Rules are rules

Annika's POV

"And this will be your room." Beatrice opened the room, and a pair of green eyes stared at us from the corner.

Earlier in the headmaster's office, a blond girl walks in and introduces herself as Beatrice, the school's student council president. She is overly excited and full of energy as she walks me out of the office and towards the girls' dormitory.

It took us roughly five minutes just to walk from the main building to the dormitory. We didn't walk past to where I came but rather used a different route at the back of the building. Once outside, I thought I had walked to a different dimension.

There was a huge field before me, and people were doing different things. This place is indeed enormous. Some students are gathered in groups, while others are just sitting around and under the trees. Some are doing combat with full gear, and bystanders are cheering, not minding the blood dripping from their faces. On my right side, another group is also forming, but this time, they are watching as a girl tries to lift herself up and flies above the sky. Far left, just beside the lake, was another group of people forming balls using the water. 

Cool.

"Like, what you are seeing?" Beatrice asked, smiling.

"Not bad." I answered, with boredom in my voice.

I conceal the little excitement I felt.

We continued walking on the sidewalk under the shade of the trees lining the path. 

"I'll be happy to walk you around later after you settle your luggage." She is currently carrying the smaller bag, while I carry the heavier one.

"I'm good." I just want to stay in bed and slump myself to sleep. It's already past two in the afternoon, and all I want is to be in the dorm and rest.

"The headmaster asked me to. And besides, that's my job as the president of the student council." She still has a big smile on her face.

She's yapping about all kinds of stuff, and all I do is nod in response. I was barely listening, and I really don't care. Her energy drained me more than the three-hour drive I had earlier. 

"I wasn't aware I'll be having a roommate this year." The green-eyed girl stood up from her bed and walked in front of us as Beatrice closed the door.

"Well, surprise." Beatrice clapped her hands enthusiastically while the girl in front rolled her eyes.

"Wait, don't you have a class right now?" Her tone changes. 

"Got a little accident earlier. Mr. Bailey excused me." She had a mischievous smile.

"What did you do this time?" 

"Nothing." She said innocently. But anyone could see that she is definitely guilty just by looking. 

Beatrice didn't dig through but just shook her head. 

"Annika, this is Ellianna, and Ell this is Annika. I hope you both get along."

Ell took a deep breath.

"What's with your fashion? Are you homeless?" she crossed her arm

"Ell, that's not how you talk to your roommate." Her voice sounds serious this time.

"Whatever. Just leave already." She said dismissively, and then went on to her bed and continued to put on lip gloss. 

Beatrice murmured something I could not understand and then turned to me. Her back is on Ell now. 

"I'll pick you up at four?" she asked.

I just frowned, not knowing what she meant. 

"To show you around, silly." As if answering what's on my mind.

Again, with her sweet smile. I see Ell mimicking Beatrice exaggeratedly at her back without looking at us. I could sense that Ell doesn't like this girl much. 

I was about to answer when Ell chimed in.

"Don't bother. I'll show her around."

Beatrice paused, as if contemplating what she said. 

"Great. Don't forget to get her supplies and stuff." She smiled, squeezed my hand, and then left.

I stood there for a while before heading to the vacant bed across from Ell's.

"Just a piece of advice, trust no one in this school." She said while filing her nails. 

"Not planning to." I answered while putting away my clothes in the adjacent cabinet.

"What's your element?"She is now sitting cross-legged facing me. I stopped what I was doing and looked at her, confused. 

"You know… fire, water, air, earth." She added looking at me like I'm the stupidest person on the planet.

I bit my lower lip. Just a habit I had whenever I am thinking.

"Not sure." I put the last piece of clothes in the cabinet, lay on the bed, and stared at the ceiling. 

"What? That's possible?"

"Don't know, don't care." Showing no interest at all. 

There was a bit of silence before she started asking again.

"You from human?"

From human.

They really had distinguished two different worlds. 

"Hmm." I closed my eyes and covered them with my right arm. 

"Cool. I always wanted to go there someday."

I didn't respond. This girl sure loves to talk.

"What happened to your face?"

I sat up and stared at her.

"Look, I am stuck in this hellhole for God knows how long, and I don't plan to be here for too long. Therefore, I also don't plan to have friends or be known to anyone at all. But if you want a peaceful life while I am here, then I have two rules." I talked slowly to make her realize that I am serious.

"First, personal space. Don't ask questions about my life, my past, or anything related to me. Second, keep those mirrors to yourself."

"Fierce, I like you." Her smile widens.

"But why the mirrors, though? What did the poor mirror do to you?"She exaggeratedly hugged the small mirror she had on her bedside table.

"Rule number one." I cut short.

"Fine, whatever." And rolled her eyes.

"Let's go."

"Can we just skip the grand tour? I'm not in the mood to walk." I was about to lay down again, but she caught my wrist and pulled me up.

She caught a glimpse of the scars I have on my wrist and instantly released her grip. She eyed me suspiciously but didn't ask. She just fixes her short skirt and smiles.

"No can do. We must get your books and other school supplies in the library and then go get your uniforms from Miss Valerie."

'Fine." I was about to walk when she stopped me.

"You seriously don't want to change first?"

I just stared

"Fine, you're so creepy."

She raised her two hands as if surrendering to a cop and then headed straight to the door.

A chatty roommate plus a Barbie bedroom. What else can I ask for?