Royally Falling

~ 03 ~

"Hey, I just met you and this is crazy
But here's my number, so call me maybe
It's hard to look right at you baby
But here's my number, so call me maybe"
Call Me Maybe - Carly Rae Jepsen

oOoOo

On Tuesday morning when I hear my alarm, I hit my snooze button a few times too many. I forget that I have orientation today until it's almost too late. It would be terrible if I were late and missed my only guided tour of the campus.

It's my first chance to go out and explore independently, and there is no way in hell I am going to pass this opportunity up. Since Blair and Marc are 'grad students,' we couldn't get them to blend in as freshmen to join my orientation group. Juliet left the morning after we had arrived, so she isn't around to babysit me. Marc decided on trailing me discreetly from a distance.

As soon as I realize I overslept by an entire hour, I rush out of bed and start my morning routine. I quickly get dressed into the jean shorts and top I picked out yesterday and grab my crossbody purse.

"Hey is there any breakfast food leftover?" I rush out as I come barreling into the kitchen.

Blair shakes her head no. I guess I'll just stop and find something to eat after the tour.

"Marc! Are you ready to go?" I shout.

"Yeah, I'm ready," he responds from somewhere in the apartment.

A few minutes later, he appears. We grab our respective sets of keys and head to the elevator.

"So, I'll be following about 30 yards behind you at all times. Just text either myself or Blair if something happens and we get separated," he notifies me as the elevator starts moving down to the lobby.

The elevator stops at the fourteenth floor and a smiling mocha skinned girl who looks to be about my age climbs in. She is dressed up in a blue flowy skirt and tank top. I can already tell she is always on top of the fashion trends.

"Hey! I'm Grace Williams. Are you new here? I haven't seen you around," she says to us.

"Yeah, we just moved in last week. I'm Kate Maxwell," I reply.

"Marc Greene," Marc replies with a flirtatious smirk, which makes Grace blush. Typical Marc. "Our friend, Blair Sommers, also lives with us," he adds.

"Oh that's cool!" she chirpily replies, "Where are you guys from? I love your accents!"

"We're from Amaria. It's a lesser-known country between France and Italy," I politely inform her.

"Ooh fancy. So you're the people who moved into the penthouse?"

We both nod. The elevator chimes, to signal it is approaching the lobby.

"Well, I'll see you guys around! It was enchanting to meet you!" Grace says with a wave as the three of us exit the elevator.

"Elle a l'air gentille. Je ferai une vérification des antécédents plus tard afin que nous puissions déterminer s'il est sécuritaire de passer du temps avec elle," Marc says in a low voice as we walk through the crowded lobby. (Translation: She looks kind. I will do a background check later, so we can determine if it is safe to spend time with her).

"D'accord merci." (Translation: Okay, thanks).

Instances like this make me glad I am fluent in multiple languages. It's convenient to have a conversation in a language that surrounding people will be unable to eavesdrop on.

Marc and I exit the lobby and head over to the car. After opening the door for me, he rushes over to the driver's seat and hops in. We make the ten-minute drive to Harvard and park the car in a student parking lot. I get out first and follow the various signs towards orientation check-in. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Marc get out of the car and start to follow me from a distance.