Chapter 2 THE SETTLEMENT
The cold air brushed against Anya’s face as they stepped outside, and she let out a shaky breath she did not know she had been holding.
"Hostel B2 should be this way," Liana said confidently, gesturing with her perfectly manicured hand. "Come on, it is closer to the main campus"
Anya followed quietly, pulling her small suitcase along the pavement while Liana’s personal luggage carrier pushed two large designer suitcases behind them.
The difference between them was impossible to miss.
Within minutes, they arrived at a tall, glass-fronted building with warm lights glowing from the inside. Students walked in and out dressed in expensive coats and boots. A waterfall-style fountain ran along the side of the entrance.
Liana grinned. "Here we are. B2. The elites stay here." She said it casually, almost apologetically. "My dad insisted"
"Wow..." Anya breathed. It looked more like a hotel than a hostel.
Automatic doors slid open, revealing a marble-floored lobby with gold accents, chandeliers, and a sitting area that looked luxurious enough to be a VIP lounge.
"This is where you stay?" Anya whispered.
Liana shrugged. "Parents and their drama"
Even the receptionist bowed slightly when she approached.
"Welcome, Miss Morozova. Your room is ready"
"Thanks," Liana said, then turned to Anya. "Give me a moment. I will drop my bags and come back"
Anya nodded and waited near the entrance, feeling incredibly out of place among the wealthy students walking past her.
After a few minutes, Liana reappeared, free of luggage and smiling brightly.
"Alright. Now let us find yours!"
The difference between the two hostels became obvious the farther they walked.
"Here," Liana said, pointing toward a cream-colored building with a simple sign that read C1 Hostels. "Not bad at all"
They walked inside. The reception area was small, with wooden floors and soft couches. A few students sat around chatting and eating snacks. It felt more like a home.
Anya actually relaxed a little.
"Room 47, right?" Liana asked.
"Yes" Anya replied.
They walked down a hallway lined with doors, laughter and music spilling from some of them. When they reached the last turn, Liana stopped.
"This is it"
Anya stared at door 47 for a moment, nerves tightening in her chest.
"You will be fine" Liana said, her voice softer than expected.
Anya looked at her. "Thank you... for everything"
Liana smiled and reached into her small purse. "Here. My number. Call me if anyone troubles you, or if you get lost, or if you want to hang out"
Anya took the card, touched by how genuine she sounded.
"I will" she said softly.
"See you around, Anya" Liana winked. "Do not forget me"
She turned and walked away, blonde hair swaying, her perfume lingering in the hallway.
Anya watched her go, then slowly turned back to the door.
She tugged the handle, but it didn’t budge.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Then she remembered the small key they had handed her. Thank goodness.
With a shaky hand, she inserted the key into the lock and turned it. The door clicked open.
The room smelled faintly of detergent and old wood. Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the simple beds and study desks. She set down her suitcase and looked around.
No one was in. The room was quiet, almost peaceful. It seemed like her roommates had stepped out for a while.
Anya exhaled, letting herself relax for the first time since she had arrived at the university. She walked to the desk, set her bag down, and began organizing her things.
Just as she was settling in, the door burst open with a loud slam.
Three girls walked in, chatting loudly.
"Ugh, can you believe what Nikolai did today again?" one said, tossing her bag on a chair.
"Seriously, I heard he completely freaked out someone again in the cafeteria," another added, rolling her eyes. "People are still talking about it"
Anya froze, looking at them blankly.
They all turned to glance at her.
"Who are you?" the tallest one asked sharply, her tone sharp like a whip. Her blonde hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail, and her eyes scanned Anya like she was some small insect.
"I… I’m Anya," she said softly. "Petrova. I… I’m one of the scholarship students"
The girl’s lips curled slightly, almost like a smirk. "Scholarship, huh? Lucky you. I’m Katya," she said bluntly. "And you’ll want to stay out of our way until you get used to things here"
The other two girls, giggling nervously, didn’t say anything. Katya dropped onto the bed nearest the window, arms crossed.
Anya’s stomach tightened, but she forced herself to nod politely. "Okay"
Katya leaned back, giving her one last cold glance. "Just so you know… life here isn’t for the faint of heart"
The other two girls started whispering excitedly to each other about Nikolai again, completely ignoring Anya.
Anya sank on her bed quietly, unsure whether to be intimidated or just… confused.
She had no idea who this Nikolai was, but one thing was clear, this university was going to be… complicated.