Iris POV
The next morning, I was ready to go. Darius stopped by our penthouse by 9 am as promised, and then we went ahead. He showed us the quickest way to walk to campus. It was two blocks away, and when the weather is this gorgeous, the walk is magnificent and pleasant.
“Around this corner, there is a café, it is a nice place to hang around, have some nice pastries, and study.” He pointed out, and I was drinking it all in. The wide streets with paved sidewalks, little shops, bookstores, and cafes. The sound of music came from several blocks away, and then in front of us, the Central University archway gate.
People rush in and out of the place, everyone busy going around, finding old friends and meeting new ones. It was so amazing that I stood there with my mouth open. I had always dreamt about this, and now… I am here.
“Let me show you around…” Darius took Vicky´s hand and we crossed the gate. I took a deep breath and the campus had a particularly enticing scent; pines, trees, and old parchment hung around in the air. The scent of nature and knowledge.
“Here is the campus store. You can find most of the books that are listed in your summaries, also you can find the university's merchandise…” Darius pointed out, and I nodded.
“Maybe on our way back, we can make a quick pit-stop…” I said and he nodded.
“Sure, Iris…”
“Over here is the business and administration campus… You will be taking classes mostly in this building… babe…” He said to Vicky and she nodded.
“Can we go in? I already have my schedule and I want to locate the classrooms so I don´t get lost in the sea of people the first day…” She said and Darius nodded.
“Iris, do you have your schedule already?” Darius asked me,
“No, not yet…” I bit my lower lip.
“Look, the building across from this one…” He pointed at a white office building in front of the one we were standing in front of, “Is the Student Services Building… you can get in there and ask for your schedule. If there is a subject you want to change, they are the ones to help with that, too…” Darius said, and I beamed.
For a moment, I thought I would be stuck being the third wheel on this campus trip, but suddenly I was released from chaperone duty, and I was free.
“Excellent, I will give you a call when I get done…” I said to Vicky and she gave me a big smile.
I made my way to the Student Service Building and entered it. An old lady with a warm smile greeted me at a reception desk.
“How can I help you, dear?” She asked,
“Oh, I was wondering if I could get my schedule?” I asked and she nodded.
“Take this number, it is your turn… they will call you shortly…” She motioned for me to step into a big room. The room had multiple chairs lined up in the center, while around them were different little offices with people behind desks helping every student with their concerns. Several screens with the turn numbers were around, announcing the turn that was being called and the number of desks that will be servicing them.
I was impressed with the organization.
I sat on a chair waiting, and I couldn´t help but notice that everyone was friendly. A girl sat next to me, and she smiled my way. Then her number was called and she stood up with a warm “See you around…”
We didn´t cross a word or exchange information, but it was like a standard for her to be open, friendly, and overall nice to one another. I felt as if I had arrived home. It was as if I was an alien living in the demon realm and I was being called to the mothership… I don´t know, it was weird and at the same time exciting.
“Number 54…” A robotic voice called. I looked into the paper in my hands and I was number 54. I read the screen and walked toward desk 4.
“Hey, how are you doing today?” A friendly guy sitting at the desk greeted me.
“I am good… trying to get my bearings around campus…” I said and he nodded.
“Aw, a newbie…” He grinned.
“Guilty!..” I raised my hand in a shameful gesture.
“Don´t worry, we have all been there…” He said with a broad smile. “I am in the 7th semester of architecture… so not so long. I was sitting in your spot…” He said,
“Really? So, you are a student here?” I dumbly asked,
“Yeah, I am doing internship work… Some people can´t afford their entire curriculum, so the Central City Queen grants us funds to finish, and in return, we work some shifts for free… It is a pretty good deal... when one can get to know cute newbies like you…” He flirted openly. It was weird to hear about others' situations, and how they manage to get a degree when their families can´t afford it, and it was weirder to hear others talk so greatly about my mother. I have my very own opinion about the woman, one that few would agree with.
“So, I am Thomas, but you can call me Tom…” He said and I nodded.
“Nice to meet you, Tom… I am Iris…” I said, and he nodded.
“Alright, Iris… what can I do for you today?” He asked me.
“Well, I need my schedule and see if it needs any changes or improvements…” I said, and he nodded.
“OK… your full name is Iris…” he said and I bit my lower lip,
“Iris Tyen…” I said in a small voice.
He started typing, but when he realized who I was, his fingers froze on the keyboard. He gulped down. I know he realized that when he was talking about the Queen, he was talking about my mother.
“Please don´t be weird…” I mumbled and that broke the awkward moment. He ended up laughing.
“Sorry… Iris…” He said and then continued typing.
“Alright, Art School… building 407…” He said and then handed me a piece of paper with a bunch of numbers and classes written across it.
“This is the time the class starts…” He said, circling it, ”The class code, the name of the class, and the teacher that will be responsible for it…” his pen kept circling and highlighting information… “And last but not least, your classroom numbers…” He took a yellow high lighter marker and ran it over them.
“Are your classes, OK?” He asked me and I gave a quick glance at the piece of paper in front of me, and every single class I had signed up was there.
“Yeap, it is perfect!” I said to Tom.
“Well, Iris, it was nice to meet you… Architecture building is right next to the Arts, so I will be seeing you around…” He said and I nodded.
“Thanks, Tom,” I said, standing up.
“Iris, I almost forgot…” Tom stopped me, “I would love to see you there…” He said, handing me a bright orange piece of paper. I didn´t have time to read it over, just placed it with the bunch of information I gathered and walked away.
I exited the building and I was distracted searching for my phone in the depths of my purse, when I bumped into someone, dropping my bag and papers all over the floor.
He was a tall guy, with long blonde hair, a slim figure, and a sexy smirk. I am sure he is such a flirt… he was so handsome with those almost grey-silvery eyes. “Sorry…” I mumbled while leaning down to pick them up.
“No worries, doll…” He said, giving me a cheeky grin, and leaning down helping me to gather my things from the floor.
I scanned his face again, now with more attention, and I realized that he was a Fae… his pointy ears giving him away.
“Thank you…” I said when he handed me the papers.
“I am Archer… what´s your name?” He said,
“Iris…” I said flatly…
“Are you a newbie?” He said and somehow now the term irked me. It was as if I had a tag announcing I was fresh meat around campus.
“If by newbie you mean, this is my first semester here… then yes.” I paused, “But I am not an 18-year-old naïve newbie… so don´t waste your time…” I said a bit annoyed by the way guys here were on the hunt for fresh meat.
“I like you… feisty…” He said and I couldn’t control my demon and hissed. She was pissed, and I had no idea why.
“Sorry, demon girl…” He chuckled, still riling me up.
“Iris…” I corrected him and he laughed. Somehow my anger was amusing to him.
He was about to say something when I heard my name being called… “Iris…” Vicky walked close to me, and I felt relief, somehow this Fae was making me feel uncomfortable.
Vicky locked her arm around mine, and then behind her arrived Darius. “Aren´t you a bit old to be going around campus?” Darius asked Archer.
“You know how it is… I can always enroll in something new… especially having these beautiful newbies around…” He winked my way.
“I would slow down on this one…” Darius warned,
“You know it is fair game… you already have your mate, don´t you?” Archer poked Darius.
“Yeah, and I am happy with her… but Iris is not the kind of fresh catch you are used to… I suggest you go somewhere else…” Darius said in a calm voice.
“Now, I am more interested… Don´t tell me she is mates with one of your friends… or she is the object of affection of one of them…” Archer kept bugging Darius.
“No, not at all… go ahead and treat her the way you treat everyone else… and see what you would have to say to your mother, King Dante or Queen Charmaine…” Darius said, and Archer froze.
“Iris Tyen?” He said and I nodded, giving him a faint smile. I had no idea what all that was about. I guess a lot of people are around us and Archer is not on friendly terms with him.
“I am very sorry princess…” Archer bowed and I gave him a faint smile. The guy set more than one red flag earlier, but after his apology, I felt a bit at ease around him.
“No harm done…” I said, and I took a step to leave when he said,
“Please, would you agree to have a cup of coffee with me later?” He asked and I was shocked. Darius shook his head, and then I realized that if Darius was not on friendly terms with him, the possibility that the rest were also Archer's enemies was high.
In a defiant stand, I took Archer´s hand and wrote my phone…
“Later…” I winked at him and then left.
As soon as we were out of reach, Darius stopped in his tracks. “Iris, he is Archer, one of the Fae Triplets… those guys are known to be players and complete assholes with women… Don´t go out with him…” He advised.
“Look Darius, he already knows who my parents are, and he would not attempt to do wrong to me… Relax…” I said, “Besides, a friendly coffee never hurts anyone…” I shrugged my shoulders and walked towards my building.
I only heard Darius mutter an almost silent “s**t…” and then he started typing on his phone. I would wait for Archer to call me and I would decide if I felt like going out with him or not…
No harm was done by giving him my phone, right?