The sweet serenade of a violin broke through the room's silence. The window was slightly left ajar for the light breeze to enter, allowing the sound to flit across the dorm's surroundings. Other students would even leave their windows open just to listen to the music coming from the top floor.
Claude's eyes were closed as he played the violin in boredom. School would start next week, and most students were moving into their dorms this time. Many clubs and fraternities loitered around the grounds, hoping to recruit more members. The University of Saint Emilien[1] might not be big, but it was enough for a few dozen new students yearly.
This year, Claude was one of the new students. He was already pretty popular due to his violin skills… and name. Most dorm leaders kept an eye on the top-notchers, and one just had the opportunity to have Claude around. However, Claude only chose the dorm that would allow him to play even at night.
"Yo, Lavallee!" Someone knocked on the open door. His excited voice made Claude look over his shoulder. "Get this! I got us something good to do for tonight!"
"I'm not interested." Claude lowered the bow, just to speak. He started playing again. However, the other person stood beside him and almost slapped the flyer against his face. Claude flinched and made a bad sound on his instrument.
"Come on, man! This is, like, the biggest thing happening!" Claude's roommate laughed in excitement. "It's not every year that Psi Saint Alpha[2] is recruiting! Let's go! We can't miss out on this!"
Claude frowned and finally brought his violin down. He took the flyer and read through the recruitment announcement. Initial interviews would start later at night, and the first party would be held over the weekend. Since most of their members graduated last year, they hoped to fill the seats this year. Everyone was encouraged to apply.
The violinist stared at the flyer for a second before looking at the excited roommate. His reddish-brown eyes almost bored through his friend's blue ones.
The friend tamed his smile and collected the flyer. "Hey, come on… You can't miss out on this. This is, like, the fraternity here in Saint Emilien. If we can't make it there, then… I won't drag you around anymore. I promise! No more parties!"
"I don't believe you." Claude sighed and propped his violin back on his neck. He started playing again. "Don't invite me into social groups, Eugene."
"Why not? Scared of meeting some girl?" Eugene laughed and reached out to ruffle Claude's dirty blonde hair. "Damn, what would I not give to look like you, man! Girls will surely be all over you! Come on, just get me a girlfriend. You don't have to be an active member or something. Just get me a chance to meet pretty ladies! You don't have to talk to them!"
Claude stopped playing again. He finally sighed. "Fine. I'll see the ruckus, but don't expect me to bring in women for you. I'm not interested in meeting anyone."
Eugene huffed in pride after convincing Claude. However, his mood still plunged with a tinge of sadness. "Dude, you can't be sad all your life now. You still got here. Your mom will surely like it if you live happily. Come on, you need to meet new friends."
"You don't even know my mom." Claude chuckled bitterly. He stored the violin inside the case on his bed. "What's the outfit later?"
"Uh… I don't know. Wear your best underwear?" Eugene shrugged before running to his cabinet. He grabbed a few pieces and lifted them to his eye level. "Talking about that… which one should I wear? Hm, I should look good and threatening!"
Claude lifted an eyebrow. "Threatening? You're not even the bodybuilder type. Just settle with one you can stomach getting photographed in, I guess."
Eugene moved his head as if he had heard something interesting. His grin rose. He giggled. "Oh, my! You want to get photographed in your undies? So bold!"
"That's not what I meant."
Claude picked up the case and placed it on his cabinet. Since the window was open, he managed to catch a strange whiff in the air. He quickly tuned out his roommate's rumblings and moved to look down from the window. However, the scent was too scattered for him to pinpoint its origin. He only watched the new batch of students arriving with their things.
"I wonder who that was. They smell so good…" Claude leaned his chin on his hand and continued watching. However, Eugene grabbed his shoulders and whined about something he didn't listen to.
…
Down on the first floor's lobby, a group of male students walked with the Psi Saint Alpha's recruitment flyers. They discussed softly among themselves, not bothering the three people leading their group. The one on the left stuck to reading his flyer. His shoulders shrank as if making himself appear smaller. However, he was carrying the most bags among everyone.
The one on the right chuckled. He turned to the guy in the middle, ignoring the guy's lazy gaze. "Hey, Len. Do you see this? They opened recruitment for Psi Saint Alpha this year. Are we going? Let's go!"
"It's customary," the student named Len replied without an ounce of interest. He continued walking until they passed the building to get to the dorm behind it. They soon got to the glass doors leading inside. He looked over his shoulder to find the student to his left. "Irving."
"Yes, Len…" The guy named Irving flinched and realized what was in front of them. He hurried to open the door for everyone. His hand crumpled the flyer, and he didn't watch the whole group pass him.
After that, he moved back to where he was, ready to do what was asked of him. However, he flattened the crumpled flyer in his hand. He glanced at the guy in the middle. "Len, are we going to the recruitment?"
Len didn't spare him a glance. "You don't have to join us."
The one to Len's right moved his head to find a glimpse of Irving. "Why not? Maybe he could find other friends there. He can also have a chance to meet a girl…!"
"Irving? Meeting a girl? That's impossible!" Someone from behind them scoffed. The others lightly laughed. They couldn't make any loud or brazen sounds as long as Len was nearby. However, they still poked fun at the timid guy holding a lot of bags.
"I don't think I should, James…" Irving answered, making his shoulders shrink more. James could only laugh and shake his head in resignation.
Len stopped walking, scaring the people behind him. None of them wanted to bump into him after all. The guy in the middle looked over his shoulder. His fierce eyes glinted red under his glasses. "Scout the area now. Don't return until you have covered every inch of the university."
One twitched and chuckled as if gently reminding him. "But Len…! We're not allowed to enter some parts of the school yet…"
"Not my problem." Len huffed and walked forward. The guy beside him only laughed and waved at the others, who were left disgruntled behind them. Irving glanced at them before hurriedly following Len and James up the stairs.
The one who spoke up clicked his tongue. "Damn Alpha…"
[1] I would really like it if you read it as 'San Emili-yen'.
[2] Same here... PSY-SAN-ALPHA