Extend the Story - Add a Room

I hesitate for a moment, but I walk up to the table where Avana, Effimia, and Thro are sitting, and I sit down beside the jellyfish. I feel a slight twinge of guilt, though. I want to make some new friends, but I don't want Fleur to feel like I'm pushing her aside. I glance at the second table, and I see she's chatting with the doe, the owl listening to their conversation. Maybe I'm worrying over nothing.

"Hey! Leilani! I didn't see you here, so I figured you'd be late and saved you a seat. Unpacked already?"

"Yeah, it took me longer than expected. But I managed to take a photo I even like, so it wasn't a full waste of time. How about you?"

"Oh yeah! I love the room I got, it's so nice, and I've got a huge bed all for myself. And the most comfortable carpet I've ever stepped upon. It's really comfortable, the university didn't skimp on us for sure."

"Right. Quite a contrast to our dormitory..."

Me and Avana live in the same dorm. It's not bad, but it's nothing to write home about. I definitely have a smaller room there than here.

"I got a room with Breonne, do you know her? She's studying graphic design and she's in my group, one of the best there actually. She actually makes me feel stupid sometimes. Like in the last class we had, she finished everything an hour before me, and that's just usual for her. She told me that she will be late, she needs to finish something, I don't know what."

I start to tune out and just nod, mentally tired after the ride and the unpacking. Thankfully, I have no problems falling asleep on a bus, but it's not exactly comfortable. I do like Avana a lot, but her enthusiasm can be exhausting at times. I shift my attention to the pair sitting across the table from us, Thro and Effimia. They seem to know each other, which isn't a surprise. They're much more casual with each other than I thought they would be, though.

"I'm still getting used to it. Hell, I don't know if I ever will."

"It is funny hearing you talk like that about things completely normal to the students here. I did not realize that even Americans and Canadians are so different."

"Yes, but it only makes me glad that I'm here instead of back there."

"Hm? Leilani? What about the photo you mentioned?"

I open my mouth to reply, but 'm interrupted by the waiter putting plates with our meals on the table. Avana shifts her attention towards the plates, looking at them hungrily as if she hasn't seen food in a year.

"Ooooh... That's all so nice!"

Before us are two sizable dishes, one with what looks like a potato soup, and the other with some sort of salad. There is also a basket of garlic bread and a plate with cinnamon rolls, each of them wrapped in paper for convenience. Ohh, I love those. Soft and fluffy, smelling of cinnamon. Avana is first to the salad spoon and starts putting food on her plate. Cooping yourself up in your room playing video games can make you quite hungry, I guess...

When she finishes, I extend my paw to take the spoon from her, but she shakes her head and starts filling my plate with food too.

"Don't bother. How much do you want?"

I think I can see Ms. Thro looking at us out of the corner of my eye. Suddenly, I start feeling very self-conscious.

"...maybe a bit more. Thanks."

Oh, that smells good. Until now, I didn't realize how hungry I was. I grab a slice of bread and start eating the soup. The taste is rich and earthy, the potatoes making the broth thick and creamy. The soup is flavorful, with just the right amount of salt and pepper.

"Oh, that's good. I needed that."

Suddenly, I hear the door to the cafeteria opening. I turn in their direction and see a figure wearing a hat that partially conceals their eyes. An Australian shepherd, I think? With their blue fur and somewhat elegant clothing, they certainly stand out from the crowd. They look in our direction for a moment, but instead of joining us, sit down at the table next to us, where Fleur is sitting.

After her, another person enters the room. A sheep, rather short, wearing a poncho and scarf. A rather unusual look, but it works on them. They look around the cafeteria, looking for something or someone. They finally see us and start walking in our direction.

"Breonne! Come over here, we're already eating." Avana calls them over.

Huh, so that's the roommate she was talking about. She seems like a nerdy type, the kind that I associate with Avana. Breonne joins us in silence, pouring herself some juice from a pitcher.

"Try some soup, it's really good! Wait, I'll just put some on your plate too." Avana does as she says, while Breonne is sipping on her juice. "Finished everything you had to?"

"I mean, I wouldn't be here otherwise if I didn't."

"..."

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