My Roommate is a Werewolf

Leigh's POV I was going to be late. Again. "Where is that stupid shoe?" I dropped to my knees and looked beneath my bed, moving aside a few things that had no business being there. Nothing. I checked beside my wardrobe. Still nothing. "You're not funny," I muttered, as though the missing shoe could hear me. My phone vibrated on the mattress. I glanced at the screen. 7:48 A.M. Oh, hell. My lecture started at eight, and I still hadn't found my shoe. After another minute of frantic searching, I finally spotted it beneath my wardrobe. I grabbed it, shoved my foot inside, picked up my backpack, and rushed out. I was halfway down the stairs when my phone died. I stared at the black screen. "Of course." Some mornings, I genuinely wondered whether the universe had a personal problem with me. By the time I reached the university, I was breathless, slightly sweaty, and officially regretting every decision that had led to that morning. I slipped into the lecture hall just as Professor Anderson was speaking. "Miss Leigh." I froze. Slowly, I turned towards him. He stared at me over his glasses. "Nice of you to join us." A few students laughed. "Sorry, Professor." I gave him an apologetic smile. "That's becoming a familiar greeting. Take your seat." He returned to speaking. "Yes, sir." I hurried towards the back and dropped into the empty chair beside Mia. She leaned closer. "One of these days, you're going to miss an entire semester." "Good morning to you too." "What happened this time?" "My shoe went missing." She stared at me. "Your shoe?" "Yes. It was a whole situation." Mia shook her head, trying not to laugh. "You're hopeless." "I prefer the word unpredictable." "Delusional suits you better." I nudged her, and she giggled before turning towards the lecturer. Professor Anderson continued his lesson for a few minutes before walking to the board. "As part of your coursework, I want each of you to bring an old object with historical significance to our next class." A few students began whispering. "It could be an antique, a family heirloom, an old photograph, or something passed down through generations. I want you to explain its history, where it came from, and why it is important to you." I sat up a little. An old object? That shouldn't be difficult. I already had something in mind. "Your presentations will begin next week," he added. "And please, don't bring ordinary household items and invent fascinating stories about them. I expect genuine objects with meaningful histories." Mia nudged me. "You're bringing that little thing you always keep, aren't you?" I glanced at her. "Maybe." "The one in the velvet pouch?" I nodded. "That's the one." "Do you actually know what it is?" I shrugged. "Not really." "Then how are you going to explain its history?" "Well, I know who gave it to me." "Who?" "My dad." Mia's expression softened slightly. "Oh, right. The one you always talk about." I nodded. My father had given it to me years ago. I couldn't remember the exact occasion, but I remembered how carefully he had placed it in my hands and told me to keep it safe. It was one of the few things I had left of him. I'd treasured it ever since. "That's sweet," Mia said. I smiled faintly. "Yeah. It is." "Then you should definitely bring it. Who knows? Maybe you'll discover something interesting about it." "Maybe. Although I doubt it'll be as exciting as some ancient royal treasure." Mia laughed. "With your luck, it probably belonged to a king." "Then I'll expect my inheritance." We both burst into laughter. The lecturer continued speaking, but my attention had already wandered. I was thinking about the little keepsake. Perhaps I should finally find out more about it. I had never really bothered because, to me, its value had never depended on how old or expensive it was. It mattered because my father had given it to me. And that was enough. After the lecture, Mia and I headed towards the cafeteria. "You're buying lunch today," she announced. I looked at her. "Excuse me?" "You heard me." "Since when?" "Since you made me wait for you yesterday." "You didn't wait for me. You were busy gossiping with Sarah." "Details." I laughed and shook my head. We joined the queue, arguing about what to eat. By the time we found a table, Mia had already changed the subject to the weekend party she'd been invited to. "You're coming with me," she said. "Who said?" "I did." "That's not how invitations work." "Leigh, please. You spend too much time indoors." "I go to lectures." "Exactly. That's not a social life." I took a bite of my sandwich. "I'll think about it." "That's what you said last time." "And I meant it last time too." She rolled her eyes. I laughed, reaching into my backpack for my lip balm. My fingers brushed against the velvet pouch. I pulled it out. "Is that it?" Mia asked. "Yes." I opened the pouch and took out the keepsake. It was a small, unusual object with delicate markings across its surface. I had never seen anything quite like it in a shop or museum. I turned it over in my palm. Even after all these years, I still found it beautiful. "Let me see," Mia said. I handed it to her. She examined it from different angles. "It's pretty." "Right?" "But strange." I chuckled. "Thanks." "I mean, look at these markings. Do you know what they mean?" "No idea." "Have you ever asked anyone?" "Who am I supposed to ask? My dad isn't around to tell me." Mia looked at me apologetically. "Sorry." "It's fine." She returned it, and I carefully placed it back inside the pouch. "I'll bring it to class next week," I said. "Maybe the professor can tell me something about it." "Good idea." I zipped my bag. For the rest of lunch, we continued talking about the party and our assignments. It was an ordinary day, filled with ordinary conversations and ordinary problems. I had no reason to think anything would change. At least, not yet. When Mia and I finally left the cafeteria, I felt an odd sensation between my shoulder blades. Like someone was watching me. I glanced over my shoulder. Students were moving in and out of the building, talking, laughing, and rushing to their next lectures. Nothing seemed unusual. "What's wrong?" Mia asked. "Nothing. I thought someone was looking at me." She glanced around. "Who?" I shrugged. "Never mind." I adjusted my backpack and continued walking. I didn't notice the figure standing a short distance away, watching us disappear into the crowd. And I certainly didn't know that the little keepsake tucked safely inside my bag had just attracted someone's attention. For now, I was only worried about one thing. Getting home before I had to start working on my assignments. I had no idea how much my ordinary life was about to change.