Devika struggled toward the dorm, feeling rather raw and drawn out. Her head was still spinning from her encounter with Gretchen. She could feel her usual, familiar melancholy setting in. But buried deep was a beautiful, brilliant burst of cockiness and self-entitlement. Her brain remembered what it felt like, and it had been forever shifted. A glass of water was changed, even with a single drop of dye. Even if no one but her could detect the change, she could still feel it. 

She slipped into the female dorms, and meandered in the direction of the stairs. A new student was ascending them, and she could feel a sense of pain and confusion. Kalinda was there as well, and she attempted a facsimile of a smile. It was probably more of a wince. "Hey, Kalinda."

-

[quote=knight125]
Ben shakes his head slightly, "I don't really think you need to worry about people not liking you. Most of our classmates are already your friend or at the very least, don't dislike you. I don't think a fifteen second speech about you will change their minds, even if it is Anthony giving it." With a mere fifteen minutes left in the drive, Ben falls silent and turns up the volume on his phone before pressing play on the audiobook version of Jules Verne's, .
[/quote]

Kijani nodded, hoping that Ben was right. She too, settled against the chair, and listened to the reciting pouring from the speakers. The book was vaguely familiar, and she knew she'd read it. It was a struggle to stop her mind from automatically pulling up the words, and softly reciting along. Ben clearly wanted to think, and prepare himself. She should do the same. With an exhale, she began focusing on her body parts, one by one. She started with her big toe, and worked her way steadily upward. It was a meditation exercise that was ancient, but still vital. By the time they would arrive, she would be completely relaxed and aware of herself.