Dark and light: The Shadows

Chapter 3

{Back to Bekati's POV}

I nervously walked up to the professor. It shouldn't be since this is one of half my classes where I'm not the only one that's mute. My brain is reminding me that I'm not being called out. My intuition says it's for the upcoming group presentation.
And it was.

I was hoping he'd make us do it individually. But he paired us up. I would need to interact outside of class. I was praying to all the Orishas and Gods that wouldn't be the case this semester. I specifically took public speaking last semester for that - stop it. I was sounding entitled. And I promised myself not to do that. So, as previously mentioned by him, the translator will sound out what we're signing. To me, we could just submit a video, but I assume this was the portion he didn't want to teach. Which is half the curriculum.

I was paired with Allia, we swapped numbers, and she took the initiative to text me when she'd be able to have us start. I began to head to my other class when my phone went off. I didn't need to open it to know our next class was cancelled, but I did anyway. This particular teacher should just have online classes. I sighed and debated my current choices. Either I go start my homework and small revision with this extra hour OR  volunteer at the daycare up the street. I'm on a first-name basis with the caretakers within the time I've been in this state.

I decided I should just do my homework. They saw me earlier this week anyway. I sent Eva a text as I waited on the elevator today.

'I'm gonna be available for like an hour if you can call now' ...no, what am I thinking?? Erase. "How have you been? How's your project coming along?"

I stepped into the elevator, phone in hand, and selected my floor number. Then I leaned against the back of it, waiting for the elevator to move off. Sometimes, someone would come to stick their hand to stop the door from closing, and I'd get afraid for:
 1. The person potentially getting their hand crushed,
2. Them genuinely scaring the daylights out of me.

I got up to my floor and glanced at my phone for some semblance of a response from her. Nothing showed, though.
I'D JUST unlocked the door when I saw the head of god knows which department come to me with a smile, and another girl my age trailing with her.

"I hope you don't mind sharing your dorm with our lovely newcomer. You've had it to yourself for a good while, and I'm sure she'll love the homey atmosphere you have here." She looked around, and so did the girl.
"Her name is Deven,"

I spaced out for a few. When I came back to reality, the introducor was beginning to look concerned.

"This is what I mentioned. I've never seen it in person." She whispered to Deven, and Deven glanced back at my bed.

"Ok, so Bekati, she's a neuroscience student, and Dev here is an architecture student. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask me, her or the office." She smiled her million-dollar smile and looked around again.

Deven nodded as the girl promptly excused herself to 'do other tasks' and wished us great academic success.

I side-eyed the door for seconds after she left and only broke it off when the new girl said

"Nice to meet you! Prazer!!" She held her hand out so excitedly.

I shook her hand. I liked her slight Brazilian accent that crept in after certain words. So I smiled. My phone buzzed, but this girl just had a good pull. I'll get back to whoever it was.