Randy sat on the edge of the dorm bed, Raider Nation notebook open in his lap.
The Gainesville sun poured through the blinds, painting stripes across Steph’s face as she leaned against the window.
She smiled softly, watching him scribble notes, then crossed the room with two steaming mugs of coffee.
“Good morning, my 19,” she whispered, setting the cup beside him.
Randy looked up, his eyes catching hers, and for a moment the noise of campus faded.
It was just them — Raider Nation carried into a new world.
A knock at the door broke the silence.
Steph glanced at Randy, then opened it.
Three UF students stood there, grinning, one holding a box of donuts, another balancing two campus mugs.
“You must be Randy and Steph,” the tallest said.
“Welcome to UF. We thought we’d stop by and say hi.”
Steph’s smile widened, and she squeezed Randy’s hand again under the table.
“We’ve heard about you,” another student added.
“Coach mentioned you’re coming in strong. But don’t worry — we’re here to help you settle in.”
Steph leaned closer, whispering just for him: “See? We’re not alone, my 19.”
Randy’s chest tightened with pride.
Raider Nation wasn’t just a banner in his HQ anymore.
It was alive, expanding, welcomed into Gainesville.
And with Steph beside him, he knew this was only the beginning.