups around walls and single desks.
Noah ignored everything and walked towards his desk, which was currently being occupied by a small group of four friends. Two guys and two girls. The girl in front of him was the reason they gathered around his desk.
He stopped once he reached the desk, catching the eye of the group, who looked at him with confusion.
"That's my chair."
The guy stood up slowly, apologizing.
"Um, sorry. Are you new? I've never seen you."
The girl that had sat in front of him for a whole year in this class and borrowed his pens multiple times finally recognized him.
"Yo, Noah?"
He nodded and set down his bags and pulled out a book, not bothering to look at them after that. If they started asking what happened to him, it would become annoying.
But someone else came over with two boys behind him. This person had dull red hair and a strong build.
It was Leeroy, someone he knew from high school. They both went to school here because it was close to home. But they weren't friends in the slightest.
"Hey, is that Noah?" Leeroy asked impatiently. "Who the hell is sitting on his seat? I need to talk to that little fucker."
Noah rose from his chair, and for the first time, was looking Leeroy in the eye.
"I'm here."