The Mating School

Chapter 10

The room was very similar to what Lily saw of Anne's. There were two beds, but Lily's roommate didn't seem to have arrived yet. The room was large for just two people. The metallic silver finishes on the crown molding, furniture, and door gave the room a sense of modest luxury. 

There was a private bathroom in the room also. It was small but nice and functional. She couldn't help but smile thinking about how she wouldn't have to be sharing a bathroom with so many others like she had at Ajuta Pack.

The relief and surprise left Lily short of breath. She'd be so sure she was being sent here to do kitchen work or chores. And now... now she felt a thrill, but fear as well. What would she be doing here?

Her new bed gave a soft 'cush' sound as she sat down. Feeling the stress from the day ebb away, she opened the folder that had been given to her.

Under the code of conduct, and the map there was another map. 

"Wonder what that's for?" said Lily.

Anne climbed onto the bed next to her, opening her folder also. "Hm," she said in thought, rotating it a bit. "There must be another level of the school"

Lily hadn't considered this. From what they'd seen the building was massive. She hadn't considered there'd be another level. She thought about the courtyard they passed on their way here, but there was no second story above this one. That meant...

"I think it's the floor under us," said Anne. 

"Yeah look here!" said Lily pointing to the central square on this new level that aligned with the level above. "It says classrooms are on that level. And a library."

"Yeah," said Anne, picking up the next sheet in her folder, "And there's another floor under that."

Lily was astounded. 'This place is huge', she thought to say but was distracted by the last paper in her folder.

"Class schedule," said Anne, finding hers as well.

Lily read through the classes excited to see what they'd be learning. 

"Oh look!" said Anne, "We have Life Principles, and General Agility together."

"I wonder what those are like," said Lily. "What other classes do you have?"

"Business practices and Negotiation," said Anne, with a face that suggested she didn't think she'd be very good at those subjects. "Oh! But look," she said leaning closer to Lily's schedule and pointing. "You got into the abilities class?! I've heard that's crazy hard."

Lily's face paled. She wasn't sure what to think. How will she manage a class like that when she isn't even able to shift?

"Oh! And look!" said Anne, clearly more excited about Lily's class list than her own. "You've got Energy Control and Fighting Defense also! That's incredible."

"I think they made a mistake," said Lily, wringing anxious hands. "They probably gave me someone else's schedule.

"They can't have," said Anne. "Look, it has your name on it."

"I-," said Lily, wondering how much she should tell Anne. "But I can't take those classes."

"Why not?" said Anne.

"Well, I... I can't shift."

The next morning came several hours too early for Lily's liking. She had a hard time sleeping because of the new space, and because of thoughts about what she would do about her class schedule. She wonder if she still might be delegated to maid work after all. 

Her first class, Energy Control, wouldn't start until 9 am, and it was only 7:30. She did see her roommate, but only briefly last night. And it was so late by then that they'd only had time enough for her to introduce herself as Sophie. She'd left before Lily even got up. 

The new clothing was hung neatly in the closet space. It was grey and comfortable. It was a bit plain, but Lily didn't mind it, she couldn't help but feel a bit unnerved by the organization of this school. Everything is in order, everything is assigned...

Yet, there was nothing she could make of it, or do about it, so she pushed it from her mind as she headed to the dining hall to see if breakfast was available. She only got lost three times!

The food smelled amazing, but she only took a blueberry muffin because her nerves regarding the day to come seemed to stifle her appetite. 

It felt strange to be seated alone, but Anne didn't answer when she knocked on her door on the way. She thought she might be here, but after looking around she wasn't to be found, so Lily took an out-of-the-way seat in a far corner. She was grateful for the new uniform. With everyone dressed the same it was much easier to blend in. 

She wouldn't have any classes with Anne today. And as the dining hall started to clear as people headed off to their first classes, Lily decided she'd better head out too. She hoped she'd see Anne at lunch. 

But before that time came, she'd have to face the unknown of Energy Control.

Copyrighted material. All rights reserved.