Here it is! Chapter 3. And even if I didn't manage to stick to the once a week thing, it's a lot earlier than chapter two was. I have a lot of time to write tomorrow, so I'll try to get another chapter out by Thursday-ish. I'm going on a band trip then (I'm soooooososososo excited, I can't wait), so it might be a while after that until I post the next chapter. Enjoy!

Mel stared into the dim stone room blankly, silently comparing it to her room in the palace. It was small and dimly lit, the only light coming from a few lanterns hung around the room. The girl standing beside Mel shook her head at Mel's expression.

You're one of lucky ones," she said. Mel tried to remember her name. Emily? Cecily? Something like that.

"You got a single," the girl continued. "Most of us have to share a room with someone else, but you've got all this space just for you. Oh, don't look at me like that!" She responded to Mel's disbelieving face. "You won't spend much time in here anyways, but it's nice to have a room all to yourself. I can't even leave my clothes on the floor for fear my roommate will get mad at me, and I'm a naturally messy person." Against her wishes, Mel began to like this girl's endless optimism. It brought a smile onto her own face and cracked the frown that had been lingering there for weeks now. She began to regret the way she had acted when Laren had dropped her off...

They had ridden to Selium along with a caravan of merchants. Mel was sorry to separate from them when they reached the city. She had enjoyed watching the mundane details of merchant life, the countless inspections and inventories, the neverending bargaining, even for things as small as which horse rode in the front. It was so different from her life in the palace, and Mel loved to explore new things. By the time they reached the city though, she was ready for a new adventure.

As they passed through the outer limits of the city, Mel had started to notice the similarities to Sacor city. On the outer limits, Mel saw taverns and brothels catering to travelers looking to spend a night before continuing on their way. Farther into the city there were bustling markets filled with food sellers and textile merchants. Mel cast about but was forlorn to see no chocolate shop. How would she survive the long winter months without chocolate to keep her going?

When they reached the ring of the city just outside the school, she noticed shops catering to the supply needs of the students. Mel had watched in fascination as chattering groups of students rushed in out of these shops. There were bakeries and small restaurants here, overflowing with students relaxing on their free day. They seemed so effortlessly happy…

They rode through the school gates to the center of campus, where the Golden Guardian's office rose tall above the other buildings. Inwardly, Mel had marveled at the architecture of the school as they rode through, though she maintained her frowning appearance. The Guardian was out for the duration of the month, so a clerk had taken down Mel's information and gave her a room assignment.

Laren had turned towards Mel and held out her arms for a hug that Mel rigidly endured. "Bye...I'll write," Laren said. She seemed at loss for more words, and Mel had turned away before the woman could think of anything, leaving Laren to hover silently for a moment before she, too, turned and walked away. As Laren swung onto her horse Mel had thought, How could you leave me alone here? She wanted to scream at Laren's back, Why are you thrusting me into this unfamiliar place with these people I don't know and these classes I've never heard of and this world I've never been a part of? In the palace she had known her own place in the world. She had been in control, even chaos had ensued all around her. Here at Selium, she was completely out of her depth.

"Cecily will guide you to your room and show you around," the clerk said, breaking Mel out of her contemplation. He spoke in a monotone that told of endless repetitions of these words, and gestured to a girl in the corner engrossed in a book. Sighing, Cecily had gotten up, laid the book gently on the chair where she had been sitting, and led Mel out of the room.

Now the same girl regarded Mel as she surveyed the room with distaste. When spoke, Mel could hear the laughter coming through her voice. "Don't worry, it's not so bad here. The teachers are pretty nice, and we get Saturdays off. My advice? Try not to offend any of the chiefs' children. They can make your life hell if they want to." She laughed out loud when she saw Mel's expression. "Don't worry! They'll only do that if you get in their way. They probably won't even notice you. Besides, I'll help you," she said, offering up a smile that Mel felt her own face returning.

"Thanks…" Mel muttered, grateful.

"It's no problem! I'm used to showing new students around, and believe me, some of them are a lot grumpier than you." She winked at Mel, taking the sting out of her words. "Now, you'll probably want something to eat after your journey, or would you rather rest? Nevermind, come with me and I'll show you the best place in town to get food after class. They serve breakfast all day long! Isn't that amazing?" Chattering rapidly, Cecily began to walk down the corridor, leaving Mel to stare after her. She stood still for a moment, then shook her head and ran after her new friend.

Sooo… yeah. I'm not really sure how I feel about this one. Do you think Mel is getting too moody? Hopefully Cecily will help her cheer up. You know teens. *Heavy sigh and shrug* :) But this was more of a filler chapter, and we'll be getting to the real action soon! Also… I just got a pinterest, and at first it had a lot of variety and was full of great things, and then I discovered the rabbit hole of Harry Potter (actually, marauders) pinterest, and I've been falling own it ever since. I'm really inspired to write about groups of friends, so I can't wait for Mel to find her own best friends.

See you soon!