New Friends?

I get up and quickly put my things away so that I can grab dinner but on my way out, I notice something that has me forgetting how to breathe. There's only a toilet... I push the door open and notice a sink and a toilet but no shower or bathtub!

This wasn't on the website!? Oh no... a commons shower room? I grit my teeth and suck it in as I mentally repeat 'I can do this, I can do this." I shut the bathroom door and walk out into the hall. But as I'm shutting the door, I'm suddenly hit from the side!

I tumble to the floor and nearly turn into roadkill when someone heavy lands on me! "Ow! Dammit!! I'm sorry, man. Are you good?" He says and when I look up, I practically growl at him as I say "I'll be fine once you get off!"

His bright green eyes and bright blond hair make him look angelic as he panics and quickly climbs off me saying "Sorry sorry." He grabs my arm and practically rips it off as he quickly pulls me up and starts brushing me off like I have dirt or something on me.

I slap his hands away and fix my shirt as I quickly say "I'm fine, I'm fine. No worries." The guy beams at me and sticks his hand out saying "My name's Conner." I hesitate for a moment before taking his hand and saying "Valen."

Conner smiles at me brightly as he says "I like you, Valen. It's official. It was fate that we ran into each other. Let's go get dinner together. No offense but you're kinda on the small side so it'll help to have friends."

Ran into each other? It was you that ran into me!? I keep my mouth shut and give him an awkward smile as we make our way to the Mess Hall. Whether I like what he said or not isn't the problem. What he said is true. I'm smaller than most here... Okay, maybe the smallest but that doesn't mean I'm easy!

I know having friends will be important to my survival here but I can't get too close and allow them to figure out I'm a female. It's a fine line I'm walking but I can do it... right?

"I'm year two so if there's anything you need to know or if you're ever having a hard time, just come find me and I'll take care of it. You know... the more I see you the more I like you. I get the feeling I should help you and keep you safe... I wonder if this is what having a little brother is like!" Conner says tapping his chin in excitement as he wanders around in his own little world.

I let him be and look around the place, memorizing my way for later. Once we make it to the Mess Hall, I find myself slightly taken back. So many... guys. They're all so... loud. Conner slaps me on the back, nearly sending me into the back of another before snatching me back and saying "Wow, sorry little buddy. I need to control my strength around you. Are you okay?"

I cough a little and push his hand away with a twitching eyebrow. I give him a strained smile as I say "I'm fine... no worries." Conner beams at me again as we both line up for food. He then begins to say "I have a lot of strength and sometimes it's a little hard to control so others don't like to be around me... I.. I guess I'm apologizing in advance if I do anything."

When I look over and see the hesitation and nervousness, I realize that he's being genuine. I reach up and pat his shoulder as I say "Don't worry about it. I like you too, Conner. Friends?" Conner gives me a smile so bright, I'm nearly blinded by it! So pure!!

He suddenly reaches out and throws his arm around my shoulders as he says "Best friends! If anyone bothers you, I'll kick their ass!" I struggle to keep standing under his weight and nervously laugh.

When we finally make it to the front, we both grab a plate and find a table. When we sit down, Conner cuts into his steak and hands me nearly half saying "You need the extra protein. It's always hell for the freshmen. You'll thank me later."

When I try to push it away, he forcefully places it on my plate and says "Trust me." I chuckle at him and dig in. To be honest, I was way too nervous to eat all day when I was traveling. Now that I'm here and blending in, I'm able to relax a little and my hunger was back with vengeance.

The Mess Hall was huge and filled to the max with young men of all ages. When I think back to my roommate, I can't help but think about what he said earlier. How many of us will survive? I glance over to Conner to see him devouring his food and wonder how many battles he's seen.

If I manage to survive all the classes and training... will I survive out there? What was my brother thinking!? He can't even survive going to the store alone! I took fighting classes with Valen since I was three... I know some things about fighting but fighting in class and fighting to survive are two different things.

One thing is for sure though... I will survive long enough to find my brother and ring his stupid little neck myself! I stab the steak with my fork and pick up the whole thing. I bite into it and rip a piece off, chewing it with all my pent up anger as Conner watches me with curiosity.

When I look over to him, I give him a lumpy smile covered in juices from the steak. He stares at me in confusion for a few seconds before shrugging and stabbing his steak with the fork. He pulls it up and takes a large bite out of it causing both of us to laugh.

When I look past Conner, I see a pair of Ice blue eyes staring at me with destain. I choke on the steak, causing others to look our way as Conner starts beating my back. My eyes start to water as I continue to choke but when Conner hits my back again, the steak flies out and hits Thane right in the face!

Everyone grows extremely quiet as Thane slowly reaches up and wipes his face. When his eyes lock back on mine, I feel a cold chill run down my back. I keep my eyes on Thane as I grab my tray and say "Welp, it was nice knowing you, Conner... I need to go write my will."