Evaline:
Once I decided exactly where I wanted to go next, I closed the map and took a path that led me through the central courtyard. It was a circular space with a massive stone fountain in the middle. The carving was of a she-wolf and her cubs beneath the crescent moon.
Students were lounging here too, flipping through books, talking, laughing. A few staff members were also passing by, all dressed in the same sharp black as the woman from earlier.
The library was standing just past the courtyard, nestled between two lecture halls.
And it was beautiful, with tall windows, carved wooden doors, and ivy curling around its edges like poetry.
Inside, the scent of parchment and leather-bound tomes was filling the air. Rows upon rows of shelves were stretched out before me, neatly categorized by subject. There were high ceilings and spiral staircases leading to the upper levels. Tables with small reading lamps and cushioned chairs were scattered throughout.
I could spend days here, I already knew I would.
I grabbed a few books on magical theory - nothing too advanced, just enough to get a head start before classes started. Then, I found a small table near the back and nestled down to read through the book.
I got too immersed in it, that I completely lost track of time. By the time I flipped through the last page, the sun was already close to the horizon.
I returned the book to its original place before heading out, mentally taking note you get my library pass as soon as possible.
The Academy was bathed in the golden evening sunlight and the mountain air was carrying the cool breath of the approaching September, rustling the ivy-covered walls and lifting the loose strands of hair around my face.
I had barely taken three steps toward the dorms when a familiar voice called out, "Eva?"
I froze, immediately recognizing the voice. Turning around, I spotted Mallory jogging across the courtyard toward me, her hair bounced behind her and a wide grin on her face.
"Mallory!" I said, the surprise slipping into a smile before I could stop it.
She threw her arms around me in a tight hug. "I thought it was you! You look... different." She added the last part as she pulled back and took a look at my face.
I tilted my head in question, and her gaze moved to my eyes, her own narrowing slightly.
"Your eyes," she murmured. "They are... amber?"
Ah. The contacts.
I had taken them off before arriving at the academy. There didn’t seem to be a point anymore as I no longer needed to hide from the brothers, at least not in the way I had been doing till now.
"They have always been this color," I said quietly. "The ones you saw before were fake."
She blinked at me, then laughed. "Well, I like the real ones better. They make you look fierce."
I didn’t know how to respond to that, but I felt oddly warm at the comment.
She looped her arm through mine without hesitation. "Come on! Kyros just arrived a little while ago. He’s unpacking in his room, and he’s already grumbling about how his suitcase exploded."
My chest lightened at the thought of seeing him again. "Where’s his dorm?"
"Right across from mine!" she said brightly. "I’m in 2-B. What about you?"
I stared at her, surprised. Then a smile bloomed on my lips as I answered, "I’m in 2-B as well."
Her eyes went wide. "You must be in the other bedroom. Unfortunately, we aren’t sharing the same room. But let’s look at bright side. We are in the same dorm and Kyros is in right opposite ours!"
The grin that slowly stretched across my face was completely unguarded. "That’s... really good news."
"Right?" she beamed, giving my arm a squeeze. "Let’s go see Kyros before he turns the entire dorm upside down."
Dorm 2-A was still a mess when we entered. Boxes were half-unpacked, clothes were spilled across his bed, and his shoes were mismatched on the floor. Noah was leaning against the closet, arms crossed, looking vaguely amused as Kyros fought with a tangled bedsheet.
"You know," Noah drawled, "It’s a bedsheet, not your opponent. "
Kyros turned toward us and then paused, eyes going straight to my face.
"Eva?"
His gaze locked onto mine, and for a moment, his brows furrowed as if something was out of place. Then -
"Your eyes."
Mallory snorted beside me. "Told you. She took off the brown lenses. Look at those wolf eyes now."
I shifted uncomfortably under the sudden attention, but Kyros’s surprise quickly morphed into a smile.
"Amber suits you better," he said softly.
I looked away, brushing my hair behind my ear. "I didn’t think anyone would notice."
"We notice everything," Mallory quipped.
"Especially when it comes to you," Noah added with a faint grin.
We helped Kyros finish unpacking. And it turned out he and Noah were roommates.
When the room was finally in order, we all headed to the dining hall together. Dinner was louder than lunch, with more students pouring in as stars filled the night sky. The chandeliers were illuminating the hall which was buzzing with energy, excitement, and curiosity.
We enjoyed the dinner while chatting about the rooms, speculating about the courses, and sharing bits of nervousness over the assembly the next morning. When we were done, Mallory and I made our way back to our dorm while the boys lingered behind to finish a dessert Noah had become far too fond of.
The moment we entered our dorm, I let out a long breath.
The common area felt warm and familiar now. The place was looking more lived-in, especially with Mallory’s pink slippers already by the couch and her jacket slung over the armrest.
"Okay," she said, flopping down dramatically. "I officially love this place. The beds are comfy, the food’s delicious, and we even have a garden view. This is way better than my home pack’s training barracks."
I smiled as I curled up on the opposite side of the couch. "It really does feel different here."
She glanced at me. "So... are you nervous? About tomorrow?"
"Terrified," I admitted. "But excited too."
"I get that." She picked at the hem of her sleeve. "I’m glad you are here, Eva. Really."
"Me too."