First Impressions

It seemed as if the room temperature suddenly dropped, a chill creeping over him. Ezra's senses prickled, and the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. At first, he didn't notice the shift, but now that he was more aware, the shadows in the room felt… wrong.

The darkness seemed to cling to the corners, thicker than usual, almost alive.

Ezra couldn't shake the feeling that something was off—cold, like the air itself had turned icy, creeping under his skin.

Then, before he could react, he felt it—a sudden presence, close. Cold, icy fingers grazed his skin, sending an involuntary shiver down his spine.

"Boo!"

Ezra's heart skipped a beat as he jumped, tripping over his bag and falling face-first onto the floor. A burst of laughter echoed around him as Silas's voice rang out, amused by his misfortune. Ezra scrambled to his feet, embarrassed, and found himself face to face with his other supposed roommate.

The guy was taller than Ezra, with a mess of inky black curls that drifted across his face, looking almost untamed. His features were sharp, but there was an undeniable beauty about him—an ethereal quality that was hard to ignore. Beauty marks dotted his face, adding an extra layer to his striking appearance. His skin was a deep shade of brown, glowing with warmth, while the blindfold covered his eyes. Metal piercings adorned his eyebrow and lips.

He was dressed casually in sweatpants and a hoodie, a stark contrast to the sharpness of his features. But the moment he heard the sound of Ezra's fall, his expression shifted—worry flickered across his face, quickly replacing the casual demeanor.

"Did he fall?" His voice was soft, almost hesitant.

He slowly extended his arms in front of him, carefully reaching down to Ezra. With a gentle grasp, he pulled Ezra to his feet, his touch surprisingly steady and kind.

"I Wasn't expecting you to fall," he continued, his tone genuinely apologetic. "We only wanted to scare you a bit. Sorry about that."

Silas scoffed, shaking his head, but gently grabbed Asli's hand as he walked him toward the bed.

Ezra, still a bit shaken, managed a nervous smile. "No harm done," he said, trying to sound more casual than he felt.

Atlas sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as if the entire situation was a bit too much to handle.

"Ah, first years are so difficult to deal with," he muttered, shaking his head. "So, these are your new roommates. Get along with them. Don't ask too many unnecessary questions, if you get what I mean. I'll be off now. See you around campus."

Ezra sat on the bed, unsure of what to do next. It was only now, with some time to himself, that he took a proper survey of the room. The plants, vines, and flowers that adorned the walls seemed to hang above Silas's bed, their vibrant green tendrils dipping down toward Asli's side of the room. The contrast between the two sides was striking.

Silas's area was minimalist, neat, with just a few personal items strewn about, a book here, a jacket draped over a chair there. The plants provided a natural touch, but there was still a stark, almost impersonal quality to it.

On the other hand, Asli's side of the room was chaotic in the best possible way. It was filled with music albums—some stacked high on the floor, others pinned to the walls in a haphazard yet careful manner whilst his side was completely bare and empty .

He unpacked the duffle bag, spreading the contents across his bed. Spare clothes that perfectly fit him, new toiletries, and even a book. He shuffled through the remaining items, his fingers brushing over a small card that had slipped out.

Ezra picked it up, reading the neatly written text:

"Call me in case of emergencies" followed by a phone number.

He raised an eyebrow. How thoughtful, he thought, his lips curling into a small, wry smile. It felt strange—someone actually thinking ahead for him.