Clone Earth : MELVIN
The University

The entry was floored with brown granite, polished to reflect white walls lined with old portraits. Trevon headed to the gleaming wood staircase directly in front of him, up stairs covered in a deep red fabric. It ended on a landing that overlooked the floor below, lit by a beautiful revolving chandelier; Trevon spared a moment to admire it, subconsciously straightening his collar and running fingers through his hair to tame it. Then it was left. Through the door, down a white-walled, red-carpeted hall, until he reached the alcove at the end.

When his uncle dropped him off and told him where to go, Trevon thought he was prepared for what he would encounter. But even the faint images from his childhood couldn’t compare to this structure and the details inside of it.

There was a row of plush armchairs lining the wall, opposite a large desk. He did a double-take at the figure seated behind the desk - her casual clothing and young face were not what he’d pictured for the University President’s personal secretary.

“Hello!” he said brightly.

His greeting was drowned out when, the girl slammed something shut on the desk in front of her, flipping the monitor off and throwing her arms over the screen. She panted a flushed, “huh” before looking at him. Body stiffened by the startled reaction to presence, Trevon stood in silence for several long moments.

Clearing her throat, the young girl pushed her long, dark brown hair to its rightful place behind her shoulders. “Sorry for that. How can I help you?”

Trevon hesitated for a moment. He was sure he’d caught the secretary doing something she wasn’t supposed to be doing. In her earlier years, Ari had the same reaction at times he’d caught her messing around with games and files she wasn’t supposed to be tampering with. But what this girl was doing it wasn’t his business.

“My name’s Trevon Kana. I was hoping to meet with the President?”

Her aquamarine eyes crinkled. “He’s not in today. But I can set you up for a meeting tomorrow afternoon. I think I have his schedule somewhere around here -” The girl fumbled around the desk, turning back on the monitor she’d indiscreetly turned off. Something about the way she moved made Trevon suspect she didn’t belong behind the desk.

“Actually, I was hoping to get admitted as a student before the semester starts, so it’s really important. I came straight here from a 36 hour shuttle ride. It’s my first time on a Clone Earth, I don’t have anywhere to go. Is there another way to contact him?”

The girl paused for a moment, looking Trevon over before standing. “Look Trevon -”

“Kana.”

“Kana.” She paused again after saying his name but seemed to shake off whatever thought she had in connection with it. “Let me level with you here. I’m not the usual secretary. The usual girl, who is the president’s granddaughter. She had to leave for the evening and she asked me to sit at the desk and tell everyone that came, to come back tomorrow.” Trevon was fascinated by how much the girl used her hands as she spoke. They were simple movements, but each twitch seemed very deliberate. “So even if you really need to speak with him. I can’t do anything to help you.”

“Got it,” Trevon swallowed. He knew pushing her wouldn’t help any, but now he had a bigger problem than trying to talk his way into school. “Last question, and then I’ll let you get back to your very secretive computer game.” She flushed red again. “Do you know of a place, or a corner really, I might be able to sleep in?”

This time her response was less tense and more sincere. “You really did just get here from space, didn’t you?” Trevon felt his cheeks tighten into a thin smile.

“Nicki? Why are you behind Raines’ desk?” A new voice interrupted their silent exchange.

“Work experience?” she shot back.

Paul gave a short laugh, emphasizing his disbelief. “Right. Like your family would let you be a secretary. Ever. Stick this in Raines’ drawer, will you?” He handed her a small memory chip. “And put it on top so she know’s I returned it. Thank you.”

“Okay.” Nicki took the chip while Paul turned to leave without a glance at the stranger beside him. He’d almost made a complete 180 when a light switched on behind the girls blue eyes. “Wait!” Paul spun back around. “Your timing is perfect.“

Rounding the desk, Nicki grabbed Trevon by the arm. Gently guiding him toward Paul. Trevon suddenly became aware that Nicki’s height matched his sisters. However her personality was much friendlier. “Paul meet Trevon. Trevon, Paul.” she pushed the two boys towards the door. “Trevon doesn’t have a place to stay tonight, Paul. So you’re going to take him home.”

“What? Why?” Paul asked, “No offense dude I’m - “

“President Warrington is in the city until tomorrow. Trevon doesn’t have a place to stay tonight so he should stay in your house.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re here and I know you have an open spot.” The door swung closed Paul threw his hand out and stopped it, his knuckles inches from being smashed.

“Is he a new student?”

“Not yet. But look at him.” She motioned to Trevon again. “I’m sure it’s only a matter of time, so help the poor boy out.” With Paul’s attention distracted, Nicki managed to pry his fingers off and close the door the rest of the way. Right in front of his nose, forcing Paul to stumble backward. Trevon was impressed how quickly one has to react to these manual doors.

Straightening up his jacket the boy turned to Trevon, studying him. Perhaps debating whether to obey or leave him here. “Why not. Come on.” He motioned for Trevon to follow him back down the stairs and out onto the sidewalk. “So, where are you from, Trevon?”

Trevon glanced over before answering. “Meckam Station,”

Paul tilted his head. “Never heard of it.”

“You wouldn’t,” he grinned. “It wasn’t anything special.”

“Space station though, right?” He smiled as Trevon nodded. “Bet it’s strange being on a planet then.”

Trevon shrugged, trying to be casual despite the memories of his and Ari’s childhood suddenly flicking through his mind; he knew they couldn’t talk about it. “I’ve been on one before.” Well … couldn’t talk about it in detail.

“This one is pretty unique,” Paul said, as Paul spoke, Trevon felt a tiny tremor beneath his feet. Similar to the hum of an air conditioning unit being turned on. Looking up toward the trees there was a small ripple and young trees stretched a little higher, new leaves appearing down their branches.

Trevon blinked. The skies light was dimming so he wasn’t quiet sure but, “Did I just see a tree grow?”

Paul chuckled as he continued walking. “Part of the forest was leveled last semester. They’re working on getting it ready for the beginning elemental class next week.”

“So that’s a yes?”

Paul continued walking.

Crossing to edge of campus, they had walked down a street of houses. Actual houses, six of them, lining the paved street on both sides. The street was dimly lit, automatic lights still not quite adjusted to the evening. From what Trevon could see, though, the houses were huge. He suspected if you stacked two of them on top of each other, it’d be relatively close to Meckam’s external structure.

“Welcome to the Gambit House.” Paul declared as they approached one of the houses on the end.

“Why is it called that?”

“They named it years ago when they forced several clans to move in together under one roof.” He chuckled. “Biggest gamble the council ever made.”

Trevon realized he was supposed to understand what that meant, so he quickly nodded and smiled. Clans, council ... he would need to remember to look into that later.

When they entered the house, though, all other thoughts left his head and only one remained: This place was massive. That had been clear from the outside, but inside was more than he could imagine. The entry was wide and open, with double staircases leading to unknown wings, and an antique chandelier illuminating all from the vaulted ceiling.

Paul caught his gaze and grinned. “That doesn’t really seem like it should be in housing for a bunch of guys, huh?” He motioned to the chandelier.

Trevon squinted; it looked like there was a pair of shoes stuck in the center of the lighting. “No? I think it’s perfect.”

Laughing, Paul led him up one of the staircases. “You’re only staying here one night but I have to warn you to be careful. Living areas, game rooms, library, communications rooms, music rooms are all on the main floor and basement. They’re the only common areas, which forces everyone to mingle and makes it necessary that those areas always be monitored.”

“Why would that be necessary?”

Paul’s smile wasn’t as bright as before. “You know how people like to stick with their own. In a place like this, that’s mostly used as an excuse for one thing.”

Something in Trevon’s mind clicked. Stick with their own, clans, family pride … families. Apparently social circles revolved around families here.

They turned down a large hallway lined with doors. “Not all are willing to develop ties outside their clan. So try not to make any trouble tonight.”

“I usually do well at not making enemies.” He cleared his throat and stopped gawking at his surroundings for the first time. “Where would you like me to stay?”

“That’s the thing...” Paul frowned - not a frown of disapproval, but of concern. “Since you’re from a space station I think it’s safe to guess you don’t have any clan ties?” Trevon felt a small blush threaten his cheeks, as he nodded. “Thought so. The freshmen hall is already full --”

Something exploded behind them, showering their backs with debris. Paul sighed. “Oh Come ON! The semester hasn’t even started!

CHAPTER END

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