Days at Teyvat University || Modern AU Xiao x Reader

Ch 1. In the Dark

"How is it only the second week of sophomore year, and I'm already THIS behind?" You exclaimed, throwing your pen onto your desk and leaning back in your chair, arms stretching towards the sky.

"Wait, we had homework?" Hu Tao spun around in her chair to face you. You let out a poor excuse for a laugh as Hu Tao scrambled through her backpack to find the syllabus. The first week of school had been a breeze, most professors spending hours reading a syllabus that could have been read in fifteen, twenty minutes tops. Not that you minded, but it sure as hell baited you into what was in store for the coming week.

"Yeah we have a reflection on this 30-page article." You replied, grabbing the packet off your desk and waving it at her. "My brain is melting trying to comprehend what its saying."

"Oh, I did that with Zhongli and Yanfei earlier today." Hu Tao giggled as she settled back in her chair and turned back to resume the game she was playing on her computer. You sighed. Despite how child-like and mischievous she acts, you couldn't deny she was a lot smarter than she let on. After all, it wasn't a walk in the park to get into Teyvat University.

You were getting drowsy, and as more time passed on, the less the words on the page made sense. You shook your head, raising your hands to lightly pinch your cheeks in an attempt to wake yourself up. Hu Tao peeked over.

"Maybe you should get some fresh air, maybe a canned coffee from the vending machine?" You needed, letting out a yawn as you slipped on a hoodie.

"Good idea, do you want anything?"

"Coke please!" She exclaimed, beaming at you. You nodded as you opened the dorm to your dorm and slipped out, quietly shutting it behind you. How does she have so much energy this late? And where could you get some?

Pushing on the doors leading outside, you were met with a soft cool breeze on your face. Beyond the dorm's steps, it was pitch dark outside, give or take a couple of street lamps. In the distance you can hear the sound of heavy bass music and screaming college students. You sighed. Isn't it a bit early to be partying? The semester had just started. Walking a bit further down the side of your dorm building, illuminated by the overhead lights, the vending machine came into view. Slipped a couple coins in, you pushed the button for Coke when the light on the nearby wall started flickering. You froze, the electrifying buzzing resonating through the air before fizzing out, the bulbs going out one by one until the entire walkway was plunged into darkness. You felt a chill run through your body, letting out a small yelp as you heard some noise further down. You cautiously bent down to poke your hand through hole to retrieve the Coke can, eyes trained towards the area where the sound came from. With another loud buzz the lights all shot back on.

And you were no longer alone.

The light revealed a dark clad figure. The sudden appearance of the person startled you, and before you could register it, your body already had you running full speed back from where you came, opting for the stairs instead of waiting for the elevator.

"y/n!" Hu Tao greeted you as you came rushing through the door, slamming it shut behind you. You promptly crumpled to the floor, gasping for air as you tried to catch your breath. "Are you okay?" Now concerned, she got up and rushed over to you, stopping down to meet your eye level. You nodded, breathing gradually returning to normal.

"Y-yeah I just saw someone outside and it scared me." You stuttered out, adrenaline rushing in your veins.

"Oooh could it be..." Hu Tao paused for dramatic effect. "... a GHOST?!" You swatted her arm, pulling yourself up.

"Haha very funny..." Your voice deadpan as you handed Hu Tao the can. Popping it open, she tilted her head lightly at you.

"You didn't get coffee?" She asked, before taking a sip.

You looked down to your empty hands, before your mind flashed back to the sudden appearance of the figure. You shook your head, wiping the sweat that had built up on your hands onto your hoodie. You definitely did not want to go down and be face to face with them again.

"Nah. I don't feel sleepy anymore."

~~

Hi! Thank you for reading the first chapter of my Xiao x Reader story! I don't know if I'll write this to completion, but I'll try my best. I'm just creating the plot as I go haha. The art cover for this story isn't mine, but created by @tanxiuling on Twitter! Definitely check them out, their art is amazing!