Page 37

ROOMIES

Darby

Let us know if you need any help persuading him to change your grade. I think I have at least two inches on that creep.

Berk

Yeah, I know I don’t have the height, but I got the bark.

Me

I’ll be fine! Thank you.

Darby

I know how hard you worked on that paper… I’m sure it was amazing. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

Berk

Yeah, screw him!

Berk

P.S. We’re all home tonight, don’t forget or make any other plans…

Darby

I will have a pitcher of margaritas waiting!

Darby

Yes, you read that right a whole damn pitcher.

Me

Thank you, babes! See y’all later.

I have ten more minutes until Professor Douglas’s lecture lets out, so I take a seat on one of the small couches that line the psychology building’s lounge, trying my best to build my case against his most recent slew of comments on my assignment.

Lacks thorough research.

Needs better supporting evidence.

Lacks substance and depth.

The assignment was to dive into a personal life event and describe how it had changed you for the better or for the worse.

Then apply this year’s teachings to the document.

I wrote about my childhood, the good, the bad, and the ugly.

I dug down deep, deeper than I probably ever have, reliving every beating, every screaming match, and then that final night.

The one that still plagues me to this day.

I wrote about my PTSD, and how, for the longest time, I could barely make it through a thunderstorm without having a panic attack.

I even admitted to the letter I wrote to my father.

Getting it all out on paper was therapeutic, even though I hate that a sleazeball like Douglas would know some of my darkest secrets.

How dare he claim my paper lacks depth.

To prepare for today’s meeting, I went through my assignment and highlighted each and every item he claimed my paper was missing. I even color-coded it too, just to prove my point. To further my argument, I printed the supporting evidence of psychological studies we’ve researched this semester.

Darby and B both think he has it out for me because I refused to pay him any attention like most of his female students. So just in case, I made sure to visit him in the lecture hall, and not in his private office.

I was also hoping that spending more time in the psychology lounge would allow me to catch Tori and Mr. Douglas together.

Unfortunately, it’s not as easy as I thought it would be, even with Cash remembering bits of her schedule.

I’ve even been using the lounge instead of the library when I need to complete assignments, spending as much time as possible on campus.

They must have some schedule they follow because I haven’t seen her once this whole week.

The double doors to lecture room A open, and a crowd of students piles out. I take a steadying breath, hit record on my phone, and head on in. I don’t trust this man for anything; I need to be prepared.

“Ah, Miss Clark, I thought we were meeting in my office,” Professor Douglas says, packing up his briefcase.

“I was studying in the lounge, so I figured I’d just swing by,” I reply coyly.

He glances at the clock, and then looks back in my direction. I feel his slimy stare linger on the hem of my cut-offs before returning to my face. “Well, I normally meet with my students in my office; it’s much more…comfortable in there.”

You mean private , you creep.

“I’ll only be a minute…” I insist.

He releases a sigh of resignation, then leans against his desk while I remain several feet away.

“Well?” he says, with a little more attitude in his tone.

“I wanted to discuss my recent paper.”

“Ah, let me guess, you think I was too harsh in my critiques, and your grade should be higher.”

“I-I, uh,” I stammer, caught off guard by his comment.” Screw this guy. I worked hard on this assignment.

“Well, yes. I do believe that, actually,” I say, taking out my highlighted work and supporting documents that he insisted I didn’t have.

I step next to him, laying out my work and flipping through each color-coordinated point. He takes a step closer to me, and my skin bristles with awareness from his proximity. I try my best to stand my ground and not retreat.

After several moments of rattling off my argument, he remains silent, and I swear I feel him smell my hair. I spin toward him, not allowing the disgust to show on my face.

“Ah, it appears that perhaps I did overlook a few things. I’ll take these into consideration and have my reread done by next week. We can schedule an office visit to go over it all,” he says, packing my papers into his briefcase.

I get a gut feeling he did this on purpose. He knew I would fight this grade… Was this a ploy to get me into his office again?

“Uh, thank you, Professor. I look forward to hearing back from you,” I tell him as an uneasy feeling slithers down my spine. Closing up my bag, I take quick steps toward the door.

“No need for formalities, Bellamy. Call me Mitch.”

Yeah, that’s a fuck no for me. If it were up to me, I wouldn’t be calling him a damn thing. But I need the grade. Plus, I’ll take any excuse to be in this building if it means getting the proof I need to end this bullshit with Tori.

“Have a good afternoon,” I say with a tight, fake smile, then high-tail it out of the room like my ass is on fire.

“Your well-deserved drink,” Darby says as she hands me a margarita, then one to Berkley.

“Thank you!” I beam at her from my spot on the couch.

After unloading my meeting with Professor Douglas, we all decided to stay in for the evening and catch up.

We also decided it was best not to tell Cash or Mav about the perv.

The boys would never allow me to go to my next meeting with him.

Which, in turn, could also ruin the possibility of catching Tori, even though my besties are unaware of that piece of the puzzle.

It's the first night in what feels like forever that we’ve all been able to spend some time together.

Between Berkley finally getting back together with Nate, Darby’s basketball schedule, and her time away visiting her girlfriend, not to mention my own shit, we haven’t had much roomie hangout sessions like we’re used to.

“I missed this,” I say with a content sigh as I sip my drink.

“I second that!” Berkley agrees with a huge smile. There’s no denying the glow she’s radiating now that Nate is back in her life. She seems so happy, even with all the family drama she’s been dealing with lately… She’s still so much more at ease, and I love that for her.

Darby raises her glass, and we follow suit. “To us finding our way without losing each other,” she proclaims, and we all drink.

“Very poetic of you, Darbs,” I tease with a smile.

She laughs lightly. “Need to put all these English classes to work somehow.”

“I thought you were joining the education world with me?” Berkley questions.

Darby remains quiet for a few moments, lost in thought. “To be honest, I'm not really sure what I want to do. Which is pretty frickin’ scary, considering we’re juniors. All I've ever wanted was to play ball. I never really thought of the next stage in life.”

“I get that… Basketball has always been such a big part of your life,” Berkley says.

“I’ll figure it out… I was even thinking of doing physical education. Maybe become a coach.”

“Honestly, it sounds like a great way for you to still do something you love,” I say, finishing the last of my drink.

“I need a refill. Anyone else?” I ask as I stand and make my way across the living room toward the kitchen.

They both hold up their nearly empty glasses, and I laugh… Guess I'll bring the whole pitcher in.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I pull it out to see a notification from Cash. I can barely contain my smile.

Stud

Your place or mine tonight?

Me

I’ll have to get back to you on that… We’re having a roomie night.

Stud

I’ve heard about these…

Me

Oh yeah?

Stud

Yup! Graham was going on about them… But don’t worry, he didn’t reveal anyone’s secrets. Said it was sacred girls’ night and shit.

I smile. Only Graham would be able to keep those kinds of secrets. Leaning against the counter, I continue to stare at my phone, giggling like a schoolgirl.

Me

And that is exactly why he will always be invited.

Stud

I'm not telling him that.

Me

He already knows.

Stud

Maybe I can get an invite sometime.

Me

Someone jealous?

Stud

No… I would just like to know what’s being talked about.

Me

You couldn’t handle the conversations we have.

Stud

Bet.

Me

Ha, we’ll see.

Stud

Alright, beautiful, text me later.

Me

xo

“Dare I ask what has you giggling in here?” Berkley asks as she enters the kitchen, and I jolt in surprise.

“Uh, it was Connor. Begging to join our girls’ night,” I lie.

She eyes me for a moment, and then reaches for the pitcher I never returned with.

It kills me to keep this secret from her, but for now, it’s for the better.

It’s too messy, and I’d hate to drag anyone else into this before shit with Tori is resolved.

I know when the time comes, and I tell her everything, she’ll understand, and Darby will too.

For now, Cash and I will remain a secret, and I’ll continue to use Connor as my excuse.

“Come on, Darbs was about to spill some tea... She thinks she found out who the new writer of the Howler Report is.”

Cash

Bella

Coast is clear… Darby is passed tf out.

Me

Come to the door.

I wait anxiously for her front door to open. It’s been a shit day, and nothing soothes my foul mood more than being wrapped up in Bellamy’s arms. When she texted me to come over, I dropped everything and headed straight there.

This week, Tori has resorted to sending me a snapshot of the video almost daily. Sick fuck . It's like she takes pleasure in my misery. I still don’t understand what she gets out of this deal. She’s an attractive girl; she can date anyone she pleases. Why continue to force me into this?