Inside a dim lit hallway. Beyond a wooden door, disaster was unfolding.

“Should we just enter?” I ask, peering up at Tori and Jade expectedly. Tori’s hand hovers hesitantly in the air, unsure if to knock or wait until the screams pass. We all stare in amazement as another blast is heard from the other side. “Or- do we just leave?”

Without getting much of a response, Jade takes the initiative and blasts his fist against the door in a supposed knock. That was anything but a knock.

I gulp as the door opens slowly to a scared and confused boy.

“H-hi” I yelp.

His eyes widen as he shifts his view between the three of us. Blonde curls fall on his eyes when he, unexpectedly, whiskers us in.

“Guys, guys” he faces away from us. “This is our new roommate!”

Joyful eyes meet mine when a tall, brunette boy comes to greet me with quite an energetic handshake. Damn! My arms hurt from all the shaking.

“Hi-“

He gives us a toothy grin. I stare for a second, taking in his warm complexion and log, pointy ears. Back in Yiondelienne, you would only see Elfians passing by as tourists, never to stay in one place for too long. I guess I’m still a little dazzled by their physique.

I peek at Jade and Tori with an uncomfortable chuckle. I feel blood rushing to my cheeks. I’m already blushing, oh no! I’m not used to this. Tori must have noticed my distress because he steps forward. “Hello” he smiles politely. “This is Yue and he’ll be rooming with you guys. I hope that’s okay” The response he gets is a round of enthusiastic nods.

“My name’s Jordynn” the blonde steps up.

“This here is Taillon” he points at the handshake boy. “And that over there is Noreen” On the far side of the room, lazily laying on a bed is another Elfian. He brings his arm up in a salute.

Time fleas and the introduction comes to an end. In between moments of silence, I manage to unpack most of my stuff. If there’s one thing that brings me joy in this place, are the closets! They have big closets, big enough to fit some of my clothes!

Had I brought the entirety of my collection, I don’t know if they would have fit in all four closets. Sadly, I have make do with what I have.

I have also noticed something peculiar… my roommates’ quiet stares and attempts to help. If I ever so slightly needed to reach a higher place, or carry the weight of my baggage from one place to another, they wouldn’t hesitate to jump in my assistance. I don’t know if these guys are just nice or they are acting so. It would not be a surprise, though, seeing as Jade has been murderously staring at them for the past half an hour.

This is supposed to be a covert mission yet Jade is acting everything but covert! It’s incredible. Talking about Jade, Taillon must have noticed the menacing aura around him, for he asks, “Are they your parents?”

Tori and Jade freeze in place as do I. They stare at each other for a second, as if communicating with their eyes. I notice the faintest dust of pink on Jade’s cheeks before they swiftly turn to Taillon with a response.

“We’re his uncles” Tori laughs.

Uncles! I guess that is a believable story- if you don’t linger on it too much. Jordynn’s frown tells me that he smells the bullshit. Naturally, I panic and drop the Link, previously in my grasp now on the floor. “Shit!”

I broke the screen! A big crack stretches from the top of the screen to the bottom. I quickly pick it up, trying to turn it on. When I notice it doesn’t as much as flicker, I gently (not so gently) shake it around, as if that is going to fix it.

“That’s not good,” Jade says, in a monotonous tone.

No, it’s not! How am I supposed to speak with my parents now? Jordynn picks up the device only to clumsily drop it to the floor again. Another crack.

“I-I’m sorry!” he yells.

“It’s okay- It was already broken”

…

It has been hours since I have installed myself in the room. Jade and Tori have already left with a bone crushing hug.

“Where will you be staying?” I asked, my voice coming out muffled by Tori’s chest. When he hums, I feel the vibration inside my chest.

“Brownpeak, a small town just beyond the Academy. You can come visit us anytime you want” He pulls back to show his pearly white smile. Tori is a douche, he can be annoying and a control freak. But I love him nonetheless.

Once I’ve forced Jade too into a hug, they finally depart. I’m left alone on the porch, seating my ass on the cold concrete stairs. The residential complex is god damn huge! A little plaza surrounded by, from what I can see, five buildings. And they are not small buildings, each must have at least sixty rooms.

There’s a sizable park perched on the side of the complex, scattered with benches and spurting fountains. The very last rays of sunlight trickle through leaves, a red glow gleaming over the horizon. Three moons take the Sun’s place, two of them nested under the bigger one.

Aesther, Iunae and Umillum, those are the names given by our ancestors to the moons. All ancient Gods who claim to have created Soulma. So the books say. Personally, I don’t believe in Gods. If they existed, they would have surely helped us through rough times. Where were they when war nearly swallowed up the entire continent?

Students are beginning to gather around the park, settling on the fountains and on the grass. Whereas for me – I’m sitting on the porch of my apartment building, staring at the darkening sky. So exciting!

A gust of wind passes by, making me shiver in my boots. Right… I forgot we’re not in Yiondelienne anymore. What remained of the hot summer is now giving way for chill of autumn. This wasn’t really the case back home, tropical weather made sure we all stayed warm and wet.

Thoughts of home disappear when the front door bursts open. I jump in a startle as Taillon emerges from inside, followed by Jordynn and Noreen. When his eyes land on mine, Jordynn’s lips pull back in a toothy grin.

I instantly bring about an awkward grin. I wish I weren’t so uncomfortable around them, but it’s impossible. I have just met them. It’s also hard not to be nervous when Noreen is towering over me, he’s a big lad!

“Are you coming with us to the cafeteria?” Jordynn asks.

I puff out my cheeks in thought. It would be nice to eat something. As if on cue, my stomach savagely growls. I don’t have time to respond though, as I’m already being dragged along the pavement.

Taillon pulls me by the shirt, “you need some food inside you. You look so skinny”

Jordynn sneakers. “You’re one to talk” Taillon retaliates with a pout. They are bantering – bantering! Haven’t they just met? Am I missing an important detail or something?

I stop in my tracks, pulling the hand gripped to my shirt away. “Wait- are you guys’ second year students?” I send Jordynn an expecting look.

“Yeah…”

“All of you?”

They nod, except Noreen who simply hums. This changes everything! I had hoped to connect with people that could follow and help me throughout the classes. Taillon hoovers over me “Don’t worry about that. We can help you with homework” he steps closer, “we know the ropes around here”

I take a step back. “Meaning?”

“You’d be surprised. There aren’t that many teachers in the academy and we know all of their knishes” – That is very comforting yet so scary, especially with the smile he has going on.

Jordynn pulls him away though. “Let’s not weird him out just yet”