Stay Toxic

Chapter 6

Igo into town that afternoon and shop for a few bits and bobs for my side of the room.

I find a large rug that we can put in the middle—it’s gray, plush, and gorgeous. I hope Ari will approve. A throw for my bed—teal—and a plant. That’s not much, but it livens up my side a bit, making it look like someone actually lives there.

My classes officially start the next day. I jump into the familiar routine, eager to get started.

My schedule is ridiculously packed. Law school isn’t exactly known to be a light curriculum, but I took a number of electives unrelated to my main course of study. I didn’t choose the field I’m studying—that doesn’t mean I can’t take The Origin of Myth, Classic Greek and Ancient Languages, and Creative Writing on the side, so I’m not bored to tears.

The languages teacher is an impeccably dressed middle-aged woman, known for her extensive published work on the subject as well as a stint as an archeologist in her youth. I’m not gonna lie: no other class is nearly as exciting this year. She cited several texts, and I opt to head over to the library right after, as that was my last class of the day. Besides, there’s a cafe on the ground floor of the building. I order a triple shot latte and down it in record time before heading up, and up, and up, following the signs to the top floor, where they keep archives, local news, and dead languages.

The library is modern, well lit, but built keeping ancient designs in mind—spiral staircase, banisters, and warm wood shelves. I seriously love it here. It takes me a while to get to the seventh story, because I’m derailed at almost every floor by an unexpected feature. An actual ancient suit of armor behind a glass case, a damn aquarium with thousands of fish on the third floor—biology—and on the sixth floor, rare books, ancient or out of print, kept in a locked, temperature-controlled room.

I’m pretty much in heaven.

I find the complete work of Mrs. Marsh, my new teacher, volumes one through seven. I already have the textbook, but reading her actual research won’t hurt, so I pile them up, and get to one of the alcoves. They’re all empty, either because it’s already nine—I wasted a lot of time going up here—or because it’s not a popular floor.

I open the table of contents of each volume, checking the chapter titles, to see which ones are likely to be the most relevant to our course of study. I must have lost track of time, because by the time I’m at book six, a slender man comes to tell me they’re closing soon.

“I thought the library was open till eleven?”

He smiles at me kindly. “It’s ten forty-five, poppet.”

“Oh.” A glance at the grandfather clock across the room tells me he’s right. “So sorry! I’ll head down right now.”

“Hard at work already, huh? We don’t normally see people this immersed until mid-term.”

“It hardly feels like work,” I admit, regretfully getting up.

I look at the pile of thick leatherbound volumes. Marsh studied ancient Roman and Greek customs in detail, from the inner workings of the government to the role of women, even prostitutes. At first glance, I’d say I only strictly need three of the volumes, but I really want to read the rest.

“How many books can I check out at once?”

“The limit’s twenty-five, but you can apply for more if needed.”

I opt to take all seven.None of them are available as ebooks, so that’s the only way to get to read them.

The librarian, Walter, tells me he studied library science right here at Rothford. “To my parents’ great distress, I didn’t want to join the family business, or become a lawyer, or a doctor.”

I sigh, relating to every word. Granted, Walter actually got to do what he wanted, while I’m well on my way to passing the bar in the next three years.

“But I’m a third child—my big brother’s working in the family’s business, and my sister’s in finance, so they just gave up on their lofty aspirations for me.”

Lucky guy.

He checks my book out by 11:03 and I make my way across campus with all seven volumes in my arm, wishing I’d taken my car. The dorm, on the other side of the road, is only a ten– to twenty-minute walk, depending on where I am on campus; from the library, it would normally take me about fifteen, but with my cumbersome load, I’m slow, and almost trip on my feet twice on the way. I can barely see a thing above the seven books.

I’m not gonna lie: it’s not comfortable to walk alone, in the dark at this time. I glance over the pile of books and back over my shoulder quite a few times, my insides tight. But no one’s following me; the only people I encounter are groups of laughing, tipsy students who completely ignore me.

I struggle to open the door of the dorm, balancing the pile of books on one hand to twist the handle.

When I walk in the room, there’s music, which isn’t a surprise, and voices. That, I expected less. At least, I can’t hear any sex noises, so whatever’s going on, it’s likely not a repeat of Sunday.

I’ve only just managed to shut the door, when my burden’s suddenly lifted from my hands. I yelp in surprise, losing my balance at the sudden loss of some twenty pounds, but a strong arm holds me into place. A toned arm in a soft gray shirt, rolled up to the elbow.

I know who it belongs to before my gaze finds those impossibly blue eyes and that smirk.

And god why does he smell so, so good?

“Christ, you’re a menace,” Sebastian says with a chuckle. “Someone should revoke your walking license.”

“Leave her alone,” Ari retorts. “I’ve had one or two too-many-book accidents in my day.”

The staunch paperback lover would take my side on this.

“Thank you,” I tell Sebastian, a beat too late, as he puts my books on my desk.

He joins Ari, a dark-haired petite girl, and two other guys seated on my rug right between my side of the room and hers, cards in hand.

“Hey, did you get my text?” my roommate asks. “I never got a reply, so I figured we could play a few hands and ask you if you were cool with that when you came back.”

“Sorry, I didn’t pay attention to my phone.” I flush. “I completely lost track of time in the library. But I don’t mind.”

I don’t need notification for card games—orgies are another story.

“That happens,” she says with a knowing nod. “This is Lucy.” The brunette waves. “Ben and Lawrence.” The guys look nothing alike, and definitely don’t resemble her, so I’m surprised when she adds, “My little brothers. Everyone, this is Tia. She provides delicious chocolate and has the best tastes in rugs.”

But now I pay attention, despite the coloring, and general built, there’s something similar in their faces, especially their eyes.

“You bought this?” Lucy says, patting the wool under her ass. “It’s so comfortable!”

“Yeah, I did. And nice to meet you all.”

I’m a little lost as to what to do; leave them to their game? Join them?

“Hey, do you drink beer?” one of the boys asks, holding up a bottle to me.

Beer isn’t my beverage of choice, but I take it all the same, glad to be included. “What are you guys playing?”

“Poker. We play for favors rather than money. Right now, the stakes are washing Mom’s car.”

“If I win, they wash my truck, which is full of horse manure,” Lucy says with a grin. “And I’m so winning.”

I smile as I approach the rug, grabbing the bottle offered to me.

With or without the sex fest, this room is obviously going to be pretty social, and I don’t truly mind—so far everyone has made me feel welcome. I bring the beer to my lips and wince as I take a swig.

“Ancient literature?” Sebastian asks.

I turn to find him still standing near my desk, peeking at the title of the first book on the pile.

For some reason, that makes me smile.

“I thought you were in law school?” he asks.

I raise an eyebrow, surprised; I don’t remember mentioning what I was studying to him. Maybe Ari told him. “I’m taking a few random electives.”

“Random?” he repeats, unconvinced.

I shrug, rather than launching into a tirade about the fact that I don’t have many choices right now, but I hope to pave some sort of a safety net for the vague time in the distant future when I will.

And I will. In three years and seven months, I am free. One way or another.

“Did you already lose?” I ask Sebastian, because clearly he’s not playing with everyone else.

Ari finds that question so hilarious she snorts her drink while laughing her ass off. “Man, if Bass was playing we’d all be broke.”

“Or naked,” Lucy pipes in. “Bass only plays for real stakes, right?”

She winks at him, and I’m blushing again. It seems Ari isn’t the only one who got his attention.

“My cousins and I are competitive. This is the kiddie pool,” he says, tilting his chin towards the group on the floor.

Ari flips him her middle finger.

If he’s not playing with them, I wonder why he’s here? Then I blush. Oh. Likely for a repeat of Sunday. If he’s back, he and Ari are probably seeing each other—more seriously than the second guy, whom I haven’t seen since that night.

I really should check my phone before coming back.

“Speaking of, I should get going,” Sebastian—or Bass?—says. “The grown-ups have a meeting at midnight.”

“Thanks for the booze, man!” Lawrence calls as Sebastian heads towards the door.

On impulse, I find myself getting to my feet. It’s my room, too after all. I should bid the guests goodnight. I feel silly as soon as I’m up, but in for a penny… I go open the door.

It’s stupid. This should be Ari doing it; it’s her boyfriend after all. Or fuck buddy. Or something.

“Lovely to see you.”

Gosh, someone shoot me. It’s my roommate’s damn something, what the hell am I doing blushing and escorting him to the door and?—

He remains on his feet for what feels like an eternity, then shakes his head. “Gotta love those Southern manners. Lovely to see you too, pervert. Bye, Ari,” he adds, waving. And then, he’s gone.

The other guests don’t linger for long, finishing their game in less than twenty minutes.

I assure Ari that their presence was just fine again when she asks, and I thank her for sending the text I never saw, before we both crash.

That night, I have two dreams. I can’t decide which one is worse.