Bella does not generally venture off by herself. She attends classes; she shows up to occasional student events like fairs and concerts and skirmish matches; otherwise she is rarely without company, even if it's company that doesn't personally know her.

But no part of the campus is invariably occupied. She happens to be in such a variably occupied portion of campus during a trough period, on her way back to Thatcher from an early dinner at the food court, when school has been in session for three weeks.