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Rachel and Layla's Dorm
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It was seven in the morning. Rachel and Layla were in their dorm, a in bed and asleep. Then Layla's alarm went off. She opened her eyes, turning it off and yawned. She sat up in her bed and looked at her phone. She noticed that there were messages from her friends and family wishing her a happy birthday. Happy birthday sweetheart! Sending my love to you! Miss you and Rachel!" her mom wrote. Happy birthday princess! Love you! her dad wrote. She smiled as she scrolled through the other messages from her friends and family. She was grateful to have so many people in her life that cared about her. She put her phone back on the table next to her bed, getting up to get ready for the day. She decided to make herself breakfast. She went made her way to the small area that was used as the kitchen, grabbing two pieces of bread and putting them in the toaster. She also used a pan to cook some bacon. After they were done, Layla put everything on a plate, and poured herself a glass of orange juice. Once she finished her breakfast, she went into the bathroom to brush her teeth and hair. She decided to style her hair for the ocassion. She grabbed the starightener, going section by section. She got the curler after, curling the ends of her hair. Layla come out of the bathroom a few moments later, wearing a black white plaid dress with a maroon long-sleeved shirt underneath. For jewelry, she was wearing gold hoop earrings and a rose gold locket that Rachel gave her a few years ago. And for her shoes she was wearing black ankle boots. Layla looked in the mirror to see if she was satisfied with the outfit. She felt like there was something missing. Oh yeah! A beret. She put the beret on, now happy with her outfit. She looked over to Rachel's side of the room. She was still asleep, but Layla didn't want to wake her up. She figured that she would wake up on her own soon. She smiled to herself, grabbing her bag and heading to her first class of the day.
Rachel was in the dorm, decorating for Layla's birthday. She placed balloons all over the dorm, hung a banner that read "Happy Birthday" on the wall, and even baked a cake the night before Layla was asleep. She looked around the room, seeing if she liked how the decorations turned out. "What do you think, Paris and Chloe" Rachel asked her two cats. The cats shifted their gaze across room before meowing in approved. Rachel laughed. "I'll take a guess and say that you like it" she said. She set small table up in the corner of the room, grabbing some snacks, the cake, and water bottles, placing on the table and organizing them neatly. "There! Now it looks good!" She texted Layla. Happy birthday! Come to the dorm after you're done with classes. I have a surprise for you! She sent the message before heading to her next class of the day. She sighed. She wished that the rest of their family were there to celebrate. But she couldn't wait to see Layla's reaction to the surprise.
Rachel returned from her classes, placing her bag on the back of her desk chair. She sat on her bed where Chloe and Paris greeted her happily with purrs. She smiled, gently stroking her cats and scratching under their chins. Rachel sat there for a few moments before deciding to check her phone. She noticed that Layla had texted back. Thank you! I just finished classes now. I'll be there in a few minutes. She smiled wider as she thought about the mini surprise party she had planned for her sister. Her phone went off again, seeing a text from their cousin Tiffany. Hey Rachel! Sorry I can't be at your dorm to celebrate with you and Layla! But tell Layla I said happy birthday for me! She read the message, texting back. Don't worry! And I will! She sent the message, placing her phone on her desk.
Layla finally made it to the door, grabbing the dorm key from her bag and unlocking the door. She opened it, noticing that it was dark inside. "Rachel? Are you there?" She turned on the light, seeing that Rachel was standing beside the table of snacks with a smile. "Happy birthday, Layla!" she said. Layla grinned widely, putting her bag on the coat rack by the door, and giving her sister a hug. "You did all of this for me? Thank you! You didn't have to, though" she said. Rachel shook her head. "Your birthday comes every four years. I wanted to make it as special as possible." Layla walked over to Paris and Chloe, petting their heads. "Hey guys. Did you help Rachel decorate?" she said with a laugh. Rachel chuckled. "Of course! They helped me decide if they liked the decorations or not" she joked back. "I made a cake a for you. Your favorite." Layla smiled. "Vanilla with raspberry filling?" Rachel nodded. "Of course! Would you like a piece now?" she asked. "Sure!" Layla said. She examined the cake. It was beautifully decorated wth red and pink roses, and the words "Happy 16th Birthday Layla" written in pink frosting. Rachel cut the cake, putting each slice on two separate plates. "Let's eat!" Layla took the first bite, smiling. "This is delicious, Rachel! The best cake I've ever had." Rachel smiled. "Thank you! I tried my best" she said. She put her plate on the table. "Oh! I have a present for you!" She opened her desk drawer, grabbing a small, neatly wrapped box. "Here. This is for you. Open it" Rachel said. Layla nodded, taking the present from her sister. She carefully unwrapped the box, opening to reveal an amethyst necklace. She smiled. "Thank you Rachel! This is beautiful!" she said. "You're welcome! And Tiffany made you something. She wanted me to give it to you and tell you happy birthday" Rachel said. Layla was surprised. "She did? That's very nice of her." She saw a larger box on her desk, opening it. It was a gray scarf knitted by Tiffany. "This is pretty! I'll definitely make sure to thank her when I see her again" Layla said. She hugged her sister. "Thank you, Rachel. This is the best birthday ever." Rachel smiled, hugging back. "You're welcome. I'm glad that you enjoyed it."
Rachel neatly organized her desk, stacking her books on the small shelf above it. She kept one book out of the pile though; her Sign Language book. She decided to take the class, along with her sister Layla, so they can learn it. Their cat Snowbelle was deaf, so they figured it would be easier for them to communicate with her through Sign Language to signal what they wanted to say to her. She opened the book, studying it and taking notes. She leaned in chair, with Snowbelle nearby. Rachel smiled at her cat, petting her long, white fur. "What do you want to do today, Snowbelle?" Even though she obviously knew Snowbelle didn't understand her verbal speech, she liked to talk to her to give her attention. She was also excited today because her cousins were coming to her and Layla's dorm to visit Snowbelle. She was their aunt and uncle's cat originally, but they decided to give her to Rachel and Layla's family. It was a perk of her cousins being here; they could visit Snowbelle whenever they wanted to or when they had the time to.
Layla had just gotren out of the shower, changing into her pajamas. She walked to Rachel's side of the dorm, drying her hair in the process. She smiled at Snowbelle, petting her head. "Hi Snowbelle" she said in a gentle voice. She looked over at her sister, noticing the book in her hands. "Hey, Rachel. What are you doing? Have your heard anything from Michelle yet? I know she told us she'd let us know when they were coming." She placed the towel in her hamper, deciding that she'd do some laundry later.
message 8:
by
Kyleigh , The History Lover (Assistant Manager)
(last edited Aug 13, 2025 02:05PM)
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Rachel put the book down, looking over at her sister. "Hey, Layla. Just studying for Sign Language class." she replied. "Do you want to join me?" They both had the class together, so she figured that she would ask. She glanced at her phone, seeing if she got a message from their cousin Michelle. "Yeah, she said that they'll be here soon." It was a weekly tradition for them to visit each other's dorms, and Rachel and Layla always looked forward to it.
message 9:
by
Kyleigh , The History Lover (Assistant Manager)
(last edited Aug 13, 2025 08:24PM)
(new)
Layla nodded her head. "Sure, sounds like a plan" she said. She sat down at her desk chair, looking at clock. " But maybe we should until after our cousins leave. Is that okay with you?" She gave a small smile. "That's good. It's always fun when they come over, isn't it?" Even though they all have some classes together, she felt like
they didn't see each other often. So it was to visit each other's dorms when they could.
they didn't see each other often. So it was to visit each other's dorms when they could.
Rachel gave a small smile. "Great!" she said. She watched as Layla looked at the clock, glancing in the same direction. She nodded her head. "Yeah, we can wait, no worries!" She placed the book back in the corner, spinning around in her chair. "It is fun when they come over here" she agreed. As she continued the conversation with Layla, she heard a knock on the door. "That must be them. Come in!"
Michelle opened the door as she heard Rachel's voice, with Caitlyn and Timothy following close by. She smiled as she saw her cousins. "Hi Rachel! Hi Layla!" she said enthusiastically. "How are you?" She looked over at Snowbelle, walking in her direction and gently petting her on the head. "Hey, Snowbelle! How's she been?" She took a seat in the bean bag chair in the corner of Layla's side of the dorm, adjusting herself to be more comfortable. "Cozy. Hope you don't mind, Layla."
message 12:
by
Kyleigh , The History Lover (Assistant Manager)
(last edited Aug 21, 2025 10:54PM)
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Rachel smiled back. "Hey Michelle. I'm good. How about you?" She chuckled as Snowbelle purred when Michelle pet her. "She's been doing well. She seems happy to see you again. To her she probably hasn't seen you in a while." She glanced over at her sister. "I'm sure she's fine with it. Right, Layla?'
Layla grinned at her cousin. "Hi, Michelle. I'm good too." She chuckled lightly at Rachel's remark. "No, I don't mind at all. You can sit anywhere you'd like, so don't worry about it. Make yourself at home."
Layla grinned at her cousin. "Hi, Michelle. I'm good too." She chuckled lightly at Rachel's remark. "No, I don't mind at all. You can sit anywhere you'd like, so don't worry about it. Make yourself at home."
Michelle's smile widened. "That's good to hear. And thanks" she said. "How was school today? Anything exciting happen in your classes?" She looked over at her siblings, gesturing for them to come closer. "Would you like to have a seat, Timmy and Caitlyn? Or would you prefer to just stand there?" Her voice was stern but kind as she spoke. "That reminds me. How's Aunt Shannon and Uncle Mark? Have you talked to them lately?"
Caitlyn nodded without saying a word, sitting next to Michelle. She adjusted herself in a more comfortable position. "Hey, Rachel and Layla. It's good to see you again." She glanced over at Snowbelle, petting her head. Normally, she was a shy and quiet person. But around her siblings and cousins, she felt more comfortable and sociable. She truly loved her family and were the few people she was open with.
Timothy followed his sisters' lead, sitting down so he'd be more comfortable. "Hi Rachel and Layla." He looked over at Snowbelle and smiled at her. "It's nice to see you as well, Snowbelle." He turned his attention to his cousins, tapping his chin with his finger. "Have you found it easier to communicate with Snowbelle lately?" he asked with curiosity. Last time he and his sisters talked with Rachel and Layla, they said that it was a bit difficult caring for their cat. so he wanted to ask and make sure.
Rachel turned her attention to Caitlyn, nodding her head. "Hey Caitlyn. It's good to see you too. And hi, Timmy." She listened as Michelle spoke. "Classes were good. Nothing too exciting, just the usual." she replied. She smiled at the mention of her parents. "Mom and Dad are good. Layla and I talked to them a few days. They're busy with work though, of course. Grandma and Grandpa are good." Any chance she got to talk to her parents always made Rachel happy. She wished that she could talk to them more often, but of course it was diificult with school. So she treasured every conversation that she had with them.
Layla repeated Rachel's words. "Hey Caitlyn and Tim. Nice to see you as well. And school was good. I learned some interesting things about Sing Language." That reminded her of Timmy's question. "It's been getting easier, but it can still be difficult sometimes." She loved Snowbelle dearly like her sister did. Which was why the sisters decided to take the Sign Language class. They thought that it would help by giving her basic commands through hand gestures without having to speak. They both wanted to provide her as comfortable of a life as possible, which she hoped was what they were doing.
Layla repeated Rachel's words. "Hey Caitlyn and Tim. Nice to see you as well. And school was good. I learned some interesting things about Sing Language." That reminded her of Timmy's question. "It's been getting easier, but it can still be difficult sometimes." She loved Snowbelle dearly like her sister did. Which was why the sisters decided to take the Sign Language class. They thought that it would help by giving her basic commands through hand gestures without having to speak. They both wanted to provide her as comfortable of a life as possible, which she hoped was what they were doing.
message 17:
by
Kyleigh , The History Lover (Assistant Manager)
(last edited Sep 17, 2025 10:37PM)
(new)
Michelle nodded along as Rachel answered her question. "Really?" Nothing interesting at all?" she asked with a laugh. She glanced over at Layla. "What kind of things?" She paused before continuing. "That's good to hear. They're always busy though, so it's no surprise. I wish that Uncle Mark could teach history here. But Miss Göthberg's classes are interesting, so I can't complain." She always wondered what it would be like if her uncle taught at the academy. It would be nice since she would be able to spend more time together. She respected Eva and her teaching style, but she wondered if Uncle Mark could get a job as her assistant somehow. She wasn't sure if he would be keen on the idea, but she suppose that could always ask him whenever she had the chance to talk to him again.
Caitlyn listened as her sister and cousins conversed with each other, nodding along. "Next time you talk to them, you should tell Uncle Mark and Aunt Shannon that we all said hi" she chimed in. "And I agree. Miss Eva's classes are always fun and interesting." She wasn't into history as much as her cousins, but she still found the subject fascinating. But to be fair, her uncle was a history teacher, so that was probably why Rachel and Layla were naturally drawn to it more than her or her siblings. "Have you heard any updates on the rest of the family?"
Timothy looked over at Caitlyn, a smile spreading across his face. "I agree with Caitlyn. Don't forget to tell them that next time you talk to them." He turned his attention to Layla, giving her an approving nod. "Well, at least it's progress." He pet Snowbelle again, the cat purring as he stroked her fur. "I guess we can tell Mom and Dad about that. They were wondering, too.'
Rachel laughed along with Michelle as she spoke. "Noting that I can think of" she replied. She flashed a grin at her cousins. "Don't worry, we'll let them know." She nodded her head. "I agree, too. I like Miss Göthberg's classes." Though she notices that some of the other students didn't really enjoy Eva's classes, she did. She had a lot of interesting stories to tell each class, which she liked. "I wish Dad would be here, too. It would make school more fun." She paused before continuing. "I heard that Chelsea is getting married to her boyfriend soon. We'll definitely call her and let her know we'll try to be there." Chelsea was their cousin on Rachel and Layla's father's side. She knew that their parents were attending since they told them, but she hoped that could go, too.
"Don't worry, we'll let them know" Layla said, repeating her sister's words. She paused for a moment, considering how to answer Michelle's question. "Just some words that I learned to sign." She turned her attention to Timothy, nodding her head. "Yeah, it is.'' She gave an agreeing smile. "I like Miss Göthberg's classes, but it would be fun if Dad was her assistant for the class." She smiled again. "That's right, how could I forget?" Honestly, she couldn't believe that her cousin was getting married. Her and Rachel had met Chelsea's boyfriend before coming to the academy, and he seemed nice. He made Chelsea happy, which made Layla happy since she cared for her older cousin dearly.
Michelle smiled approvingly. "Good" she said simply. She nodded as Rachel and Layla spoke. "That makes sense, I suppose." She had a surprised look on her as her cousins told them about Chelsea. "Really? Our cousin's already getting married?" She paused for a moment before flashing another grin. "Well, that's surprising to hear. But I'm happy for her. I'll have to tell her my congratulations whenever I get the chance to talk to her again.'
Caitlyn chimed into her siblings and cousins' conversation. "I talked to Mom recently. She said she's doing good. She recently got promoted at her job." Her mother worked at a veterinary clinic as a receptionist, but was inspired to work as a veterinarian and went back to school. She worked hard and Caitlyn was proud of her mother for accomplishing her dreams. Caitlyn's ears perked at the mention of Chelsea. "I didn't know that Chelsea was getting married. I'll congratulate her too when I talk to her." She glanced over at her brother. "Isn't that exciting, Tim?"
Timothy listened as Caitlyn spoke, "That's right. Mom was so happy when she told us" he said. He smiled to himself. He and his sisters were all incredibly proud of their mother for working so hard to get to where she was now. Their mother truly was an amazing woman. He nodded at his sister's question. "It is. I'll have to congratulate her, too." Honestly, marriage was not something Timothy expected from Chelsea. Of course he knew she would someday, he just didn't think it would be now. She was still relatively young. But regardless, he was still happy for her.
Rachel smiled. "That's good to hear. I'm happy for Aunt Sandra" she said. Growing up, Rachel and Layla saw their cousins and aunt quite often since they lived close by. She loved her aunt dearly and has a close bond with her. Honestly, she missed those moments. Obviously being at the academy, she saw her aunt less as time went by, though she liked to chat with her or send letters. Regardless, she was proud of her aunt now. "I'll make sure to let her know that you told her that next time."
Layla nodded with her sister in agreement. "I'm happy for Aunt Sandra too. She's worked so hard for that" she said. The memories with her aunt came back to her as they talked about her. She wished that she could see her and the rest of her family again. Maybe on their next break she could convince Rachel to leave the academy for a bit and visit them. "Chelsea seemed really happy and excited when she told us. I was surprised too, but if she's happy, then I'm happy too."
Layla's Room -