Walking into the cafeteria for the first time felt like stepping onto a movie set. The high ceiling loomed above me, with colorful banners hanging down like streamers. The place was buzzing with energy, a chaotic mix of voices that echoed off the walls, making it hard to focus.
Rows of long tables stretched out before me, each one filled with students who seemed to know exactly where they belonged. I scanned the room, spotting how everyone gathered with their crew, their heads close together, sharing whispers and giggles like they were planning a secret mission. Their hair was perfectly styled, and they looked so effortless like they belonged in a magazine spread.
I stood there for a moment, feeling like an outsider in a sea of familiarity. It was clear that everyone was already settled into their groups. Looks like I'm going to be alone in here, I feel so much pity for myself now. Shaking off the feeling, I decided it was time to focus on something more important—like food. My stomach growled in agreement, reminding me why I came here. I made my way to the cafeteria line, weaving through the throngs of students, trying not to bump into anyone. The aroma of pizza wafted through the air, a delicious blend of melted cheese and spicy pepperoni that made my mouth water.
As I approached the counter, I caught sight of the pizza display. The slices looked perfectly golden, the cheese bubbling as if it had just come out of the oven. The cafeteria lady was a middle-aged woman with a friendly smile and a hairnet that seemed to keep her wild curls in check. She looked like someone who had seen it all and still wore her kindness like a badge.
"What can I get you, sweetheart?" she asked, her voice warm and inviting.
She's nice, that's good. "Uh, just one slice of pepperoni, please," I replied, trying to sound casual.
She handed me the slice, and I could feel the heat radiating from it. I grabbed a tray, my hands slightly shaking, and turned to find a place to sit. I felt a tap on my shoulder. "You need to scan your student ID to pay," I turned my head as the guy behind me pointed out. Realizing I didn't have mine, I stayed silent, well, this is embarrassing. He noticed my silence and handed his ID to the lunch lady. "I'll pay for his meal too."
Wait, what
I don't want to have to owe anyone. "No, you don't have to."
"It's alright, you're new, right, since you don't have your uniform on," I nodded in agreement.
"Here, your meal," the lunch lady said after swiping his ID card and giving him the food. "Come on, I have a table for us." Should I go or make an excuse? "I-" What in the? I was already at the table. I looked around, slightly confused about how I got here, realizing I just followed him while I was in the middle of thinking. I mentally berated myself, ah, whatever, I'm already here.
Trying to act nonchalant as I took a bite of my pizza.
The cheese stretched as I pulled away, a gooey reminder of why I loved pizza so much. As I chewed, I glanced around the cafeteria, listening to a few conversations I could pick up.
"So, wanna be friends?" I looked up. I hadn't gotten a good look at him up until now. He was normal with brown hair and brown eyes.
"Sure," I said.
We talked for a few minutes about our classes and jobs. His name was Andy, short for Andrew when I told him my name. I didn't get the usual crap of why my name was what it was. I mean Mom always knew I was going to be an omega but she sucked at naming things. Literally, she almost named me Poppybear since she found it so adorable. Good thing my dad came to the rescue or I would've changed my name at all costs, so Miyo was a spur-of-the-moment unique name.
Andy was chill although he was an alpha, he didn't seem bad. He gave me tips on classes and who I should avoid. Like he said one time he had a job opportunity at the Monarch dorm. Saying "I walked past them once for a job when I was at the Monarch dorm and my heart races as I spot them: Lysander, Cassian, and Viktor. You can't afford to tick them off, they're crazy, especially with the rivalry going on between their family for centuries all the other members in the monarchy don't even mess with them.
"Lysander is the first one you need to avoid. He's the silent type, and there's something seriously creepy about him. Seriously, he could be standing ten feet away, and you'd still feel like he's watching you. With his dark hair falling over his eyes and that intense, brooding stare, he gives off major 'I will ruin your life' vibes. No one really knows much about him because he hardly speaks. The whispers say he's got a temper that can flare up without warning, and when he gets mad, you'd rather be anywhere else.
"Then there's Cassian, the flirty charmer who everyone seems to love. With his killer smile and playful attitude, he has a way of making you feel special like you're the only one in the room. But don't be fooled—he's a total two-faced snake. One moment he's sweet-talking you, and the next, you hear he's been gossiping behind your back. It's exhausting trying to figure out who he really is.
"Finally, there here's Viktor. He's the muscle of the group—tall, built, and always flexing his strength. He's arrogant to the core and loves to show off. You've seen him throw some serious punches in the gym, and it's enough to give anyone a stomachache. His laughter is loud and boisterous, but it can turn into a terrifying growl in a heartbeat if he feels disrespected."
"Anyway, that's it really," he finished saying.
"So what's the rivalry about exactly? I'm not one for gossip, but I'm super intrigued. A rivalry between three families for generations sounds like a classic novel book, and hearing it in real life, yeah, it's interesting," I said.
"I don't know exactly what it's about; most don't," I nodded understanding.
"Here, let me give you my number. I'm gonna go back to the dorm," adding him as a contact, I headed back inside. Classes started soon, so I had to log in to my computer to the school grade site.
How am I supposed to get in contact with the guy from the vagabond dorm? I want to pay Andy back I'm sure he'll contact me somehow.
My suitcase was still half-open, and a pile of snacks that I had been saving from the airport. I needed to get organized before I lost my mind.
First stop: the closet. I flung open the doors to reveal a jumble of clothes that looked like they had been thrown in by a tornado. I started pulling things out, trying to remember what I'd packed. "Why did I bring so many hoodies?" I muttered, tossing a couple onto my bed. I hung up my favorite shirts and folded my jeans, trying to make everything look somewhat presentable. It felt good to see the closet take shape.
Next up was my desk. I had notebooks, textbooks, and a collection of pens that could probably rival a small store. I started organizing everything, stacking my textbooks according to the classes I would be taking. "Omega36, check. History, check. Shifting ... wait, is that even a class I need?" I chuckled to myself, wondering how I ended up here.
I pulled out my laptop and set it up on the desk, making sure it had enough space to breathe. I knew I'd be spending a lot of late nights studying, so I wanted it to feel homey. I also found a couple of energy bars buried under some wrinkled papers. Tossing them into my snack drawer for later.
After what felt like hours of unpacking, I stepped back and surveyed my handiwork. It wasn't perfect, but it was mine. I plopped down on my bed, feeling my weight sink in the bed I let out a satisfied sigh.