Escape from Aelendor

Chapter 3

I stared at my ceiling in boredom, wondering whether I should actually do my homework or continue to procrastinate. While it was exciting to finally be in my dream university, and I did expect some unfriendly faces, the atmosphere today drained my social battery. Usually, Sorine recharges my mood, but I couldn't see her during lunch because she had some study session which she informed me via pigeon. Since I didn't have any afternoon classes, I went to my dorm for the first time. It reminded me of my Poison's classroom. The wood was washed out and peeling and the room smelled like a wet dog had been marinating in it. The small bed was raised and rickety, with a small desk tucked neatly underneath it. It was definitely far from the "lavish" and "furnished" description I had received from my friend.

But...I loved it. It was small and cute, and it was a single room so I had the privacy I wanted. My heart swelled at the idea of decorating it and I hummed to myself as I considered the possibilities. Perhaps I could add a collage to the wall, some lights, and a colorful curtain around the bed. I nodded to myself and quickly wrote down the ideas in my journal.

I was on the verge of mentally checking off, but the anxiety of piling up work on my very first day kept me awake. Just as I was about to make a definitive decision, I heard a knock on my door. Curfew check?

I climb down my bed and the floor creaks agonizingly as I make my way to the door. I open it, and to my surprise, find Alia in front of me.

"Hi Ziah!" She smiles brightly. "Omg, your headband is so cute!" she said, pointing at the bunny ears on my head.

"Thanks," I said, a little embarrassed and happy. "By the way, we match." I gestured towards her pink, bunny-stamped pajamas.

"Twinning?" Alia gasped.

I laughed. "What brings you here?"

"I'm sorry for bothering you so late, but...I just wanted to give you something."

She pulled a green, satin cloth from her pocket carefully and handed it to me with a tentative look.

I frowned. "What...what is this?"

"Just open it," she smiled.

Confused, I unwrapped it slowly. Inside was something orange...a plant? No, it was a flower.

"It's the fosphilia from class today."

My head snapped up. "Wait, from class this morning?"

Alia nodded enthusiastically. "Turns out Ms. Hourstein lied, it has been crossbred with normal plants. The only difference is the original is a little more orange and glowy, I guess, and the carnivorous plant was silent. But it was practically the same!

I could feel Alia scanning my face for a reaction, but more than happiness, I was shocked and grateful that someone I had just met cared enough to do something like this for me. To make me feel like I belong.

I looked up from the fosphilia. "Thank you," I whispered with a tearful expression.

My new friend gasped once again. "Awww..." She gave me an unexpected hug and I returned it happily. After a few moments we pulled away, and she bid me goodnight. I went back to my bed with a rush of motivation and studied the beautiful plant.

It was very bright orange, so much so I couldn't even imagine how the original could be brighter. Orange was my least favorite color, but this flower was a beautiful shade of it. It was vibrant at the center and faded towards the tips. The base of the petals was dotted with a dark red, which I figured was its pollen. I ran my fingers along the smooth petals and took a breath of its pungent smell.