Today was the day.
Vivienne opened her eyes before the alarm had a chance to ring.
For a few quiet seconds, she simply stared at the ceiling, unable to stop the smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
Today, she would finally meet Anthony Ashford.
Not through the pages of a serialized novel she had faithfully followed for years.
Not through illustrations tucked between Chapters.
But in person.
The thought alone was enough to sweep away the last traces of sleep.
Careful not to disturb Claire, who was still sleeping peacefully across the room, Vivienne quietly slipped out of bed and made her way to the bathroom, gently closing the door behind her.
Warm water cascaded over her shoulders as she stood beneath the shower, absentmindedly smiling to herself.
Yesterday had passed far more pleasantly than she’d expected.
After their conversation, she and Claire had spent the rest of the afternoon wandering around St. Albion together. They admired the centuries-old library, peeked inside the university chapel, got pleasantly lost while exploring the gardens, and laughed over Claire’s determination to join what felt like half the student organizations on campus. By dinner, they were already chatting comfortably, and by the time they returned to West Hall that evening, the awkwardness between two complete strangers had quietly disappeared.
Claire Whitmore.
In the novel, she had been little more than a name attached to Vivienne Beaumont’s room assignment.
Hardly worth a sentence.
Now that she was living this life herself, Vivienne was discovering all the little stories the original author had never bothered to tell.
Claire was cheerful.
Easygoing.
Quick to laugh.
And surprisingly thoughtful.
No wonder they had become roommates.
Vivienne smiled to herself.
Maybe this transmigration wasn’t only about meeting the characters she’d admired from afar.
Maybe it was also about meeting the people the story had quietly overlooked.
After finishing her shower, she wrapped a towel around her damp hair before stepping back into the bedroom.
Claire was still asleep.
Perfect.
She quietly opened the wardrobe and took out her uniform.
One piece at a time, she dressed without making a sound.
The crisp white blouse.
The navy blazer embroidered with St. Albion’s crest.
The plaid skirt.
She buttoned the cuffs before sitting down at the vanity.
The morning routine came almost automatically.
A light layer of skincare.
Just enough foundation to even her complexion.
A touch of rosy blush.
Mascara to brighten her eyes.
A soft pink lip tint, followed by a clear gloss that caught the morning light ever so slightly.
"...There."
She smiled faintly at her reflection.
Then she opened the jewelry box.
Inside lay several neatly arranged pairs of earrings.
She reached first for a pair of diamond studs.
"...Hmm."
After a moment’s consideration, she put them back.
Instead, she picked up a pair of slender white-gold earrings adorned with tiny diamonds that swayed delicately whenever they caught the light.
"...These are prettier."
Fastening them carefully, she tilted her head from one side to the other.
Satisfied, she reached for the navy ribbon and tied it neatly beneath her collar.
She stood.
Smoothed the front of her blazer.
Looked at herself again.
"...Maybe..."
She folded the waistband of her skirt inward just slightly before taking a few steps back from the mirror.
"...No..."
She unfolded it again.
"The first day probably isn’t the best time to get dress-coded."
She laughed quietly at herself.
Just then—
"...Good morning."
Vivienne turned around.
Claire had pushed herself up onto one elbow, still looking adorably sleepy.
A few loose strands of auburn hair framed her freckled face as she blinked several times.
"Good morning," Vivienne replied with a smile. "Sorry if I woke you."
Claire shook her head.
"You didn’t."
She glanced toward the vanity.
"...You’ve been awake for a while, haven’t you?"
"...Maybe."
Claire laughed softly.
"I figured."
Vivienne looked back toward the mirror before hesitating.
"...Can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
Vivienne turned to face her.
"...Do I look alright?"
Claire blinked.
Then she climbed out of bed and walked over.
Without saying a word, she slowly looked Vivienne up and down.
Once.
Then again.
Finally, she smiled.
"...You look beautiful."
Vivienne let out a small breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.
"I was hoping you’d say that."
Claire laughed.
"I don’t think you had anything to worry about."
As she stepped closer, her eyes landed on the towel still wrapped around Vivienne’s shoulders.
"...You’re waiting for your hair to dry?"
Vivienne nodded.
"I didn’t want to use the hairdryer while you were still sleeping."
Claire smiled warmly.
"That’s thoughtful."
She walked over to the vanity and picked up the hairdryer.
"You can use it now."
Then, after a brief pause, she added,
"If you don’t mind... I can help."
Vivienne immediately waved both hands.
"Oh, no. You don’t have to."
"I know."
Claire smiled.
"But it’s easier when someone else holds the dryer."
Vivienne hesitated for a moment before laughing.
"...If you’re sure."
"I am."
She took the seat before the vanity while Claire plugged in the dryer.
The room was soon filled with the steady hum of warm air.
Neither of them attempted much conversation.
Instead, they simply exchanged the occasional smile through the mirror.
Several minutes later, Claire switched the dryer off.
Silence returned to the room.
She picked up the curling iron instead.
"...May I?"
Vivienne nodded.
"Please."
Carefully separating a small section of golden hair, Claire began curling the ends with practiced hands.
"...Can I ask you something?"
Vivienne met Claire’s eyes in the mirror and smiled knowingly.
"...Is this about Anthony Ashford?"
Claire paused for a second before laughing.
"...Was I really that obvious?"
"A little."
Claire smiled sheepishly.
"I’ve just been curious since yesterday."
"I don’t mind."
Vivienne watched her own reflection as another lock of hair fell into soft waves.
"...Yes."
"I am engaged to him."
Claire nodded slowly.
"I thought so."
"My brother always said Anthony Ashford was the kind of person everyone noticed the moment he walked into a room. Well, I’ve never actually seen him."
Vivienne smiled faintly.
"...Neither have I."
Claire stopped curling for a moment.
"What?"
"I mean..."
Vivienne laughed softly at her own choice of words.
"We’ve met before, of course."
"When we were children."
"But we really haven’t spent much time together these past several years."
"So..."
She shrugged lightly.
"I suppose today will feel like meeting him properly for the first time."
Claire nodded in understanding.
"That actually makes sense."
Another curl slipped neatly into place.
Claire smiled mischievously.
"So..."
Vivienne already recognized that smile.
"...What?"
Claire’s grin widened.
"Is that why you’ve been trying so hard to look pretty this morning?"
Vivienne stared at her for a heartbeat.
Then her cheeks gradually turned pink.
"...Maybe."
Claire burst into laughter.
"I knew it!"
Vivienne covered her face with both hands, laughing despite herself.
"I can’t believe I admitted that."
"I think it’s adorable."
Vivienne lowered her hands, still smiling.
"I’ve always been a romantic."
"I can see that."
Claire gently set the curling iron down before taking one final look at Vivienne’s hair.
"There."
"I think we’re done."
Vivienne turned toward the mirror once more.
Soft golden waves framed her face elegantly, the delicate diamond earrings catching the morning sunlight whenever she moved.
She smiled.
"...Thank you."
Claire returned the smile.
"My pleasure."
Outside the window, the university bell rang across the campus.
The first bell for orientation.
Claire picked up her satchel.
"We should go."
Vivienne nodded.
She took one last glance at the girl reflected in the mirror.
Then smiled to herself.
"Alright."
"It’s time."