World of Her Own

 It was early morning. The outside world was still dark, and the horizon had just barely begun to glow with a faint blue aura. It was the same hour every morning; The one that came just before the bird's first morning chirps.

Three girls lay in a rolled out futon on the cold industrial flooring of a new living space. Aya tried to sit up, but found herself falling back down face first into her pillow. Saffron, who was already awake, quietly smirked and ran her fingers through Aya’s disheveled hair.

“Tired little thing,” Saffron quietly whispered to herself. She scanned her surroundings and admired their new living space in the green dorm.

“Far bigger than I expected,” Saffron muttered. Time passed and she laid back into her pillow, staring up at the ceiling. Eventually, Saffron could hear rustling over next to Aya.

“Ah, sorry. I’m up! Are we late for home room?” Kanna sprang up and frantically looked around, trying to get her bearings.

“Nope. You’re quite a bit early actually,” Saffron said.

“Oh, that’s a relief.” Kanna’s gaze shifted to Aya, who was snoring between herself and Saffron. “The little one’s still asleep?”

Saffron quietly nodded. “Is it me today then?” Kanna asked.

“Looks like it.”

“Kay’. No worries…gonna sleep in a little longer though,” Kanna said with a small thumbs up.

“Set your alarm, dear. Just in case I can’t manage to wake you up.”

“Yep. Sure am. Though…” Kanna had already taken out her phone and was adjusting the time on her alarm. “I’ll probably just end up waking before it.”

“More than likely. Sleep well, Kanna.”

“Night, Saff.” Kanna laid down on her side and cuddled herself into Aya, who was facing Saffron. Before long, Kanna was fast asleep.

—

The room was blurry. Sunlight streamed brightly through the large loft windowing. Kanna felt herself immediately jolt awake.

“Ah! Am I late?” Kanna groggily looked at her phone. It was 4 minutes before her alarm was set to go off.

Heh, told her I wouldn’t need it. Kanna thought to herself with a smirk. After a moment or two, Kanna’s attention immediately went to the door, where she heard a loud knocking.

“Oh, just a minute!” Kanna called out to the door. She quickly hopped out of bed, ruffled through her clothes, and threw on her school uniform. Kanna trotted over, hopping on one foot and pulling a sock up along the way.
As Kanna opened the door, a familiar mess of red hair greeted her.

“Gooood morning, Chippy. Sleep well?” Ivy said with a warm smile. Kanna bowed politely and smiled.

“Good morning. Yes, I certainly did! Thank you for asking.” Kanna smiled pleasantly. Ivy narrowed her eyes for a moment, but quickly ignored it.

“Runa made breakfast for us. Better head downstairs before it’s all gone!” Ivy flashed a peace sign, and before Kanna had a chance to respond, she dashed back down the stairs.

Yup. That’s definitely Aya’s new friend. Kanna put a finger to her lip as she tried to recall what Aya had told her just before they fell asleep together. She’s the occult girl. Ivy, I think?

Kanna finished getting ready, putting on light makeup, and tying her hair into a neat bun. She quietly descended the spiral iron staircase, taking extra care to not trip and fall straight down. Once at the bottom, Kanna surveyed her surroundings. She walked down a few different hallways, and found herself accidentally wandering out the front door.

“Darn. Not this one either,” Kanna said as she crossed her arms and tapped her foot impatiently. “Maybe the dining hall is in another building.”

“Chippy! You can’t leave without breakfast.” Ivy had suddenly appeared in the doorframe, and had placed her hand firmly on Kanna’s shoulder. “You’ll be starving by 3rd period and digging through my snack bag like a starving rat.”

“Oh! I didn’t mean-I just got a little turned around is all,” Kanna said, frantically waving her hands and shaking her head. “Sorry about that!”

“Oh boy Chippy. Lost already huh? Do I need to give you the full tour again?” Ivy chuckled. “No worries! From the top! This time I’ll sharpie the directions on the back of your hand. Or better yet, we can get that one artist here to tattoo the school map on your back!” Ivy said with a grin.

“Wouldn’t that sort of defeat the purpose? I don’t exactly have eyes on the back of my head.” Kanna chuckled.

“Just take a picture of it with your phone or something! I don’t know,” Ivy blushed and lightly smacked her forehead.

“But then I wouldn’t need the tattoo anymore.”

“SIGH. Are you getting breakfast or not?”

“Sorry! Sorry! Lead the way, Ivy!”

Ivy shrugged and walked back inside, making her way down the hallway. Kanna went back inside and followed. They eventually made their way to the back entrance of the dining hall. The two girls entered and in front of them was a long table with several other students seated. Kanna looked around and noticed the clinging of silverware against dishes, running water, and sizzling of bacon on the stove. The warm aromas lured Kanna over to the table, where she grabbed an open seat.

“Why hello there,” a friendly voice called out. Kanna turned her head and met the gaze of someone wearing a welcoming smile. The person had shoulder length wavy hair, dyed down the middle with black on one side and blonde on the other. They wore thick square glasses that were similar to Ivy’s, had brown eyes, and a cute button nose with rosy cheeks. They were dressed in earthy colors, a long brown trench coat with tons of pockets, and a green-striped button up shirt thrown over a white turtle-neck.

“Hello,” Kanna said with a small wave.

“Sorry I’m late guys. Had to shepherd this stray lamb.” Ivy smiled and patted Kanna’s shoulder.

“It’s my first day. Cut me some slack, geeze.” Kanna sighed and hung her head.

“Hi, new person,” said a girl at the table who was half munching on a piece of toast. She was black and had a darker complexion. Her hair was curly, long, and jet black. She wore it behind her with a cute white headband. She wore a tight, short sleeved t-shirt with an anime magical girl and some cutesy print on the front. It was tucked into a pleated pastel pink skirt, which she wore with black kitten shaped thigh highs.

“Hello friend,” Kanna said with a warm smile.

“So what’s your name and focus?” said the girl with the black and blonde hair.

“Oh! I’m Kanna Minami. Nice to meet you,” Kanna said with a bow. Kanna noticed out of the corner of her eye Ivy do a quick double take and tilt her head. “I…uh…am studying painting here.”

“Oh so the illustration program. I’m so jealous, hehe.” The person said with a smile. “My name’s Roz. We’re a tight knit group of creatives in this dorm. So you’ll fit right in, I think.”

“Roz was it? Such a cute name,” Kanna said.

“Thanks! You are too. Uh, I mean, yours is too. Your name I mean.” Roz shifted their eyes around before returning to their plate. Kanna lightly chuckled and turned to the person next to her.

“So what’s your name and focus?”

“Sara,” she replied quietly while taking another bite of her toast. “I’m studying sculpture.”

“Gotcha,” Kanna said, forcing a smile.

A tall girl set a steaming plate of eggs, bacon, and toast in front of Kanna. The inviting scent immediately sent her tummy rumbling.

“Let me know if the eggs are to your liking. We also have salt and pepper if you prefer,” the girl said. She had lavender hair tied back in a neat braid, and wore tight fitting jeans and a black tank top with a 20 sided dice printed on it.

“I’m Runa by the way. Since we seem to be doing introductions, my focus is carpentry,” the girl bowed politely before returning to the stove.

“You know, for having none of the food related focuses living here, we have some of the meals.” Roz said, smiling at Runa. Kanna had begun digging into her plate. A warm sensation tingled through her body and her eyes began to water. It had been ages since Kanna had a home cooked meal.

“It’s so good. Thank you, Runa.”

“Certainly. Just doing my part to make everyone feel at home,” Runa said as she scrubbed a dish in her hand.
The room quietly clinked with the sounds of silverware and idle chit-chat. Kanna felt the morning light stream through the panel windowing and kiss her nose, cheerfully greeting her to the day ahead. The birds had begun to chirp, and Kanna felt an unfamiliar warmth begin to take root within her heart. In that moment, Kanna took her first deep breath, exhaling until her muscles relaxed and her head tingled.

“Delicious,” Kanna said, taking her last bite and setting her silverware down with a loud clink. Roz, Runa, and Sara all looked at Kanna and smiled.

“We’ll have to do this again soon. Each of us can take turns cooking so we don’t put it all on Runa,” Roz said.

“I don’t mind. It’s quite therapeutic.”

“We’ll help you clean then.” Sara said as she got up and began to put away dishes with Runa.

“Oh! Just remembered uh—Kanna. Mom told me about your donor. Lucky for you they’re close by, so I can take you to meet them. And I can get some coffee while we’re there.”

“You’re gonna be late,” Sara piped in from across the room.

“Listen. I’m like, dead, okay?” Ivy put her fingers to her temple and grimaced. “Fine. We can go meet her after school or whatever. But I’m still gonna book it and go get caffeine. I didn’t sleep a wink last night.”

“You sure it’s okay for you to be late…on the first day?” Kanna asked

“It’s fiiiine. Everything’ll work out.”

“Good luck with that,” Sara said while walking out of the room. As she opened the door to head outside, she wordlessly waved behind her to Kanna and the others.

Roz walked up to Kanna and meekly smiled. “Nice meeting you. Maybe we can see each other soon?”

“Sure. I’d love to.” Kanna smiled.

“Okay neat. Well, for now, Ciao!” Roz waved and left just behind Sara.

“Later Chippy! I mean Kanna? Ugh! Whatever.” Ivy stumbled out the door and darted at a breakneck pace down the hall, slamming doors behind her like a whirlwind.

Kanna and Runa were the last to exit. They gathered their belongings and stepped together out the front door and were greeted by the foggy morning air.

“Do you need assistance getting to class?” Runa asked.

“Ah-if you don’t mind? Sorry for the trouble. Up till now Ivy has been showing me the way. But, she’s not here so…”

“It’s no trouble. I’ll follow you around today and make sure you get to every class.”

“Oh wow, you don’t have to do that,” Kanna blushed and shook her head.

“It’s no trouble. I insist,” Runa smiled and held her hands together.