The Orientation

"Thank you ma'am" Charlene said as she accepted her room keys from the mistress.

"Call me miss Lilly" the mistress smiled warmly and Charlene nodded slowly, thinking of what to do with that piece of information.

"I'll take my leave now" She said her voice contorted a mixture of gratitude and confusion.

"I know you didn't want to come here... And just like a number of people, you're here because your guardian thought it's best for you to be among others like yourself" she paused and stared skeptically at Charlene before she continuing "with time, you'd figure out that coming here was the best decision you made"

Charlene stared at her with a hint of uncertainty in her eyes before nodding deliberately, hoping that just like the mistress said she won't get to regret leaving home.

"One more thing" Miss Lilly continued, her tone soft and her gaze understanding "don't isolate yourself...socialize, it helps"

Her eyes seemed to bore holes into Charlene's should as she stared intently at her.

"Good luck settling in" she said and took her warm gaze away from Charlene.

"Thanks Miss Lilly" she whispered and turned around. As she walked out, she struggled to hide her nervousness.

Charlene exhaled as she left Miss Lilly's office, her shoulders relaxing. She could suddenly perceive the sweet fragrance of lavender which filled the air, as though she just stepped in.

"What's your room number?" Hazel asked with a bright smile, her eyes sparkling with anticipation as she joined Charlene.

"You waited" Charlene asked in obvious surprise, unable to hold back her smile.

"Of course... I wouldn't want you bumping into a rudie" Hazel replied her voice bubbly "so what's your room number?"

"185" Charlene said staring at her keys.

Hazel squealed as her face lightened up in excitement. "We're roomies!" She enveloped Charlene in a warm hug, her long curly hair tickling Charlene's face.

"Okay okay.. You're more excited than I am" Charlene laughed her initial hesitation melting away. Gently she broke the hug.

"I'm just so happy you're here" Hazel grinned "I'll show you to our room" she said and helped Charlene with a luggage, leading her down the hallway.

****

The silence in the room was rather weird though not unusual. Blake Killarney had his piercing blue eyes fixed on some distant point. And Louis Taylor his only friend and roommate, feeling uncomfortable in the silence finally broke it.

"You've been unusually quiet. What's wrong?" Louis asked, his brow furrowed with concern.

"Must something be wrong before I choose th stay this way?" Blake replied icily, his gaze not wavering.

"Come on. Bro. I'm your friend. Don't shut me out" Louis pouted trying to lighten the atmosphere.

Blake shrugged remaining unyielding.

"I should stop being friends with you" Louis scoffed hoping for a reaction "then you'll be lonely even in death."

"As if" Blake scoffed, a hint of smile playing on his lips.

"And you just smiled!" Louis grinned suddenly regretting that he forgot to take a picture.

***

**HOURS LATER

The grand auditorium of Dreame College buzzed with excitement as Miss Lilly, the school mistress, stepped onto the stage. The lights from the chandelier above illuminated her warm smile.

"We welcome all of you, especially the newbies to Dreame College's annual orientation" Miss Lilly started, her voice clear and commanding so much authority The audience erupted, loud cheers and applauses going up to the air and once again the auditorium went dead with silence.

Charlene seated at the back, joined in the clapping before everywhere went dead. Her gaze darted around everyone else in the building, as a thrill of curiosity bubbled within her and so many questions about the mysterious college laid unanswered in her mind.

"A brief history of Dreame College" Miss Lilly continued "I'm sure you were surprised to find yourself here instead of Almerita am I right?" The auditorium became noisy, with students exchanging whispered conversations.

A Blondie sitting beside Charlene grinned "I know right? I was expecting some ancient city with no network and archaic people, but this place... Amazing!"

Miss Lilly raised her hand, and the room fell silent.

"Silence, please. A long time ago, our founding Fathers, who found favour in the eyes of Mother Nature, could no longer live with humans because they faced discrimination. Our Queen, Empress Zoe stumbled upon a portal that only the Amazons could access. They came to live in it, and it was named Almerita."

As Miss Lilly spoke, Charlene felt transported go a world of magic and vivid imagination as she pictured Miss Lilly's tale.

"Many years later, before the secession and clash with the Nickels, young Amazons struggled to control their powers. Dreame college was built to address this issue. That is how dream college came about" Miss Lilly concluded her eyes sparkling with pride.

"Doesn't seem complete" Charlene whispered uncertainty written all over her face.

"Time will reveal more" Hazel said beside her, her voice barely above a whisper.

The audience erupted into applause once more and the sounds of their palms jolted Charlene out of her thoughts, she joined in though her mind was beginning to wander away..

*****

Still in their dorm room, preparing for the orientation was Blake and Louis.

"Must we attend the orientation every year?" Blake grumbled leaving the locker room already fully dressed.

"Hottie" Louis teased, grinning mischievously "ain't I blessed, to have the most handsome Amazon alive as my best friend"

"Please don't say that in public" Blake said, shutting him a glare "it's weird"

Louis chuckled, glad unfazed. "Let's get going. You know how much Miss Lilly hates tardiness"

"Let's just superspeed" Blake suggested and gripped Louis's hand.

"It's the moment you've all been waiting for... The introduction of our Masters!" Miss Lilly announced and once again the auditorium erupted in cheers.

Just as the applause began to die down, a sudden commotion broke out. Gasps and squeals filled the air as Blake and Louis appeared, everything about them commanding attention.

"What's going on?" Charlene leaned in and whispered to Hazel.

"The Amazon cutest are here" Hazel gushed, her eyes sparkling.

"Cutest?" Charlene raised a brow

"Blake Killarney, the Cutest Amazon alive" she explained "and Louis, his only friend"

Charlene scanned the room, her curiosity on high alert. "Where are they?"

"Be patient" Hazel smirked "you'll meet them eventually.

As the auditorium went dead, Master Kang Began. " I'm Master kang, head custodian of Dreame College"

Master Arnold introduced himself too, so did Master Ryan.

Master Kang continued, "Every great institution is governed by rules. And Dreame College isn't an exception"

The auditorium went dead silent and Master Kang smiled shortly before going ahead.

"Our guiding principle is Let Love Lead...L³ rule. And we've upheld this since our inception."

"Welcome to Dreame College Newbies, lectures will commence on Monday" Master Arnold said, his tone rather strict.

"Have fun guys" Master Ryan winked, showing off his perfect features.

As the masters concluded their introduction, the audience applauded once more, as they exited.

"Finally... It's party time" Diamond grinned at Melanie.

Melanie remained silent, ignoring Diamond's attempt to start a conversation.

Diamond's grin faltered. "Hey, you've been quiet since you got here. Don't you speak?"

Melanie's silence persisted earning a scoff from Diamond. "Weirdo"

The party began with music blaring through the speakers.

Somewhere in the auditorium was clouded by students, who seemed engrossed in a commotion.

"What's going on?" Charlene whispered to Hazel, her eyes fixed on the disturbance...