solaris viverra

CHAPTER I

The old lakes, trees, hollowed towns, people I loved passed by through the window of the train. Though I may see them again, they will never be the same. I hope that sacrifice is worthy of finally leaving him. Maybe I too will change as the time apart passes.

A boy sat in a blue leather seat, not making a single noise or movement. He was deep in thought; silent. Heavily contrasting the lively chatter all around him. An odd way to start a new journey, a new chapter in life. Maybe it is self-reflection before his new life begins. The train continued, no matter how many hours passed he was still staring out of the window. His auburn hair stuck to the chair as he slowly dozed off, alone and without fear.

As the ride came to a close he awoke to the view of a snowy, mountainous landscape. Only God knows how long he was asleep. He sat upright, adjusting his body after the seemingly uncomfortable sleeping position. The train started to decelerate, slowly coming to a halt. He rose up and retrieved his belongings before departing the train.

As he stepped outside his breath made color in the air. His eyelashes having small bits of frost from the falling temperatures. He once again made his way to another vehicle so he could finish the journey to his new home. He waved over to a parked taxi, then got in quickly. Only having 2 bags it was easy.

The seat was warm and comforting after an isolated train trip. The driver asked gently, "Where you headed to?"

"Villascroft Preparatory, sir."

The older man nodded and started to drive him there. He decided to make conversation saying, "My daughter went there a few years back, she said it was really nice."

"Oh, has she graduated already?" The younger boy replied.

"Yes, she's been off to college. Didn't want to stick around, you know?" He chuckled weakly.

The boy looked uncomfortable, he knew that he too was evading his parents. He brushed it off and said, "Do you have any tips for me? It's my first year."

The older man looked a bit surprised saying, "I wouldn't have guessed you were a freshman."

"Oh no sir, I'm a sophomore but I jut transferred."

"Well, in that case always make sure to do extra credit, and if you are doing an IB diploma make sure to get some credits for college. Or at least that's what my Sarah did."

"I will definitely do that thank you."

For the first time in almost a year this boy smiled genuinely. He felt appreciative for the kind words. He turned his head and looked out the window, ignoring his breath on the cold glass. He saw a large building slowly grow in size. It was massive. It was painted beige with iron gates of a dark brown color. The architecture looked like an old Italian baroque building. So beautiful. Besides from the design, the boy noticed the slight growth on the walls, and the spilling of colors and rust.

The car went through a large arch, which seemed to be a security checkpoint. The brown haired boy saw many student unloading from cars with their parents and waving goodbye. A bittersweet moment.

"Here 'ya are."

The boy exited with his bags and came around the car to the window of the drivers side.

"Thanks again, how much do I owe you?"

The man smiled coyly, "'I like you kid, consider it on the house. You're a student after all."

Before the boy could protest the driver backed up and left. After the initial shock wore off he smiled to himself. He then looked up at the institution he would now be living in. He went to the front office and received his room number and directions - he wasn't able to do so before because the information was sent out during travels. He carried his luggage as the pavement was covered in at least an inch of snow. When he opened the room to his dorm he saw three other boys in the living space. He smiled weakly as the boys turned their heads. He awkwardly waved and then moved in to his room. After removing his outerwear he sat on the bed for a moment looking around his tiny room. He was fortunate that he didn't have to share rooms. When he entered the room to the left there was a small wooden bed with a window behind it. To the right there was a wooden wardrobe and desk with a white lamp.

    The door to his room creaked open slowly. A blonde boy peered in. They both made eye contact and the blonde boy entered. He asked, "So what's your name? I mean, we are roommates after all- well kind of-"

Before the boy could continue talking himself down a hole the brown hair boy opened his mouth, then stopped.

I don't want to be that person anymore. I need a new name.

"Well anyways my name's Declan, I'm the junior in our group."

"Wait I might be in the wrong dorm, I'm a sophomore." He reached for his stuff in panic as the sun was started to set.

"No, no, no sorry I thought you knew. Every group has a student from each grade level so that freshman's get guidance. And either way I wouldn't introduce myself like that." He laughed softly.

"Oh, yeah."

"You haven't even made your bed yet. Where are your bedsheets? I can help 'ya know." He smiled.

"We are supposed to bring bedding?" The brown boy dropped his face in his hands. Wincing after the impact from his healing bruises.

"What happened to your face? Ooh did you get into a fight or something? Do you box? What am I saying we just met-"

"I just got hurt." A few seconds of silence later he tried to laugh to try and bring up the mood.

Then the blonde boy decided to bring up the bedsheets again. Reminding him that the letter said to bring bedding and other essentials. He gave him directions to the town and decided to ask everyone else if they wanted to join.

"Hey Helu, Rafaellllll~'' he yelled in a sing-song voice.

"Yeah?"

"Wanna go to town with us?"

"Going to the bar?"

The brown haired boy looked puzzled, "they let us drink here?"

"Yeah, the age is 18 and most of us could pass as it. My 18th birthday is in a couple months anyways.'' Rafael said.

"I'm Rafael by the way."

"Oh, uhm, my name's Si-, Felix."

I listen to too much K-pop.

"OH but everyone calls me Eli." They shook hands.

That's a slightly better name I guess.

The other smaller boy in the room smiled at him and said, "My name's Helu."

"Nice to meet you."

Declan looked impatient. His platinum blonde hair covered his eye slightly so Eli didn't realize that he was looking over at him.

"Are y'all coming or not?"

Declan, Helu and Eli went off to the snowy town. Rafael stayed behind to unpack.

After a short bus ride they were at the town. Smoke was rising from a few of the buildings. Then suddenly something shiny caught Eli's eye. He turned to the side and saw a girl with a heart locket around her neck.

I swear I've seen that somewhere.

He stood in awe as the girl's long wavy hair moved in the wind. Half of it was tied back with a maroon ribbon. Declan looked back at Eli and saw the girl. He laughed a little. Come on, let's go talk to her. Eli looked red, he pulled back. The other boys laughed. They walked to the store and got bedding, some snacks, and a couple burner phones. Eli only brought enough for the bedding so he missed out on the phones.

Declan inquired, "You know they take our phones at night right?"

Eli shrugged.

I don't have anyone to message anyways.

**
After getting back to the dorm the boys decide to go to sleep.

"I'm gonna sleep now, we gotta wake up early for orientation."

I guess I'm really doing this.