Alítheia eps 2

I had been sleeping for over an hour when I heard the sound of keys jingling at my door. I heard a low groan just as the door opened. I turned in my bed to see a girl about my age. She was pulling her second box into the room. I pulled the covers up to my face, so she won't notice me staring. She pulled in the last box with a small groan, then she stood at the door, examining the room. She had an emo vibe, with her edgy all-black attire, heavy boots, ripped skinny jeans, plain black tee, scorpion pendant type necklace, and multiple rings on her fingers. Her black beanie covered her hair. Once she seemed satisfied with the room, she slumped onto her bed across me. There was a beep from her phone and she took it out of her pocket. I debated whether to say hello. Just as I was contemplating, she sat up and looked directly at me. 

"Are you always shy or it is a first time thing?" Her voice startled me. I lowered the covers to reveal my face and realized she was addressing me. "My name is Raven," she continued. "What's your name?"

"Alitheia."

"What kind of name is Alitheia?" She asked. I wanted to inquire if Raven was her real name too, but I held back and bit my lip instead. Raven opened one of her boxes and began arranging some books on the reading table beside her bed. 

"It means truth," I replied, sitting up in my bed. 

"Are you true to yourself?" She glanced at me and turned back to arranging the books. I wasn't exactly sure what she meant, but I replied. 

"Yes. I am myself."

"Do you like philosophy?" This time she looked at me and waited for a response. 

"I...I do," I stammered.

"Good," she said, turning her attention back to the books. 

"You have quite a collection of books." 

"Are you a reader?"

"Yes. I use reading as a means of escape," I said with a little caution. 

"Has it helped broaden your mind?" I wasn't sure what she was getting at, but I nodded in agreement. She walked to my bed and picked up my bible. She flipped through the pages and gave it a little pat before replacing it on my bed. "I see you are a believer." 

"Sometimes...yes. I am," I admitted, feeling a bit uncertain in her presence.  

"Are you or are you not?" She said with a little laugh. 

"Well, my parents are believers and I was raised in that environment."

"You still haven't answered the question," she teased, enjoying my confusion. She walked back to her bed and sat down facing me. I noticed the smoky eye makeup for the first time. "There is no need to be ashamed. I am a skeptic," she shared. 

I glanced at the books she had arranged, and their titles confirmed my suspicions. "Do you have believing parents?" 

"They are pretty laid back about their beliefs. They let me do what I want. Lately, I have been seeking the truth for myself, she said, taking off her beanie. Her long hair fell in a mass over her face before she tied it into a bun. It was not quite what I was expecting. 

"You have a beautiful hair." She looked like she did not agree. 

"Thank you," she said simply after looking me over. "Where was I? I found a quote by Francis Bacon. I will read it to you." She reached for her backpack and brought out a notepad. "Tell me what you think of it. A little philosophy inclineth man’s mind to atheism; but depth in philosophy bringeth men’s minds about to religion. What do you think?"

I would rather not be having this conversation. "Something about how philosophy can point you to religion," I replied. 

"Isn't that a bold statement?" She said, her eyes showing she found it incredulous. "I am studying to see if Francis Bacon is right or wrong. I plan to write a thesis on it." She tapped on the notepad with a single finger as her lips folded into a satisfied smile. I looked from the finger to her curved lips. What a way to start freshman year. A philosophical roommate. Just great. 

"I wish you luck with it," I said flatly. 

"I don't need luck. What about you? What do you believe? Would you be fine with exploring that?"

There was a knock on the door and before we responded, Sophia's head popped in behind the door. 

"Ready to—" She paused when she saw Raven. She walked in and went over to introduce herself. "Huuuu, I love your outfit. Smoky eyes. I love it. Let me guess, you are some mystery girl"–Raven laughed–"my name is Sophia. Her favourite cousin," she said pointing at me.

"Raven," she said receiving Sophia's handshake. 

"That's unique." Sophia was all over her, it disgusted me a bit. Mystery girl, my foot. I hated that she was making me feel weird and unsure of myself. What do I believe?

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Episode three

Episode one