Room and Board

Azalea

We finally reached the dorms and I could see my father's men waiting there by the doors.  "Her bags have been placed in her room sir."

"Thank you James.  I'll be down shortly," my father replied.

The dean led us up the stairs to the top floor, explaining that each floor held a different type of supe - mage, fae, other shifters and then werewolves.  Wolves had their own floor as they outnumbered the other shifters 50:1.  He explained that there was a common room on each floor as well that held multiple sofas and TV's and tables where they could study together. 

My room was at the end of the hall closest to a door that said not an exit.  I smiled a little, hoping that was the door to the roof.  I used to love climbing onto the roof at our apartments at night and just sit up there.

My father opened the door with the key the dean had given him and we all walked in.  I was pleasantly surprised - this place was bigger than most of the places I had lived with my mom the last several years.  There was a small dinning room/kitchenette that led into a living room and a small balcony.  There were 2 doors on one side of the living room and 1 door on the other. The dean explained that while 3 meals were served a day and the snack bar open from 6am to midnight each dorm room also had a small kitchen so they could cook and eat when they wanted as well as a fridge to store things in.  The small dinning table had 4 chairs and was solidly built.  Walking along to the door that was by itself, the dean opened the door and I peaked in.  I could see 2 stalls, 2 showers and 2 sinks.  He explained that I would share a bathroom with 3 other girls - the other girl that shared this room with me and the girls on the other side.

OK that won't be so bad, I thought.  We walked through the living room that was also fully furnished - a large L shaped sofa in brown leather with a nice blue rug sat facing an entertainment center fully loaded with a huge LCD TV and several game systems.  My surprise must have shown on my face because the Dean laughed and shook his head.

"Normally rooms have a small microfiber sofa and a basic TV, but you are bunking with Alpha Richards only daughter, Cassandra.  This has been her room for the last 3 years so her father had them bring in this whole set up for her.  She's in some of your classes and hopefully you'll get along."  He walked over to the two doors on the other side of the living room and opened the one on the left, gesturing me in.

I walked inside to see a good sized room with a queen bed in the middle and a desk with a book shelf off to one side.  There was also a small dresser across from the bed.  All of my bags were on the floor by the bed.  My father walked over to the other door in the room and opened it, revealing a small walk in closet.  I nodded, understanding his intentions.

"Thank you," I said, sitting down on the bed.

"I am going now, but I'll be back tomorrow with your sibblings and so I can be here for your testing," my father said, walking towards the door.  The dean stayed back with me a minute, sensing my unease.  

"I know this is all probably a bit much and if you want to talk I am here.  Please be aware that there are people here on security around the territory.  They are there to keep you safe.  You don't have to worry here.  If you go out running, make sure you wear this," he said handing me the room key on a laynard long enough to wear over my neck even in wolf form.

"Thanks," I replied, taking a deep breathe.  He walked out after patting my head and left me to my thoughts.

It was only about 9 in the morning, so I decided I would put my things away first before going to explore. I had never had this much to put away before. I decided I would need to order a few more things from A****n to keep my closet and things organized - I hated having things out of place. I put my iPad by the bed and plugged my laptop in on the desk. The books my father had bought me went on the bookshelf and my makeup and bathroom stuff all went on the dresser. I'd need to order a bath caddy too so I could bring my things back and forth to the bathroom.

Once I finished putting my clothes away, I grabbed my phone, satisified that my room was complete for now.  Before I left the room, I opened the bedroom window to let some fresh summer air in.  It was cooler here in the mountains so I didn't really feel the need for the air conditioner to be on.  I flicked on the ceiling fan and walked into the living room, contemplating where to go first.

I decided to see if I could get to the roof first.  I put the key around my neck and left the dorm room, going straight for the other door I had seen.  It pushed open, not being locked, and had a set of stairs that only led up to another door. I smiled as I climbed the stairs, knowing this was the right path.

Once at the top I tried the door, and realized it was locked.  No worries, I thought, placing my left hand over the lock and closing my eyes.  I had mastered this little trick with some help from a friend a few years back.  With my eyes closed, I focused on the lock, forcing my power into it and suddenly it popped open.  I opened my eyes and climbed out onto the roof.  The air was cool and so fresh up here as I walked around and looked over the edge.  I walked the entire space of the room, trying to memorize the layout of the school from above.

My curly purple hair was being tossled in the wind, but I didn't care. I found the perfect spot where I could set up a little area to escape the chaos. I climbed up and sat on the edge on the roof, dangling my legs over while I searched through A****n for what I wanted. My father had given me the address to where we could send our mail and it would be picked up three times a week from town and brought up to the school. I ordered some dry grocery items as well - preferring to cook myself than have to constantly go down to eat in the cafeteria. I would have to ask my father tomorrow how to get some refridgerator goods delivered. By the time I finished it was mid afternoon, time having passed so quickly. I was starving and decided to go check out the cafeteria.