The halls were overcrowded with not only girls but also boys. Ever thought that this would be an all-girls dorm, but she was mistaken as this was a co-ed one. Ever didn't mind too much and honestly the only thing on her mind was getting to her dorm room so she could relax a little bit. Being in this human world was exhausting to her and she just wanted to take a nap before digging into her responsibility of saving Marissa as she knew it wasn't going to be that easy.

Ever pushed her way through the crowd of overexcited and anxious young adults with their parents trying to move all of their belongings into their rooms. The chatter here did not sound at all like the chatter that happens in Heaven, the sounds didn't form a musical tune but perhaps sounded more like what she imagined Hell to sound like. The overlapping of out-of-tune notes trying to dominate one another gave Ever a slight headache. Her eyes desperately searched for her room number, 7E, and relief washed over her as her eyes landed on what she was looking for.

She slid the key into the door, turning it open to reveal a girl laying on her bed reading a very large book. She had long curly, brown hair that framed her square face quite nicely. Black, thick-rimmed glasses rested on her face as her stares at the book were full of concentration. She must have been really into her book because she never once looked up when Ever opened the door, only when Ever let go of it and in return made a loud bang that made the girl jump and observes the noise.

Ever gave her a warm smile, crossing her hands behind her, "Hey there, I'm Ever."

The girl's tan face transformed from concentration to a genuine smile as she placed her book down beside her. She got up extending out her hand to greet Ever, "Hi Ever, I'm Marissa! I'm so glad to finally meet you! I was wondering where you went since all of your things were set up, you must have gotten in early huh?" Marissa gestured towards Ever's side of the room.

Her bed was decorated with many white, fluffy pillows on top of a white comforter. On top laid a light pink backpack filled with textbooks and notebooks it seemed. Her desk next to her bed had a silver laptop and a single lamp. It wasn't much, but it was enough to make it seem like she was up here unpacking her belongings with her family.

"Uh, yeah! My family and I came up super early since we had to travel pretty far to get here." Ever shuffled herself towards her bed and placed herself on the not-so-comfortable twin-sized surface.

Marissa also decided to follow Ever's lead and sit on her not-so-comfortable bed opposite her, "Where are you from?"

Ever paused for a moment trying to remember her studies as one of the courses she had to take on Earth's geography. She knew she was in the United States as she was attending Arizona State University, but she wanted to think of a state as far as possible so that way she would always have an excuse of not going back home or her parents never coming here to visit her. She decided to go far south to, "Texas."

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Marissa's face lit up, "Oh wow! I've never been there before! You must miss your family already!"

Ever looked down at her hands, holding back actual tears as she did miss her family and friends, especially Dalili. She wondered where she was in the human world and if she was alright. Marissa must have noticed Ever's sudden change of character because she went over to her bed placing her hands around her in a hug. Ever felt slightly embarrassed that she let herself go so easily, but welcomed Marissa's affectionate embrace.

They both pulled away from each other and Ever gathered herself focusing back on their conversation.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to let out my emotions like that."

Marissa gave her a reassuring smile, "No worries, Ever. If it makes you feel better I cried my eyes out before you got here when my parents left and they only live about an hour away from here," she let out a quiet giggle which made Ever break out into a small laugh as well.

The giggles grew into full pits of laughter and the two girls laid on Ever's bed holding their stomachs --- neither one could tell you what was so funny, but they connected in a way many people could not.

Once the sounds of laughter died down and they each caught their breaths Marissa turned towards Ever, "I like you. I think we are going to be really good friends," her smile grew big.

"I think so too."

Marissa got up from Ever's bed and went over to her closet, "So, since we have decided on becoming best friends you need to meet my whole crew."

Before Marissa stated this sentence, Ever thought her duty would be a piece of cake. A girl who already liked her and consider her to become a best friend is a walk in the park at her Academy, but her mentioning her other "crew" well wasn't going to be so easy. It's easy to influence someone who is typically a loner, but when they had others with them well it's more complicated trying to pull them away from what they know.

"Yeah, of course," Ever tried her best to sound confident.

Marissa smirked at her, "How about a party? Tonight? My boyfriend is part of a fraternity and they will be throwing a huge party to welcome all the new freshmen!"

Ever was nervous about a human party, she heard horror stories of drugs and alcohol being served there and she was almost certain there would be demons there because when there are illegal activities that are where they thrive the most.

"Sure, sounds great! I would love to meet your friends and your boyfriend," trying to sound convincing, but she couldn't even fool herself.

Marissa clapped her hands together, "Great! Now let's get ready for a party shall we? We can help each other pick out our outfits!"

She turned her back towards her closet rambling to Ever about what to wear as she rummage through her unorganized pile of clothes. Ever could hear the sounds of her voice, but didn't understand a word she was saying because she was focusing on her thoughts. The thoughts of failure came back like an old friend, taunting her of the dangers of the demons and if she couldn't fulfill this mission she would forever be a --- fallen angel.