The group started to walk towards the left part of the building, all bustling with excitement. As they walked, Hange talked.
"This school has been a place for the creative arts for 25 years and has birthed so many famous people. Directors, pop stars, bands, animation designers and so much more. Our goal is to bring out the inner artist of everyone that chooses to go here. If you got what it takes, you will make it far in the artist industry." Hange opened the grand double doors to the inside, and Mikasa felt her breath leave her lungs. The courtyard inside was stunning. Marble floors, towering ceilings and a skylight took over the roof casting a summery glow throughout the room. 2 grand staircases led upstairs and there were so many classrooms in just one area. "Hold onto your glasses, students. Don't try to take it all in at once," Hange instructed. "Now this gathering area may be in the artist section, but it is open to you as well, there is one just like it on the right side of the university. The giant room was just a giant hangout area. Couches, chairs and tables, computers, beanbags and even a flatscreen scattered the whole room. Along the perimeter was a bunch beverage cafe's. There was a Starbucks, a Big Orange smoothie shop, a bakery and a sandwich dispensary.
"As you can see, there is only a few volunteers running the shops, but they are temporary. The real employee's haven't been hired, only because we only hire students who attend the college. So, anyone who wants a job, please visit the shop and the volunteers will give you an application, but better do that on your own time. So, let's head upstairs and give that tour. All those who would like to leave their belongings here, you are more than welcome, we will have someone watch them for you," Hange gestured to the room. The students all spread out and placed their things down. Mikasa chose a table near the Starbucks and placed her things down, grabbing only her phone to put it her back pocket. Historia placed her things beside her and grabbed her hands.
"Mikasa, isn't this place amazing! It's so big and grand!"
"Can't argue there, I sure hope they have maps, it's going to take forever to cover this place," Mikasa explained.
"I just can't wait to see my dorm room, do you know which dorm your in, maybe we'll be in the same one," Historia said.
"Oh, I'm not living in the college, I don't live far from here," Mikasa said.
"You mean you live here in California? You're a Cali girl? Well, that sure explains a lot," Historia said.
"It does?" Mikasa asked confused.
"Sure it does. You look and dress like one not to mention you talk like one as well," Historia explained.
"I don't see how that-"
"Alright boys and girls! Let's move!" Hange's voice echoed throughout the court.
The tour went really well. All the students beamed and spoke in loud and excited voices whenever they saw a classroom they could be studying in. Mikasa couldn't help but smile as well throughout the tour. The place really was grand and beautiful. While Historia went to get settled into her dorm, Mikasa had bought a coffee from Starbucks.
"Vanilla Frap, please," Mikasa ordered. The girl smiled.
"Sure thing, you have your card yet?" the woman asked.
"What card?" Mikasa asked.
"Well, instead of using money you earn outside of school, you can get a card that gets money put on it. At first it only has 50 dollars on it, but if you work in one of these shops then you can earn more. Not only that, but if you talk to your main professor, then she can make it so a certain amount of your earnings goes on your school card and some on your actual card. But remember, the school card can only be used in shops in the school," the woman explained.
"Wow, okay. Well, no I don't have my card yet," Mikasa said. "Can I still use my actual card to pay for it?"
"Of course," the woman smiled. "4.50 please." Mikasa tapped her card on the device and it beeped in approval. "Say, you should apply here," the woman said. She reached under the till and grabbed an application. "It's really simple to learn the techniques. Just need to memorize formulas and I'm sure you know how to clean," she winked.
"I don't know," Mikasa hesitated.
"Don't worry, the school makes it so you don't work as much as you would at a job in actuality. The schedule is a comfortable system," she explained. She left the application in front of her, and went to go and make Mikasa's drink. If Mikasa did apply here, then it would make it easier to pay for her meals here, then to use her allowance from her parents. Not to mention, it would make looking for a job elsewhere much easier. Also, it would make studying and working a lot easier. She took the application and folded it and put it in her pocket. The volunteer saw and couldn't help but smile.
As Mikasa enjoyed her frappe, she filled out the application. She could see herself enjoying working there with classmates and the money would be great.
"Starbucks! You're applying at Starbucks?" an enthusiastic voice shrilled. Mikasa laughed a little and looked up to the familiar blonde.
"All settled?" Mikasa asked.
"Forget about that! You're going to work there? Mikasa, that's awesome," Historia said. Mikasa handed her her drink and Historia happily took a sip.
"I guess it is," Mikasa smiled.
"Well then, I guess it has become my mission to apply there also," Historia stated. She gave back the drink and hurried over to the coffee shop. Mikasa shook her head at Historia's silliness.
All of a sudden Mikasa's phone buzzed. She grabbed it and gave a confused look.
From: Levi
Hey brat, mom and dad want me to pick you up early. I'll be there in 10 minutes
Mikasa texted back that she was okay with it, but she wondered why they wanted her home early. Mikasa grabbed her duffel and back pack and walked over to Hange.
"Excuse me, Ms. Hange?" Mikasa said. The brunette smiled.
"Hange is fine, is there something you need?" she asked.
"I just found out I need to leave early, I apologize," Mikasa said.
"That is not a problem, Mikasa. I can take your duffel to your locker for you and show it to you tomorrow morning. Also, I better give you this now," Hange reached into an envelope and handed her a card. "This card is for school uses only, it currently only has 50 dollars but if you apply at one of the shops-" Mikasa showed her the application she had for Starbucks and Hange grinned. "Well, seems you're way ahead of me." Mikasa handed her her duffel and paper with her information on it. "I'll wait for you at the gates tomorrow and help you out on what you missed. Now, hurry along, your brother doesn't like to be kept waiting," Hange said.
"Wait a minute, how did you-"
"Alright students! Drink up and let's head to the courtyard and have lunch!" Hange interrupted. She hurried away and Mikasa just stared, shocked.
"Hey brat," Levi said. "How was it?"
"It went fine, I met a friend and applied at one of the shops so I can work and study," Mikasa explained, getting into the passenger seat. "So why did I need to leave early, I'm starving, you ass," Mikasa crossed her arms.
"Suck it up, there's lunch ready at the house, mom and dad are back," Levi explained.
"Where did they even go?" Mikasa asked.
"Somewhere," Levi answered, and that was the only talking the two said throughout the ride home.
When they arrived home, Mikasa and Levi quickly entered the house and was met with a wave of delicious aromas. She could hear her parents talking in the dining room, and when the 2 siblings entered, they halted.
"Hey Princess, how was your first day?" her father asked.
"Good, dad, mom? What's going on?" Mikasa asked. Levi sat down beside his father, but Mikasa remained standing.
"Well, as you know we had a errand to run this morning, but the truth is, we went to the airport," her mother, Akane, explained. Mikasa's eyebrows shot up.
"What for?" Mikasa asked.
"Well, as of today, we are going to be having a new guest in the household. He will be staying with us while he goes to college. And you won'y believe this, princess, but he goes to the same university as you do," her father, Erik, explained.
"What?" Mikasa asked, gobsmacked. A door opened and closed behind her and Mikasa whirled around and was met with a unfamiliar person.
"Hi," they said.
"Mikasa," Levi said. "Meet your new housemate, Eren Jaeger."