Just as you were about to sit down on the bed, the door to the adjoining bedroom creaked open. You turned, your breath catching slightly as a girl stepped into view. Well, "girl" wasn’t quite the right word, she was more of a presence, her sheer size making the small dorm feel even smaller.
She had to be at least twice your width, her uniform stretched tight over her expansive belly and thick arms. Her round face was framed by wavy chestnut hair, her cheeks full and dimpled as she smiled warmly at you. There was a scent lingering around her, something sweet and buttery, mixed with the faintest trace of cinnamon.
"Oh! You must be my new roommate!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands together. "I’m Lillian, senior and class president! And you are?"
You swallowed, hesitating for a moment before giving her your name. She grinned, waddling closer with surprising grace despite her size.
"Well, it’s so nice to meet you! I was wondering when you’d get here." Her gaze flickered to the welcome basket on your desk. "Oh, they gave you the good one this year! Chocolate truffles, cookies, even some homemade fudge. They must really like you!"
You shifted uneasily, eyeing the basket. "Yeah… I guess."
"Oh, you don’t have to be shy," she said, waving a chubby hand dismissively. "Evergrove is a wonderful place, and trust me, you’re going to love it here!"
You forced a smile, still trying to process everything. "So… how long have you been here?"
"Since my first year!" Lillian said proudly. "Best decision I ever made. The classes are great, the people are wonderful, and the food, oh my gosh, the food! I just love cooking. It's kind of my thing."
Your stomach twisted at that last part. "You cook?"
"Absolutely! I run the student cooking club. We do a lot of baking, you know, pastries, cakes, big hearty meals. It’s just so rewarding to make something delicious and share it with your friends!"
She chuckled, patting her belly affectionately before turning toward a small kitchenette in the corner of the room. You hadn't noticed it before, but now it was impossible to ignore, the counter was stocked with ingredients, mixing bowls, and what looked like a fresh batch of still, warm cinnamon rolls sitting on a plate.
"Speaking of which, you must be hungry after your trip," Lillian said, picking up the plate and offering it to you. "Go on, have one! I made them this morning. They’re best when they’re still soft and warm."
You hesitated, your fingers twitching at your side. Everything about this place was setting off alarm bells in your head, but at the same time, the smell was intoxicating. One bite wouldn’t hurt, would it?
Lillian beamed as she saw your hesitation waver. "Trust me, you’ll love it. And there’s plenty more where that came from!"
You reached out, fingers brushing against the soft, icing, glazed surface of the roll, your mind spinning. It was just a cinnamon roll. It didn’t mean anything. And yet, as you took a hesitant bite, something told you that this was only the beginning.
Lillian watched, smiling approvingly as you chewed. "See? You’ll fit in here in no time."
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