Sarah pulled her new key out of her pocket as she lugged her suitcases off the elevator, shoving them down the hall to her suite. She smiled to herself when she saw the door already propped open, her suitemates apparently already having arrived.
"Hello!" she called as she pushed open the door and stepped inside, looking around. The apartment was pretty nice, considering it was a dorm, though most of the floor and counterspace in the central communal area and the open kitchen were completely covered with various suitcases, boxes and bags of new stuff.
"Hey!" two voices called in unison, two heads peeking out of the hallway to her left. Sarah knew from the floorplan housing had given her that the separate bedrooms were in twos on either side of the communal area. These two had apparently chosen to be hallmates already. She glanced to the right, wondering if her hallmate had arrived yet, but seeing no one, hoped it was because she wasn't there and not because she was antisocial.
"Hi! You must be... Sarah-or Taylor?" said the taller of the two as they both came forward. She was partly Asian, maybe Japanese, pretty with pale skin and a bright smile. She was not as tall as Sarah at 6', though hardly anyone was, but probably around 5'7" with shoulder-length black hair. "I'm Ana."
"Sarah," the dark-skinned girl said, shaking her hand with her brightest smile.
"I'm Penelope," said the other, a tiny blonde with a short bob and a Midwest accent. "But just call me Nel. Not Nelly."
Sarah laughed and promised she wouldn't.
"Here, let us help you with your stuff. We got here early this morning and set up our rooms," Ana said, going out into the hall after Sarah, handing bags in to Nel, who ferried them into the living room. "We decided to be roomies, so I hope this Taylor isn't a bitch or anything. You can hang out with us if she is."
"I'm sure she'll be fine," Sarah said, poking her head into the hallway and looking between the two rooms on either end.
"If you're a morning person, I'd take that one," Nel said, pointing to the left room. "The sun shines right in first thing in the morning. If not, I'd go for the other."
"Oh, I am definitely a morning person," Sarah said. "Hopefully, Taylor's not picky."
"Eh, she should have gotten here sooner then," Ana said with a playful smile, lugging in a suitcase behind Sarah and Nel.
"This isn't bad at all," Sarah commented, opening the closet, pulling out drawers, bouncing onto the bed once. "You hear all the horror stories about dorm rooms."
"This is, like, the most desirable dorm on campus," Nel said, hauling a bag onto the bed. "Want us to help you set up or leave you alone?"
"No, no you can help if you want, but you don't have to. Thanks," Sarah said, unzipping the big bag she'd been hauling, pulling out her laptop case and laying it on the desk. Nel and Ana dove into her other bags, pulling out her clothes and putting them into the drawers and closet, making her bed for her.
They quickly got Sarah's room in order and were touring the other girls' rooms when they heard a knock at the door. They all raced to open it just as it opened itself and a pretty girl with short red hair, wearing a smart pantsuit and holding a leather portfolio stepped inside, smiling distantly when she sw the three of them.
"Taylor?" Ana asked, stepping forward.
"Ah, no, sorry," the young woman said, pushing open the door fully to reveal a veritable troop of people behind her in the hallway, holding boxes, bags and suitcases. "My name is Marnie; I'm a-friend- of Taylor's. She's been delayed in Rome so she asked if I'd come ahead and prepare her room for her arrival."
"Oh, uh, ok," Sarah said, glancing at the other two. This chick must be loaded. "Well, uh, let me show you which room she'll be in."
"This will be suitable. A bit Spartan, but acceptable," Marnie said after inspecting the room thoroughly and coming back out into the living area where the three girls had retreated, watching with wide eyes. The woman snapped her fingers at the crowd outside in the hall and one by one, moving quickly, they moved in and out of the room, ferrying their loads. Sarah watched as a new, top of the line desktop computer zipped past. A very nice set of speakers, garment bags full of clothing, a brand new laptop still in the box and who knew what else in expensive suitcases all vanished into the room. In less than ten minutes, all but Marnie had disappeared back into the hallway and the leader faced the three girls, holding three black leather bags.
"She asked me to tell you that she knows this is a weird way to meet, and not to hold it against her. Her jet is in the air now, and she should be here in less than three hours. She asked me to give you these gifts. She also wanted me to tell you that you may inspect her room, because you are no doubt curious."
And with a nod to all of them as she handed a bag to each, she backed out of the apartment, bowing slightly to them.
"Wait! Wait!" Ana exclaimed, following her, the others on her heels. " Is she royalty or something? I've never seen a parade like that for a normal person."
A dark smile spread across the redhead's petite features and she paused before answering.
"I not at liberty to answer that question. I will however caution you to be extremely respectful. She is very important in many circles."
And with that, she spun gracefully and stepped onto the elevator.
"What the hell was that?" they all said at the same time, dumbfounded, then burst into laughter.
"Who knows. Must be rich as hell, did you see that equipment come through?" Sarah asked.
"What's in the bags?" Nel asked, moving to the counter and tipping out the contents. "Holy shit! Open yours up, guys!"
"Whoa!" Sarah said as she dumped hers out too, opening a large velvet jewelry box to reveal a large sapphire pendant necklace. There were also bottles and vials of expensive skin care products and shampoos. The others received the same thing, though Ana got a tanzanite necklace and Nel an emerald. Ana got a note in hers that she opened and read aloud after showing them the flowing, rather beautiful handwriting and linen stationery engraved with an intricate black and red crest.
"Hi, I know this must seem crazy. I don't think I come across like this in person, but you guys can be the judges of that. I'm so excited to meet all of you and hate that I'm going to be late. Please accept these gifts, I love giving presents, so I'm sure they won't be the first. The scents should be good for everyone, but feel free to trade necklaces because I didn't know which stones to get individually. You can go through my stuff if Marnie didn't tell you that. I know I'd be dying to see what the hell that silent army marched in there. See you soon, Taylor."
"Jesus!" Nel said, laying the box with the displayed necklace on the counter. Sarah and Ana lined theirs up as well.
"Anyone have a favorite stone? I don't really care which I get," Ana said, looking at the other two. "Think they're real?"
"You kidding?" Nel asked, turning a box over to show them the bottom. "These are Harry Winston. Must be worth a fortune! Look at the size of these things!"
"Can I have the tanzanite?" Sarah asked shyly. "I've always wanted one..."
"Sure!" Ana said, passing the box to her with a smile.
