I was exhausted after my first hard day of classes. I still had homework to do, though. I worked on it for awhile, but the scent of the forest I could see from my window was drawing my attention. Before I could consider sneaking outside to go play in the moonlight, there was a knock on my door. Wary, I went to the door. I opened it a crack, wondering who would be knocking at this time of night. Mary was on the other side of the door, looking shy. "Do you mind if I come in?" Resigning myself to the fact that I wasn't going to get a quiet evening to myself, even though I desperately needed it, I opened the door so she could come in. I was used to being surrounded by people all day, namely my brothers, but they knew me well enough to know when I needed to be alone. I didn't feel like I was getting any alone time here. Between bullies and my friends, I was surrounded by people. Mary looked like she needed me, however, so I put my own feelings aside to let her in and give her the support she needed. I grasped the concept that the world didn't revolve around me, even if I did want to ignore that at the moment. She sat down in my desk chair, still looking shy and unsure.

"What's going on?" I asked her, curious as to why she had come over. She groaned.

"Dawn is getting on my last nerve," she complained. "She snuck a boy into our room, and they're-" she trailed off. My imagination filled in what they were doing.

"But she's only 15!" I protested. Sure, I knew that sex happened. Hell, that's what my parents blatantly wanted me to do with another shifter to have more shifters, but even they wanted me to wait until I was older to complete that. They also wanted me to be married first. . .

"And he's a Journeyman," Mary added, looking even more distressed. I didn't blame her. I was grateful I didn't have a roommate. Even more, I was glad I didn't have to deal with this kind of situation. "Dawn kicked me out of the room so she could enjoy his company."

"Aren't boys not allowed in the dorm?" I asked. I was pretty sure that was one of the school rules.

"They're only allowed in the common room downstairs. They also need to be out of there by this time of night," she explained. She took a glance at my wrist. "Shannon's really your mentor?" she asked, looking excited. I nodded and showed her the bracelet. "I hope one of the upperclassmen picks me," she looked hopeful and stared longingly at the bracelet.

"What's the big deal about the mentors?" I asked her. I knew it was desirable, but I didn't know why.

"It makes your life a lot easier here," she explained. She wouldn't give me any more information no matter how much I badgered her. I spent most of the rest of the evening trying to badger more information out of her, but she wouldn't budge. We spent the evening joking and gossiping and just getting to know each other. It was only a couple minutes before curfew when she finally left to go to her own room. She at least looked happier after the evening of hanging out. I wished there was something I could do about her roommate, but I knew I needed to keep myself out of as much trouble as possible.