“And over here are the pathways leading to the dormitories.” Xie Na explained as she and Jessica walked through the concrete road passing in front of a row of houses. Jessica’s amazement was clearly written on her face when she noted the huge edifices lined up in neat rows, all of them designed as two-storey modern buildings painted in homey colors.

Despite the road being devoid of life, Jessica could sense pairs of eyes peering out at her from the windows of the houses. She felt shivers down her spine at the feeling of being watched as she wheeled her trolley past the dormitories. Looking back into the dorms, Jessica caught a glimpse of the other students hiding behind the curtains. She almost bumped into Xie Na when they stopped in front of a house.

“We’re here.” Xie Na turned to face the new student, gesturing for Jessica to place her name plaque onto the house’s list of occupants. Looking down onto the name plaques, Jessica could barely make out the writings of the names in Chinese and she instinctively turned towards her teacher for help.

“You’ll be rooming with Guo Cai Jie, Xu Mengtao, Tang Shiyi, Huang Xiaolei, and Wu Jinyan. Do present your name plaque onto the dormitory tablet before you settle down.” Xie Na instructed as she motioned for Jessica to place her name plaque onto the name tablet outside the house. The newbie delicately placed her name piece onto the bottom of the list.

With a clap that woke Jessica from her daze, Xie Na officially welcomed her, “Now, you are officially a student of the Phoenix Academy!”

Jessica thanked her before taking a deep breath as she faced her new home.

Taking a stride forward, she took a firm step towards her new beginning.

A new path that she has to walk alone.     

+++

A/N: It's short. I know. But I would love the impact this scene would have to what Jessica has left behind in her past (we'll revisit that much later for when she begins her connections with AOTU). The next chapter's going to be chaotic fun and with Jess getting used to her new home. XD