Roomate Dilemma

They stopped outside a heavy wooden door, its surface etched with faint marks of wear, as Atlas rapped three firm knocks against it before pushing it open without waiting for a response.

Ezra stepped inside, his eyes widening at the sight before him.

The dorm was unlike anything he'd expected.

Vines and flowers of all sorts crept along the walls and ceiling, weaving through cracks and corners as if the room itself had been reclaimed by nature. Their faint, earthy scent filled the air, mingling with something sweeter—like freshly bloomed jasmine.

Three beds lined the room.

The first was a chaotic mess, blankets tangled and ruffled, with a couple of plushies of various shapes and sizes strewn haphazardly across the mattress. A small, half-burned candle sat on the nightstand, wax dripping carelessly onto its surface, with a pair of worn headphones tossed lazily beside it.

The second bed was immaculately made, the sheets tucked in with military precision, not a single wrinkle in sight. The corners were sharp, the pillows perfectly aligned—a stark contrast to the first. Even the floor beside it was spotless, with a neatly stacked pile of books at the foot of the bed.

The third bed, closest to the window, was completely bare. No sheets, no pillows—just the empty frame and mattress, untouched and cold.

Ezra blinked, his eyes darting between the three.

"Looks like your roommates aren't here yet," Atlas remarked, stepping aside to let Ezra take it all in. "That messy one? That's Asli's. The next one? That'd be Silas."

Ezra stared at the bare bed, realizing that one must be his.

"And that one's yours. Make yourself at home… if you can."

Atlas's voice was laced with dry humor as he leaned casually against the doorframe, watching Ezra process the eclectic living arrangement.

Without another word, Atlas walked in, his sharp gaze sweeping over the room. He blew out the candle on Asli's nightstand with a casual flick, the faint trail of smoke curling in the air as he moved toward the scattered books on the floor.

With practiced ease, he picked up the books, stacking them neatly before sliding them onto the nearby bookshelf, his movements precise and deliberate, as if tidying up was second nature.

"Asli never remembers to put these back," he muttered under his breath, though there was no real annoyance in his tone. Just a familiarity, like he'd done this countless times before.

"What are you doing?" Ezra asked, his brow furrowing as he watched Atlas move across the room.

Before he could process it, Ezra heard a faint shuffling from behind one of the larger plants in the corner. Atlas didn't hesitate. With a swift, practiced motion, he reached into the tangled vines and dragged out a figure by the collar.

Ezra's eyes widened as someone tumbled into view, struggling against Atlas's grip.

The person's hair was blonde—not just any blonde, but the kind that glowed in the sunlight, strands of gold catching every flicker of light. The figure was about Ezra's height, maybe slightly shorter, dressed in casual, loose-fitting clothes that still managed to hint at a graceful elegance.

Ezra's breath hitched for a second. By all means, they were gorgeous.

Their pale skin was almost ethereal, flawless and smooth, with a soft glow that seemed unreal. An intricately designed mask covered one side of their face, the silver patterns delicate and almost regal. But it was the other eye—a vivid, piercing emerald green—that really caught Ezra's attention. It was sharp and unyielding, glaring with a mix of irritation and indifference.

Their long, silky hair was tied back into a messy bun, but a few strands had fallen loose, framing a face that was both sharp and soft, with high cheekbones, a slender jawline, and full lips set in a permanent scowl.

Ezra blinked, confused. She's… beautiful.

"Silas, say hi to your roommate," Atlas drawled, clearly amused as he gave the figure—Silas—a little shake.

She— no, Ezra paused, eyes narrowing in confusion as Silas rolled their eyes, the movement smooth and practiced, like they were used to this kind of attention.

Ezra's brain scrambled to make sense of what he was seeing.

"Wait—" he blurted, turning to Atlas, who was still gripping Silas by the collar.

"The headmaster did say… no girls in the boys' dormitory."

Atlas froze, then slowly turned his gaze to Ezra, his smirk growing wider as he let go of Silas.

Silas's glare intensified, the emerald eye narrowing into a deadly slit, like he was daring Ezra to say another word.

Atlas, still grinning, shrugged nonchalantly. "Uhmm, well… Silas over here is… a male."

Ezra's jaw nearly hit the floor. "Oh."

Silas crossed his arms, his posture relaxed but his glare sharp enough to cut through stone. His green eye flickered with an icy, detached gaze as he spoke, the tone of his voice cool and dismissive.

"I don't want a new roommate. Can't he go somewhere else?"

Atlas raised an eyebrow, clearly not impressed with the complaint. "Stop complaining, Silas. You're not a child. Where's Asli?"

Silas didn't answer immediately. He just shifted his weight, glancing over at the doorway before turning his attention back to Ezra, a small smirk tugging at his lips.

"I don't know."

The lack of response seemed to irritate Atlas further, and his voice grew more insistent.

"Silas, where is Asli?"