Chapter 145: Your Suite Is Our Suite

"Come on, Star! Let’s go. The suite cannot wait for us forever," Elle urged impatiently.

Starlight gave her a sideways glance and shook her head, unable to hide the faint smile tugging at her lips. "I’ll see you guys later, okay? We can still chat in the group chat, so don’t act as though I’m disappearing from the face of the earth."

"We will," Ariel promised. "And don’t forget to message us when you get there."

"I won’t."

Chloe finally stood up, brushing her hands over her clothes. "Yeah, later. See you guys later."

"Bye!" Elle called, already opening the door.

She was practically vibrating with excitement as she dragged the bags behind her, barely able to contain her eagerness to leave the dormitory.

The moment they stepped into the corridor, Elle let out a long, satisfied sigh, as though she had just escaped a place she had been imprisoned in for years rather than a dormitory she had occupied for a relatively short time.

"Finally! Just the two of us and our own private suite. Do you have any idea how long I’ve been looking forward to this day?"

Starlight glanced at her. "You do realize it’s my suite, right?"

Elle stopped walking.

Then she slowly turned to stare at her best friend with an expression of utter disbelief. "Star, how could you say something so hurtful to me? After everything we’ve been through together?"

Starlight raised an eyebrow. "Everything we’ve been through together?"

"Yes! The emotional support I’ve given you, the sacrifices I’ve made, the countless times I’ve stood by your side." Elle pressed a hand against her chest. "And now you’re throwing our friendship in my face because of a technicality?"

"It’s not a technicality if your name isn’t on the ownership papers."

"Details!" Elle waved dismissively. "We’re best friends. Your things are my things, your problems are my problems, and your suite is our suite."

"My things are not your things."

"Fine. Your things are our things when you’re feeling generous."

Starlight shook her head and continued walking, dragging her suitcase behind her. "I should have left you in the dormitory."

"You wouldn’t dare." Elle hurried after her, grabbing one of the bags before it could slip from her hand. "Who else is going to help you make the suite feel like home? Who else is going to keep you entertained? Who else is going to remind you how lucky you are to have me?"

"Nobody, Elle. Nobody."

"Exactly!" Elle declared, completely ignoring the sarcasm dripping from Starlight’s words. "That’s why you should be grateful to have me around."

Starlight shook her head, unable to decide whether to laugh at Elle’s shamelessness or question how she managed to become more insufferable by the minute. In the end, she decided neither was worth the effort.

"Just move it," she muttered, continuing down the corridor.

Elle grinned and hurried after her.

Thankfully, they had left early enough that most of the students were still in their dormitories, probably enjoying the last few hours of sleep before the day’s activities began.

Starlight had deliberately chosen this time to move into her private suite to avoid the unwanted attention that came with her growing popularity. Ever since she had risen to the top of the apex rankings, she could hardly move around campus without attracting attention. Students would call her name, stop her for pictures, or make a fuss over her presence. Although she enjoyed the financial rewards that came with her ranking, she had little patience for the constant attention, especially when all she wanted was to go about her day in peace.

The elevator doors slid open, and the two stepped inside. Starlight pressed the button for the top floor, and the doors closed behind them. As the elevator ascended, Elle shifted the bags in her hands and glanced at the illuminated floor numbers. Starlight, meanwhile, adjusted the strap of her backpack and silently hoped their journey would remain uneventful. She wasn’t in the mood for unexpected encounters or any more unnecessary attention.

When the elevator finally chimed and the doors slid open, they were greeted by a hallway so quiet it felt almost deserted.

The top-floor hallway was practically a ghost hall. Starlight stepped out first, followed by Elle, who dragged the bags behind her. Only three private suites occupied the entire floor, each positioned with enough space between them to offer its residents a degree of privacy. Starlight’s suite was at the far end of the hallway, facing the entrance, which meant they had to walk past the other two suites to reach it.

Even after seeing the place several times, Starlight doubted she would ever grow accustomed to it. Everything about the upper floor exuded luxury, from the polished flooring beneath her shoes to the carefully designed lighting and the elegant doors lining the corridor. It was the sort of place she had often admired on television, imagining what it would feel like to live somewhere like that. She had never believed she would actually be living in such a place one day.

Honestly, she still found it difficult to believe that the suite belonged to her.

She had grown up accustomed to making do with what she had, and although she had never considered herself unfortunate, this level of luxury was far removed from the life she had known before entering Asterion Academy. It wasn’t something she could simply accept as ordinary overnight.

"Do you think the Crown Princes are still asleep?" Elle whispered suddenly.

Starlight turned to look at her. "How am I supposed to know?"

Elle glanced around the silent hallway before lowering her voice even further. "I’m just asking."

"I don’t know. Besides, why are you whispering? Don’t you know these walls are soundproof?"

"Whoa, really? I didn’t know that!" Elle exclaimed, her voice returning to its normal volume. "That’s actually pretty cool."

"Now you know."

"Besides, they’re werewolves. You know how good their hearing is, right?" Elle pointed out.

Starlight looked at her. "Are you forgetting that we’re in a werewolf academy? These walls were probably designed to meet their standards for hearing."

Elle blinked before looking at the walls. "Wait, are you saying they’re soundproof enough to keep werewolves from hearing what’s happening inside or outside their rooms?"

"I’m saying I doubt they’d build private suites for werewolves without considering their enhanced hearing. So, unless someone is deliberately trying to listen in, we should be fine."

Elle nodded thoughtfully. "That makes sense. Still, I’m glad I don’t have to worry about people hearing all my private conversations. Imagine the embarrassment!"

Starlight stared at her for another moment before turning away. "Right. Let’s just get to the suite."

"Yeah, yeah. Let’s go."

They continued towards the far end of the hallway, and Starlight soon found herself standing before her suite’s door. She shifted her backpack and pressed her thumb against the biometric scanner beside the handle.

A soft beep sounded, followed by a click as the lock disengaged. The door opened.

Elle immediately brightened.

"Oh my God! Finally! Home sweet home!" she announced, stepping inside with the bags. "Lovely suite, lovely suite! Your favourite person has arrived, so you can welcome me properly!"

Starlight watched her drag the luggage across the threshold as though she had personally paid for the place.

"I’m beginning to regret bringing you," she muttered.

"Too late. I’m already inside," Elle replied cheerfully.

Starlight sighed and followed her in, closing the door behind them. She took a moment to look around the sitting area, familiarizing herself with the space again. Everything was just as she remembered it. The suite was quiet, spacious, and comfortably furnished, with none of the noise and interruptions that came with living in the ordinary dormitory.

For once, she could enjoy a little privacy without worrying about someone barging into her space and disturbing her peace.

Or so she thought.

"Star!" Elle’s voice suddenly rang out from the bedroom. "Where are you going to sleep?"

Starlight walked into the bedroom to find her self-proclaimed manager and best friend standing beside the enormous bed, studying it as though she were inspecting a prize she intended to claim. Unlike the bunk beds in their previous dormitory, this one was large enough for two people to sleep comfortably without constantly worrying about knocking into each other.

Elle appeared to have already reached a decision about which side she wanted.

"I’m taking this side!" she announced, pointing towards the side of the bed nearest the wall.

Starlight stopped in the doorway.

"No, you’re not."

Elle turned around. "What do you mean, I’m not?"

"I mean I’m sleeping on that side."

"But I want that side!"

"And I want it too."

Elle stared at her, clearly offended by this unexpected challenge to her plans. "But, Star, I chose it first!"

"You chose it without asking me."

"Does that matter?"

"Yes, it does. This is my suite, remember?"

Elle’s mouth fell open. "Starlight Dawson, are you seriously using that against me?"

"I’m reminding you of a fact you seem to keep forgetting."

"But I want to sleep next to the wall!"

"Then you can sleep on the sofa. It’s right by the wall."

"No! I want the wall side of this bed!"