Hey thanks to everyone who reviewed the previous chapter, I really appreciate it!
Chapter 2:
"Hi everyone! Thanks for coming tonight. If we haven't met yet my name is Petra, and welcome to floor two of Maria Hall!"
Petra seems bubbly as ever as she stands in front of her new group of students, as they have all crammed into the tiny study lobby across from the bathroom. Krista is sitting down next to Sasha, surrounded by a large group of girls. Apparently some floors in Maria Hall are coed, but the first, second, and third floor aren't. Krista feels kind of grateful for that, although she isn't completely sure why.
Her nerves are back again as she glances at the unfamiliar faces around her, and most of them already seem to have made friends, all clustered together in happy little circles. Sasha even has picked up conversation with the girl sitting on her other side; although they subsided once Petra started talking.
Only one other girl seems to be left out of the mingling, and she's sitting alone on the far side, her knees tucked up against her chest. With freckles speckled across her cheeks and long spindly arms, Krista finds herself staring for a bit too long at the silent girl.
Meanwhile, Petra is still talking at the front of the group, and Krista realizes she should probably pay attention. Petra put together a helpful poster to explain what is going on, and she points on each thing on the list as she goes over them.
"Please be respectful of our community bathrooms, they are for everyone so if we trash them then we'll have to live with it. If everyone cleans up after themselves we won't have anything to worry about! Also since this is a girls only floor guys should be kept out of the bathroom. If someone feels uncomfortable with anything ever please respect that! This floor will also have quiet hours, which will be at 10 pm on weekdays and 2 am on the weekends. I would appreciate it if you kept the noise to a minimum after this time, to ensure the safe studying and sleeping of your fellow floor mates. This way we can all live together harmoniously. Is this ok with everyone?"
The group of girls nod silently, so Petra continues, looking relieved, "Great! I hope that we all get really close this year. I want to have events two or three times a month, intermural sports, movie nights, and other fun stuff like that. I'd like to end today's meeting with a mixer, just so we can all get to know one another. I would like to you to walk around, and introduce yourself to three other girls that you don't already know. Tell them your name, grade, major, and one interesting thing about you. Then after a few minutes we'll get back together, and everyone will introduce someone they just met. Ok? Go!"
Krista stands up slowly, glancing around as the room's residents burst into a quiet chatter. Krista walks over to the nearest girl, who is grinning at her shyly. She is a little taller than the short blond, and tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear nervously. "Hi I'm Krista."
"I'm Susie," the girl's voice comes out barely above a whisper, and it's obvious she's extremely shy. "I'm a freshman, my major is electrical engineering, and one interesting thing about me is I have three dogs."
Krista shakes her hand gently and Susie refuses to make eye contact. "I'm a freshman also! My major is undecided, and I guess one interesting thing about me is I'm a legal dwarf." Susie withdraws her hand quickly when Krista stops speaking, nodding once before quickly scurrying away from the girl.
Another girl immediately takes her place, and she seems far more energetic than her predecessor. "Hi there! My name is Catherine! I'm a sophomore and my major is chemistry. One interesting thing about me is I love to watch anime." Catherine's grip is tight when she clasps Krista's hand, pumping it three firm times before Krista even gets a chance to speak.
Krista repeats her intro to the enthusiastic sophomore, and they talk briefly about Catherine's favorite anime, Naruto, before she moves on to meet one more person.
Everyone seems to be busy with a person, and Krista is ready to give up when a long shadow suddenly falls over her side. She turns her head slowly to see that the tallest girl in the room has approached her side, and she recognizes her as the freckled girl she was checking out earlier in the meeting. Her hand is extended, and she's looking down on it as if it's the most important thing in the room.
Krista reaches out confidently, jumping slightly when her tiny hand is enclosed in the tall girl's massive one. "I'm Krista," she smiles as she introduces herself, and the girl murmurs a hello as her eyes stay focused downwards.
"I'm Ymir." The two fall silent for a moment, and Krista almost forgets that her hand is still wrapped up, but then the girl releases her like she's been stung, stuffing her hands into her pockets. "I guess I should do the exercise huh? I'm a freshman, undecided, and really fucking tall."
Krista giggles at the last one, and for the first time Ymir glances over at her, but looks away before even a second has passed. "I'm a freshman and undecided too! Oh but my interesting fact is that I'm a legal dwarf."
The girl's eyebrows raise slightly in disbelief, and Krista can feel her eyes rake down her body as she voices her doubts. "Really? I thought you had to be super short for that?"
"Well I am…" This draws a smile from both teens, and the two would continue but Petra calls the group back, signaling for them to all take a seat.
"Alright now you can tell us what you learned! Who would like to start?" Petra scans the room, and much to Krista's surprise Ymir's hand shoots up. She immediately grabs Petra's attention, and stands up, using one hand to tug Krista up as well.
"This is Krista. She's an undecided freshman, and apparently short enough to be a legal dwarf." A hand drops onto Krista's shoulder, and she feels a few butterflies flutter through her stomach when it lingers for a few seconds too long.
The group of girls all say hello, and Krista realizes she should probably introduce Ymir in response. "This is Ymir, she's also a freshman and undecided. Her interesting fact is she's really funny." Krista doesn't dare to glance over at Ymir as she speaks; she hopes she isn't stepping over any lines considering they just met. She draws a few giggles from the students seated around them, and they greet Ymir warmly.
Krista is grinning as she sits down, relieved when Ymir's hand slides off her shoulder. Petra picks on someone else, and Krista can't help but be aware of the girl still sitting next to her. However she seems to be ignoring Krista, one hand rested on her chin as she absorbs herself with the introductions. Krista decides she should do the same…
So yeh Ymir gets an official introduction.