Chapter Two: Dorm room

Wiping a tear from his eye, Jensen walked me to reception, my eyes glazed over the long winding hallways, doors, and windows. So much light and colour was woven through each wall that I ignored the stares I received from passersby as I made my way through it all.

When we reached Main reception Jensen reluctantly handed me my bags and sighed:

"12 years huh? It's going to be weird without you with me. Still...I'm glad you can start this somewhat new life, even if it is without me in the picture. I'll miss you, Kid."

He moved to hug me and I stiffened, allowing his arms to wrap themselves around my muscled frame but not returning his display.

Jensen was a man that isn't much bigger than the average fourteen-year-old, but there is no doubting his years. He's all muscle on that small frame. He has that stern look, lighter-skinned but with African features. His clothes are casual but so impeccable they appear new.

He pulled away and straightened his jacket, sniffling slightly.

"Goodbye Zyra."

Then he walked away.

I unknowingly watched him walk until he was out of sight, staying in place for a moment to cherish my new freedom as the chains that held me down for years waltzed out of campus.

"Finally." I breathed quietly.

"Miss?"

I was knocked out of my thoughts abruptly by a smaller bespectacled woman beside me, she noticed my harsh stare and awkwardly adjusted her glasses and tie, flushing a deep red and motioning for me to follow.

I took a second to realize what I must have looked like, my 5ft 10 height was taller than most women I've met before, compare that with my consistent glare and toned body, it must've made me look intimidating to shorter, weaker people such as herself.

I shook my head and followed obediently to her desk where she sat down, her small feet weirdly not reaching the ground.

By looking at her I could see what type of person she was, Anxious, clingy people prefer new and well-maintained footwear to ease their nerves, which explains the brand new shining shoes she had. People with symmetrical faces generally have privileged childhoods, When everything, including tobacco smoke, socioeconomic status, and illnesses, can shape the way faces look for the worse, the best bet for a look that doesn't break mirrors is wealthy parents. Blue shades of clothing are often chosen by kind and shy people so that tells me about her blue blouse...

So, privileged, Anxious, and shy is what I have to deal with here.

"So, Name?" She said, twiddling her thumbs near the keyboard.

"Zyra."

Her manicured nails tapped loudly on the keys as she searched.

"Ah, yes...Zyra...No last name?" She tapped a few times on her desk before daring to look to me again.

"Legally, no" I replied, my smooth monotone voice low enough that she could hear. I preferred not to talk.

She nodded quickly, so much that I considered just how nervous she was.

"Okay well, I understand your tuition has been completely paid for already, and...yes, you have a top floor dorm, how luxurious!" Her face lit up for a moment.

When she looked to me once more I looked right into her eyes with a bored expression.

"R-right then I...I'll just get someone to help you to your dorm..."

I stood, gathering my cases and nodding absentmindedly back to her. I heard her release a breath of relief behind me and it wasn't long before she motioned another member of staff to lead me upstairs.

We reached my door after several flights of stairs that left the employee heaving for breath beside me while I remained calm and unaffected. He opened the door and shakily held the keys out to me, the second I took them, he moved back down the stairs without a word.

Looking inside, it was pleasant enough, a large kitchenette tucked into the left corner near the main door, pots and pans neatly stacked inside glass cupboards along with cups and plates. A large TV screen mounted to the wall the other side of the room with two sofas either side of it and a small coffee table in the middle. To the right, I saw two doors, one near the windows on the wall opposite the main door and the other near to the kitchenette.

I sighed and made my way to one of the doors, opening the one nearest to discover the bathroom, a shower, and a toilet on one side and the countertops with a sink and mirror on the other.

So that must mean my room was the other side.

I backed out the room, closing the door behind me and opening the next one. My room was a decent size, double bed against the right wall with no windows while a desk and vanity mirror/counter on the left with two windows overlooking the campus.

I had a bedside table and a wardrobe near the bed along with some welcome gifts from the University, a basket with

things such as towels, soaps, cosmetics, and chocolates and on my bed were fresh white sheets and a folder with my school schedule and introductions.

I dropped the bags in my arms and on my shoulders, collapsing on the bed and sighing.