Chapter 1 #2
Papá plodded along behind me, offering smiles to everyone we passed. I tried my best not to snarl. I’d been here all of five minutes, and already, I could feel their judgy little rich-kid eyes on me. Shit, what if this had all been a big mistake?
“Lexi, I think you passed it. Number one-sixty-nine, right?” Papá’s voice forced my head up, and I glanced at the golden numbers on the deep mahogany doors.
I spun on my heel and doubled back to the door he stood in front of.
“Are you all right, mija? You haven’t said much since we got here.”
“Just have a lot on my mind.”
He reached for my cheek, and I could feel the pinch coming, so I darted out of his reach. “Dad,” I whined. “Not in front of everyone. I’m not a little kid anymore.”
“I know. I’m sorry.” His brows drew together, and now I was the one feeling sorry.
I didn’t mean to snap at him; I was just on edge.
Papá’s hand curled around the antique doorknob, and the door swung open.
I peered through the threshold, and my jaw dropped.
Damn... The massive chamber looked like a room right out of Harry Potter.
Dark mahogany furniture filled the room, with gold encrusted everything.
Arched stained-glass windows looked onto the sea, and the dark wood floors were covered by plush carpeting.
On the far side stood a four-poster canopy bed with pristine white sheets and a thick comforter.
Opposite that, sat a matching bed with crumpled sheets and textbooks strewn across the mattress.
Must be my new roommate.
A low whistle drew my attention from the extravagant room back to my dad. “This really is something else, mija.” He closed the door behind him, and I circled the room, jaw wide enough to catch flies.
No shit. This couldn’t really be my room.
“Looks like you’ll be living in the lap of luxury.”
“Thank goodness for that scholarship,” I mumbled.
His lips twisted into a frown. I hadn’t meant to insult him. Papá worked hard for every penny, but there was just no way he could’ve afforded the tuition, much less housing like this, even with my part-time job.
I rolled my suitcase beside the bed and flopped down onto the mattress. The soft bedding cushioned my body like a cloud, and a groan slid through my lips. I’d died and gone to heaven.
The door whipped open, and I shot straight up, nearly jumping out of my skin. A tall girl with a short black bob lined in purple streaks strode in, her bright white teeth gleaming against her lavender lipstick. “Oh, hey, you’re here. You must be my new roommate.”
“I am.” I forced myself off the bed. “My name’s Lexi.”
She eyed me beneath thick, dark lashes and heavy liner. “I’m Cordelia, but everyone calls me Cordi.” Her gaze darted toward Papá, and a grin curled her lips. “Is that your daddy?”
Papá shifted uncomfortably. And man, I couldn’t blame him, because Cordelia was eyeing him in a way that had my stomach revolting.
“That’s my dad, Jorge,” I finally muttered.
“I see where you get your good looks, Lexi.” She batted her dark lashes at Papá, and deep crimson blossomed across his caramel cheeks.
He cleared his throat and inched closer to me. “Um, I should probably get going now that you’re settled, mija. I’ve got a long drive ahead of me. Unless there’s anything you need?”
I shook my head. Poor guy. I decided I’d let him out of this awkwardness. Drawing him into a hug, I gave him one more tight squeeze.
He reached for my cheek, then pulled back with a rueful smile. “I’m going to miss you, mija,” he whispered. “But I know this is where you belong. Make the best of the opportunities you’ll be given here. I’m so proud of you.”
Tears stung my eyes, but I quickly blinked them away. Don’t cry. Do not cry. “I’ll be fine, Papá. I love you and thank you for everything. Please be careful going home.”
He’d always tried so hard to make up for Mom’s loss and he did the absolute best he could; I appreciated that more than he’d ever know.
His eyes glistened with unshed tears as he turned toward the door.
I forced my feet to remain planted to the spot, the little insecure kid version of myself urging me to run and wrap my arms around my dad one more time. But I wasn’t that little kid anymore.
When the door finally closed behind him, I heaved in a steadying breath.
“Your dad is muy caliente.”
Very hot? An unexpected laugh burst out at Cordelia’s attempt at Spanish. “Thanks, but also, eww.”
She slumped down on her bed with a chuckle, tossing the books on the floor. “Ugh, I need a drink. You want one?”
“Like alcohol?” I glanced at the clock above the door. “It’s not even noon yet.”
“Girl, I just had my last final for the summer last week, and now fall classes start tomorrow. I had no break at all.”
“That sucks.”
“And that, my new friend, is why we drink.” She reached under her bed and pulled out a bottle of vodka.
My stomach roiled. I wasn’t much of a drinker, and just the thought of straight vodka in the morning made my gut clench.
“Come on, Lexi. It’s your first day at Stonewall. Trust me, you’re going to need it.”
I gave her a tight smile as she took a swig and then handed me the bottle.
“Bottoms up, roomie.”
I clenched the expensive bottleneck in my hand, recognizing the white goose across the label. What the hell... One little sip couldn’t hurt. Throwing my head back, I swallowed a big gulp. The alcohol burned all the way down my throat, but I forced a smile as my new roommate watched, delighted.
“Welcome to Stonewall University, bitch.”