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Hillstead University didn't just separate students by gender — it separated them by history.
The dormitories were more than places to sleep. They were monuments. Stories. Structures passed down through the decades, each designed to reflect a piece of Hillstead's soul.
On the southwestern cliff, perched like a crown above the academy gardens, stood Dorm D-Seven, home to the boys of this year's cohort. It was shaped like a half-moon tower — old brick laced with polished obsidian, windows tall and narrow like cathedral glass. Every room overlooked the forest below, where the mountain mist never truly lifted. Inside, the rooms were spacious but grounded — stone flooring softened by modern rugs, warm lighting, digital access panels, and walls thick enough to swallow secrets.
Across the eastern quad, where flowering arches and glowing lantern trees filled the paths, rose Dorm G-Four. Sleek, angular, and etched with ancient symbols along its walkways, it blended elegance with silence. The dorm was structured more like a boutique palace than a dormitory — private lounges, spiral staircases, and crystal-paneled balconies wrapped each floor like ivy. Its halls always smelled faintly of lavender, with ceilings that shimmered faintly under moonlight.
Dorm D-Seven breathed solitude.
Dorm G-Four whispered secrets.
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Dorm D-Seven — Boys' Wing
Kai Wilder pushed open the door to Room 32 and let out a whistle.
"Okay, not bad," he said, tossing his guitar case on the bed closest to the window. "I was half-expecting stone floors and drafty walls."
Henry Dane walked in behind him, glancing once around the space. Clean lines, soft ambient lights, oak desks, and beds built into the stone itself. Hillstead blended the ancient with the advanced effortlessly.
"It's still a dorm room," Henry said, setting his single backpack on the opposite bed. "You'll get used to it."
Kai raised a brow. "You're a real talker, huh?"
Henry said nothing, started unpacking.
Kai flopped onto the mattress. "You don't snore, do you?"
A pause.
"No," Henry said.
Kai smirked. "Cool. Just a heads-up,I sleep-talk sometimes. Usually about food."
Henry didn't even look up.
---
Dorm G-Four — Girls' Wing
Down in the East Quad, the Girls' Wing glowed warm under late morning light.
Nora Wilder pushed the door open and found Natasha Rayne already unpacked and leaning against the window ledge, staring out at the distant hills.
"Oh," Nora said softly. "I didn't realize you were—"
"Yeah. Roommate," Natasha cut in, not turning.
Nora stepped in, dragging her bag toward the other bed. "Nice view," she said, unsure of how else to begin.
Natasha shrugged. "Mountains are hard to miss."
A silence stretched.
Nora fidgeted with the straps of her bag. "I'm Nora. Wilder. Not that it matters, but…"
Natasha finally looked at her. Eyes sharp, unreadable.
"I know."
Another pause.
"I brought snacks," Nora offered, pulling out a small pack of trail mix.
"I'm good," Natasha replied.
Nora sat, chewing awkwardly. She'd broken tougher ice than this before. She wasn't giving up.
---
First Classes — Elemental Sciences and Logic Mechanics
The lecture hall was massive — three tiers, amphitheater-style, each seat equipped with a glass writing panel and holo-notes projector.
A soft chime signaled class beginning. Students were still filtering in, murmuring, laughing, yawning.
From the front, Professor Elmren, a tall man with hair like silver threads and robes that shimmered when he moved, clapped his hands.
"Silence is underrated," he said. "Let's practice it."
The room quieted instantly.
He smiled. "Better. Welcome to Elemental Sciences and Logic Mechanics. I am Elmren. If you're here to coast, you'll fail. If you're here to learn, you'll find something greater than grades."
His eyes drifted across the room.
"Today, we begin with resonance theory. Can anyone explain the concept of resonance attunement?"
The room was quiet.
Then Nora raised her hand.
"Yes?"
Nora stood, her voice calm but clear. "It's the natural harmonic between energy sources — whether physical or elemental — that allows for stable reactions. Like matching frequency to frequency to stabilize potential disruption."
Elmren's lips twitched upward. "Correct. Impressively precise. Name?"
"Nora Wilder."
He nodded. "Wilder. Noted."
Carl slouched in his chair, muttering under his breath. "Show-off."
Kai elbowed Henry. "You know what resonance attune-thingy is?"
Henry shrugged. "She explained it."
Carl leaned back and raised his hand lazily. "Isn't that the thing where you like... tune energy like a guitar?"
Elmren blinked once. "A crude analogy, but not entirely wrong."
Carl grinned like he'd just solved world hunger. "Told you."
Kai barely held in a laugh. "That's our genius."
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Class Interactions — The Student Scene
After class, students spilled into the courtyard. Some clustered in circles, debating points raised in class. Others drifted toward the fountains, where three students sat with instruments — a violin, a keyboard, and a soft bass.
They began playing "Shivers" by Ed Sheeran, stripped down to a slow, haunting rhythm. A few students gathered, swaying gently. Others pulled out sketchbooks, snacks, or just silence.
Kai wandered over and started beatboxing softly in sync. The bass player nodded. The rhythm deepened.
🎶 "I took an arrow to the heart
I never kissed a mouth that tastes like yours
Strawberries and something more…" 🎶
Henry stayed off to the side, watching everything — not apart from it, but not inside it either.
---
At one stone table, a thin boy with glasses and a self-wired smartwatch tapped rapidly on a tablet covered in circuit code.
Kai sat beside him. "Hey, tech wizard. Whatcha building?"
The boy looked up. "Oh. Uh. Leo Narin. I built a pocket drone that can scan atmospheric frequencies. Want to see?"
Kai blinked. "Yes."
Leo pulled out a coin-sized disc, tossed it in the air. It floated, whirring softly as light danced along its edge.
"Fully autonomous," Leo said proudly. "I'm working on a neural link system so it responds to brainwaves, but I keep frying the chips."
Kai grinned. "Dude, that's insane. Do you… like… make weapons too?"
Leo tilted his head. "Technically yes. I made a magnetic stun pulse once. For research."
Henry raised an eyebrow from across the table.
Kai looked around. "Hillstead's got everyone, huh?"
Leo nodded, pushing up his glasses. "Inventors. Scholars. Artists. Future monsters."
"Why'd you say monsters?"
Leo shrugged. "Because power corrupts. And this place? It breeds power."
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Elsewhere — Girls' Wing Commons
Back in the G-Four commons, Nora trailed after Natasha as she walked through the hallways.
"You don't have to talk," Nora said lightly, "but you could at least tell me if I'm annoying."
Natasha stopped.
"I don't do attachments," she said plainly. "Roommate is fine. Friend? Don't bet on it."
Nora smiled. "I like a challenge."
Natasha gave her a long look. "You'll lose."
"We'll see."
---
As twilight fell, Hillstead transformed. The ivory towers turned to silhouettes, cloaked in deep indigo. The sky burned in hues of fire and violet. Lights flickered on across the campus — soft-glow lanterns by the walkways, string bulbs across courtyard bridges, and floating crystal lamps that hummed faintly with static charge.
In Dorm G-Four, Nora sat by the window of her shared room, sketchbook open, headphones loosely around her neck. Natasha lay on her bed across the room, one arm folded behind her head, eyes locked on the ceiling.
A familiar chime echoed through the walls.
Three soft tones.
Then a smooth female voice, clear and mechanical, spoke through the PA system:
> "Attention all first-years. The official Hillstead Orientation Ceremony is scheduled 3 days from now on Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. in the Grand Atrium. All students are expected to be seated by 7:15 sharp. Formal attire is advised."
> "Please check your dorm terminals for assigned seating and orientation details. Thank you, and welcome again to Hillstead."
The announcement clicked off, followed by the brief hum of silence.
---
In Dorm D-Seven, Henry looked up from his journal. Across the room, Kai was upside down on the bed, legs against the wall, humming the same song they'd heard in the courtyard.
🎶 "I love it when you do it like that / And when you're close up, give me the shivers…" 🎶
He popped one eye open. "Formal attire?"
He whistled. "Looks like we get to dress up and pretend we're not panicked freshmen."
Henry didn't respond. But his expression said enough. Something about this place… it wasn't just formalities.
Kai rolled over, letting his feet drop to the floor. "You think it's just some welcome speech?"
Henry closed his journal. "I think it's the beginning."
---
In a private lounge high above the East Tower, Carl sat alone, glass of sparkling cider in hand, suit jacket already picked for the next night.
He smirked to himself.
> "Let the games begin."
---
Back in G-Four, Nora clicked off her desk lamp.
Natasha was already by the window again, eyes lost in the shifting clouds.
Neither of them said anything.
But both felt it.
Soon… something would change.
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