Page 2 of The Gargoyle in the College

I stare at my luggage, not wanting to haul it to the lobby again. But knowing my luck... It may be lost somehow if I don’t bring it with me. I check my watch again. I better hurry before the counter will close.

The lady at the counter apologizes and swaps my key. Apparently, she mixed it up.

I’m too tired to even be mad at her. I turn to leave the counter. “Please tell me the hot water and everything is fine.”

She checks the notice board behind her. “It looks like the case.” She pulls a slip of paper from the side and gives it to me. “If something breaks, just call this number.”

I resist the urge to glare at her. The paper doesn’t seem to be good luck. But at the same time, if I don’t take it now, maybe I will end up needing it later.

It must be the gargoyle statue’s fault. It watched me when I walked through the gate. I don’t even want to care why I thought about it again, but it is what it is.

The ride in the lift feels like a lifetime. It will be great if I could teleport myself all the way to the bed, fresh and clean, that’s for sure.

Please... No one is there. Nothing can be worse than...

The door opens to a group of people...

They look at me and their chatter dies. My cheeks glow red even though there’s no need to be. I live here, just like them. There’s no reason for me to feel out of place.

I pull my luggage with me, hoping the mud from the road that may still be on my ass won’t be too obvious.

They part way at the door for me to walk past, then they get into the lift and I hurry my way through the corridor, hoping none of those people will remember me. More than likely, they are all in different classes from mine and with a different major, so...

I take a breath. It should be fine...

This time, the key works smoothly. My room smells great, even though this is the first time I’m there.

I put everything to the side, pulling out my clothes to get to the shower. I need to get out of these stinky clothes that seem to be dripping water.

This can’t be further from what I hoped for my time in college, but knowing my luck, this may be about right.

The hot water is working, thankfully. The warm wash brings the sucky day away. I wet my hair, only to remember that...

I forgot to bring in the bottle of shampoo and body wash...

This fucking life...

Chapter 2

Laura

The weather is a lot better today. It feels like I can finally breathe and there’s no risk of rain in sight.

I make sure I bring my umbrella regardless, just in case. When I have my umbrella with me, it’s almost guaranteed that it won’t rain.

The first lesson of the year went smoothly. I yawn as I get out of the lecture hall, making sure the foldable umbrella is inside my backpack.

For my first week, I think I should walk around the school area to get familiar with places. I take a breath of the fresh scent oftrees and plants. This place is famous for its historical aura and greenery, which is pretty obvious when I’m here.

This is what I enjoy and part of the reason why I choose to study here. It feels like I’m studying in a museum.

Across the road leads to the gate and the gargoyle statue, which is still sitting there, watching the streets with those sharp, intense eyes.

If it was a living thing, it’d be scary.

There are a few tourist-looking people taking photos with the statue. Technically, the statue and what’s behind it is private land, but usually, the guards will let people take photos.

There is green moss on the statue, which... kind of look sad.

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