The Warmest Winter

°•°Chapter 1°•°

The world around me seemed orange and very peaceful. Autumn had just began yet the leaves were already turning into warm crisps on dry bark. My boots crushed fallen leaves on the paths leading through a park. It was heaven. The river which once ran along my left side had dried up and my path was well lit by the lamps along my right side. I took a deep breath, to breathe in exactly what I wanted. Bark, coffee, my perfume and the general warm air. I could hear dogs barking in the distance and a few honks from the cars and busses nearby. Simply peaceful.

I took a sip of my coffee and looked at my watch. 6:45 pm.
"I should maybe get back to campus before Leila freaks out.." I muttered to myself. Leila was my roommate but she had terrible anxiety so with that, I picked up my pace and briskly made my way to campus.

I made my way up the cold, white stairs and unlocked the door to room 143. Inside ,it was very warm, and smelt like a bakery.
"Leila, I'm back!" I called through the dorm ,and was met with a very tired but happy Leila. Her blonde hair was tied into a bun and her glasses were nearly sliding off her nose. She clutched a tray filled with freshly baked ginger biscuits in her manicured hands. She smiled sweetly, her dimples showing.

"Hey Collie! I see you made it home on time." She said as she set the tray down on the kitchen counter. I smiled back at her, setting my keys, phone and coffee on the table before walking into the kitchen.
"Sure did sunshine. What made you bake?" I asked as I picked up a biscuit. Leila shrugged and picked up one too. Leila was good at baking, and I was good at cooking, so we'd take turns making food for eachother, me making meals and her making snacks and dessert.
"Just felt like it, but damn, baking drained my energy." She sighed and leaned against the counter.
"Oh Leila, just go sleep , I'll clean up the dishes. "I said as I wrapped a layer of cling film over Leila's biscuits.

Leila nodded and walked off to her room. As soon as I heard her door close and the prominent sound of her jumping into her bed, I let out a deep sigh and turned back to the dishes. I turned the faucet to let hot water run into the sink to start the dishes Leila made.
"Oh my.. how do you make such a mess Leila?" I question myself as I start washing a glass dish that previously had batter in it. I set the dishes on a rack to dry and walked off to my room too.

I flopped down onto my twin size bed, staring at the ceiling. I hadn't eaten dinner yet but I wasn't hungry. I knew Leila had eaten, since there was a half empty pot of soup in the fridge that Leila had left for me. I rolled over and buried my face into my pillow. It smelt like my shampoo.
I breathed in the gentle scent as I fell asleep.

I woke up to muffled voices outside of my room. It sounded like a man's voice and Leila's. I rolled over to pick up my phone and checked the time.
"Shit." I practically shouted, suddenly waking up completely. I only had twenty minutes to get ready before this morning's lecture.

As I was picking out clothing ,I heard a knock on my door.
"Come in!" I shouted as I continued sifting through clothes.
"Morning sleepy, I just wanted to tell you I made you breakfast and I hope you don't mind but my brother is here." Leila says with a warm smile.
"Morning Leila, thank you so much, I'm in a bit of hurry though so I'll meet your brother once I'm done here ok?" I responded ,giving her a quick hug as she nodded.

I quickly showered and brushed my teeth, got dressed in a simple outfit and put product into my curls. Black pants, beige crop top and a jacket. I rushed downstairs and saw Leila and her brother siting at the kitchen island, talking and drinking coffee. She was dressed in jeans and a graphic tee while he wore black pants ,a white shirt with a leather jacket. He looked exactly the same as Leila, bright blue eyes and a strong facial features. Only difference is that she's blonde and he's a brunette. They both smiled at me as I approached them.

"Collie! Your food is in the oven, I kept it there to keep it warm." Leila said with a wink. I smiled and looked at her brother. He flashed a grin and put his hand out.
"Hi, my name's James, Leila's older brother." He said as I took his hand.
"Hi, I'm Collie, nice to meet you." I replied and let go of his hand.

I opened the oven to fetch my food, and hurried upstairs to grab a pen and notebook before rushing out the dorm down to the study hall.