Chapter 4

• I step out of the Uber in front of my new hostel. I just hope I'm in the right place. The sun is warm on my skin, I haven't checked the time yet. I pay the Uber driver and thank him. He had already brought down my luggage.
• I searched my bag for the hostel documents. Yes, I'm in the right place. I just need to find room106.
• I look up to see a girl coming out of the hostel building, wearing a gray sweatshirt and sweatpants with black canvas.
• "Hii… please how can I get to room106?"
• "Room106? That's my room. I guess you're my new roommate. I'm heading out now but let me help you settle in." She smiles as replies. She helps me carry some bags and walks ahead of me.
• "Oh... thank you. My name is Gabrielle"
• "My name is Catherine. You can call me Cathy," she says as she presses the elevator button for it to open then she presses the button to get to the first floor.
• Her dark brown hair is packed in a messy bun. She has almond shaped hazel eyes and brown skin. Maybe she's a Nigerian or from any African country.
• We get off the elevator and I follow her down the hallway. The doors had numbers on them, ours had room106 written on it. She used her key to open the door and rolled my box in.
• "Thank you so much Cathy. I'm so exhausted," I say as I lay on the bed with no bedsheet. The other bed was dressed with a plain pink bedsheet and books were arranged by the bedside. I assume it's hers.
• "Yeah... you're welcome Gabrielle. I'll see you when I get back. I'll get your key from the hostel manager on my way back. You can call me if you need anything. We'll talk later," she says as she writes her number on a piece of paper and hands it to me.
• "You can call me Gabby or Gabs, whichever you prefer"
• "Okay Gabs, Byee" she waves as she closes the door behind her.
• After resting for a few minutes I sit up and look around the room. I didn't pay attention when I walked in. The room is big, each bed has a wooden table and chair by the side. There are two wardrobes and drawers underneath the bed. I walk around the room and I see a door, the door leads to the toilet. The room has white tiles and a small chandelier at the center. The walls are painted lilac, pearly white tiles are on the floor. The room is simple and beautiful. I can buy some stickers to add more color to the room.
• I unpack my luggage into the empty wardrobe, arrange my cosmetics, dress my bed and set up everything. I take my bath and take a nap.
• I hear the door open at night and I open my eyes to see who it is, it's Cathy.
• "Sorry for disturbing you. You can go back to bed," she says slowly.
• "Huh?! Okay…"
• I didn't know I was so tired, I just continued sleeping. The trip was taking a toll on me, my body aches.
• The morning sun was on my face waking me up from my slumber. I open my eyes and look around, Cathy is sleeping. I quickly get up, freshen up and dress up. Today is my first day, I'm a bit nervous. I'll be walking on the hallways Sammy walked on and meet the friends he had.
• I have to be confident. I can do it!
• I wear a white chiffon top and gray office pants with black flats. I look at the mirror, apply lip gloss, wear my jewelry and tie my hair in a neat bun. I smile at the mirror.
• I always look good.
• I walk to the administration office to do clearance and register courses. Everything is ready. I get my schedule and some medical books I pay for.
• The students look normal. You know… smiling, talking quietly and some were making out in the hallway.
• Ewwww! Get a room!
• The students were dressed in corporate clothes. This school doesn't tolerate casual dressing. You might be suspended if you violate it.
• I don't have classes today but tomorrow will be swamped because I have practicals too.
• I got something to eat and walked back to my hostel. I don't think Cathy went out today.
• "Hi girl… how are you? How was your first day at school? What course do you study?" She asks politely as she tucks a string of her dark brown hair that fell on her face behind her ear.
• "Well, it was fine. I didn't have class today but I went to register for my courses. I'm studying Radiography and I'm in my third year" I reply.
• "Okay… I'm studying Mass communication and I'm also in my third year. Aww we're both in third year. I've collected the key from the hostel manager and I dropped it on your table"
• Mass communication… okay. I haven't called Chloe, Dave and Katie, I'll call them this evening. I just hope I don't forget.
• Okay… Thank you. When did you start attending this college?" I ask.
• "I started in my first year. My elder sister graduated from here last year, she studied Chemical Engineering. My parents love this school so I just had to come here," she replies.
• "How old are you?" I ask again.
• "I'm 20. My birthday was earlier this year, January 15th to be precise."
• "Well, I'm 20. My birthday is 31st of December. I'm sorry I'm asking a lot of questions. I just want to know you better," I say timidly.
• "I'm not bothered. I also have some questions and we need to get to know each other because we'll be roommates for the session,"
• "Okay, ask on," I reply.
• "My name is Catherine Stones. What's your full name?" She says
• "Oh.. My name is Gabby… Gabrielle Daniels," I say a bit rushed. I don't really want people to know I'm Sammy's twin sister yet. They might hide something from me.
• "Okay Gabrielle Daniels. It's nice meeting you. You're cool though. I like your fashion sense"
• "Thank you. I love corporate outfits," I blush a light shade of red.
• "I heard a building burnt down recently. Do you know what happened?" I throw the question.
• "Yeah.. actually it was a science Lab, It was an engineering Lab. The fire burnt the whole building, it almost spread to the lecture theaters beside it but the fire fighters had put it out. I know some students died. I heard a gas cylinder exploded and caused the fire but we don't know the cause of the fire. Engineering students were working on an assignment/project that night." She says.
• "Why are you asking all of a sudden? Did anything else happen?" She asks. Her eyebrows furrow and she has a confused look on her face.
• "Nothing really. I was just curious, it's all over the news you know." I say as I chuckle.
• "Would you like to join my friends and I for dinner tomorrow? They're engineering students, they lost their friend in the fire incident. I can't recall his name though"
• "Okay.. I would love to. Thanks for the invite."
• "You're welcome. I have a feeling we'll be best friends," she laughs lightly.
• I chuckle as I reply, "I hope so."