CHAPTER 3: SETTLING IN

Chapter 3: Settling In

Crystal Ann opened the red door and entered, with Magnus following closely behind. As he stepped inside, The ground floor was dark, but Crystal Ann led Magnus upstairs to the second floor at the living area. The space was cozy, It was homey, the kind of place that made you feel instantly welcome. Magnus stood near the stairs, taking in his new surroundings. It was a spacious living room, with a minimalist, modern aesthetic. The walls were painted a crisp, clean white, and three sleek couches were arranged in a cozy layout—a three-seater facing a flat-screen television mounted on the wall, and two single chairs facing each other at angles. A small, round glass coffee table sat between the seating, its smooth surface reflecting the soft natural light that filtered in through the large windows. On top of the table, a remote control lay carelessly, signaling its common use.

Magnus's gaze shifted to a staircase positioned continuously, leading up to the third floor. It stood as a simple yet striking architectural element, drawing his attention upward. At the far end of the room, he noticed an open doorway, and from there, came the distinct sounds and smells of breakfast cooking—something sizzling on the stove, filling the house with the aroma of fried fish, eggs, and savory meats. It was a welcoming scent, one that triggered a sense of comfort, and perhaps, a feeling of home that Magnus hadn't realized he had missed.

Just as he was lost in thought, a voice snapped him out of his trance. "Magnus! Are you okay?" Crystal Ann asked, noticing his distant expression. She seemed a little concerned but smiled warmly at him. "Put your things down over there by the stairs. Come on, let's eat breakfast. You must be hungry after your trip."

Magnus nodded, finally setting down his bags beside the stairs, and followed her into the kitchen. When he stepped in, he paused to admire the space. The kitchen was large and inviting, with sleek countertops and cabinets that gleamed under the light. In the middle stood a square dining table with four chairs, each neatly arranged. The table was already set with a simple but delicious spread: a steaming bowl of rice, sunny-side-up eggs glistening with butter, fried sausages, and crispy fried fish, their aroma filling the room.

At the stove, a girl stood with her back turned to him, tending to the last dish in the pan. Her long hair was tied in a loose bun, and she moved with a quiet efficiency that suggested she was used to helping out in the kitchen.

"Sofie! How's it going? Almost done?" Crystal Ann called out as she took her seat at the table.

"Just finishing this last fish," Sofie replied, her voice soft but focused. She glanced over her shoulder briefly, offering a quick smile, then turned back to the stove. "You two go ahead and start. I'll be done in a minute."

Magnus took a seat across from his aunt, quietly observing. His stomach growled, reminding him that he hadn't eaten a proper meal since early that morning at the airport. The trip had been long, and despite the snacks he'd had earlier, his appetite was in full force now.

Once Sofie finished cooking, she joined them at the table, setting down the last plate of fried fish before taking a seat beside her mother. As they began to eat, the atmosphere was light, though mostly filled with the sounds of utensils clinking against plates. Crystal Ann started a casual conversation, asking Sofie about her day and their plans for the week.

"Magnus," Crystal Ann said after a moment, turning her attention toward him, "you and Sofie will need to go to school tomorrow. I want you both to handle the tuition payments, and you should check in with the administration about your schedule, alright?"

Magnus, who had been quietly focusing on his meal, looked up and nodded. "Yeah, okay. I'll take care of that," he said simply, feeling a little unsure of how things would go at the school.

Sofie, sitting next to him, didn't say much either, only offering him a quick glance before going back to her food. The air between them felt slightly awkward, not in an uncomfortable way, but more in a "getting to know you again after a long time" kind of way. Magnus remembered her as a shy girl when they were kids, and it seemed she hadn't changed much.

After they finished eating, Sofie excused herself to her room, leaving Crystal Ann and Magnus to clean up. As Magnus was about to wash his own plate, his aunt stopped him.

"Let me do that, you go get your things, and I'll show you to your room," she insisted, taking the plate from his hands with a smile.

Magnus obliged, feeling grateful. He grabbed his bags and followed her upstairs. The third floor was much like the second—neat, minimalist, and well-maintained. There were four doors in the hallway. Crystal Ann pointed out each one as they walked.

"That's the guest room," she said, opening the first door nearest the staircase. Magnus peeked inside and saw two single beds, a small table between them, and a cabinet on the wall. The room was simple, with a calm and serene feel to it.

"And this one's my room," she said, gesturing to the door directly across the hall. She then pointed to the next door down. "Sofie's room is right there, and your room is at the end."

When they reached the last door, Crystal Ann pushed it open, revealing a cozy room. A single bed was placed against the far wall, and beside it was a small table with a study lamp. There was also a wooden cabinet for his clothes and belongings, a full-body mirror, and a window covered with light, sheer curtains. Like the rest of the house, the room was simple but comfortable, just what Magnus needed after his long journey.

"This will be your space for as long as you're here," Crystal Ann said. She handed him a set of keys, one for his room and one for the house. "Make yourself comfortable, and if you need anything, I'll be downstairs."

Magnus thanked her as she left, closing the door gently behind her. He dropped his bags by the bed and sat down, letting out a long sigh of relief. The past few weeks had been a whirlwind—graduating, preparing for college, leaving home—and now he was finally here, in a new city, about to start a new chapter in his life.

He lay down on the bed, staring up at the ceiling, his mind racing with thoughts of what was to come. The idea of starting college, living with his aunt and cousin, and adapting to this new environment both excited and scared him. The uncertainty gnawed at him, but so did the promise of something new, something bigger than what he had known before.

After a few minutes of reflection, Magnus sat up, feeling the need to organize his thoughts. He rummaged through his bag and pulled out a leather-bound journal—a gift he had bought for himself as a way to document his experiences. The journal was thick, with a weathered look, as if it held the weight of countless stories yet to be written.

Grabbing a pen, he sat at the small desk by the bed and opened the journal to the first page. For a moment, he stared at the blank paper, letting his thoughts settle, then he began to write.

June 23, 2021

I've finally arrived in San France City, staying at Aunt Crystal's house with my cousin Sofie. It feels strange being here, but also exciting. I'll be starting college next week at San France Doctors Medical Institute. I still can't believe I got accepted into the psychology program as a scholar—it's surreal. Gramps helped make this possible, and I know I can't let him down.

Sofie and I haven't talked much yet. She's quiet, just like I remember her from when we were kids. The last time we saw each other was when Mom passed away, and that was ten years ago. I wonder if she remembers me the same way I remember her. She seems focused on her own path, taking nursing here at the same school. Maybe we'll find some common ground as time goes on. For now, I'll give her space.

Tomorrow, we're going to the school to pay the tuition fees and finalize everything. I guess that's when it'll really sink in that this is happening. I'm about to start the next chapter of my life. There's so much uncertainty ahead, but I know I have to keep moving forward, one step at a time.*

Magnus stopped writing, feeling a sense of clarity as he read over his words. Closing the journal, he placed it neatly on the table and stood up, stretching his arms. He had been so absorbed in his thoughts that he hadn't noticed the fatigue creeping up on him. His limbs felt heavy, and his eyes grew tired.

He lay back down on the bed, his body sinking into the mattress. As he stared at the ceiling, his thoughts began to blur, and the weight of the day's journey finally caught up with him. Within minutes, Magnus drifted off to sleep, his mind settling into a deep, dreamless slumber.