Page 8 of Darkened Wings
“Not every night.”
“And if I was wearing something else?”
“Demerits, I suppose. But I’ve never heard of anyone who got caught. I think everyone wears whatever they are told to.”
And especially someone like me went without saying. Here on legacy. On sufferance. “Okay, I’m going to shower.” Luckily the bathroom was a Jack and Jill shared with the next room, but we could get in and out without having to exit our room and maybe get lost in the hallways.
Also luckily, whoever was in the room on the other side of the bathroom was not currently taking their shower. They were probably still in the dining room discussing the new girl. Or whatever all those students had been gossiping about. I’d heard some of it but not all.
The bathroom was compact and less luxurious than the hallways and common rooms. Rather utilitarian, in fact with a combination tub/shower, a sink, and a toilet. No fancy towel warmers or golden fixtures. Functional. But the water adjusted to steaming hot, and shampoo and conditioner and soap were in dispensers mounted on the wall. Which was lucky, since I didn’t have any with me.
After I finished, I crawled between the sheets while Astra took her shower. I had to admit, the nightie was very soft cotton and felt wonderful against my skin. The robe I tossed over the foot of the bed, and I was half asleep when I noticed something. Astra had left her birdcage earrings on the night table between our beds and I reached over and picked them up. “Ohh, they really are different birds.”
“Yes.” She’d returned while I was handling her jewelry. Not that it was gold or anything, but she might not like people touching her stuff. “It’s a raven and a parrot.”
“Very cute.” I peered in through the bars at the tiny, perfect birds. “They are adorable.”
She sat down on the side of the bed, running a comb through her damp hair. “Don’t you want to know why the two different birds? That is assuming someone hasn’t already told you?”
“Why you chose these earrings? I’m guessing you liked them. They’re adorable.”
She let out a breath in a fashion I could describe as nothing but annoyed. “Before tomorrow when you’re thrown in with all the others, I guess I’d rather tell you myself. I mean, it’s not that I’m ashamed of it, but I think once you hear, you’ll understand why nobody likes me, and why I didn’t think I’d have a roommate.
“Maybe you won’t even want to be my roommate anymore.”
“Astra, spit it out. What are you trying to say?”
She stood and came to sit on the side of the bed closer to me then reached over and took the earrings. “I am like these.” She held one of them up. “Raven.” Then she lifted the other. “And…parrot. I’m not a full raven.”
“Oh, okay. Which one of your parents is which?” I asked. “Did you hang out with one flock or the other?”
“My mother is a raven and from quite a respectable family—which I suppose is the only reason they even let me in here. We lived with her conspiracy, but my father…well, I’ve never met him.”
“Oh.” I had my own issues, but I wasn’t sure how to respond to this. “I—that must have been hard for you.” My father had been my rock, always there when I needed him.
“It was only hard for me because people weren’t very nice. My parents, well, I don’t know their story, but I do know my father wasn’t a fly-by-night…so to speak. My mother never mentioned him, but she has a picture of them together that she keeps in her dresser. I believe she loved him and they were driven apart.”
“How sad.” My parents had given me everything until they were taken from me. And mainly they gave me love and security.
“I think so. But when I was old enough, my family sent me here. Out of sight, out of mind.”
A silence fell, not particularly comfortable, and I reached for the lamp switch. “Do you mind? I am hoping to be at least somewhat rested tomorrow.”
“I’m sorry.” She shed her robe and scrambled into her bed. “You’re tired and here I am going on with my silly problems. I’m sorry. I hope, even knowing what I just told you that you won’t ask to be switched to another room. I really like you.”
I covered a yawn with the back of my hand. “I like you, too. No, I won’t ask to switch. Not unless you keep me up all night.”
“I won’t.” She pulled the covers up to her shoulder and gave me a small smile. “’Night, roomie.”
I clicked off the lamp and settled down myself. I felt a little guilty that I hadn’t told her my problems, but they’d have kept us both up all night.
And as it turned out, long after Astra’s breathing evened out into sleep, I lay awake worrying about everything under the sun.
At least on the streets, I hadn’t been required to follow a bunch of rules. And with the way Astra was treated for something that wasn’t even her fault, I wondered if maybe I shouldn’t have come here. What would happen when they learned my differences? After tossing and turning for hours, I gave up and climbed out of bed. Getting lost was also preying on my mind, so I decided to take my class list and see where the rooms were. If I could have it solid in my mind while there was nobody crowding the halls, I’d do much better tomorrow.
For a moment I considered changing, but I wasn’t sure if I had to wear a uniform in the halls at night or what. And when I slipped my arms in and tied the robe around my waist, I was covered from neck to toes and decided not to chance waking Astra anyway.
With my heart beating a little fast, I slipped out of the room and into the hallway.
