I glance behind me. Just a silhouette of dilapidated shacks against the cloudy sky. Beyond that, a rainbow-painted clock tower rises like a beacon of hope, fighting to outshine the gloom.
Mom rests her hand on my shoulder. “Let’s get you checked in.”
I’m itching beneath the skin as I follow her through the swarm, people pressing all around me, until we find a table of third-years doling out room assignments. Together, we pass through the massive entry doors—the only spot of color on the entire building. My fingers trail along the violet paint that coats them so thick, you’d hardly know they were wood. It chips away at the edges, revealing gray underneath.
We navigate the teeming hallways to a door on the second floor whose number matches my key. With a deep breath, I turn the knob and let us in.
“This is just dreadful! Why couldn’t we get a room facing Haven?” A girl with thick hair flowing past her shoulders throws open the ashen curtains of the sitting room, filling the space with pale sunlight. Half her locks, black as the night sky, are pinned up in intricate braids. Compared to her, I must look like an unkempt mess.
“I’m sure there’s someone you can bat your eyelashes at for a better view,” says a dark-haired man, probably fifteen years my senior. He lounges on one of the two purple damask armchairs in the center of the room, feet propped up on a slate table between him and the matching settee.
I glance nervously at my mom, whose mahogany eyes practically fell from their sockets at his suggestion.
This is it. My first chance to make a friend.
“Hi, I’m Ellie!” I bite back a wince, hoping that didn’t sound too eager.
The girl hops down from the bench she was standing on, playfully smacking the man’s head as she bounces over. While she’s unbuttoned her blouse low enough to tease her cleavage, the sky-blue scarf wrapped around her neck keeps her within the bounds of modesty. If only I could be so daring.
I raise my hand toward her, but she ignores it, yanking me into an exuberant hug. My luggage slips from my grasp, thudding against the floor.
“I’m Alexis!” she says, still gripping my shoulders. Her green eyes sparkle along with the abundance of silver rings in her ears. “That’s my uncle, Arron. Ignore him.”
The tension that coiled up at her greeting loosens; I’m not the only one with a parental figure in tow.
She releases me to gesture around the room. “What do you think of our lovely accommodations?”
“What’s with all the purple?” Arron interrupts.
“It takes the longest to fade,” I say, jumping at the familiar topic. “It’s the color least found in nature. The hardest one for plants and animals to make.”
“Huh.” Alexis shrugs, then points at one of the doors. “Well, there’s a bathing chamber and three bedrooms, but only two have windows—would you like a view of dirt or a prison cell?”
My nerves tighten again. “Maybe we should wait for our third to arrive? I don’t want to get off on the wrong foot.”
Arron’s face tugs into a smirk. “You should fight for it. First to yield gets the cell.”
He’s joking, right?I look to my mom, who’s eyeing Arron warily as she shakes Alexis’s hand.
“I’m Ellie’s mother, Grace,” she says. “It’s been nice meeting you, but I should find my husband.”
Alexis’s mouth twists in amusement. Mom lets go of her hand, then pulls me to the door.
“I don’t want to be in the way,” she whispers, meeting my eyes. “Know that we love you. I’m certain you’ll place well, and find something here that brings you joy.”
“Mom…” My insides twist between giving her the heartfelt goodbye she deserves and avoiding embarrassing myself in front of Alexis.
“Yes, it’s dreary, but the people are certainly colorful.” She glances briefly at Alexis, who’s busied herself checking for dust on the gray wainscoting. “Try to enjoy yourself.”
“I will. I’ll work hard, make you proud, and make friends.” Two expectations, and one for me. Assuming I’m any good at that. Even when the opportunity arose for me to spend time around people my age, because of my father’s position, I was a commoner among the nobility. No one wanted to associate with that.
Mom runs her hand along my hairline. “I’m already proud of you. Iwantyou to be happy.” A lump forms in my throat as she folds me into a tight embrace. “I love you, Ellie. Remember—don’t work too hard. Enjoy your time here.”
With one last squeeze of my hand and an awkward wave to the others, she turns and leaves.
I wipe my eyes, unsure if the stinging behind them resulted in any tears but unwilling to take that chance. To avoid interacting with anyone, I peek inside one of the bedroom doors. It’s so cramped that even the small bed, writing desk, and wardrobe are suffocating.
This is the room without a window. I’m starting to see some value in Arron’s suggestion.
