It would be nice to see what your room is like, and what your roommate is like, but having the friendship of somebody in the upper classes is really valuable. This school has got to be full of bullies, and you can really use somebody to protect and help you. You were lucky? enough to get the attention of Hisa and you have better make sure you keep on her good side.

The wisdom of your choice is quickly confirmed. A hand suddenly grabs hold of you and a boy asks "Now where is a delicious dish like you going to?"

A look reveals someone who is not your type. Oh, he is not a real loser or anything, but he doesn't go on your short list, or even on your long list. And he certainly doesn't qualify as somebody you are happy to have just grab you and make a snack out of you. But how to stop him? "I'm going to see Hisa. She's a junior and is expecting me..."

Hisa isn't expecting you that much and you aren't sure if she really cares if you are a victim of a lad with the munchies. However, neither is this lad, who apparently knows more of Hisa than you do, or at least knows that sophomores had better not get in the way of juniors. Reluctantly, he lets go of you and looks elsewhere for a snack.

You don't stay around to see if he might change his mind. Instead you speed up your walk to Hisa. Maybe it's a meaningless incident, but it may mean you will really need Hisa's help.

When you arrive at Hisa's room, Heather is happy to see you, but Hisa is unhappy. "Just my luck. Well, come on." She orders you. You follow her, not quite daring to ask what is up at first. But as she continues to grumble "...I use the kitchen as little as any of them, but somehow I always get stuck with the work...", you ask "So what can I do to help?"

She looks at you with surprise, and remains in a bad mood. "Oh, you are going to help all right. But it won't be with the work."

"Well, if you tell me what is going on, maybe I can."

At least this improves her mood. She laughs "Not a chance. You are going to be busy full time as it is. You know that gravy Heather slathered you with? Want to guess where that comes from?"

"I'd guess that you are about to tell me, and that I won't be thrilled with the idea."

"Too right. It, and a lot of the other supplements, are processed girl, or boy. Right now we are low on gravy, and you are the newbie. So I am going to convert you into a pool of gravy.
"Now if you had stayed away, Heather would have had to process some other newbie, but no. You had to rush back and so I got stuck with the job."

"Well, I am sorry, but you wouldn't want me to stay away from you. Maybe next time you will be luckier..."

"I suppose... I shouldn't blame you for being a good little girl, but... Ah, here's the kitchen, so we can get down to work."