"Hope you know I had to pull a few strings to change your arrival slot," Henry whispered to me as we took my things inside. But I was barely listening because I kept my eyes peeled for that guy trying to spot him—and annoyingly enough, he disappeared from my view. Made me a little more sure he was Bealey's nephew and my Peter Pan—he had a knack for disappearing just when I tried to catch him. The thing is though, he was a little too cold to me—the guy that climbed up my window and kissed me in the cellar and everywhere else in between was much more different in his personality... more playful and sweet. A little doubt crept into my mind. What if I made a mistake? If only I could bump into him again.

"I'll go check you in and get your room key, stay with the bags in the meantime," Henry said and advanced to the reception. I stood in the middle of the hallway, looking around. The place was light and airy, the friendly chatter of a few new students like me filling the place. I felt like I couldn't wait to join them, for some reason. Maybe it won't be so bad here after all.

I badly wanted to roam around and explore the place but I had to watch my stuff so I took a seat near the reception instead. At least there were plenty of couches. those would come in useful after late-night parties on heels... what? Just being practical.

There weren't a lot of people checking in—officially, this wasn't the main moving day and I was early. I supposed the crowds would start pouring in later on. Eventually, I'd get to know all those people, start mingling, trying to fit in...

"I've got your key." Henry came back, jangling my key in his hand, breaking me out of thought. "Now let's get you settled in."

"I really appreciate all the help, Henry," I said with a grateful smile as we rode the elevator to the third floor where my room was.

"Don't give it a second thought, cuz," Henry said, smiling at me. "Remember, it's in my best interest to get you out of the estate."

"Oh shut up, I know you're glad to be doing this for me." I punched him playfully. He grinned.

"Here we are," he said as we arrived at the door. He unlocked it and I entered first.

"Sweet," I said on viewing the place. It was quaint and smallish, but very clean and rather cozy. I felt a little excited to think I'd be calling this room my own for the next three years—ahem, scratch that. One year.

"Well actually it's a studio—oh, you meant s-w-e-e-t," Henry spelled out. "Well, it's not as Grand as Albany's, but I suppose it has its own—charm."

"Gee, snobbish much?" I asked, rolling my eyes. "I know you have an affluent background, but still."

"Oh, wait till you experience the hardships," Henry smirked. "If you've never made your own coffee, never taken out your own laundry, never cooked your own dinner—"

"Sounds like someone had a hard time with self-reliance," I teased him. He gave me a sly smile.

"Never had to commute for half an hour by the tube—"

"Wait, what?" My head shot up. "King's is half an hour away from here?!" I did not know that. Henry chuckled as I frantically searched the internet on my phone for the distance to King's Strand campus from here—crap, it was thirty-six minutes by the tube!

"And since you can't keep a car—looks like someone will have to wake up extra early," Henry said, leaning jauntily against the kitchen counter. I clutched my head. Why would Mom pick out such a distant residence for me to stay?! Doesn't she know I hate traveling?!

Ring! Ring! I waited for at least four rings before Mom finally picked up. Henry had left a little while ago and I had just finished unpacking everything rather hastily because I was in a hurry to call Mom—blast that wretched time difference thing.

"Hello? Lys?"

"Mom! Finally! I need to talk to you immediately. Do you mind telling me why you got me an apartment eight miles away from college?"

"Oh, did you move in already?" Mom sounded surprised. "I thought you weren't going till next week."

"I changed my mind and wanted to see the place," I covered up the real reason, "but honestly, Mom! Eight miles! Why?"

"Because," I could hear her smile, "That's where I met your father, honey. He had a flat there too. Mummy had me stay in at an intercollegiate hall which was—"

"Inter what now?" I interrupted her. She sighed.

"Never mind that. You'll love it there, Lys, it'll be a lot of fun! Think of all the parties you can attend."

"Excuse me?" I blinked in disbelief. "Mom, a party is the whole reason I'm in London in the first place! How can you change your mind so easily?"

"It's—different there, sweetie," She was growing slightly impatient, I knew from her tone. "You're independent now and you'll be living on your own. You're responsible for your own life. And living there will teach you how to adapt to it in the best possible way."

"So basically, the main reason I'm at Angel Lane is because you met Dad here?" I asked in a skeptical voice. Mom sighed again.

"I'll talk to you later sweetie, I have work now." She hung up. I grunted to myself. Darn it, I did not bargain for a forty-minute commute every morning!

I glanced out the window overlooking the courtyard and upper terrace. Sure it was pretty and inviting and all, with adorable little benches and recliners dotting the place... but ugh, I'd still have to travel! Even the perks of Angel Lane didn't cheer me up.

"I just hope I can find my Peter Pan here," I said to myself. "That should make all the trouble of staying here worth it."

I was determined to prove Henry wrong about being self-reliant and responsible. So over the next few days before classes started, I got myself settled in, teaching myself to adapt and conquer daily life without help from a butler or maid. Sure it was challenging at first but I pulled through. My first accomplishment—dinner. Ramen with curried sausage (stock I raided from Bealey's larder). Easy, quickish, and not too tiring on my arms which were aching from all the unpacking. After that, a quick shower and bed. I'll leave everything else for day two.

Day two. Time to pick up where I left off. First, go find the laundry room. Most important item on the list. After all, Gwan didn't get her bony mitts on my clothes. I smiled elfishly at that.

I got dressed and headed out, vaguely wondering how Gwan must have reacted to my disappearing. I bet she threw a fit at the fact. I wondered if she had discovered the empty attic yet. I giggled to myself. Outsmarting her used to be mom's habit; now it looks like I stepped into her shoes and carried on the legacy. At least I won't have to face her or Helena for a few weeks—might as well enjoy the peace until then.

I bumped into a curly, brown-haired, freckled girl at the entrance of the laundry room. She was wearing headphones and hurriedly pulled them out on seeing me.

"Oh, so sorry about that, I was quite lost in thought," she smiled apologetically as she spoke in a thick British accent.

"It's fine, no harm done," I replied. Her eyes widened, probably at my American accent.

"Are you new here? I'm Dominique Tindale. It's nice to meet you." She shook my hand up and down enthusiastically. "I thought I came far too early and I was dreading being the only one in the building but now that I know there's someone else, I'm so glad!" Okay, this one was a chatterbox.

"I'm Alyssa Rosales," I said when she paused for breath. She beamed at me.

"You're American, right? I can tell by your accent. Was that too rude? Sorry, I didn't mean to be rude, I—"

"It's fine, really," I interrupted her, fearing she'd never stop talking. "I was just passing by, I'll see you around."

"Wait, what are you majoring in?" She asked. "We might be in the same class."

"Arts," I replied. She looked disappointed and stuck her plump lower lip out.

"Darn, I'm in social sciences. But we can still meet up at the dorm, right? And we'll be on the same campus. Hopefully, we can also meet up at some parties." I couldn't say no to that eager, puppy-dog face.

"Er, sure."

"Great! Well, I'll see you around, Alyssa!" She skipped off leaving me slightly dizzy. Okay, that was exhausting. I hoped not everyone was like that.

I wandered around, giving myself a tour of the place. It had every amenity necessary, to be sure. In fact, it was pretty nice. There was a game room, a courtyard, and plenty of space to chill. I shook myself. Get a grip, Lys! You cannot get used to this place if you're gonna convince mom that you don't like it! I just had one mission to complete before I left—find Peter Pan. And I had a feeling I would soon.

Perhaps there'd be time to soak in the fun and amenities until then...

"Shit!" I scrambled out of bed Monday morning as my noisy alarm blared in my ears. Today was the first day of classes and blast it all, I overslept till my second alarm. Yeah. that happened.

I hurriedly dressed and made some tea while slipping on my jeans. Ooh, if I didn't hurry I was gonna be late and miss the tube!

I made it out in twenty minutes (that's a record) and ran to the underground station. I skipped two steps at a time, desperate to make it but—

"No!" the tube just chugged out of the station. I missed it. I felt like howling but I didn't want to look like a weirdo so I contented myself by cursing under my breath. Now how am I supposed to get to college?

Bus. The idea struck me like lightning. I scrambled up the stairs to the surface and looked around for the nearest bus stop. But I didn't see any in sight.

"Excuse me, could you point me to the nearest bus stop?" I asked a passing-by old woman. She pointed up ahead and gave me directions on how to get there.

"Thank you," I said and ran off, clutching my bag tight so it wouldn't slip off. I got to the bus stop in time, thankfully, just as a bus was leaving.

"Wait!" I grabbed the door. The bus driver must have taken pity on me and opened the door.

"Going to King's, Miss?" he asked with a kind smile. I nodded and quickly paid him. The bus was fairly full so I headed to the backseat—I didn't want to be gawked at. An elderly man sat on the left side so I took the right. I plonked down in relief. Phew, that was a close one. I leaned back and closed my eyes for a minute to catch my breath. I made it. I wouldn't give Henry the satisfaction of being right about being late. And commuting this way was better than commuting for an hour from the estate.

At long last, the bus arrived at the Strand campus. I got off and steeled myself. I was finally here. This is it, I wonder what adventure awaits me.

Whew! Tingles! New place, new uni, what do you think is in store for our Lys?

Sorry I couldn't introduce you to Peter Pan yet, but wait for it! I hope you're itching for the next chapter because it'll be the big REVEAL! 

And do leave your thoughts darlings, I'd love to hear from you. 

Cheerio, until the next!