Tossing the towel onto her bed, Tisha turned to face Serena.
"You're really pretty, by the way. I love your skin," she said, her voice warm and unguarded, a genuine smile softening her sharp features.
"Thanks," Serena replied, the word coming out automatically while half her mind scrambled to decide whether the comment was meant as a casual compliment—or something more. Tisha's gaze lingered in a way that made Serena suddenly aware of her own body, of the thin fabric of her shirt against her skin.
There was something about her roommate that made the air feel heavier.
"So," Serena ventured, shifting her weight slightly, "how long have you been in Eldermere?"
The last part came out almost in a whisper. She wasn't sure why, maybe because asking felt like crossing an invisible line. Tisha definitely didn't look like a freshman. No freshman carried themselves with that kind of confidence, or wore a metal ring on both her lip and brow like a warning rather than decoration.
"Well," Tisha said slowly, leaning back against her bed frame, "this is my last year here. Hopefully." Her hazel eyes locked onto Serena's.
"If everything goes as planned."
Something sharp flickered across her face.
"It will this time," she added, a sly smirk curling her lips.
"Hm," Serena hummed, suddenly fascinated by her own palms. She studied the faint lines there, pretending not to notice the intensity of Tisha's stare. Those tense hazel eyes felt like they could see far too much.
"Well… what course are you studying?"
Tisha asked, moving closer and sitting at the edge of Serena's bed. She patted the spot beside her, a silent invitation.
Serena hesitated only a second before sitting.
"History and Modern Literature," she said quickly. "I already have a diploma in English, this is kind of an extra course." She paused, realizing she was rambling. "I mean, not extra like pointless, just… additional."
Tisha nodded slowly, her lips tugging into an amused smile.
"Beauty and brains," she said lightly. "Perfect combination."
Serena felt heat creep up her neck.
"Well, darling," Tisha continued, standing up smoothly, "as much as I'd love to keep chatting, I've got somewhere to be. And you look exhausted. I should let you get some sleep."
"Oh—okay. Sure. Have fun, uh, I mean, have a nice evening. Night. Sorry," Serena stuttered, wincing inwardly.
Tisha laughed softly, already heading toward the door.
"Good night, Serena."
The way she said her name, slow, deliberate, sent an unexpected shiver through her.
The door clicked shut.
"What is wrong with me?" Serena muttered, slapping her palm lightly against her face.
She retreated into the bathroom and turned the shower as hot as it would go. Steam filled the small space almost instantly, curling around her like a suffocating blanket. The water stung her skin, heat shrinking her pores, grounding her in the physical when her mind refused to slow down.
Later, curled up on her bed, she pulled out her journal.
Her pen moved frantically as she scribbled down every detail of the vision she'd had in the library, the screams, the faceless figures, the overwhelming dread. And the name.
Olivia.
Whoever she was, Serena knew with bone-deep certainty that Olivia was central to whatever darkness clung to Eldermere like a shadow that never lifted.
"No matter how many lives you take."
The words echoed in her mind as she wrote them over and over, trying to understand their meaning. Her hand cramped, ink smudging across the page, but she didn't stop until her eyelids grew unbearably heavy.
She slipped the journal beneath her pillow and let sleep claim her almost instantly.
Serena woke at 5:30 a.m., her heart already racing.
She hadn't slept well, not really. Since arriving in Eldermere, rest came in fragments, shallow, never enough. Still, she wanted to be early for her classes. Routine felt like control, and she needed that today.
She rushed through a quick bath, steam clinging to her skin as she dried off. Luckily, she'd already planned her outfit: simple blue jeans, a thick black long-sleeved fitted shirt, and a few gold accessories to add some life to it.
Her hair, however, was a disaster.
Her curls were rough and jagged, tangled beyond redemption. Classes started by eight, and she was already pushing it. Armed with her brush, moisturizer, and spray can, she spent nearly an hour detangling, working through knots until her arms ached. Eventually, she pulled it into a high bun, letting a few curls fall loose at the sides of her face.
The door creaked open.
Tisha stumbled in, or rather, staggered moving toward her bed like gravity itself had declared war on her.
"Hey, roomy," Tisha murmured, collapsing onto her mattress.
"Wild night?" Serena asked, slipping on her sneakers and smiling.
"Yeah. Crazy fun," Tisha replied with a tired laugh. "One guy, Tony nearly lost an eye."
She laughed again, like it was the funniest thing in the world.
Serena wasn't sure what part of that was supposed to be fun, but she laughed too.
"Sounds intense," she said. "Aren't you having lectures today?"
"Nah," Tisha muttered, curling into herself. "I don't think I'll be having any this week."
She pulled her brown hair over part of her face, arms wrapping around her waist.
"Oh. Okay," Serena said softly, packing her books into her bag. "I have classes."
L
"Hmmm." Tisha lifted her head slightly, her tired eyes tracking Serena from head to toe. "Nice outfit, cupcake. You're so pretty."
She sounded a little drunk. Or maybe just drained. Either way, the compliment made Serena want to spin in place. Suddenly, she really loved her outfit.
"Thanks," she said, smiling more than she meant to.
Tisha kept looking at her, too long for it to be casual. There was relief in her expression, something almost gentle, as her eyes traced Serena's face like she was memorizing it.
Serena found herself frozen, trapped in the gravity of those hazel eyes, unsure how to pull away.
"Serena! I hope you're ready, we have so much to do today after...."
Elsie burst into the room with an armful of books, her red curls wild and barely restrained by the headphones around her neck.
"Oh—sorry!" Elsie stopped short, eyes widening. "I didn't mean to interrupt."
"No, you didn't interrupt anything," Serena said quickly, heat flooding her face. "This is my roommate. Tisha . Tisha, this is my friend Elsie."
"Hey," Tisha said, giving a lazy nod before sinking back into her pillow and closing her eyes.
"Okay, let's go," Serena said immediately, grabbing Elsie's arm and dragging her out before she could say anything unhinged.
The door shut behind them.
"Oh my God, Serena!" Elsie exploded the second they were in the hallway, stomping her feet like she might combust.
"Are you some kind of magnet for these people?! That's Tisha Morcant, The Tisha Morcant. She's a member of the gang and now she's your fucking roommate."
Serena's stomach dropped.
"Oh God," she whispered.