Trenton Academy

The black, heavy metal gates slowly opened with a screech. 'This is it,’ Nyx thought. ‘I guess I can’t go back now.’ She sighed as she sank further down the backseat. She looked down at her boots, flicking a speck of dirt. Outside the window, she could see the school where she’ll spend the next year, or two.   Arthur drove through the gates and toward the school’s main building. It is newly renovated, mostly made of glass, and screams elite. There was a small front park with benches all around. A few students roamed about, some sitting on the grass talking and eating and some just seem to enjoy the fresh air and peace.   Arthur stopped the car in front of the glass doors and got out to retrieve Nyx’s bags from the trunk. He shook his head, smiling. ‘Just like her to pack this much.’ Then he started taking them out one by one.   Nyx let herself out of the car to help Arthur with her baggage. She didn’t exactly pack light. But it was for an entire year. It’s for good reason. They placed the bags on a cart with the help of an attendant whose name was—from a quick scan of his nametag—Maxwell.   “Thanks for the ride, Arthur.” Nyx smiled at their old butler and enveloped him in a quick hug, which he promptly returned. He patted her head, the way he did it since she was just a kid, the way she loves it, though she would never admit it. “You be good now, kid.” He smiled at her as he opened the driver’s door.   Nyx jokingly rolled her eyes. “Yes, grandpa,” she extended the last syllable, trying to sound exasperated. He wasn’t her real grandpa, but he certainly played the part well. He and his wife Joanne—her “grandma”—had been taking care of her since she was a baby. She loves both of them so dearly. “Kiss grandma for me.” she giggled. Arthur grinned and shook his head in amusement before getting in the driver’s seat, waving, and driving away.   Nyx waved back, then walked to the attendant waiting for her by the door. "Good morning, Miss Larsen," greeted Maxwell, motioning for her to enter the lobby. She smiled and nodded. "Good morning to you too, Maxwell." she greets back.   He was around seven inches taller than her, with a muscular build that would’ve made him look intimidating if not for his wide, boyish smile, and crinkled eyes. He looked young, around her age, probably eighteen or nineteen. His straight brown hair is neatly combed back with gel, a few strands falling on his forehead. His uniform was immaculate and the manner in which he carries himself with ease and elegance is impressive.   The cold air inside met Nyx’s face, making her shiver slightly. The high ceiling was adorned with massive, glistening, chandeliers. The black quartz tiles are mopped clean—sparkling and sounding with every step. A few comfy-looking sofas are placed near the entrance where two people lounged reading magazines. There were two long hallways on either side of the room and in between them was the reception desk. It was of modern contemporary design—dark gray wood and milky marble with streaks and flecks of gold. On the wall behind it was the school’s logo. Seated on there was the receptionist, a phone between her ear and shoulders, talking to someone on the other side, her hands typing, looking something up on the computer.   “I can tour you around the school right after we take your things to the room if you’d like,” Max suggested, glancing at Nyx. Then immediately processing how tired she looked, he thought he might have asked the wrong question.   "I’d prefer to get settled in my room for today if that's alright. It's been a long ride." Nyx looked back at Maxwell with an exhausted smile. "Of course, Miss Larsen." He nodded, leading her to the hallway on the left. "This is the left-wing. It's where the girl's dorms are. The right-wing, on the other side of the building, is for the boys. Your room is on the seventh floor." He clicked on the elevator button going up.   They stepped inside a spacious elevator with black and gold geometrical designs, and a huge half-body mirror at the back. There were ten floors in total as shown by the elevator buttons. Max pushed on the seventh-floor button and pulled the cart inside. He held the open button while waiting for Nyx, who was pulling a suitcase of her own.   Her black hair, half of it tied with a ribbon, had a fading turquoise dye on its ends. She wore a black leather jacket a tad bit too big, which made her look small. He wondered why she'd come in so late. All the other students arrived a month ago. He, of course, arrived here much earlier, half of the summer in fact, to work—today being his last day.   The elevator pinged, letting them know that they've arrived at their floor. The doors opened and Nyx motioned for Maxwell to get out first so she can hold the doors for him. He mumbled a quick thanks and pulled the cart out. Nyx then got out herself with her suitcase behind her.   The corridor was spacious enough that about six people can walk side by side. Enormous windows on either side. There were just a few doors, about twenty feet apart, six of them in total. They walked to the right end of the corridor and Max turned to her while pointing at the door numbered 705.   "This is your room," then he pointed at the door behind him, directly opposite her room. "And this is the staircase. Use it in case of emergencies." he looked at his watch. "You'll meet your roommate soon. It's still lunchtime. But you can go ahead and get settled before she arrives." He smiled.   "Yeah, that seems nice. Thanks." Nyx sighed in relief.   "Here's your keycard. Would you like to do the honors?" Maxwell suggested handing her a black key card with the room number printed on it in gold. Nyx nodded, taking the card and tapping it on the door's sensor. The door clicked, indicating that it was now unlocked. Nyx turned the handle and pushed the door open. She walked into the spacious room.   At the far wall ahead of her was a floor-to-ceiling window covered with white curtains. The accent wall—on the left side—was paneled with navy blue wood. There were two double beds, with their headboards pushed against that wall—one near the window and one closer to the door. There were two desks beside each bed. The side near the door was clearly occupied with bags still waiting to be unpacked, while the farther side was bare. Nyx immediately went and wheeled her suitcase beside the bed, wanting to unpack ASAP.     Max just put the last of Nyx's baggage down. "That’s all of it. Do you need any more assistance?" Nyx turned around and walked toward him. "Well thank you, but I'm pretty sure I can handle unpacking by myself." she joked. "Sure Miss Larsen, have a good day," he replied, chuckling softly as he went away. She huffed as she tried to push back a smile. Nyx closed the door. She turned and looked at all the stuff she had. Okay, so maybe it was a bit too much. ‘Better start unpacking then.’   But first, she needed a shower.   ***   Nyx changed into a teal hoodie and leggings. She also decided to wear a pair of fluffy socks for maximum comfort. She had just finished unpacking all her clothes and putting them in the walk-in closet—which was connected to the bathroom for easy access.   ‘Finally,’ she sighed with pleasure as she plopped down on her bed. ‘I can sleep.’ It took her a few—well, more than a half-hour—to sleep. Tiredness doesn’t always equal good rest for her. She worried she might not sleep after all. But her thoughts gradually bled into a dreamless slumber.