SOUL DORM

4

Uptown girl

She's been living in her uptown world

***

CHAPTER 4:

SOUL REPRESENTATIVE

Even souls could have panic attacks. I, being a soul, was having a panic attack. I barely had time to register a snippet of what the Principal said before I ended up carrying a backpack and a Tamagotchi at her doorstep.

"Now, Ursa will show you to your room," the Principal had said. 

While I was still pondering who Ursa was, the door swung open. The secretary stood outside the doorway, beaming broadly and accompanied by a young girl.

"Let's make sure Olive settles in comfortably, Ursa dear," the Principal said. 

The last thing I saw before the doors closed behind me was the Principal pulling a piece of chewing gum from the pocket of her billowy skirt and popping it into her mouth.

The aftermath was as foggy as the clouds swirling around us. The girl named Ursa was talking, talking, talking, and I was staring, staring, staring at her. What was she saying, why was she saying it, why was I listening to her? I couldn't tell. My ears felt clogged, my head throbbed, and my stomach was knotted.

From what I could piece together from the bits of conversation, it seemed Ursa was a Soul Representative. It was her duty to accompany newbie souls like me. Unaware of my mental gridlock, Ursa latched onto both arms and gave me an enthusiastic shake.

"I promise you, Olive, you'll love it here!"

I couldn't tell if it was the fullness of her lips or the enormity of her smile, but Ursa looked like the happiest person I ever met. I wasn't particularly tall, but she was even shorter than me. With her freckles, bright eyes, and shining orange hair, she had an unusual beauty. She wore a pink and white skirt that accentuated her round curves and a matching blouse.

I couldn't help but think she resembled a baby doll. Especially with the squirrel perched on her shoulder... Although I tried to keep my gaze on the girl's face, it kept drifting back to the furry creature. The cute pink and white squirrel in Ursa's hair happily nibbled on a nut. It had a big smile, just like its owner. Only when it jumped up and landed on Ursa's shoulder could my attention return to the girl talking.

"Now, I'll show you to your room," she said. You'll settle in nicely tonight and rest. Tomorrow, you will have your orientation anyway. Finding your way might take some time, but fear not—the Dorm's pretty understanding with newcomers—unless it decides to prank you, that is!" She giggled.

I nodded despite not understanding how a building could do all these things. Meanwhile, the squirrel had climbed back onto Ursa's head, and my attention was again on it. I think the squirrel was Ursa's Tamagotchi. My brain was baffled by how a digital toy had turned into a real-life creature. But what hadn't baffled my brain since waking up on that train?

"Well, come on then," Ursa said impatiently. She must have said other things while I was lost in her squirrel. She took my arm and dragged me along when she saw I wasn't moving. As she did, she called out to the secretary over her shoulder, "Ciao, Jinx!"

"See you at the carnival, babes," the secretary responded.

As we descended the stairs, Jinx's mouse followed us. We walked towards the angel statue at the entrance. For a moment, I thought we were going to the door that brought me to the Dorm. Instead, we walked straight towards the angel. I wouldn't have known what to do if it weren't for Ursa pulling me along. But without hesitation, she stepped into the water, and a platform instantly appeared under her feet. Simultaneously, the angel split in half, revealing a room inside. It was a velvet-lined elevator."