The house was quieter than usual, but not in a comforting way.

Sky stood in his room with a half-packed suitcase resting on the bed, its zipper hanging open like it was waiting for permission he wasn’t sure he wanted to give. The air smelled like detergent and something faintly familiar—home, but not warmth.

From downstairs, he could hear his mother’s voice. Calm. Controlled. The kind of voice that spoke at people, not to them. His father hadn’t said much all morning. That wasn’t new.

Sky adjusted the strap of his backpack and glanced at the mirror.

Same face. Same eyes.

Just… leaving.

A soft knock came at the door.

His elder sister entered first, holding a small paper bag. Behind her was his elder brother, leaning casually against the frame like he was trying not to show too much emotion.

“You’ll forget your snacks,” his sister said, forcing a smile that didn’t fully hold.

“I won’t,” Sky replied quietly.

His brother stepped forward and ruffled his hair slightly. “Don’t act like you’re going forever.”

Sky didn’t answer that.

Because it felt like he was.

For a moment, his mind drifted—not to the airport, not to the flight—but backwards.

Thailand.

Hot afternoons. School uniforms slightly too tight. Laughing with no reason. Walking home alone even when he didn’t have to. Sitting at the dinner table with four seats filled, but only two voices that ever asked how his day went.

His parents were never cruel.

Just… absent in a way that didn’t always have a name.

But his siblings—his sister who always noticed when he stopped talking, his brother who covered for him when he was late—those were the only parts of home that felt like home.

The airport announcement echoed faintly in his memory, even though he wasn’t there yet.

Or maybe he already was.

“Sky,” his sister said softly, pulling him back.

He blinked.

Time had moved without asking him.

“Let’s go,” his brother added.

Sky picked up his suitcase.

It felt heavier than it should.

And lighter at the same time.

Sky followed his siblings out of the house without looking back too long.

If he looked back properly, he knew he might not move.

The corridor felt longer than usual. Every step sounded louder, like the house itself was trying to remember him. His sister walked slightly ahead, glancing back every few seconds like she was checking if he was still real. His brother stayed close behind him, hands in his pockets, pretending this was just another normal day.

Outside, the car was already waiting.

The ride to the airport was mostly quiet.

Not the peaceful kind of quiet—the kind where words exist but no one knows which one to choose first.

Sky watched buildings pass through the window. Shops, traffic, people living normal lives like no one was about to leave everything behind.

His phone buzzed once.

No name.

Just a message from a class group: “Safe flight.”

He didn’t open it.

Instead, his mind slipped again.

Thailand memories didn’t come in order. They came in pieces.

A classroom window with sunlight too sharp to look at directly.

A teacher calling his name and him answering too slowly.

Lunch breaks where he sat more than he spoke.

His mother asking about grades without asking about him.

His father’s voice only existing when something was wrong.

And still… there were good fragments.

His sister dragging him out to eat when he didn’t feel like it.

His brother teaching him how to ride a bike properly when he was already “too old” to be helped.

Those rare moments where the house didn’t feel empty, just… incomplete.

The airport came into view too soon.

Too big. Too bright. Too final.

Inside, everything moved fast.

People were hugging, dragging suitcases, crying, laughing, living endings and beginnings all at once.

Sky slowed down without meaning to.

“This way,” his brother said, gently tapping his shoulder.

They reached the check-in area.

The woman behind the counter asked questions Sky barely heard. He answered automatically. Passport. Ticket. Confirmation.

Everything felt like it belonged to someone else.

When it was done, he got his boarding pass back.

A thin piece of paper.

Strangely powerful.

His sister hugged him first.

Tight. Too tight.

“Don’t disappear,” she whispered.

Sky didn’t know how to promise that.

So he just nodded.

His brother hugged him next—shorter, but firm.

“Call me when you land,” he said. “Even if it’s late. I’ll pick up.”

Sky nodded again.

Then came the moment he knew was coming but still wasn’t ready for.

His parents stood slightly apart.

His mother adjusted his collar once. “Take care of yourself.”

His father looked at him for a few seconds longer than usual.

Then simply said, “Don’t cause trouble.”

It wasn’t warm.

But it wasn’t nothing.

And for them, that counted as something.

Sky dipped his head slightly.

“Okay.”

Security check came faster than expected.

Too fast.

His bag went through the scanner.

Shoes off. Belt off. Reality becoming more divided by barriers.

When he stepped through, he turned back one last time.

His siblings were still there.

His sister was waving slightly, trying to smile through it.

His brother lifted his hand in a small gesture—like a silent promise that distance didn’t mean disappearance.

His parents were behind them.

Still.

Watching.

Not moving.

Sky raised his hand once.

Then turned away before it became too hard.

The corridor to the gate stretched forward like a straight line with no choice to turn back.

Each step felt quieter than the last.

And somewhere between the announcements and rolling suitcases and strangers passing him without knowing his name—

Sky finally understood something he hadn’t said out loud yet.

This wasn’t just leaving home.

It was becoming someone who had already left it behind.

And Thailand… the life he knew there…

was now something he could only carry inside him.

Not return to.

The moment the plane touched down, Sky felt it.

Not excitement.

Not relief.

Just emptiness.

The kind that settles quietly in your chest when something familiar is suddenly gone.

He stared out the window as the aircraft slowly rolled across the runway. The city lights stretched endlessly beyond the airport, bright and unfamiliar.

This was home now.

Or at least, it was supposed to be.

After collecting his luggage, Sky followed the crowd through the airport.

Different language.

Different accents.

Different faces.

Everything felt strange.

His phone buzzed.

Brother: "Landed?"

A small smile appeared on Sky's face.

Sky: "Yeah."

The reply came almost instantly.

Brother: "Good. Don't get lost."

For the first time that day, Sky let out a quiet laugh.

Outside the airport, cool air brushed against his skin.

It was colder than Thailand.

Much colder.

He pulled his jacket tighter and looked around.

Cars moved past.

People hurried by.

Nobody knew him.

Nobody cared who he was.

And somehow, that realization felt lonelier than he expected.

The ride to his new apartment was quiet.

Sky sat by the window, watching the city pass by.

Tall buildings.

Busy streets.

Neon signs glowing against the night.

Everything looked alive.

Yet he felt completely disconnected from it.

His thoughts drifted back home.

His sister's hug.

His brother's smile.

The last look he got before walking through security.

The memory made his chest tighten.

By the time he reached the apartment building, it was already late.

The place wasn't bad.

Small.

Clean.

Quiet.

Too quiet.

Sky rolled his suitcase into his room and closed the door behind him.

For a moment, he just stood there.

The apartment was small but comfortable.

A living room connected to a compact kitchen, with two doors leading to separate bedrooms.

Sky rolled his suitcase inside and closed the door behind him.

At first glance, the place seemed empty.

But as he looked around, he noticed things that didn't belong to him.

A pair of black sneakers by the entrance.

A half-empty mug sitting on the kitchen counter.

A dark jacket hanging neatly on a chair.

Someone else lived here.

Sky paused.

His brother had mentioned sharing the apartment with another university student, but he hadn't expected to feel so aware of the stranger's presence.

The apartment was silent.

No voices.

No footsteps.

Whoever lived here wasn't home.

For some reason, Sky felt relieved.

Meeting a complete stranger after spending hours traveling sounded exhausting.

He picked up his suitcase and headed toward the bedroom that had been assigned to him.

Sky glanced once more at the sneakers near the entrance.

Whoever they belonged to wasn’t home.

And for now, that was fine.

He wasn’t ready to meet anyone yet anyway.

Not today.

A new room.

A new country.

A new life.

And not a single familiar face.

His phone rang.

Video call.

His sister.

Sky answered immediately.

The screen filled with familiar faces.

His sister.

His brother.

Even his parents were sitting nearby.

"How is it?" his sister asked.

Sky looked around the room.

Then back at the screen.

"...Different."

His brother laughed.

"That's not an answer."

"It is."

"You're impossible."

For the first time since leaving Thailand, the room felt a little less empty.

After the call ended, silence returned.

Sky lay on his bed and stared at the ceiling.

Tomorrow would be his first day at a new school.

New friends.

New faces.

New everything.

The thought made his stomach twist.

He wasn't scared exactly.

Just uncertain.

Before sleeping, he walked to the window.

The city lights sparkled below.

Somewhere out there, thousands of people were living their lives.

Laughing.

Crying.

Meeting new people.

Saying goodbye to old ones.

And somewhere among them...

was a person Sky hadn't met yet.

A person who would quietly change everything.

Sky didn't know it.

Not yet.

A loud thud woke Sky from his sleep.

His eyes slowly opened.

For a moment, he stared at the unfamiliar ceiling before remembering where he was.

The new country.

The new university.

The new apartment.

Room 306.

Sky sat up and rubbed his eyes.

Another noise came from outside his room.

Then silence.

Then a low groan.

Frowning, he got out of bed and opened his bedroom door.

The moment he stepped into the living room, a strong smell hit him.

Alcohol.

A lot of alcohol.

Sky blinked.

Someone was lying beside the apartment door.

A young man was sprawled across the floor like he'd been dropped there by gravity itself. One shoe was missing. His backpack was half under the couch. An empty bottle rested nearby.

For a second, Sky wondered if he should call someone.

Then the stranger suddenly spoke.

"Five more minutes..."

Sky nearly jumped.

So he was alive.

Good.

The stranger slowly opened one eye and squinted at him.

"...Who are you?"

Sky stared.

"I live here."

The stranger frowned.

"Since when?"

"Yesterday."

A long silence followed.

Then the stranger nodded.

"Okay."

"Good."

"Why?"

"Because I was about to call the police."

Sky blinked.

"For what?"

The stranger pointed at him.

"For breaking into my apartment."

"Our apartment."

The stranger paused.

Then looked around.

Then back at Sky.

Then around again.

"Oh."

Another pause.

"Oh."

Sky was already tired.

The stranger sat up too quickly.

Instant regret crossed his face.

He grabbed his head dramatically.

"Bad idea."

Without warning, he flopped back onto the floor.

Sky watched in silence.

The stranger pointed a finger toward the ceiling.

"I blame my friends."

"They were the one drinking."

"They encouraged me."

"You are an adult."

"They encouraged me enthusiastically."

For the first time since arriving, Sky felt the corner of his mouth twitch.

The stranger noticed immediately.

"A smile!"

"It wasn't."

"It was."

"It absolutely was."

The stranger held out his hand.

"Kris."

Sky looked at it.

"Sky."

"Nice to meet you, Sky."

Kris grinned.

Even half-dead from a hangover, he somehow looked cheerful.

It was impressive.

And slightly concerning.

Kris suddenly pointed toward the apartment door.

"You know what's special about Room 306?"

Sky glanced at the door.

"No."

Kris spread his arms dramatically.

"It's legendary."

"Why?"

"Because I'm in it."

Sky stared.

Kris waited.

"..."

"..."

"You're supposed to be impressed."

"No."

Kris placed a hand over his heart.

"Ouch."

He looked genuinely wounded.

"First day and you're already bullying me."

Sky had known him for less than five minutes.

And somehow he was already exhausted.

An hour later, after Kris finally dragged himself into the shower, Sky stood in front of the mirror adjusting his clothes.

Today was his first day at university.

His stomach twisted nervously.

New campus.

New people.

New life.

Everything felt uncertain.

He grabbed his bag and headed for the door.

Just as he reached it, Kris emerged from his room looking significantly more human.

His hair was still slightly damp.

His smile, unfortunately, had survived.

"Ready?"

Sky nodded.

Kris slung an arm around his shoulders.

"Perfect."

Sky immediately removed it.

Kris looked offended.

"We're roommates."

"An hour ago."

"Details."

Kris opened the apartment door.

"Come on."

As they stepped out, Sky glanced back once.

Room 306.

Just a number.

Just another apartment.

At least, that's what he thought.

If someone had told him that Room 306 would become the place where his entire life began to change, he never would have believed them.

Then Kris pointed down the hallway.

"By the way, you're definitely getting lost today."

Sky sighed.

"Good morning to you too."

Kris laughed.

And for the first time since leaving Thailand, the loneliness in Sky's chest felt just a little lighter.

The two walked out of the apartment building together.

The morning air was cool.

Sky adjusted the strap of his bag while silently trying to memorize the route.

Kris, meanwhile, looked completely relaxed.

As if he hadn't spent the night sleeping on the floor.

Halfway down the street, Kris suddenly stopped.

"Breakfast."

Sky blinked.

"Breakfast."

"You already said that."

"And I'm saying it again."

Before Sky could ask another question, Kris grabbed his wrist and pulled him toward a small café on the corner.

"Kris—"

"Nope."

"I can buy my own food."

"I know."

"Then—"

Kris pulled the café door.

"Because you're my new roommate...."

Sky frowned.

"...So I'm welcoming you."

The smell of fresh bread and coffee filled the air.

For some reason, it reminded Sky of home.

Not Thailand.

Just... mornings with his brother and sister.

The thought made his chest tighten slightly.

Kris must have noticed the change in his expression.

Because for once, he didn't make a joke.

Instead, he simply handed Sky a menu.

"Order whatever you want."

Sky looked up.

"I'm serious."

" Why?"

Kris shrugged.

"Because moving to a new country sucks."

Sky froze.

The answer had been so casual.

So straightforward.

As if Kris understood exactly what he was feeling.

Then, before the moment could become too serious, Kris grinned.

"Besides, if you faint from hunger on your first day, I'll have to explain it to people."

Sky rolled his eyes.

After breakfast, they headed toward campus.

The university was much larger than Sky expected.

Students filled the walkways.

Groups of friends laughed together.

Others rushed between buildings.

Everything felt alive.

And overwhelming.

Sky slowed slightly.

For the first time that morning, nerves crept back into his chest.

New people.

New classes.

New expectations.

A completely different life.

Kris noticed immediately.

"Relax."

Sky looked at him.

"Because on my first day, I walked into the wrong lecture hall."

Sky raised an eyebrow.

"That's normal." Kris nodded.

"Then I sat through forty minutes of a class I wasn't enrolled in."

"..."

"And took notes."

"..."

"And asked a question."

Sky stared.

Kris looked proud.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Sky laughed.

A real laugh.

The first one since arriving.

Kris pointed dramatically.

"There it is!"

"What?"

"The smile!"

Sky immediately stopped smiling.

Kris laughed.

And together, they walked through the university gates.

For Sky, it was the beginning of a new chapter.

For Kris, it was just another day.

Neither of them realized how important that morning would become.