dinohigh, no humans allowed!

The human and the principle walked past the triceratops as she complained with a lot of concern. 

wat! You're not really going to let him in, right? Is it just a joke? Hahaha, you got me, okay? The joke is over. This isn't funny anymore. I'm not having fun anymore.

She was in denial. I could tell. She couldn't believe this was happening. 

A frown spread across my mouth, and I was thankful my mask covered it. but it didn't hide the look my eyes gave off. I don't know what I was thinking. but I thought I would get a room all to myself. but being stuck here and forced to live with a person who clearly didn't want me, I don't know.

I could do that all day. but if I had to do that all night for the next 5 years, I think I would just go crazy. I just wanted somewhere to retreat too, to power down and try to salvage the little bits of sanity I had left. but with this girl acting like this on our first day. I felt bad for her. It clearly ruined her plans for an ideal high school life. but hay? At least it can't get any worse, right?

The principle opened the door. I had not noticed we were there already; I was too lost in my own thoughts. I don't know. I've been thinking a lot more about stuff ever since I got here. Maybe it's the academic setting that forces me to reflect. It was just the mood of the place.

Sorry about that, the principle said professionally and without a hint of actual concern. Anyway, I wanted to introduce you to your roommates.

I look at him, tilting my head. Uhm, I already met her? wait. Did I hear an s at the end, or am I just dreaming?

Yes, he hissed amusedly. clearly enjoying my slight discomfort. Opening the door, he revealed the room. It was massive. First of all, the air conditioning was cool; it felt like a fresh mountain spring. Everything was marble tile or chiseled. It felt like I was in one of those super expensive hotels, but I was going to stay here every night. I blink my eyes to check if I was dreaming. It had expensive crystal chandeliers. lush silk curtains. a great view from the window. and many extravagent furniture brands. I couldn't hope to afford it. stryacurture. galimauxes. and Velociraptor Viddon, there was so much more. but I couldn't recognize it. I shudder at the thought of whether they were custom-made. or, better yet, a designer limited collection sold at a closed auction!

My hands twitched as I ached to feel their soft fabrics and their intricate design, with my sensitive human hands dotted with thousands of nerve endings to feel every single sensation I could comprehend. 

The principle was looking at me weirdly. Don't steal anything, okay? 

I nervously laughed. Ah, very funny. I wouldn't dream of it, sir. but please just give me your agent referral. 

The principle smirked and promised. to hand me the designer brochure if I followed his "tasks" for me? Huh, what could he want from me? Don't tell me it's another test. I just barely survived the first.

I shake my head and rub my shoulders. Urgh, I'm so tired.

He shuves me forward and says corridor on your left. We were in the living room, and I saw on the right side the kitchen and bathrooms. ahead of us was the balcony. and to our left were the various rooms down a mini-corridor.

The girl behind us didn't follow. The principle looked at her, asking, Hay? Aren't you going to come in, or are you going down the elevator?

She stammered, Uhhh, I feel safer outside here; I don't want to be stuck with that thing inside an enclosed space. The principle rolled his eyes. Well, get used to it, he replied. I don't want to catch you camping in the hallway, which will drastically devalue the price of the floor. 

She furrowed her brow angrily at his lack of concern. dismissing her fears as mere chilidish complaints.

I ignored her too. more curious about who my other companions would be. and more importantly, if they were on the same level of annoying or worse. aggressive. which reminded me that the principle had seen my knife but didn't confiscate it. and I had fought that girl with my bare hands. Maybe thats why he was pleased? He knew a human had a disadvantage physically against a dinosaur, and yet I didn't pull it out. but I'm sad to admit it might have been because of my panic rather than planning. 

I nudge the principle. gesturing to my side belt, where the knife is holstered. He looks at it neutrally. I wordlessly speak to him by moving my mouth in the words I am speaking, just without the sound. saying how many? and he speaks to me in his subsonic voice that is out of the range of dinos hearing; some aren't here yet, but so far there are 7 or 8, and the number can increase. 

That made me anxious. thinking that home base would have so many possible hostile altercations the moment I wake up or go to bed. and the chance of them increasing made my head spin.

Well, at least they are all ceratopsids. I said resignation on my face.

He shaken his head in a no. He said no, they are different species from across the dinosaur world. You were placed in a room with the most diversity we could create. It was the only excuse I was able to find to get you in here. If it were all one type plus a human, they would gang up on you. so at least in this way. There will be enough openings for you to find some rest when they are busy bickering among themselves.

I narrow my eyes, skeptical of this logic. I reply with a mouth gesture. but what do all dinos do? You do realize they will side with each other because of their shared Dino identity. Why couldn't you add other arthropods or even reptiles? It would have made things a lot fairer.

He shakes his head again. I cannot do that. The government before us has siezed the previous generations admission coupons for their species. I'm working on scanning the database records for their last common ancestor who was able to track down any descendants to get them in here. but until then, you're stuck with the other coupon holders. 

I look around. So wait, the others I'm going to meet, and that girl was also a coupon holder? He nods his head. It's a generational admission slip. There would have been more of them in this room. but luckily I was able to spread them out because of the school's expansion. but they should still be in the area.

My face sours. This wasn't looking good for me or my plans. crossing my arms, I was thinking hard about what to do.

He taps my shoulder. speaking again. in an unhearable voice. So what with the knife? Is there something you want to do with it? I speak back, mouthing the words. I just want confirmation that I am allowed to use them on campus if someone attacks me, or more specifically, if one of them attacks me.

he frowns. Unfortunately, you are not allowed to use outside campus, but I am working on a pass for you for, uh, legal exceptions due to being non-competent for trial. but that is still in the works, so until then, keep all trouble on campus. and you already know the rules for any teacher who is against you coming here. Their approval is not important. It's their legal power over us. Remember, they can influence the vote of the youth by being a constant brainwashing influence on their opinions. So don't act out in their class; be on your best behavior. I am also speaking from my own childhood experience. It won't do much for you. since they are most likely to demonize you anyway.

The rules were set before me, not the rules of the school. but the rules of my engagement in social conflict. i had to think carefully on my next move as he began to open the door. I took a deep breath. and readied my mind for another round of this terrible life.