(Stella and Zaylin)

Stella was looking at the map of the school and wandering around the halls trying to find her dorm. She kept her suitcase close to herself and looked around. However, as she looked at the map for a moment, she bumped into one of the older students. She dropped her suitcase and welcome packet and frowned. She then looked at the other student and went wide-eyed. 

[color=007236]"Oh! I am so sorry! I wasn't paying attention to where I was going!"[/color] She said, offering her hand to the older student.

"Neh, don't worry about it," the other girl said as bent over and picked up the Stella's packet, before shaking Stella's hand. "Here." She handed the packet to Stella. "I'm Zaylin, by the way."

[color=007236]"I'm Stella. Nice to meet you. I'm new here, first year and all. Seems you know your way around, so I'm guessing you're one of my upperclassmen?"[/color] She asked curiously, as she tucked her packet away. 

"Actually, I'm just trying not to get lost." Zaylin sat her suitcase on the floor near her feet. "Just transferred for my sophomore year."

[color=007236]"Ooh... so we're both new then. We can not get lost together then,"[/color] Stella said with a smile, and then added, [color=007236]"Say, um, do you know why it felt so gloomy in the opening ceremony? I mean, yeah, its a new year, but it felt like there was this like cloud of sadness." [/color]

Zaylin nodded. "All I know is that a girl went missing and was found dead by the lake."

Stella glanced over as a couple giggling girls passed by them and headed down the hall ahead. [color=007236]"Oh, how sad. No wonder. So, where is your dorm? Mine is Floor 1, Room 3,"[/color] she said, pulling out her assignment and looking it over. [color=007236]"Also, which club did you join? I know any grade can be in them,"[/color] she added, wanting to have something in common with this girl. She seemed nice.

"Uh, good question." Zaylin reached into her pocket and pulled out the pieces of paper. Quickly unfolding them, she read, "I'm floor two, room one." She looked to her schedule. "That's right. Horticulture." Zaylin quickly folded the pages back and replaced them in her pocket. "You?"

[color=007236]"Ah... seems we're on different floors then,"[/color] she said and then seemed to light up with Zaylin said Horticulture. [color=007236]"I'm in that club as well! I love plants! I had a little window box back home. Oh, yeah, I'm from California. Where are you from?"[/color] She asked happily. She had found something they had in common! Yay! However, she had to wonder if Zaylin could hear plants like her. But that was silly right? Only she had a talent, and she was not suppose to talk about it. 

"Really?" Zaylin looked Stella in the eye. "Me too. But I didn't have a plant box. Honestly, I don't exactly have a green thumb, but thought it'd be fun try it. Who knows: maybe I'll find some magic dye or something."

[color=007236]"Oh awesome! What part of California are you from? I'm from San Fran,"[/color] she said with a smile and giggled at Zaylin's joke. [color=007236]"I have a knack for plants, and when they said they had a Horticulture club, I was on board."[/color]

"Palm Springs. And that's cool. Maybe you could give me a few tips." Zaylin said, while nodding. She then glanced down the hallways again. "So, uh, should we start trying to find the dorms?"

Stella paused for a moment and then nodded. [color=007236]"We should... I guess this is good bye for now, but I'll see you later, right?"[/color] She said with a smile. 

"Yeah, see you later!" Zaylin gave Stella a friendly, two-fingered wave, picking her suitcase back up, and headed towards the stairs.

Stella nodded and gave a waved and went to her own dorm, and once there flopped out on her bed. She smiled to herself happily. It was a good day so far.