After completing the lengthy process and finally receiving the necessary documents, I was ecstatic to make my way to the dormitory. As I lugged my belongings, heading for the stairs, but then contemplated the presence of elevators in the facility, considering it to be a fitting amenity for a place like Crown.
Although my familiarity with elevators was limited to a single experience during a school outing, I was fortunate to have paid attention when my teacher was operating the buttons.
I would have made a fool out of myself if I didn't know how to.
knowledge is indeed power.
Entering the elevator, I punched in my floor number and just as the doors were about to close, a girl frantically called out to me. I hurriedly stopped the doors and allowed her to enter.
"Carol?" She inquired, her eyes narrowed as she stepped inside.
My hand paused just as it was about to press the button, and I turned to look at her.
To my surprise, it was someone I once knew. Without thinking, I dropped my luggage and hugged her tightly, unable to contain my excitement. "Leah!" I exclaimed, feeling a rush of relief and happiness at finding someone familiar in this new place.
However, Leah struggled in my embrace, "Carol... it's fine" She said, stretching out her arms to push me away from her.
"I'm sorry" Saying this, I quickly stepped backward, only to see her glaring at me.
Leah wasn't fond of hugs. She didn't like kisses or any form of emotional gesture. How could I have forgotten that?
Perhaps it was the excitement I felt at the moment that made me forget, giving her the ick. I felt stupid and embarrassed at the same time.
Standing before me is Leah Anderson, a high school friend. In my excitement, I had embraced her, momentarily forgetting her preference for minimal physical contact. Leah was someone who enjoyed solitude. She didn't have many friends, and even if she did have, she exhibited difficulty in maintaining interpersonal relationships.
Once people started to look like problem for her, she would throw them out of her life like they weren't more than thrash. Despite this, our friendship endured. It was astounding how I was able to keep up with her, and I hoped that our reunion at Crown would facilitate further closeness.
Even though she was staring at me like there was some kind of bad blood between us. Not that I remembered any.
"Are we heading to the same floor?" I asked. Leah gave a brief nod, and threw her face to the side.
Upon realizing that we were heading to the same floor, I pressed the button and the elevator doors closed, enveloping us in silence. I fidgeted nervously, stealing glances at Leah, who was engrossed in her phone.
Leah seems to have noticed. she momentarily slipped her phone in her jacket and folded her arms across her chest while looking at me.
"Do you need anything?" She cocked her head to the side, her tone sounding clipped. Why did she suddenly become like this?
I gulped softly. Curiously, I inquired. "I thought you had other schools in mind. I mean when everyone was talking about where they want to apply, you didn't mention Crown"
She shrugged her shoulders, the silent act of disinterest to engage in a conversation didn't escape my eyes.
"Turns out that I'm here with you" She pointed out with a blank expression.
Noticing that the elevator had turned wide open, Leah moved away from the wall and began to head outside.
As we stepped out onto the floor, I noticed that Leah didn't have any luggage with her, just a package in her hands. When I asked her about it, She informed me that she had already settled in a couple of days ago.
Then, we began walking through the empty corridor. The accomodations starkly resembled each other. Windows were blurred by curtains, and the doors were tightly shut. The air was much warmer, compared to the administration center. By each entrance, there were flower pots placed at both sides, giving colors to the monochrome setting of the dorms, beige. Observing the dormitory's seemingly sparse occupancy, I couldn't help but wonder about the timing of students' arrivals.
It bothered me that Leah and I have been making the same turns. I wondered what she was thinking as I silently gazed at her from behind, while taking into consideration the numbers on other doors.
When she finally came to an halt, I stopped as well. That was when the realization that she and I would be roommates sank. I was happy about it, but the same couldn't be said about Leah.
She didn't need to ask the question before knowing that we were roommates. "Hell, no" I heard her whisper. I bit on my lip, focusing on the door to glimpse at a red line lowering across my body before turning green. The door unlocked and we stepped into the room.
The air-conditioner hit me once again. 'I'll definitely be killed by cold' I thought inwardly.
The hair on my body rose and I shivered slightly. Fortunately, I brought sweaters and socks. It'll do for now.
Incredible was an understatement for this space. It seemed nothing less than a princess's room. My room back at home would never compare to this. The room was large, painted in blush. I noticed that there were three exquisite beds, two were vertically facing each other while the other was at the complete end, horizontally set. There was a round rug placed in the center, furry, and above was a chandelier.
How is my family able to pay for this? I pondered inwardly. I thought we had no money.
The setting definitely exceeded those in hotels.
Each bed had a vanity space, connected to a wooden table and attached to it were sensored lights. Beneath the bed was a form of shoe racks. And a large cupboard was placed by the side.
I remained standing, observing my environment. Leah had dived into her bed, enveloping her body in a duvet. On the other side was another girl, sitting on a swiveling chair and engrossed in a video game.
Yeah! The girl exclaimed, smiles plastered across her face as she swiveled on the chair. When her gaze fell on me, she hesitantly pulled her earphones over and onto her neck.
Her eyes narrowed at me, "You are?"
"Carol Davis" I started to explain my presence in the room, "I live here too"
Her face lit up and she began sauntering across the room, in my direction. As she drew nearer, I couldn't help but feel inferior by her captivating presence. She had stunning brown skin and blonde hair that reached her waist. Her fringe hovered across her eyebrows, and her two-toned lip were shining. I wondered which lip-gloss she had on.
"Finally, the last of us" she remarked while standing in front of me. "I'm Coco Russell, your roommate and over there is..."
"Leah Anderson" I took the words out of her mouth. She only smiled in return before enveloping me in a hug that I didn't expect. Her scent was intoxicating. She smelled like fruits. It was only one brand that produced perfumes like this. The brand was expensive.
Alert. A rich kid. I thought to myself with a sigh.
When we pulled away from the hug, she stared at me silently as if drinking my appearance. "You'll qualify for a model with those looks" She teased, and then added. "You're pretty"
"Thanks" I offered a smile.
She then looked down at my luggage. "Do you need help settling in. I'm available to help"
"It's fine. Thank you, I can manage"
Coco nodded in understanding. I was glad that she didn't press further. I liked how welcoming she was, unlike Leah who was already snoring on her bed.
Before coming to school, I'd pondered deeply on how to relate with people I didn't know. I needed to stay out of trouble and not fight with anyone. Especially my roommates, because we'll be living together for a long while. Thankfully, these people didn't seem hard to deal with. I knew Leah already and Coco seemed to be the friendly type.
As I made my way towards the empty space, a voice made me halt in my tracks. I wondered where it was coming from, when Coco pointed at the corner.
I saw a square-shaped, black... Was it a speaker?
"That's our home system" Coco said.
Home system? I keep getting surprised by everything.
<Welcome, Carol Davis. I hope your stay has been wonderful so far>
"Surprising," I murmured.
<Please look over to your bed space, would you like any adjustment?>
"No, it's beautiful"
<Very well then. Settle in and get to know your roommates as your stay here will be for a long while. No form of physical or verbal misconduct will be allowed and would result in severe punishment if there is any. Enjoy your stay here>
The system went off, followed by a long silence. "She's cool, isn't she?"
"Yeah," I replied to Coco, and proceeded to my bed space while she left for hers.
The bed was already arranged with fresh sheets and pillows. I started by pulling off my shoe and placing them gently upon the rack. I placed my luggage on the ground to begin unpacking my things. And the last thing I did was to place a family picture on the table. I glanced at it for a while, before deciding to text Axel.
"Hey, are you already at home?" I asked, while sitting on the edge of my bed.
He started typing... "Yeah, mom too"
"How's Granny?"
"She's fine. Bought some drugs on the way while going back home"
"Oh okay. Take care of them for me"
"Sure"
I was convinced that the conversation was already coming to an end until he asked how I was faring and if I wasn't nervous anymore.
"It's beautiful here" I admitted. "Crown surely makes me feel like royalty"
"Told you so"
Tilting my head, "Axel, while I'm gone. You are free to get yourself a girlfriend"
"Huh, what?"
I bit on my lip. "You're getting old Axel. You dare not die without making me an aunt"
"Alright, Lil sis. I have to go now... Bye"
"Bye"
I lay on the bed, spreading my arms wide and staring at the ceiling. Finally, I thought inwardly.