Expectations When Expecting

Book 3, Chapter 12

Several bags later, Yuu and Grim stood at the entrance of Ramshackle dorm, Yuu keeping a stony expression as she glared at the twins disdainfully.

"Are you two all set?" Jade questioned, looking at the meager belongings of the prefect and her student.

Yuu rolled her eyes, snapping back. "Really? What do you think?"

"Come now, Yuu. It was merely a question." Jade responded politely, chuckling at the bite in her tone.

Floyd scrambled to the door, laughing excitedly at the pathetic display before him. "Peace, Little Mantis Shrimpy and Baby Seal! See you around!"

"Ba-baby seal?!" Grim hissed, as he was ignored.

Jade nodded, beginning to close the door. "And if you're in need of lodgings, feel free to come and speak with us. Reservations for guest rooms in Octavinelle Dorm start at 100 thaumarks a night."

"Yeah, well I'm broke, dumbass." Yuu bit back, irked at the stupid grin on Floyd's face.

"Have a good night, Yuu." Jade responded, smiling.

The door was slammed in Yuu's and Grim's faces.

"Hey! Wait! Say that to my face!" Grim snarled, baring his sharp teeth at the door. "NOBODY CALLS ME A BABY SEAL!"

Yuu picked her student up gently, looking at him. "Really, dude? That's what you got from that?"

Grim pouted slightly as a cold gust of wind blew past them, making Yuu and Grim shiver, Yuu instantly shoving Grim into her blazer, sharing warmth.

"Guess we're roughin' it tonight." Grim's ears flopped to the sides. "This stinks."

Yuu raised an eyebrow, exhaustion washing over her features, overshadowing her annoyance. "And... who's fault is that?" She shivered as another gust blew past her. "You know what? Nevermind. Come on. We'd better start looking for some cover."

Yuu grabbed their stuff, wrapping it in a blanket and walking around with a monster in her school blazer and a blanket bindle slung over her shoulder. Perhaps she could invoke some pity from the giant twins.

"Yuu!" A familiar voice called. "Grim! Wait up!"

The girl paused, turning to glare at the idiots approaching her.

Grim perked up at the sight of Ace, Deuce, and Jack approaching. "Are you guys here to help?" He chirped excitedly.

Ace shook his head at Grim. " Not to help you, but it's kind of our fault that Yuu's out in the cold." Ace said, awkwardly offering to take Yuu's blanket bag. She raised an eyebrow, but allowed the boy to help her.

"It wouldn't sit right with me if you slept outside and caught a cold or somethin'..." Ace muttered awkwardly.

"What is it with you and posturin'?" Grim grumbled, hopping out of Yuu's blazer.

Deuce nodded, looking at Yuu's annoyed expression. "We've talked with Housewarden Rosehearts. We can offer you a place safe from the elements if you don't mind sleeping in our four-man freshman dorm room."

Jack huffed in disbelief. "You guys are gonna cram ANOTHER two bodies into a crowded four-man room?!" His tail thrashed in slight annoyance at the idea. "What, does Heartslabyul not have any empty rooms?"

Deuce flinched slightly. "Well... Since nobody in our dorm ever drops out or gets held back, it's always at full capacity." He muttered, looking at Yuu apologetically, essentially softening her glare directed at the anemone boys.

Yuu sighed, pushing her annoyance aside. At least they wanted to help her out. "Thanks for the offer anyway, Deuce. But I don't think it's a good idea to put me in a room with four other boys in my condition." She offered a smile to him, as both Ace and Deuce nodded awkwardly.