All of The Fallen: A Magical YA Roommate Story
Arriane paused at the heavy wooden door, her hand trembling before she finally knocked. The door creaked open with a whisper, and a voice called, “Come in.”
Inside, a teenage girl with long silver hair and bright yellow eyes sat cross-legged on her bed, a spellbook resting in her lap. She looked up, snapping the book shut with a soft thud.
“You must be new here,” the girl said, standing and brushing her hair back with a flick. “I’m Elexis. I guess I’m your roommate.”
Elexis moved to the closet and pulled out a flowing white dress and heels so pristine they looked like moonlight. She shot Arriane a grin. “You might want to get ready too. First day and all.”
She disappeared into the small bathroom, shutting the door with a decisive click.
Arriane let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding and dropped her duffel bag onto the empty bed. She sat, bouncing slightly on the mattress, before rummaging through her bag until she found her red sweatshirt, faded jeans, and black Converse. She quickly changed, tying her hair into a loose ponytail.
Elexis emerged, radiant in white, but with wolf ears poking through her silver hair and a fluffy gray tail swishing behind her.
“What? Never seen an animagus before?” Elexis smirked, flicking her tail. “Don’t worry, I know how to control it.”
She eyed Arriane’s outfit, head tilted. “What are you supposed to be?”
Arriane’s cheeks flushed pink. “I’ll show you,” she said softly, darting into the bathroom and closing the door.
She took a deep breath, feeling her heart steady as she whispered to herself, Please work. A warmth blossomed between her shoulder blades, and with a soft flutter, her iridescent black wings unfurled, shimmering as they caught the dim light. She looked into the mirror, her eyes shifting from hazel to deep crimson, glowing softly.
Arriane cracked the door open and peeked out. Elexis gasped.
“Oh. My. Magic.” Elexis’s yellow eyes were wide as the moon. “You’re a fallen angel!”
Arriane stepped out, wings folding carefully behind her. She pulled out her hair bow, letting her black hair tumble down around her shoulders. “Something like that,” she said with a shy smile.
Elexis bounced on her heels, clapping her hands. “I am roommates with a fallen angel! This year is going to be epic!”
Arriane walked over to the window and peered outside, eyebrows raising at the sight of weather-worn gravestones dotting a foggy graveyard right outside their window.
“Is this Silvershield High? The pamphlet made it look way better than… that,” Arriane said, gesturing at a crow perched on a headstone.
Elexis sighed, tucking a strand of silver hair behind her ear. “Yep. Welcome to Silvershield.”
Arriane turned, crossing her arms. “When does class start?”
“In an hour or two. While we wait, you can get your side of the room ready,” Elexis suggested.
Arriane’s eyes brightened. “Good.” She dragged her duffel onto the floor, pulling out a black bedspread patterned with white feathers that shimmered faintly, almost like her wings. She smoothed it over the mattress, fluffing her pillow before pulling out three posters: Starry Night, a regal black raven in flight, and a 21 Pilots concert print.
She stepped back, wings giving a small flutter as she surveyed her work. “Perfect,” she whispered.
Elexis tilted her head, her tail wagging slightly. “You’re cooler than I expected, Arriane.”
Arriane laughed softly, tucking a feather back into place on her bed. “Thanks.”
Outside, the crows cawed in the misty graveyard as the bell of Silvershield rang softly in the distance, reminding them that even in a school built on secrets and shadows, a new day was beginning.
And for Arriane, the fallen angel who wasn’t quite ready to give up on hope, it felt like the start of something more.
Moral of the Story
You are allowed to take up space and be yourself, even in places that feel dark or strange.
