Page 6 of Anchored To You

Waking up the next day, I gingerly pull the comforter off my head and look in the direction of my roommate's bed. When I finally got back into my room last night, all the lights were off and my roommate was sound asleep on his rocky mattress. I wasn't able to see his face, but I sure as hell heard his snoring all night. He's loud as hell. The sun is shining brightly, so I have to squint my eyes, but even then I can tell he's no longer in his bed. Hmm. Grabbing my phone from under my pillow, I glance at the time. What the hell? It's only eight.

Sitting up, I look around the room, making sure he isn't hiding somewhere in this small space. I guess I'm not going to meet him this morning either. I feel like we've both circled each other the past twenty-four hours. When he's here, I'm gone, and vice versa. It's strange, and it just makes me want to see him even more. As long as he didn't notice I switched the mattress. Thinking back to yesterday, I snicker about Hannah and I struggling to move the mattresses. I can't believe we actually moved the beds. I was joking at first, but then once I thought about it, I had to do it. I'm just crossing my fingers that I haven't already made trouble with a roommate I have yet to meet.

My phone buzzes in my hand, and I look down to see a text from Hannah.

Hannah

Wanna go get some coffee? My arms are so sore from yesterday.

Me

Oh my god, you're pathetic. It was like 4 things, Han.

Hannah

That's 3 over my limit. Coffee? Pleaseeee Tal.

Me

Fine. Give me 30 mins.

Thirty minutes later, I'm riding the elevator down to the bottom floor. The dorm is crazy busy right now, tons of students finishing moving in their stuff. There're activities set up in the common areas for students to get to know one another. I love seeing the monsters and humans interact with each other. While not every monster stays in their monster form, a few of them are and it's great to witness it. It makes me happy to see them be themselves. I know for some of us it took a while to feel comfortable enough to be in our true forms around humans, but so many of the humans have been accepting.

"Talon!"

Turning around in a circle, I look nearby to see who's calling my name, when Wyatt comes barreling through a group gathered near the Mahjong Table.

"Mahjong, huh?" I ask, jerking my head in the direction of the table he had just come from.

"Have you ever played it before? It's so damn fun. A few students started a new group this year, so of course I had to sign up. They only meet a few times a month, but you should join it with me. Come on." Wyatt drags me toward the table, tossing one of the pens at me.

"I bet Hannah would like this too."

Wyatt gets a dreamy look on his face at the mention of Hannah. Yeah, my two friends are completely gone for one another.

Wyatt shakes his head, returning to our conversation. "Speaking of which, how did the move-in go yesterday? Sorry I couldn't help. You all came during practice, and you know Coach wasn't going to let me leave early to lend a hand.”

"Well, it was just Hannah and me, so you can only imagine how it went."

"Complaining," we both reply in unison.

"But I'm about to meet Hannah right now for some coffee if you want to come?" I singsong the last word, knowing he loves being invited to things including Hannah.

"Ugh, can't.” He groans, tossing his head back. “I have practice. But I'll see you both at the bonfire tonight?"

"Yep."

"See you then."

"Bye."

After signing up to join the Mahjong group—because let's be honest, that sounds like so much fun—I finally make my way outside, pulling out my phone to call Hannah.

"I'm already waiting outside the library; hurry up." She hangs up the phone and I chuckle, putting the device back into my pocket.

It doesn't take me long to reach Mummy Mocha, which is conveniently located in the library on campus. The number of times I've been here is ridiculous. At this point, I should have a drink named after me. After ordering our drinks, Hannah and I sit down at one of the tables.

"I just saw Wyatt on my way here. He was asking if we're going to the bonfire tonight." I tell her, taking a sip of my Sarcopha-cappucino.