Jessica used her considerable height to navigate us through the crowded gym, over to the bleachers that were already packed. At 5'9" she scanned the crowd to find a space for us, and eventually smiled, waved and pointed with a questioning glance. Her smile returned and she pulled my hand onward, roaming towards some unseen location.
We climbed the steps and found a spot alongside a girl and guy I assume Jess had silently communicated with a moment ago. As we squeezed in, I took the spot directly next to the guy with the girl to his right and Jessica to my left.
Jessica immediately dove into conversation with them, as I had seen her do at least 6 times already, asking about what dorm they were in, where they were from, and what they were studying. They were twins, born and raised in Silver Lake and legacies at AIT. The girl's name was Kiera, and the guy's name was Kolt, and their features were so identical I was surprised I hadn't guessed they were twins before we started talking.
Jessica leaned over and shook Kolt's hand first, something like recognition briefly passing over her eyes and then gone as fast as it came. She quickly reached beyond him and shook Kiera's hand, and smiled brightly.
The twins had the same dark complexion, with hazel swirling eyes that pierced into you with one glance. Their noses and lips were shaped exactly the same, but in opposing masculine and feminine dimensions, and they sat as though they were constantly on watch. Kiera's hair was braided, with pieces of silver intertwined that caught the light. She had it tied partially back, but the rest of it fell behind her in long cascading braids. She laughed cheerfully at whatever witty thing Jessica had just said while her brother, Kolt sat quietly, observing the filling gym. Kolt's hair was short, styled in perfect waves, and he had a small nose ring that complemented his intense demeanor.
"Oh don't mind him, he gets social anxiety and gets all spacey when there's this many people around," Kiera said playfully as she placed her hand on her brother's shoulder. He looked up, pulled from his trance and laughed lightly. When he noticed we were talking about him he said "Sorry don't mind me, our friend was supposed to be here by now but I can't find him."
Our conversation became difficult as the last few students found their seats and the volume reached an all time high.
In the center of the room, a podium was placed, with a microphone standing ready. A short, academic looking man made his way to the center of the room and began to tap forcefully on the mic. The ungodly noises created from his obnoxious tapping quieted the room and he smiled sheepishly.
"Hello class of 2023!" His excitement was met by silence as everyone recovered from his microphone noises seconds ago.
"Well, if you don't know me, allow me to introduce myself as AIT's proud President, Dr. Mathis. I am honored to welcome you to our prestigious and rigorous university, where I am positive you will all flourish and meet your true potential."
As everyone began to appear bored and ready to leave, I just got more excited. I loved events like these, and I listened to each word the President spoke with eagerness and amusement. I had worked hard to be here, and I wanted to enjoy every minute.
The hour ticked by, and after praising the faculty, talking about the various orientation events that would be taking place, and then discussing the historical significance of the town's location, Dr. Mathis finally thanked everyone for their time and introduced the Mayor of Silver Lake.
A silent force seemed to pass through the crowd, and all those that had been dozing off or looking at their phone, suddenly looked forward and searched for the source of this power. From the left, I spotted a tall, elegant woman make her way towards the center, and take her place behind the podium. She wore a navy pantsuit, with small heels and a plain white button up underneath her blazer. Her face was strong and beautiful, her hair neatly tucked into a bun behind her. She commanded the room without a word, and the power radiating off her was almost tangible.
"Hello students, I am Mayor Cynthia Arenthe, and I'm honored to be one of the first to congratulate you for finding your place here, at my alma mater."
She paused, surveying the crowd as if she was searching for someone.
"While I have wonderful things to say about this university and the memories you will make here, I also must address something rather grave. In towns across our region we have seen a great increase in animal attacks and missing persons. We are not sure whether to attribute this to a rise in crime across the area, or to look at other... reasons... for this stirring."
Students around me began to whisper, and even Jessica exchanged a worried, knowing look with Kiera. I wasn't sure what everyone was discussing, but I assumed it was a big thing around here. Most students at AIT were from the upper North East area of the country, and I attributed my confusion to my lack of cultural awareness, as stupid as that sounded.
"With that being said, I am asking each of you to look out for each other, to stay out of the woods, and to always offer a hand to those in need, even a stranger," her silver eyes seemed to meet my own and glow dimly, before she pulled them away and continued her search through the crowd.
As she ended her speech and left out the back door of the gym, with the President following closely behind, students began to rise and filter out themselves. Jess asked Kiera and Kolt where they would be going, and before Kiera could respond Kolt stated:
"We've got to be getting back home, our parents are concerned about the attacks and feel better when they know where we are."
Kiera gave Jess a soft smile and turned towards me when she said "But we'd love to walk you guys back to your dorm, I begged my mom and dad to let me stay on campus but they said we live so close anyway it didn't really make sense."
So we left the gym, Kiera and Jessica a little ways ahead, already talking and giggling as if they'd know each other for years, and Kolt and I in the back, falling into a comfortable silence. The night air was cool and crisp compared to the stuffy air of the gym, and even with the laughter and noise of the students around us I could smell the fallen leaves in the wind.
"Where did you say you were from?" Kolt asked softly.
"Oh, just outside of New York City. Lived there my whole life. What about you, have you and Kiera always lived in Silver Lake?"
He chuckled, and looked down at his feet for a moment before he stopped and looked back up into my eyes.
"In this life, yes."
Before I could even question it or make a remark about how creepy that sounded Kolt saw someone behind me and reached forward to tap Kiera on the back. She turned and whispered something to Jess before she skipped off behind me.
"It was great meeting you, we'll have to catch up another time," Kolt said as he randomly grabbed my hand in an awkward handshake. I tried to smile but I think it came off as a grimace as Kolt looked confused before he too jogged off to join whoever they had just spotted.
I walked up to fall into step with Jess, when I felt something inside me nudge me to turn around. I turned towards where Kolt and Kiera had gone and saw them talking to a tall figure leaning against a tree. Kiera playfully punched his arm and Kolt stood with his arms crossed as if he was discussing business rather than catching up with a friend. The guy scanned the crowd until his gaze rested on me. If I was braver I would have stared back. I would have maybe given a flirtatious hair flip and walked away, or maybe I would have even smiled and waved.
But instead I almost killed myself as I swiveled around, tripped and braced myself against Jess as she belly-laughed and dragged my embarrassed ass back to our room.
~
That night I laid awake in bed for a while. Or at least I thought I was awake until I felt a gentle gust of wind and then a hand upon my cheek. It was such a light touch, so careful and quick, and as I rolled over to face the window there was nothing there. Just the moonlight flooding through the open window, and a small, red leaf on my nightstand.