The Covenant of Shadows - 2. Chapter 2: Foundations and First Impressions

As the first rays of sunlight streamed through the thin curtains, Liam woke with the quiet around him—a stark contrast to the vibrant dawn chorus back home in Watamu. Beside him on another bed, Daniel was already stirring, the alarm on his phone cutting sharply through the early morning silence.

"Morning, Liam," Daniel yawned, stretching his arms wide as he sat up. He noticed Liam quickly adjusting his blanket over his lap with a slight flush on his cheeks. With a knowing grin, Daniel teased, "Big plans this morning, or just excited about breakfast?"

Embarrassed yet amused, Liam managed a laugh, grateful for the light-heartedness Daniel brought to the room. "Yeah, you could say that," he responded, accepting the towel Daniel threw his way. "Thanks, I’ll need a cold shower now."

They made their way to the communal bathrooms, a hub of morning activity with other students engaged in their routines. Daniel pointed out which showers offered more privacy and which to avoid due to erratic temperatures. Liam appreciated these small nuggets of dormitory wisdom, feeling a bit more anchored in this new reality.

After freshening up, they headed to the bustling dining hall. The scents of coffee and freshly baked pastries enveloped them as they entered, blending with the cacophony of conversations and morning greetings. Daniel, with a familiarity born of a year’s experience, navigated through the crowd, pulling Liam along.

"Let’s grab some food; I’m starving. You’ll need the energy," Daniel suggested, leading them to a less crowded section where they could load up their trays with a hearty breakfast.

Once settled at a table with a good vantage point of the hall, Daniel began introducing Liam to passing friends — a mix of sophomores and juniors from various courses. Liam shook hands, exchanged pleasantries, and tried to match names with faces, his mind silently keeping track of everyone he met

One conversation led to another, and soon they were joined by two particularly athletic-looking students from their dorm. Jake, a tall basketball player, had the broad shoulders and lean muscle typical of someone who spent hours on the court. His easy smile and relaxed demeanor made him immediately likable. Chris, known for his competitive spirit in both sports and academics, had a more rugged build, his toned arms hinting at regular gym sessions.

"Hey, Liam, welcome to Arkwright," Jake said, moving over to make space at the table. "Heard you're from Kenya—that’s pretty cool. What brings you all the way here?"

Liam took a seat, grateful for the warmth in Jake’s tone. "A scholarship, mostly. And a bit of adventure, I guess," he answered, unfolding his napkin.

Sarah, a keen-eyed history major who had joined earlier, chimed in. "History’s full of adventures, right? If you ever need help with study notes or want to explore the historical sites around town, I’m your go-to."

Chris leaned forward, a mischievous glint in his eye. "And if you need to know the best places to eat or pull off the perfect prank—"

Daniel cut in, laughing. "Don’t listen to him. He’ll have you banned from the library before you even find the history section."

The group laughed, and the conversation flowed easily from there, topics bouncing from favorite classes to upcoming campus events. Liam listened, chimed in, and felt a gentle easing of the knot of homesickness in his chest.

As breakfast wrapped up, Daniel checked his watch and then turned to Liam. "Looks like it's about time for your welcome lecture in the auditorium. It’s a great way to get a feel for what Arkwright expects from its students. I can show you where it is if you like."

Liam nodded, appreciating Daniel's guidance. "Thanks, Daniel. I’d appreciate that. It’s good to have someone showing me the ropes."

"Absolutely," Daniel replied with a grin. "Let’s get you there on time. After that, you’ve got the club fair, right? I can meet you afterwards, and we can check it out together. I might introduce you to a few more people and some interesting clubs. It’s the best way to get involved and make the most of your time here."

Liam smiled, grateful for the support. "Sounds like a plan. Lead the way."

As they stepped out into the crisp morning air, navigating their way through the bustling paths crowded with students, Liam felt a burgeoning sense of excitement. The initial strangeness of Arkwright was slowly melting away, replaced by the comforting thought that maybe, just maybe, this could be a new home.