Chapter 3 -

George pulled up to the Brightfare University gates, with Linus next to her, and a melting ice cream cone in one hand. As soon as she slowed to a stop at the wrought iron gates along a tall brick wall that surrounded most of the campus.

“Wow…” George breathed. Before her was an open courtyard with a fountain the middle. A few students sat along the fountains rim, taking selfies and casually studying.

Crossing across the grounds in wide rounding patterns were sidewalks cutting through the crisp green grass, and neatly trimmed hedges blocking out outdoor study tables and sports courts.

Students rode scooters, more scooters than George had ever seen before, zipping across the campus, of all different shapes and colors, some of them even custom builds. Their gems glowing in a rainbow of colors.

“Well,” Linus said, holding out a hand. “I guess this is where we part ways. Gotta find my dorm, and get settled in.”

To the left of the gate, across campus, George could see the multistoried dorm rooms, and then on the opposite side, to the right, were the girls dorms.

“Hey, thanks again, for everything.” George said, shaking his hand. “For saving me and…” she lifted up her melty ice cream. “And for this.”

 

“Maybe I’ll see you around some time,” Linus grinned. “Perhaps in a scooter race.” 

“Yeah… perhaps.” George said as he scootered away towards the boy’s side. She watched him go for a moment, then started walking towards her own dorms.

 

She decided not to ride her scooter, she just wanted to take it all in, and enjoy a nice slow walk. She folded up the Mark-IX and slung it across her shoulder next to the duffle bag.

 

George felt a little apprehensive, being so far away from home, being in a new city, and now at the place she was planning on spending the next few years of her life. Despite the apprehension, however, George couldn’t help but think she found where she belonged. The campus aesthetic, seeing so many fellow college aged students from all different walls of life. It was just new, and different, and oh so exciting.

When she finally arrived at her dorm building, her shoulders were aching from carrying her stuff. She breathed out a deep sigh as she rode the elevator up and to the third floor.

Looking at her room key, it was attached to a little card that said 317 on it. The elevator dinged, and she grabbed her stuff again, body protesting mildly, and made her way down the hall.

When she arrived, she noticed that the room was simple, but nice. There was a main common room, with a small couch, a kitchen space, and a bathroom.

To her right, the door was open just a bit, and she could see that someone else had already claimed it. Her roommate had already arrived. Was she going to be cool? Would George get along with her? Would they become friends? All of those thoughts were racing as George heard a slight shuffle in the other room. The door squeaked softly as it opened and out stepped her roommate.

 

“Oh, hi.” The girl said shyly. “I’m glad you’re finally here, nice to meet you.”

 

She was a little taller than George was, by a couple of inches. She had smooth silvery skin, with just the barest hint of design lines cutting across the joints where there were ball shaped joints that connected the upper and lower arm, allowing them to bend. Her figure was slim, her hair long and black. Her eyes golden.

 

Her roommate was an android.

“My names Sloane, Sloane Watson.”

 

George reached out, shaking her hand. The metal was smooth, and just a little cool to the touch. Sloane took a step back, brushing her hair behind her ear shyly.

 

“It’s nice to meet you too,” George smiled. “Have you uh… been here long?”

“I arrived a little earlier this morning,” Sloane said, glancing back at her room. “Lots to unpack, you know.” She leaned to one side, looking past George as if looking for something. 

“Can I help you bring anything up?” She asked, flexing her arms. “I happen to have some pretty decent strength mods.” 

“Ha,” George snorted a laugh and patted her duffle bag. “No, I don’t have a whole lot to unpack. Got most of what I need right here and anything else I’ll pick up at the store, or have my parents mail it to me.”

“Hm,” Sloane blinked. “Well, it really is nice to meet you finally, I was really nervous about my roommate. Wasn’t sure who they were going to be or what type of personality they were going to have. You seem… not crazy.” 

“You seem not crazy yourself,” George smirked. “And I happen to appreciate that.” She let a beat of silence fall between them. “Are there uh, any rules you have, anything that might help me be a better roommate?”

“No,” Sloane shrugged, “but I can let you know if something comes up. Maybe you could do the same for me?”

“Most definitely,” George smiled. She turned and walked her bag into her room, and sat on the bed. She han’t realized how tired she was from her day of traveling. Her body was sore in unusual places.

Her room was simple, a small bed, a small desk, and a tiny closet. Her duffle bag contained mostly clothes, as she had planned on buying some sheets and whatever necessary things she might need.

She flopped down on the bed, taking a deep breath. She’d made it to college. Her roommate wasn’t too weird (that she was aware of) and all that was left was for her to attend classes and hopefully not fail them.

It was everything she could have ever wanted… and more.