Jump to content
  • Join Gay Authors

    Join us for free and follow your favorite authors and stories.

    Alan2
  • Author
  • 756 Words
  • 223 Views
  • 3 Comments
Stories posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 

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.

Thank you for joining us on Liam's journey in Chapter 2 as he navigates his first days at Arkwright University! I'd love to hear your thoughts:
Copyright © 2024 Alan2; All Rights Reserved.
  • Like 2
  • Love 5
Thank you for joining Liam on his journey through the hallowed halls of Arkwright University and the veiled corridors of The Covenant.
Your feedback is invaluable, not only for enhancing this story but also for shaping future ones.
Stories posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 
You are not currently following this story. Be sure to follow to keep up to date with new chapters.

Recommended Comments

Chapter Comments

Liam's introduction to the college has been very pleasant and welcoming. Daniel, his room mate, has put him at ease and introduced him to friends he also seemed to like. Now he is going to the incoming student lecture and Daniel later will help him find out about clubs he might like to join. Liam felt at ease and thought he might have found new home. I hope he is right.

  • Like 1
  • Love 1
Link to comment

it is early days yet as Liam is slowly being acclimated to his new surroundings, I remain curious to see if this so-called Covenant is a force for good or a cult...

  • Love 2
Link to comment

Daniel is making Liam feel comfortable and leading him around introducing him to others. I’m wondering about Daniel’s mention of the Covenant in the prior chapter, if he is already a member and getting a feel for Liam joining, or if they are the source of the scholarship and had him targeted before.?.

  • Like 1
  • Wow 1
Link to comment
View Guidelines

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


  • Newsletter

    Sign Up and get an occasional Newsletter.  Fill out your profile with favorite genres and say yes to genre news to get the monthly update for your favorite genres.

    Sign Up
×
×
  • Create New...