The morning was abuzz with excitement as the students filed into the school's main hall, each holding a slip of paper with their dorm assignments. Ere'ana stood beside Kikidori, practically bouncing on her toes.
"I can't believe we're finally getting dorms!" she exclaimed, clutching her slip. "I hope mine is close to yours, Kiki."
Kikidori glanced at her, his crimson eyes unreadable. "Does it matter?"
Ere'ana pouted. "Of course, it matters! What if I need someone to walk me to the cafeteria at night? Or if there's a bug in my room?"
Kikidori sighed lightly but didn't respond, his gaze drifting to the crowd around them.
"Alright, students!" a teacher's voice boomed over the chatter. "Please check your slips and head to your assigned dorms. You'll have the rest of the day to settle in before classes resume tomorrow."
Ere'ana quickly scanned her paper, then looked over Kikidori's shoulder at his. Her eyes lit up. "We're on the same floor!"
Kikidori simply nodded, his usual calm demeanor hiding the faint sense of relief he felt. At least he'd be nearby if anything happened.
By second period, the novelty of the dorm assignments had worn off, and the advisory period was in full swing. Ere'ana sat at her desk, her phone hidden just out of the teacher's line of sight. She was texting Kikidori, though her messages were a mix of random thoughts and teasing comments.
*Ere'ana:* **You're so serious all the time, Kiki. Smile more, would ya? :P**
*Kikidori:* **Why?**
*Ere'ana:* **Because it makes you less scary-looking!**
*Kikidori:* **Good.**
Ere'ana rolled her eyes, stifling a laugh. She was about to type another response when a voice startled her from behind.
"Who are you texting?"
Ere'ana yelped softly, snapping her phone shut out of reflex. Tessa stood behind her, her auburn hair tied up in a messy bun, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"Just… no one!" Ere'ana stammered, her cheeks flushing.
Tessa raised an eyebrow, a sly grin spreading across her face. "No one, huh? What are you hiding?"
"I'm not hiding anything!" Ere'ana insisted, shoving her phone into her bag.
"Sure you're not," Tessa teased, crossing her arms. "You're totally texting someone you don't want us to know about. Does Kiki know?"
Ere'ana's face turned redder. "It's not like that! I was texting him!"
"Oh, sure," Tessa said, clearly unconvinced. "And I'm the Queen of England."
Before Ere'ana could retort, the teacher's voice cut through the classroom.
"Tessa, stop instigating and sit down."
Tessa groaned but obeyed, throwing Ere'ana one last teasing glance before retreating to her seat.
Ere'ana sighed, burying her face in her hands. Why did Tessa always have to stick her nose into everything? She glanced at her bag, where her phone was safely tucked away. She'd have to explain to Kikidori later. Hopefully, he wouldn't get the wrong idea.