Snippet #2681112

Aza sprinted down the street, barely managing to dodge a wall as he skidded around a corner. Dressed in a simple blue shirt underneath an unzipped white hoodie and dark jeans, with battered high tops that thankfully still had thick enough soles to help decrease the risks of slipping as he ran, Aza did not look like your average runner out for a jog. For one thing, he wasn't dressed like a jogger. For another, despite the forced calm on his face his eyes held a panicky look, and he bit his lip everytime his gaze flickered to his watch as if he were helding back a curse. And most telling of all, he was carrying a large luggage case which teetered dangerously whenever it rolled over a bump, which was pretty often.

It was pretty obvious that he was a student, or someone lodging somewhere. It was also pretty obvious that he was late.

Really, really really late. Shiiiii- there it is! A rare grin popped up on Aza's face as he spotted the familiar house, legs pumping even faster. Somehow, he made it to the gates without losing his grip on his luggage or falling to the ground. It was open, crap, that meant the other residents were already there. Not good. Not good at all.

Well, at least the shortcuts made the route to Mayfield quicker. Panting for breath, Aza made his way to the door. He grabbed the knob, fingers tightening on it...

and came to a halt, standing there like a statue as the apprehension and doubts that had been plaguing him since last night came back like a homing rocket.

What if Hawe needs me? What if my roommates were all dickheads? Things were different now. Everyone who had lived in the house last year had either been third years or where moved to a different house. Aza was the only one of the original occupants (from the year before anyway) to return to the house. Hawe had gone off to Substrahta to look for work and a house to sleep in now that the dorms were no longer available. The money would come in handy, yes (Aza tried not to think about how much things costed nowadays and whether his brother was using any of that money for himself) but...

But nothing. Everything changed. This was no different. Just because this was the first time he was spending time away from his brother in an area where few communications and talks could be had (thanks to working times and study taking up most of it) didn't mean that he should pause like an idiot outside the door. He was already here, wasn't he? And there was no way he was turning back. Taking a deep breath to calm himself down, Aza turned the knob and opened the door.

He stepped inside. Noted the two guys standing there, one with dark hair covering an eye and another with blonde hair and green eyes. Catching the last sentence, Aza decided to reply for them.

"Six, including me." He said from where he was at the door. He raised a hand in greeting, giving a short wave before his hands dropped back down, a neutral expression on his face. "Unless there were some last minute changes, there should be six," he repeated, subtly shooting a look around the place.

A feeling of relief passed through him as he saw that everything looked the same, if a little dusty. Looks like some things remained the same. Without further ado Aza dragged his luggage inside and walked past them to place his luggage further inside, in a corner out of the way. That done, Aza joined the two, staying standing up.

"Uh." He turned to the remaining two, slipping his hands awkwardly in his pockets. "Name's Aza Noll Merritt, but just call me Aza. Sorry I'm late, got caught up in traffic. I'm guessing you two are tenants instead of freeloaders," He said dryly, "But anyway, nice to see you. Have you guys finished the rooming arrangements, or am I still in time to add my vote?"