“We should finish our run. We’ll see you both later.” Daniel waved and started walking backward.
“Bye,” Malik called over his shoulder.
I watched as the mountain lion and badger reappeared and took off around the dorms.
“That’s insane,” I whispered, and Hannah laughed.
“Don’t worry. You’ll get used to all the madness soon enough.” She grabbed the handle of my suitcase and waved me on. “Come on, we’re in the next building.”
She led me to the front doors of Bennett Hall, another castle-like building with far more windows, before asking to see my folder. She flipped through until she found my room assignment. “Perfect, fourth floor with me, but you’re down a few rooms.”
We went to an elevator, and I was grateful we wouldn’t have to carry my bags up. The doors opened up to a long, empty hall with red carpet that matched the administration office. We walked past several doors until we reached four-fifteen.
“This one is mine,” Hannah commented but continued on to four-twenty-two. It was almost at the very end of the hall. “And here you are.”
She took the key from my folder and unlocked the door. “Oh, Tasha!” She sang as she swung it open.
A girl with thick, glossy black hair and hazel eyes looked up from the book in her lap. She glared at Hannah. “It’sNatasha. You know I hate that name.”
Her low, sultry voice fit her exotic look, and I bet she was one of the popular girls that always had the boys begging for her attention.
“Sure,” Hannah ignored her, and tension fill the room instantly. “This is your new roommate, Saige.”
I offered a small wave. “Hi, nice to meet you.”
Natasha sized me up with a look, then went back to her book. “Keep your side of the room clean and tidy.”
“I was planning to do that already,” I said but she ignored us. Hannah rolled her eyes and patted the bare mattress. “All right, I’ll leave you to unpack. If you need anything, let me know.”
She stopped and held her hand out. “I’ll put my number in your phone, so you don’t have to walk down to my room.”
“Thanks.” I handed her my phone, and she typed quickly before handing it back.
“Most of us go down to dinner around seven if you want to come. If you’re too tired, I totally understand.”
I smiled and agreed. My stomach knotted too much to think about eating, but I hadn’t had anything substantial since leaving my house. Friday night?
Why did that feel like years ago?
Her eyes darted to Natasha with a small frown before she glanced back at me and grinned. “Bye.”
She shut the door behind her, and I stood in the middle of the room for a minute, dropping my shoulders and sighing.
Finally.
I was done for a while. No more moving. No more surprises. This was my space. Granted, I had to share it with someone who didn’t seem particularly pleased about that fact, but I didn’t have it in me to care.
When I glanced over at Natasha, she had emerald headphones on, and I took the sign to leave her alone. I leaned against my bed and texted Mom to let her know I made it on campus and was settling in. I wanted to ask what she knew about this world, but my emotions were all mixed up. I didn’t want to know exactly how much she’d been keeping from me. I also wanted to keep that part of my life the same. I needed some semblance of normalcy amidst the chaos.
I dropped the phone on the bare mattress and frowned. Masie and I hadn’t packed bedding. I only had clothes, shoes, toiletries, and a few personal items. I didn’t even think about sheets or pillows. There were probably a hundred things I’d realize I needed over the next few days, but priority number one was my bed.
Natasha sighed and pulled her headphones around her neck. “There are two sets of sheets in the bottom drawers. A pillow and comforter are in your closet along with two sets of towels and washcloths. If you want anything else, you’ll have to order it.”
Before I could thank her or ask her how she knew what I was thinking, she covered her ears again, eyes locked on her book.
I pushed away from the bed and looked at the four drawers in the base. I pulled the top two open and found them empty. The left bottom one was as well, but the right held light gray sheets. I pulled one set out and went through the motions of making the bed. Then I went to the double doors on my side of the room and opened them to reveal a large closet with two rows to hang clothes, a tower of six drawers, six cubbies, and a shelf that ran the entire length at the very top. It was bigger than my closet back home. At least I wouldn’t have to worry about finding places to store my stuff.
The comforter and pillow were both white and waiting in the cubbies. I took them and pulled the pillowcase on before spreading the blanket out. They were nice enough but boring. Natasha’s side of the room was decorated in rich jewel tones from the comforter, desk chair, lamp, and tapestry she pinned up on the wall next to the bed.