#14 Dormitory

I kept hoping that mother would accidentally disconnect her device for a second and that would be my chance to turn it off. But I figured it wouldn't be that easy so I just gave up and took a nap.

I got woken up when my sister tickled my feet.

"Wakey, wakey~ It's lunchtime."

Somehow, I felt like my sister's attitude differed from when we were in our place. I got up lazily and went to the washroom to wash my sleepy face.

We went to the dining room and grandma just came out of the kitchen carrying plates of food. We lent her a hand and placed them on the dining table.

Grandma had a short chat with us during lunch.

"What school are you attending, Amana?"

"Calnan Academy, near my home."

Grandma suggested we return home to ease our traveling to school. Mother wouldn't listen to us but grandma said she wasn't in the place to speak up for us. "It's okay, grandma. Amanda will be fine."

Grandma was coughing the whole time that we were worried that it might be a sickness. I tried asking her many times but she kept saying she was fine, as if I would believe it after all those coughing.

It's not like I would contact mother about this and it's not so serious that we needed an ambulance. I had no choice but to leave it and return to my room.

I turned on my phone to see tons of messages. I really wanted to check them but the Bluetooth connection is blocking my way. Nothing could be done freely anymore ever since mother has taken control over my phone.

'Focus on your studies.' I recalled what Alice said while she was driving us here. Mother must have told her we will be attending school despite staying so far away.

"Sigh. I don't even have my books with me." It was either mother planned this last-minute or she already had it planned for long. Judging by Alice's words, it must be the latter.

I took a bath after dinner. It was my first and last bath in grandma's mansion since I'll be staying in the dormitory tomorrow. Considering the distance between the school and here, I would have to wake up earlier than usual. 'I'll sleep early tonight.'

The next morning, I woke up much earlier than usual. I couldn't get used to it and it took some time for my brain to process what I was doing before taking a morning shower.

"I'm craving for pancakes… I wonder if grandma could make some before I leave." I mumbled to myself in the running water. I had no idea how I managed to survive a whole week without eating a single bite of pancakes.

Like the usual school days, I dried my hair and tied it up with a hair tie. My bangs grow longer over the past two weeks so it wasn't necessary to secure it with a bobby pin anymore.

After I was done dressing up, I heard a knock on the door and it turned out to be my sister. She was well-prepared, ready to leave anytime.

"That's very unusual of you."

"I have discipline, okay?"

Right… I hope you bring this discipline of yours back home too.

"Andrea, Amana, your driver is here." Grandma came to look for us when Alice arrived. It felt like it's been a month since I last met Alice although it's only a week.

When we got into the car, Alice passed me a bag of books alongside my school attire. I was so glad that mother actually remembered I needed those.

We didn't manage to eat breakfast but it was fine. I ate so much during my stay in grandma's mansion that I don't feel like eating anymore.

During the long journey, Alice asked me and my sister about our stay. We told her everything except the sealed room. I told my sister beforehand not to tell Alice about it because she might report it to our mother.

We chatted and laughed until my school's dormitory was in sight. Alice drove to the lobby and opened the car door for me to get down.

"I'll drop you off here. Take care, Miss."

"Have fun sharing a room with others." My sister was smirking when she said that, but soon faded when I teased her back.

"Have fun looking for a place to stay." She rolled her eyes in annoyance before closing the door.

It was my first time entering the dormitory so I felt a little lost, but the guard was kind enough to lead the way.

"B401, the first unit of the fourth floor in block B. Just walk straight and turn at the second junction."

I thanked the guard and walked towards the huge building ahead of me. It already looked luxurious by just the appearance. I hate to admit that I was excited to see my room. Although it's a shared room, I still look forward to whether or not I can get the top bunk.

I took the lift to the fourth floor and the first unit was just there when I turned left. I took out the room card I got from the counter earlier and the door opened as soon as I waved it in front of the lock.

Surprisingly enough, my roommates were already awake. They greeted me when I entered.

"You must be Miss Asia right?"

"We heard about you."

"Thank you for having me." I smiled when I realized they were all friendly people, well, except for one who was sitting at her table with her headphones on.

"Ah, we should introduce ourselves first. I'm Catherina Williams. Just call me Kate." Kate was a kind and friendly girl who looked like she would be willing to help anyone if needed. She reached out her hand to me, I quickly placed my stuff on the floor and accepted her handshake.

"I'm Lillian Burke but just Lily is fine. Nice to meet you!" Lily was a very cheerful girl who always had a smile on her face. Instead of a handshake, she gave me a warm hug.

"And she is..." I paused and looked at the girl in headphones.

"That's Carmen. Her family name is unknown though, no one knows why. Carmen, come and greet our new roommate." Kate took her headphones away until she was willing to move.

"Call me… Carmen. Now give me back my headphones." Carmen was a shy girl when it comes to socializing. However, she can be really aggressive when someone takes her headphones away. "I said return my headphones, Catherina." She wore her headphones and sat at her table when Kate returned them.

"She really needs to learn to interact with others more." Kate sighed. "Anyway, it's nice meeting you. Let us know if you need anything."

"Sorry for taking up your time, hehe. You can unpack your luggage." Lily led me further into the room. "We're lucky to be in the first unit. It's larger than the others and we won't have to fight over bunk beds."

The room was spacious and there were curtains as space dividers so each of us gets one space. There were no wardrobes so I just hung my clothes on the portable barres provided.

"It's almost time for class. Miss Asia, let's go together when you're done." Lily took two hair ties from her table and tied her pink hair into two ponytails. It suits her really well and it goes well with her bangs too.

"Carmen, you get ready too. We'll leave together for school once Miss Asia is ready."

"Just call me Amanda, Lily."

I changed into my school attire and packed the necessary books into my bag. I checked my phone for messages before wearing my shoes.

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