Page 15 of Bonds of Starfall

It was Sunday afternoon, and she was cutting it close. She wanted to be fully moved in before nightfall, so she could get a good night’s rest before her first day tomorrow.

At the mere thought, her blood zinged with excitement.

She wondered what her first assignment would look like.

The dorm room was more like an apartment, with a central living area and a kitchenette. A hallway branched off on either side of the living room, each leading to a small bedroom, with a bed frame, a bare mattress, and a few other simple furnishings. Her other roommate had already moved into the bedroom across the hall, but Rin hadn’t seen her yet. She worried her lower lip, hoping her roommate would be nice.

"Do you want me to get started on these?" Kit’s messy brown hair flopped over his temples as he tilted his head to one of the stacks of boxes.

Rin walked to him, lifting the smallest box, perched precariously on the top of the stack. As she held it in her arms and walked to the closet at the corner of the room, she spoke over her shoulder. "Yeah, that’d be great."

His eyes burned against her back as she tucked the small box of bras and panties away—she felt awkward and strangely flushed with the idea of him touching her things.

She busied herself unpacking the dark lace before moving on to her jewelry box, lined with delicate silver earrings and small, glittering diamonds. She brushed a finger over her studded lobe; she may have a little obsession with jewelry, but at least Kit loved to buy her earrings all the time.

A few hours passed of them unboxing and putting away her things. Kit helped her unfold her dark purple sheets, tucking them on her bed for her, and finishing it off by placing a small selkie plushie he had won her at a fair a few years ago next to her pillow.

Just as Rin wiped sweat from her brow, her stomach rumbling, footsteps sounded in the hall.

She and Kit both looked toward the sound.

"Your roommate?" Kit asked, dusting off his grey sweatpants as he stood from where he was helping her roll out a piece of carpet to keep the hardwood floors cozy.

"I guess so," Rin said nervously. She stood, wobbling slightly as tiny black dots swam in her vision. Kit hurried to steady her, but she waved him off and headed to the door. "I’m fine. Come on."

Nerves twisted her stomach as she ventured down the hall leading to the living area, where she could hear faint rustling sounds.

She rounded the corner and was greeted by the sight of her roommate.

A tall girl with pin-straight, light brown hair stood in the kitchen, unpacking a plastic bag and pulling out tiny boxes that wafted steam. She wore a simple shirt that had the Hunter’s crest on the back, and black cargo pants.

With Kit at her back, Rin felt slightly more confident than normal as she spoke:

"Hello."

At the sound of Rin’s voice, the girl turned, revealing a soft face with sweet, welcoming brown eyes. She paused unpacking the bag. "You’re Vesperin?" At Rin’s nod, she continued. "I’m Xara. It’s so good to meet you. I moved in yesterday. I assumed you’d be by sometime today to get settled in, so I thought I’d pick up some food for us." Xara lifted one of the white takeout cartons on the counter. "I would’ve brought more if I knew your boyfriend would be here too."

Kit grew rigid at her back, and Rin felt her cheeks warm. She subtly brushed her white hair over her shoulder to cool the heat at her nape as she ventured closer to the kitchen.

"He’s not my boyfriend," Rin said quickly.

Xara arched a brow, eyes falling to Kit, where he stood unmoving in the living room, finger tapping against his thigh as he watched Rin.

"Oh, sorry. I just assumed. Soulbond, then?" Xara forged on before Rin could correct her. "I’m jealous. I haven’t met my Soulbond yet. Can’t wait, though. It’ll be so cool to have my past life memories returned. What was it like?" Her voice was soft and sweet, filled with a quiet exuberance that made Rin a little jealous—she wished she could be so starry-eyed.

"Not my Soulbond, either." Rin waved a hand to Kit. "That’s Kit, my brother."

Xara nearly dropped the takeout carton of food as she started to open it. "Oh, fuck! I’m so sorry. I always speak before I think—bad habit."

Rin moved to help Xara. She had a comforting air. That’s what a fresh background brought, she supposed; no one knew her here. At least, until she told them her last name.

They started to plate the food, and there was a moment of silence. Rin forced herself to say something friendly. "That’s really thoughtful… you would get food for us."

Xara beamed. "Of course. Honestly, I was worried my roommate would be some hardass or a bitch who only wanted to party and hook up with the Hunter guys. You seem pretty chill." She leaned in, elbow bumping into Rin’s side. "And your brother is hot. Is he dating anyone? Has he met his Soulbond yet?"

Kit, who had been surprisingly quiet the whole time, content to watch Rin get swept up in a flurry of Xara’s excitement, stepped forward, eyes boring into Rin as he addressed the other girl:

"I’m Rin’sadoptivebrother," he stressed. "And no, I’m not dating anyone… and haven’t met my Soulbond. I’m not interested in anyone." His tone was imbued with friendliness, but his words were sharp, cutting down any chance Xara seemed to have.