Strings of Fate

3rd String: Leonel Cipher

"I didn't have any infos about those requirements you're talking about," I said. "Was my father supposed to give me one?"

"Hmm... Not your father but the principal. Oh, I get it. Your father was the one who went here to enrol you, wasn't he?" I nodded. "That explains it. I'll explain for you then." He cleared his throat. "We, students of Mountainville, don't need bags or the like. The school will provide them all, considering how expensive the tuition fee is. The bags will be handed out on the first day, which is  today," he said.

"Oh, figures. So," I raised my left hand, showing him the handcuff, "what's up with these handcuffs?"

"The teachers put it before students wake up on the first day. They put one of those on roommates to make sure that everyone is safe before the first day of school starts. They have trackers inside of them. You see, criminals tend to kidnap students of Mountainville since they're rich."

I stared at the handcuff. "So...how are we supposed to change if we're chained to each other like this?" I wondered out loud while he froze. I probably asked a good question.

"Now that you mention it," he said, slowly looking at me. "Roommates were supposed to be of the same gender so problems like this can be avoided."

I sighed. "Well, I guess we'll just go out dressed like this. Problem?" I looked at him.

"Nope, don't have any. I've done this since elementary because I always get a female roommate, so...I'm quite used to it now," he stood up. "Let's just clean our faces. It doesn't look like we'll be able to bathe in this state."

I stood up as well and smiled at him. "Yeah, I guess so. Thank you for the info... Um, what's your name?"

"Leonel. Leonel Cipher," he said and we shook hands. He also asked for my name. I smiled at him again and said, "Natalie Colleen Lithieum. Every family member calls me Natalie," I said, thinking of Julius. It would surely surprise him if I told him what the whole clan calls me--which was princess-- and he doesn't even know anything about the supernatural world, so I didn't bother. "But you can call me Colleen if you want. Either one's fine," I shrugged.

"I think I'll just call you Natalie," he said, scratching his chin, "Pleased to meet you, Natalie," he smiled and looked at his watch. "Oh no, we have to hurry! It's past 6! We have to be in the campus at 7!"

We hurriedly brushed our teeth, cleaned our faces. I combed my hair too.

He was about to go when I stopped him. "Wait! You're gonna go out in a bed head?"

He looked at me and raised an eyebrow. "Uh, kind of. What about it?"

I looked at his eyes and grinned. "No way, Mr. Leonel Cipher. Don't forget that your roommate is a girl."

He groaned. "This is why I don't like being with girls.." I ignored him and pulled him and made him sit in front of the mirror. I combed his hair upwards. I think boys call this 'brush-up', or...yeah, whatever, it's not like I care.

He frowned while I was combing his hair. "Ugh, now, people will notice me more.." I looked at his reflection and said:

"What's wrong with that? You should be proud," I said and continued fixing his hair. He actually looked good. Too good. But he would never hear that from me. It's a secret! Hear that? Secret! I didn't praise him, okay?

"Maybe I would, if I was in a different situation," he forced a smile. I just shrugged. I'm not really into prying, so I'll just leave him be.

"All right, it's finished!" I pulled back and crossed my arms proudly. He looked a lot more handsome. Hey, it's a secret again, get it?