“Wouldn’t dream of it!” Odette exclaimed. She gave a little twirl.
Theo gave a grim nod. As we walked away, I jerked my thumb at him and asked, “What’s his deal?”
Odette giggled again. “Theo’s always been a little shy. Don’t know why, though.”
I glanced backward and caught Theo staring at Odette’s butt as she walked away. He turned red when he noticed that I saw him and hurriedly went back to what he was doing.
Shy, huh? More like a major crush. It seemed like Odette was oblivious about it. “Do you think you’ll bond with him?”
“Me? Oh, gods no,” Odette said in an alarmed way. “Theo and I have known each other since we were children. We were in ballet class together. He’s a wonderful dancer. But we’re just friends. It’s not like that. He’s basically my brother.”
Odette sighed. “Someday, I’ll meet my alicorn prince, and we’ll be dancing away into the sunset. It’ll happen this year, I just know it.”
Theo was glancing Odette’s way again. The stare was longing and desperate. Seemed to me that Odette’s alicorn prince was right in front of her, and she didn’t even see it. “Yeah. I’m sure you will.”
“Come on. Our dorms are upstairs. They’re separated by Marked and Companions. I hope you’re by me,” she peeped.
When we stepped inside the castle, I became even more impressed. Paintings of Marked and Companions lined the walls. Expensive and elaborate drapes hung over huge windows, and matched the plush carpet underfoot. The windows themselves were huge and large, letting in copious amounts of light as we passed fancy sculptures, priceless vases, and royal artifacts of the monarchy in glass cases. The university was more like an art or history museum than a school. I wanted to stop and look, but Odette was hauling ass, so I told myself I’d be back later.
We finally reached the girl’s dorms. When I got my room assignment, it nearly knocked me on my ass. My room was decorated in navy blue and silver, and had a four-poster bed next to a large fireplace, a comfy armchair, and a large rug. A beautiful armoire stood next to my open window, which looked down upon the gardens.
Luckily, Odette’s room was right next to mine. At least I’d have someone friendly nearby. I didn’t have a roommate, so she’d have to do.
“The uniforms are assorted by house. You’re a wolven, so all your outfits will be blue and silver,” Odette informed me. “I’m an alicorn, so all my outfits are white and purple. Dragons are red and black, and griffins are green and gold. Aren’t they just lovely?”
I took out the pieces of my uniform and laid them on the bed. There were two different versions of the outfit. One was a button-up white shirt with a blue blazer that had a silver wolf’s paw embroidered into the collar. It came with a blue tie, blue tights, and the choice of a knee-length blue skirt, or thick pants for the cold months.
The second uniform was a hunter’s coat, wool, long-sleeved and blue in color, with silver embroidery of flowers weaving throughout the jacket. The jacket was knee-length, and fitted to my body. I figured it was meant for use in the winter. The outfit came with Mary Jane shoes and knee high black boots.
The uniform also came with a heavy, hooded navy cloak, which I assumed kept out the cold when Malovia got super chilly. I put it on as an experiment, and I absolutely loved how glamorous it made me look. It was like… modern-day fairytale style.
Okay, I admit, I liked it. The Arcanea were pretty fashionable. They could certainly dress me better than I could myself.
Odette had already changed into her outfit. She was in no way shy about showing off her matching unicorn bra and panties. It was like we were sisters and she did this every day. Her uniform was identical to mine, except the colors were white and purple, and she had an alicorn hoof embroidered into her blazer collar instead of a wolf print. She put her hair up into a messy bun on top of her head and kept it in place with a pencil.
“You wanna walk around some? It’s lunchtime, and I’m starving. We could get lunch in the cafeteria,” she said.
“Sure,” I said. My stomach was growling. All this walking around had made me ravenous. We left our bags, and Odette led the way once more.
“I know my way around because my aunt teaches here. I’m lucky that way,” Odette said. “The cafeteria isn’t far. We just have to get through the grand ballroom.”
The grand ballroom turned out to be my own personal nightmare. The walls were lined with mirrors, and large chandeliers hung from the ceiling, lighting up the room. It was absolutely packed with students, more than what were hanging out in the gardens outside.
I wasn’t sure if I didn’t get along with people and that was what caused my social anxiety, or if my social anxiety made me not get along with people. Either way, the sight of a group of students my age in an enclosed space was enough to make me break out in hives. I stood frozen before the grand ballroom, not sure whether to walk into it or run away screaming.
“What’s wrong?” Odette asked as I stared at the crowded entryway.
I swallowed. “I don’t do well with crowds,” I said. “I’m… I’m not very good at making friends.”
Odette put her arm around my shoulder and gestured to all the people around us. “Look! Friends! And they’re all waiting to meet you!”
Odette sure had an optimistic view on life. I was certain that most of the people in here didn’t want to be my friend, but fuck if that deterred her. She guided me through the ballroom like this wasn’t my personal nightmare. At first, I wanted to freak out, but as I felt Odette’s warm hand on my shoulder, I began to calm down. She was right. There was nothing to fear about this. It was fine.
Then I saw him, and my entire life changed.
He stood no more than a few yards away from me. Even from such a distance, it was like I could hear his heartbeat— hear him breathe.
He was already wearing his school uniform. Blue and silver— a wolven, like me. He was only wearing the shirt, though, the white sleeves rolled up halfway past his elbows, and his tie was loose around his neck. His hands were shoved into his pockets, and his dark hair was really messy.
