One Bright Spot -- The Revisions

1

∞Christal∞

"You're sure that you've got everything you need?" my mom asks as she's fussing over my suitcases and me.

"Yes, Mom", I say in a reassuring tone.

"I don't know, Christal. A whole month of you being gone?" I can see tears starting to gather in her eyes.

"Mom, I'll be fine. I can call you every night. The month will fly right by before you have time to turn around twice", I pull her into a hug.

"You're right, I suppose. It's just that I've never been separated from you for this long." She begins blubbering. People walking by are staring.

"Okay, Mom. I have to go now. I love you. I'll call you tonight." I hug her once more and grab the handles of my two rolling suitcases. I start rolling them towards the doors of the large black building that will serve as my home for the next month.

I walk through the revolving door and up to the desk.

"Name?" a very professionally dressed woman asks. She looks at me from over the glasses perched on her nose.

"Hi. Christal Shafer."

"Papers?" I hand her my forms. After a moment she hands them back, along with a key card, "Floor five, room 201." Then she goes back to her computer.

"Thanks", though I may as well be talking to a wall.

I haul my suitcases over to the elevator and hit the call button. A moment later, the doors open. A guy dressed in all black clothing is inside, lost in his phone. He barely even looks up as I get in. I push the button for the fifth floor. The doors close and the elevator continues on to its intended destination. The guy in black had been going down to the 'T' level.

"What does the 'T' stand for?" I ask, breaking the silence.

He cuts his eyes up at me through his glasses, and then looks back down at his phone, "Training."

"Oh." We ride in more silence. "I'm Christal, by the way." He doesn't reply.

We finally arrive at level 'T'. The guy wastes no time in getting out. "Have fun!" I call after him. He turns and stares at me until the doors close. "Gee, I hope all the people here aren't this friendly", I say sarcastically to myself.

***

When I reach the fifth floor, I go immediately to my room. I place the key card into the lock. It beeps and unlocks. The room is much like an apartment; two bedrooms, a living room, one bathroom, and a kitchen. One of the bedrooms appears to be occupied.

"Hello?" I call out.

"Just a moment!" a voice calls from behind the closed door. A bright blue-haired girl pokes her head out, "Hi Darling! I'm Carmila. I'm so happy to meet you!" Carmila is wearing a fuzzy, blue bathrobe. She gives me a tight squeeze and a kiss on both cheeks.

"Hi", I say a little stunned, "I'm Christal. It's nice to meet you, too."

"You can have that bedroom there." She points to the unoccupied room, "Go ahead and get settled. I'll fix us some hot chocolate and then we can get to know each other."

"Okay."

I wheel my suitcases into the room and flip on the light switch. I am greeted with pastel blue walls. The room contains a window seat, a window with a great view, a closet, a dresser, a queen sized bed, and a nightstand with a lamp on it. The bed's comforter is patterned with plaid in a mixture of all kinds of blues.