Chapter Three:Maple Residence
675 Words
Orientation ended later than Aria had expected.
By the time students began filing out of the auditorium, the afternoon sun had settled warmly over the campus.
Groups formed almost instantly.
Some students exchanged phone numbers.
Others made plans for dinner before classes officially began the next morning.
Emily stretched her arms above her head.
"I forgot how long Professor Collins likes to talk."
Aria laughed.
"Does he always give speeches like that?"
"Worse."
"Oh..."
"He was actually being nice today."
Aria couldn't help laughing.
"I think I'm going to need your help surviving this place."
Emily smiled.
"I'll consider it."
"Only consider it?"
"Coffee helps negotiations."
"I had a feeling you'd say that."
Emily grinned.
"You learn fast."
As they stepped outside the auditorium, a member of the residence office called out to the remaining students.
"If your accommodation is in Maple Residence, please collect your apartment keys before leaving."
Emily glanced at Aria.
"Looks like that's me."
And Aria told her she was also in maple residence.
They joined the short queue.
One by one, students collected their welcome packs and apartment keys.
When Emily reached the desk, the residence officer smiled.
"Emily Carter?"
"That's me."
The officer handed her a key card and a small envelope.
"Apartment 4A."
Emily frowned.
"I thought I requested to stay alone."
"I'm afraid all single apartments were allocated last week."
"So..."
The officer smiled apologetically.
"You've been assigned a roommate."
Emily sighed dramatically.
"Please tell me they don't snore."
The officer laughed.
"You'll have to find that out yourself."
Aria stepped forward next.
"Aria Sinclair."
The officer looked at the list before smiling.
"Apartment 4A."
Emily blinked.
"...Wait."
Aria looked at her key card.
"You too?"
For a second, they simply stared at one another.
Then Emily burst into laughter.
"No way."
Aria laughed with her.
"I guess you're stuck with me."
Emily shook her head.
"I've definitely had worse luck."
"I'm choosing to take that as a compliment."
"It was."
Together, they made their way toward Maple Residence.
The building stood on the quieter side of campus, surrounded by gardens and tall maple trees that swayed gently in the summer breeze.
Large glass windows reflected the afternoon sun, giving the residence an elegant, almost hotel-like appearance.
Emily stopped walking.
"...This is Maple?"
Aria looked at the building.
"It's beautiful."
Emily laughed in disbelief.
"I've walked past this place for a year."
"I never thought I'd actually live here."
"You've never been inside?"
Emily shook her head.
"It's usually reserved for students who apply early... or international students."
They entered through the main doors.
Their apartment was on the fourth floor.
The lift doors opened onto a quiet hallway lined with polished wooden floors and soft lighting.
Emily tapped her key card against the reader.
A soft beep followed.
The door unlocked.
She slowly pushed it open.
For a moment...
Neither of them spoke.
The apartment was stunning.
Sunlight poured through floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the university gardens.
A spacious living room connected to a sleek modern kitchen, while two separate bedroom doors stood at opposite ends of the apartment, each with its own private bathroom.
Emily turned slowly in a circle.
"I think..."
She looked at Aria.
"...I'm never leaving."
Aria laughed.
"I was about to say the same thing."
A sudden click echoed from across the hallway.
Both girls looked up.
The apartment directly opposite theirs had just opened.
A tall young man stepped into the hallway carrying a sports bag over one shoulder.
Dark hair.
Black leather jacket.
Cold grey eyes.
Damian Hayes.
Behind him came Mason, balancing two cardboard boxes.
Damian looked up.
His eyes met Aria's.
Aria felt a cold shiver which ran through her vein to her spine
Neither of them spoke.
The silence stretched for several seconds.
Emily's smile slowly disappeared.
She looked from Damian...
...to Aria...
...then back again.
"You've got to be kidding me," she whispered.
Aria frowned.
"What?"
Emily lowered her voice even further.
"That's Damian Hayes."
"And trust me..."
"...you do not want him as your neighbour."
- Writer
