Saira didn't like her junior new roommate, she preferred Ruth. Her name was Fareeda Patel and she was nice enough for a junior student. She had bronzed skin with sleek dark brown hair in a braid. She wore a pleated skirt with an overbearing sweater. "Uh, hi," Fareeda said once she caught Saira staring. "I know, there's a dress code, but I'm a scholarship kid, gotta' stick out."

Saira blinked. "Wait, you're a scholarship kid. I-I didn't know Silverleaf had another one." That made her dislike Fareeda even more. I have competition, she thought.

"Yeah, I transferred two months ago," she responded, perfectly poised. Fareeda was unreadable, a clean slate. There was just nothing that Saira could detect, nothing to use against her. "I just stay in the background, going about my day."

Sometimes, Saira wished she didn't think this way.

"What program stuck out to you? You know, what sealed the deal for you?" Saira asked, organizing her bookshelf. Azure Eyes of Blood still lingered there and she flinched.

"Oh, the science programs for sure! I want to study plant toxicology and become a botanist that specializes in poisons. Even if Silverleaf's science programs aren't specifically about plant biology, it's better than nothing," Fareeda gushed, looking excited. Saira noticed that she hung up flower and plant info posters on her side of the room.

She also noticed a flower pot on the desk. Saira wanted to point out that she had no responsibility whatsoever to keep that thing alive but guessed that her new roommate knew that already.

"What about you?" Fareeda asked, jumping on her bed. Ruth's old bed, Saira wanted to say.

She clasped her hands. "For me, it was the endless support the math programs here have. I want to be an engineer, so I have to work twice as hard as regular students... I want to be an architect specifically, you know, to build safe homes. Find better materials that are more eco-friendly and stronger, not things like wood, easy to catch fire..." Saira trailed off. She never liked fire.

"Awesome"

Was all Fareeda had to say? "You said that you transferred two months ago," Saira traced her thumb along the head of her bed, "which school was it?"

Fareeda continued to smile, but it was forced. "Riff Hills Catholic High School."

Saira also smiled. I will do whatever it takes to protect my scholarship, for Mama, for all the hardships my mama had to face. "Cool. Well, this might be a bit late, but welcome to Silverleaf Academy. Trust me, not everyone dies all the time."