Their meal had been pleasant, served by a different waiter this time. Conner, couldn't bring himself to see her again in one night. His heart threatened to betray him with every glance, he feared he might say something foolish, something that would shatter the fragile composure he had tried to maintain all evening. He stayed clear from their isle, carefully avoiding her gaze, while Serena and Elsie shared laughs and light conversation.
After dinner, they strolled back to the dormitory. The night air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of autumn leaves and the distant tang of the town's stone walls. Several students lingered outside, their voices echoing against the cobblestone paths. Serena's thoughts, however, were elsewhere, tangled in the strange revelations Elsie had shared earlier.
She wondered how much of the town's history was true and how much was mere legend, and more importantly, how it might intersect with her own inexplicable experiences.
Once in Serena's room, the two spent time unpacking her belongings. The room gradually transformed from an empty dorm to a personal space filled with her life's small fragments: clothes neatly folded, books stacked beside the desk, and her journal tucked carefully on the shelf. Elsie surveyed their work with a satisfied nod. "I'm glad we got this done tonight," she said, giving Serena a warm hug. "Sleep well, Serena."
Serena smiled and nodded, feeling the weight of exhaustion press down on her. She headed to the bathroom for a long, much-needed shower. The water washed away the fatigue of the day, and by the time she had braided her hair into two neat rows, she felt a small sense of accomplishment. She barely finished securing the ends before collapsing onto her bed, overwhelmed but quietly content.
A sudden, sharp bang on the door yanked her from slumber. Her heart leapt into her throat as she struggled to process the noise. The room was dim, golden sunbeams piercing the curtains in narrow streaks. Her mind fought grogginess, disorientation clouding her thoughts.
Another knock came, this one insistent, urgent. "Serena!" a familiar voice called. "Please tell me you're not still asleep?!"
Panic surged through her. She scrambled out of bed, her bare feet slapping against the cold wooden floor. "Why is it so cold?" she hissed under her breath. She cracked the door open to find Elsie standing there, fully dressed, a black backpack slung over her shoulder, and headphones dangling around her neck.
"Oh my goodness, Serena, you're not ready?!" Elsie gasped, her mouth forming a perfect 'O' in exaggerated horror. "Haven't you read the school rules? Being late can lead to serious punishment. And I mean really bad—like cleaning toilets all Saturday. Full-on scrubbing, zero breaks!"
Serena groaned, pressing her hand to her forehead. Her braids had come loose in her sleep, curling in wild, damp tendrils. "I think I overslept a bit. I was so tired last night, I didn't even set my alarm. What time is it? Surely we can still make it."
Elsie shook her head dramatically, smacking her forehead. "7:00 a.m. Classes start at 7:30 a.m. You've got thirty minutes to turn into a fully functioning human being."
Serena's eyes widened as reality hit. "Oh no… we're going to be late. I cannot be late on my first day!" She stumbled backward into the room.
"No more time for panic!" Elsie urged, shoving Serena toward the wardrobe while rifling through her own clothes. "Move!"
Serena darted into the bathroom, flinging off her pajamas. She showered with quick, efficient movements, brushed her teeth in record time, and scrambled to get dressed. She pulled on fitted blue jeans and a warm peach-colored long-sleeve shirt Elsie had picked out for her. It was perfect for the chilly morning, snug without being constrictive. With little time to style her hair, she pinned it into a low bun, using gel to smooth down the loose curls, though damp strands still curled along the nape of her neck.
Elsie clapped in approval. "Okay! Not bad for a panic-rush look. Now let's go!"
Grabbing their bags and slipping on shoes, they bolted down the staircase and out into the crisp air. The cold bit at Serena's exposed wrists, but adrenaline kept her moving. "I can't believe this is how my first day starts," she muttered between hurried breaths.
"Just think of it as the Eldermere Welcome Package!" Elsie laughed, pushing ahead.
As they ran, Serena took in the campus in hurried glances. The trees lining the paths were tall oaks, their leaves brushing the buildings' facades and casting dappled shadows. The academic structures themselves seemed timeless, blending mystical elegance with modern practicality. Each stone and carved door seemed to whisper of the town's long and storied past, inviting her to trace its hidden stories.
Finally, they reached the central hall of the academic buildings. Corridors fanned out like spokes of a wheel, each leading to different departments. "Okay, I guess this is where we part," Elsie panted, brushing a stray curl from her face.
"You're in science?" Serena asked, still catching her breath.
"Yeah. Science major. History's to the left, and fresher class, I think, is room twelve. Have fun!" Elsie grinned and darted off, disappearing behind the tall doors of the science department.
Serena clutched her bag and walked toward her destination. Every door she passed had a number carved into it: Room 6, Room 9… finally, Room 12. Her chest tightened with nervous anticipation.
Pushing open the door, she found the classroom sparsely populated. Only a few students sat scattered across the room, chatting softly or rifling through notebooks. The lecturer, a young woman with a warm, melodic voice, arranged her papers at the podium. Serena exhaled a quiet sigh of relief and chose a seat by the window, the sunlight illuminating her notes as she settled in.
The lecture began, and Serena quickly became engrossed. The discussion revolved around ancient myths and their controversial interpretations, touching on legends that spanned continents and centuries. She felt a thrill in engaging with ideas that challenged her understanding of history, her mind racing with questions and theories.
The second class, Theories on Ancient Civilizations, proved equally engaging. Serena's favorite topic emerged early: the decline of forgotten empires. She listened eagerly as students debated environmental, political, and social factors that led to the collapse of once-great civilizations. Each argument drew her further in, and by the end, she felt a newfound confidence, proud of keeping pace with the discussion.
She had hoped the last class of the day would be as engaging, perhaps a calm capstone to her hectic morning. Fate, however, had other plans.