Trailing a hand along the railing, Hope descended the stairs from the girls part of the student quarters to the common area below. Late afternoon sunlight poured in through the large windows, picking out reddish shades in the girl's long dark hair, and turning everything in the building a rich golden colour. Treading heavily in her chunky leather boots, letting the rubber soles drag across the highly polished floors, Hope turned at the bottom of the stairs, her hand moving from the railing to the wall, continuing to trace her path through the corridors.

With a another dozen steps, the texture of the tiled floor changed, indicating the different purpose for the large airy room in which she now stood. With cupboards lining every spare space of the walls, several refrigerators, and assorted appliances spread at intervals over the bench space, this place could not be mistaken. It was a kitchette, for the students use. Midnight study boosters, microwave popcorn for movies, or even just for lazy meals when the dining hall was too far away, this place was for food.

Each of the cupboards held a variety of food types, placed there on good faith by various students. Technically, you weren't supposed to take anything that wasn't yours. The only food you were allowed to eat was the stuff you put there yourself. Unfortunately this was only a technicality, and food was frequently stolen, by people doing exactly what Hope was doing right now. Opening the cupboards one by one, Hope examined their contents, trying to find what she wanted. Her silver ringed fingers still traced their way along various edges in the kitchen; the bench top, the inside shelves of the cupboards, cans on tinned fruit.

Closing one cupboard with a bang, Hope moved on to the next, looking for something more appealing. Apples - too healthy. Packet mix muffins - too much effort. Bowl of instant noodles - just right. Pulling the round styrofoam container out of the cupboard, Hope was ripping off the thin plastic covering almost before it was in her hands.

As the plastic rustled it's protest, the girl turned with a quick movement, her left hand lingering to tap the cupboard door closed once more. In three quick strides, she crossed to the nearest kettle and unplugged it, dumping the noodles on the bench. Turning the cold water tap of the sink next to it, she awkwardly fit the spout of the kettle underneath it. After a few moments, she judged she had at least enough water for her noodles, and turned off the tap, landing the now heavier kettle back in it's original place. Plugged back in and with the flick of a switch, the kettle began to hiss and the element stirred into life once more.

Pealing back the lid of her noodle bowl, Hope removed the plastic fork, flavour sachet, and sachet of dried vegetables. Ripping open the flavour packet, she tipped that into the bowl, then bundled that packet together with the plastic wrapping, fork and vegetables, and stuffed them into an over-full bin under the sink. She wouldn't need any of them. Sliding open a draw, Hope removed a real fork, and chucked it onto the bench near her noodles. Pulling herself up onto the bench as well, Hope sat, her legs dangling over the edge, waiting for the kettle to turn itself off.