CHAPTER 50: WARM WORDS

{Elira}

~**^**~

I swallowed and opened Lennon’s thread first.

Lennon (1st message, sent late morning):

"Hey, little mate. Have you settled in? Tell me everything. Don’t make me come find you."

My lips twitched despite myself. ’Typical Lennon.’ Playful, half-teasing, yet I could hear the genuine note under his words.

The next message came barely twenty minutes later:

"You must be at orientation now. Remember to smile, okay? ESA will love you... if they don’t, they’re blind."

A small warmth spread in my chest. No one had ever texted me like this before—checking in, caring whether I smiled.

I tapped open Rennon’s messages next. His words were softer, more measured, yet they made my throat tighten all the same.

Rennon (first message):

"Hi, Elira. How’s your morning so far? Did your student guardian show you around? Don’t worry if it feels overwhelming—you will find your rhythm soon."

Another came just an hour later:

"Have you had lunch? It’s important you eat something, even if you’re nervous."

My gaze darted across the room and stopped at the trash can where I had dumped the empty wrap of protein bar.

They really did know me too well.

Feeling suddenly shy, I sat back and typed quickly, thumbs trembling slightly.

Me → Lennon & Rennon:

"I’m sorry I didn’t reply sooner. I had orientation and a lot of walking around. Cambria is the name of my student guardian and she is also my roommate, She has been helping me. My first class was okay. I met my homeroom teacher, Professor Calven, he is kind. And... I ate something, so don’t worry."

Almost instantly, Lennon replied, fast as ever:

"Good! Proud of you, my girl. Did you meet anyone interesting? And don’t let those posh pups bully you, okay? Just send me their names, I will handle it."

A laugh escaped me before I could stop it. I pressed my phone closer to my chest, imagining Lennon’s mischievous grin.

Before I could type back, Rennon’s new message arrived, calm and warm:

"Cambria seems like a good friend. I’m glad you’re not alone. Take it slowly—don’t rush to fit in. And remember: you’re not there to please anyone."

My eyes burned slightly, reading that. ’Not there to please anyone.’

I answered both brothers together:

"Thank you... both of you. Cambria is nice. I met my other roommates too, but they’re... a bit distant. I will be okay. The campus is big, but beautiful. And yes, I’m trying to settle in. I promise I won’t skip meals."

Almost immediately, Lennon:

"See? You’re braver than you think. And hey, don’t worry about your roommates, they will come around. Or they won’t—and that’s their loss!"

Then, Rennon’s reply, softer:

"Exactly. Focus on your studies and your health first. Everything else will fall into place. And if you ever feel lonely... message us. Any time."

I blinked, biting my lip. The warmth curling in my chest was almost too much like sunlight on skin that had gone too long without warmth.

Me:

"I will. Thank you, truly. I will message you later after dinner."

Lennon’s last reply was quick, bright, teasing:

"Good. If you don’t, I will just assume you fainted from missing us, and I will storm the dorms."

I tucked the phone against my chest, pressing my palm over it.

Their words didn’t just make me feel cared for, they made me feel seen—like I wasn’t alone.

Like I had never left their side.

Then I set my phone gently on the desk, my fingers still lingering over the cool screen. But for a moment, an urge tugged at me to ask them why they didn’t tell me about Regina—

About the fact that she’s in the Student Council,

Regina had stood on that stage with her chin high and that same venom behind her smile.

Part of me wanted to type my thoughts out, to demand why they left me unprepared for something that twisted my stomach into knots the moment I saw her face among those six.

But the words never made it to my screen.

Because what good would it do?

Regina had long been in ESA and into power—of course she did. It wasn’t something the brothers could control... and maybe, it wasn’t something they thought I needed to know.

Or maybe they had wanted to spare me the anxiety.

Either way, I let the question sink quietly into my chest and stay there. Some truths, I told myself, were just better left alone. Especially on my first day, when I was already carrying too much.

Even if they hadn’t mentioned Regina, their warm words through the texts still wrapped around me like a small, invisible shield.

But then, Zenon’s cold face floated through my thoughts.

He hadn’t even bothered to check on me like his brothers’.

Typical Zenon.

---

I didn’t realize how deeply sleep had claimed me until Cambria’s gentle voice tugged me awake.

"Elira," she called softly, leaning over me, the ends of her ponytail brushing her collarbone.

My eyelids fluttered open, heavy and reluctant. The soft light in the room felt too bright, and for a moment, I wished I could bury myself under the covers and pretend this day wasn’t happening.

"There’s barely fifteen minutes left till dinner," Cambria reminded, straightening up with that calm, patient smile of hers.

A groan escaped my lips before I could stop it. My bones felt heavy, weighed down by the day’s whirlwind of newness, tension, and walking across hallways I barely remembered.

From somewhere behind her, I heard Nari’s voice, sharp and amused. "You must be obsessed with babying her, Cambria."

I sat up, rubbing my eyes with the back of my hand, catching the sight of Nari perched on her bed, her wavy chestnut hair pulled back loosely, and Juniper seated at her desk, scrolling on her phone.

Both were already changed into casual clothes.

I hadn’t heard a thing—how deeply had I slept?

A yawn pressed out of me, unbidden, and I covered my mouth quickly. Cambria, ever sweet, urged me again. "Go on, Elira. You will feel better after freshening up."