6. Chapter 6 - Layrin
Chapter 6
“ U m, are you going to leave me hangin’?”
I blinked a few times, still in a stunned daze, then glanced down to see her hand reaching out for a handshake. Oh shit.
My neck got hot, and I shoved my hand out to clasp hers. I didn't want to be rude to my roommate at our first official meeting. “Oh! Sorry. I didn’t mean to. I’m Layrin Smith, and I was just not…” I didn't want to admit that I was hoping I didn't have a roommate.
She flipped her shiny, long locks over her shoulder before she cracked a smile and kicked the door open. “Don’t worry about it. I think we all hoped that we would be the lucky ones without a roommate.”
Her penetrating gaze stayed on me while I grabbed my box off the floor and crossed the threshold. “I got the left side.” She pointed to the side of the room that featured hard rock posters, a skull lamp on the desk, and fluffy pink bedding.
A shadow appeared behind me, then I felt a cool breath along my neck. “Plus, I knew that side was yours when I looked at the desk. Pretty nice donor you have there.” I jumped and looked back to see her, but she was so close behind me there wasn’t even an inch of space. I eyed her smiling, tilted face and couldn't shake the feeling that something was off with her. She seemed nice and friendly on the surface, but I swore I felt like I’d walked into a viper’s den.
She flicked her teeth with her tongue before skipping over to the desk that was supposed to be mine. “I hope you don’t mind.” She fingered a large flat gift box with a ruby red bow. Slowly, she turned toward me, flicking a card up between her fingers. “I took a peek. Sorry, not sorry.”
The way her eyes tracked me was how I envisioned a lioness and her prey, but then her eyes softened and she stuck out her lip in a pout. She was an odd one, so I was going to play nice until she really crossed a line. I didn't want to wake up one night to her hovering over me with a knife.
“Oh, that's fine. I don't even know who would send me something, let alone what it is.” I shrugged and set my box next to the closet then stepped over to meet her. She crossed her ankles and leaned against my desk with a large, almost manic smile, tapping the box like she wanted me to open it right now.
Just from looking at the box, I could tell it was expensive. The material the box was made out of was silky, it’s sheen obvious under the light. Yanking on the larger crimson satin ribbon until the bow untied, I lifted the top. Inside was a fancy new laptop, the latest cellphone model, and an envelope.
“Wow!” Cinzia exhaled over my shoulder. “All the best and newest tech money could buy.” A bit of bitterness crept into her tone. “Who the hell did you fuck?” I had swiveled around, about to adamantly tell her I hadn’t fucked anyone, when she added, the sides of her mouth tipped up, “And does he have a brother?”
The argument I had queued up melted, my whole body relaxing as I puffed out a laugh at her joke.
She elbowed me. “I’m serious. If he doesn't have a brother… maybe a cousin?”
I shook my head and reached for the envelope. She gave an exaggerated gasp. “Is it a her ?!” I rolled my eyes as I took out the card and opened it. “I mean, just give me a second to adjust, but I can get down with that.” It took only a few seconds before she cocked her head to the side. “Aaaaannnnddd I’m over it. Sign me up for vagina village!”
“No…” I continued reading the note card. “It's from the scholarship committee.” Cinzia’s brows furrowed, so I explained. “I'm here on a scholarship, so they sent me these things to probably keep track of my school progress and stay in communication with me.” The envelope still felt like it had something in it, and when I reached in, I pulled out a black American Express credit card.
Cinzia whistled. “Damn, girl, what scholarship did you apply for, and are they still taking applications?”
I was struck dumb, forgetting the name of the scholarship like an idiot. This was a fucking black card , a card with unlimited funds. It was like petting a unicorn.
She bumped me with her hip, breaking my concentration on the onyx rectangle I was holding. “I'm just kidding. The school year has already started. Of course they don’t have any more, plus…” She did a little twirl before blowing a kiss and winking at me. “My family is rich. I'm more interested in any hot dick that might be on this committee. I just want a guy that can wine me and dine me before I fuck his brains out and leave ‘em like Sunday’s trash.”
I didn't know what to say to something like that, so I just shrugged. For some reason, I didn't want to tell her that I'd never seen anyone on the scholarship committee. I mean, that wasn't odd, right? A lot of people received scholarships through the internet and via mail.
Yeah, sure, but no phone call? Shoving that familiar skeptical voice out of my mind, I lifted the card and raised my eyebrow at her, realizing what this all was. “Oh! I'm sure this is just their way of easily keeping track of expenses. I’ll make sure to keep all my receipts, so I don’t get in trouble.”
“Really? I was going to tell you we should head off to Mexico, buy all the blow and male strippers we can find, eat some bomb tacos, then surf our problems away.” She bounced on her bed and crossed her legs.
For the first time, I took a good look at my roommate, Cinzia Ricci. She didn't just have gorgeous dark locks, stunning green eyes, and the thin willowy body I wished I had, but she had an interesting sense of style for a rich kid. Cropped white button-down with long ruffled sleeves, thick black tights, ankle boots, and high-waisted black shorts that were frayed at the ends. Her look was completed by a black sleeveless shrug that went down to the middle of her thighs and a flat, wide-brimmed black hat. The whole look screamed I don’t care, but I also have money and know how to dress myself, and, oh yeah, fuck my parents.
“I'm just kidding, Lay! I would never surf.” She giggled behind her hand, but I stiffened at the shortening of my name. My heart squeezed, reminding me that I was never going to hear Vivian say that again. She left me, like they all do . It's my fault anyways.
Cinzia must’ve noticed because she quickly scooted off her bed. Her hand softly landed on my arm, and she peered up at me like I was a scared child. “Hey, I don't know what I said, but I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you that upset.”
Taking a breath, I clenched my jaw and shook my head. I needed to push past this. I couldn’t continue living my life like a victim when it was Vivian who had suffered. I’d seen and lived through some pretty shitty situations before, and I would get through this too. I always did, alone.
Plus, if I acknowledged it, then I would have to talk about it, and I really didn't want to do that either. I tried to give my best smile even though my face was so tight it might break if you touched it. “No, it's okay. People used to call me that back home, so it’s just weird hearing it here.”
For once, she didn't have a comeback. She just stared at me, not buying my clipped laugh.
“Oh, I get it.” Her brows pinched, eyes assessing me like she could see my whole life flashing before her. I hated it. I hated the feeling of being transparent, weak.
I dug deep, forced my body to relax, and threw my fingers out like it was nothing. “All good.” Keeping my attention on the gifts in front of me, I pulled out the laptop and set it on my desk. I’d never had anything like this, and I was feeling excited and way too awkward to play with it right now. Glancing at Cinzia, I knew I didn’t want to make any obvious mistakes around her, so I went to my box instead.
It was quiet for a few minutes. I decided to put my clothes away first. I grabbed the box and pulled out a few things before Cinzia started up again.
“Do you need help with your other boxes? I can go down to your car and bring them up.” She put up her arms, flexing them. “I know I don’t look it, but I’m a strong cookie.”
Breathing out a laugh, I shook my head. “No. It's okay. I just got what I needed.”
“Ahhh.” She shook her head and rubbed her chin, nodding. “A nomad. Respect.”
I was about to correct her when I realized if I did, I would have to tell her my story. Instead, I quirked my lips at her before finishing my box.
“When you're done with unpacking, wanna go out tonight? I know a party being run by some upperclassmen. They’ll serve us underagers.” She wiggled her eyebrows at me.
“I'm twenty-one.” It came out before I realized, and I quickly followed with “I took a few years off…” I thought about what rich kids would say as their excuse. “You know, wanted to see the world before I got tied down.”
Cinzia’s smile went wide, all of her teeth showing, though there seemed to be a sinister edge to it that I didn't understand. It was gone in a flash, replaced by pure adoration when she clapped her hands. “Oh my god, I have the coolest roommate! She’s so smart she got a scholarship, and she’ s old enough to buy me booze! I’m nineteen, but people tell me I’m an old soul.”
Old soul? I kept my sarcastic mouth to myself and nodded instead. I didn’t want to make her mad at me if I could help it.
Cinzia bounced up to me, grabbing my hands once she got close, and I backed up an inch. “We’re going to be best friends. I can feel it! I’ve never had a girl bestie, but I promise that it will be worth it, so just call me Cin. Or Zia. You’ll hear either one since my family calls me both.”
I cocked my head to the side, but before I could say anything, she scoffed and let go of my hands. “I'm a stupid legacy here. The baby of the family. My mom and dad went here, my older brothers and cousins too. In fact, I have one brother and one cousin that are juniors. We’re bound to meet up with them around campus some time.” She rolled her eyes and stuck out her tongue, obviously annoyed by that fact. Now it made sense that she knew some upperclassmen. They must be her family members.
She turned back to me. “By the way, what’s your major?” She lifted her hand to her chest. “I’m going for criminal law.” I didn't know what my face looked like because all I could remember was her blow and strippers comment, but she winked at me. “You gotta know the laws if you're planning to break them.”
I couldn't help it. Her devious nature had me cracking up until I could barely get out, “I’m still figuring it out.”
“Smart, smart. Don't put all your eggs in one basket like me.” She gave me a set of finger guns.
Almost like it was timed, I let out a big yawn. The past ten hours of driving were starting to hit me, and my eyes felt heavy.
“I think I’m going to take a raincheck on that party. I don't think I can go out tonight. I just came in today from a long drive, and my body is beat.”
I looked down, just now realizing that this bed was super plush, with a plain gray comforter and matching sheets and pillows. It might be plain, unlike Cin’s pink monstrosity, but when I ran my hands along the fibers, I noticed how soft and warm it was. Was this the standard that came with the room? This was better than anything I had ever owned.
Yawning again, I kicked off my beat-up Chuck Taylors and peeled down the comforter. I almost moaned. The sheets were crisp but soft, and the pillows still had fluff to them. The mattress was firm, not like the one I’d gotten for free from someone’s curb. That one was so beat up and used that the springs dug into my body, keeping me up all night. I might actually be able to get some sleep tonight. Might.
“Totally get it. They’re going to have parties all week, so it's no biggie. I can just take you to one of the others later.” The hope in her voice was kinda cute, so I felt compelled to give her a bone.
“Sounds like a plan.”
Her face lit up before she twirled around to grab her purse off her bed. “Plus, you need to sleep for a nine AM English 101 tomorrow. I heard Mr. Garfield is a dick, but you’ll have Art History 101 with me right after, and we have Miss Jaysen. Supposedly, she gives A’s as long as your attendance is good, and your end of semester paper was at least five pages long.”
I blinked in confusion. How the hell did she know my schedule? I had a copy in my email, but I never mentioned any of that. She giggled as she pulled open the door. “First drawer. It had a print-out of your schedule as well as the student handbook. Night!” She closed the door, and I scrambled to look in my desk. Sure enough, there was my schedule and handbook.
One thing I’d learned was my roommate was the nosy type, but she also seemed like the outgoing, fun type too—if I ignored that little hint of something that I’d seen in her eyes, anyway. While I didn't know if we were going to be “besties” as she put it, I did think it would be wise to clique up with her for now. She seemed like she knew all about this school, and she was connected. That might be helpful in the future.
I laid my head down, hoping to god that I didn't have any nightmares tonight. I didn't want to embarrass myself.
Here’s to hoping.
I yawned for the second time this morning, fingering my necklace before a craving for a pick-me-up settled in. I was desperately wishing I still worked at the diner with its unlimited access to that life-giving elixir.
In between being dead tired from the day before, my nerves shot for my first day, and a nightmare in the middle of the night, I was even more tired than I was yesterday. On the bright side, my back didn’t ache for once. Give a win to the fancy school and their fancy beds.
Not being able to sleep had its advantages, though. Since Cin didn’t come back from the party, I was up at five AM, messing around with my new laptop and phone, so I could get used to how they worked. I made my way to the main hall’s gift shop first thing in the morning. As I was shopping around, that chill ran up my spine, the kind I got when people were watching me, but there was no one inside the shop but me and the cashier, so I gave up on the thought.
In order to get out of there fast, I snagged the nearest backpack and purchased it with my new black AMEX. As I swiped it, my heart skipped a beat. I wasn’t used to things being this… easy. As soon as the sale went through, I asked for the receipt. I planned to keep every single one since I was betting that I would need to report them against the monthly bill.
Now that I had my laptop, backpack, and map of the campus, I made my way over to my first class. When I got there, the classroom was locked.
8:06 AM. Oh fuck.
I was way too early and way too tired to just sit in front of the classroom like a loser. I turned around and decided that I should try finding the rest of my classes, killing two birds with one stone.
By 8:53, I had found my classrooms and a tucked away café where I could get a large black coffee with two shots of sugar. I’d even gotten back here in time for class.
I took a breath before I opened the door. Several seats had been taken at the front, so I made my way to the back, snagging the only seat with no one sitting around it. It was perfect.
At least it was until a panicked-looking guy with wavy strawberry-blond hair came busting in, interrupting the teacher. He called out in a lyrical Irish accent, “Sorry. Sorry. Please continue.”
The teacher glared at him. “Get seated.”
The guy looked around for a seat, and I shrunk down, eyes closed, gripping my coffee with both hands. I whispered to myself, “Not me. Don't sit by me.”
It only took a few seconds before I heard, “Hello, love, anyone sitting here?”
“No,” I moaned out, disappointed that my solitude was broken.
He plopped into the seat next to me, smiling wide, his body completely turned toward me. “Now, peaches, please don't tell me that you're that disgusted with me? You don't even know me.”
Keeping my face forward, I spoke out the side of my mouth. “I don’t even know you.”
He leaned in closer, whispering next to my ear, “Then why the tone, peaches? I’m a nic… a decent guy.”
A small laugh slipped from my lips, and I swung my head his way. “Nice save.”
“Am I interrupting you two love birds? Do you need to step out for some one-on-one time?” Snapping my head forward, I mumbled an apology to the professor, but that wasn’t how the Irish stranger handled it.
“Aw, man, I wish I was wooing this gorgeous lady. If you could just give me a wee bit of time, I think I can get her to smile at me again.” He was still facing me even though he was talking to our professor, and I gulped. This wasn’t what I wanted to get myself into. I wanted to do my schoolwork, get my degree, and have a shot at a better life with better people in it.
The professor's face was getting redder by the second. “Do I need to throw you out of this class?”
The stranger laughed and opened his mouth, probably to keep his little attitude going, but I wanted it to stop. I wanted all the prying eyes to look away.
“Quit it.” I flicked my eyes to him. That lazy smile was still plastered on his face, but his eyes were sharp emeralds that drilled into me so hard they could cut.
He faced forward, giving a half-assed apology to the professor, who huffed and turned away, pointing to the board. As the professor began writing out some highlights from the syllabus on the board, hot air whispered along my neck. “This isn't over, peaches.”
My blood ran hot, recognizing that he was trying to push me. With my street knowledge, I knew that if I didn't push back, he would see me as weak and walk all over me. I needed to nip this in the bud now. Watching the professor, I clenched my teeth, “Is that a threat?”
The professor turned around to glare at us, but we covered our asses by facing forward to make it seem like we were paying attention to him. He eyed us for another second before turning back around. This was my moment. I turned toward the asshole with sexy green eyes and a voice I bet made all the girls sing.
Before I could get another word out, he twirled a strand of my hair around his finger, grinning at me. “You take it in whatever tone pleases you the most.” His eyes flicked to my lips, and my breathing came out hard since I’d just worked myself up into being pissed. He leaned forward, and I jerked back, but he yanked me back. His eyes softened. “I think I’m really going to enjoy…” He looked at the board then back to me. “English 101.”
The combination of my earlier embarrassment and the anger that was currently making my blood pressure rise blew the top off my meter. I yanked out the pocket knife I always kept with me and sliced my locks right off his finger.
I expected his eyes to widen, for him to back off in shock or disgust, understanding that this was a prey that was going to fight back and wasn't worth it. “Don’t fuck with me, playboy,” I growled, hoping that this was enough to scare him off.
What I didn't expect was his eyes lighting up in excitement, his body shaking with laughter. Abruptly, he stood up and proclaimed, “Oh, yes! You're a little psycho waiting for the right one to press your buttons. Exquisite!”
Before the professor could yell at him again, he sniffed the hair twisted around his finger, closing his eyes like he was savoring it, before he got out of his seat.
“You cut it off, so it's mine now.” How the fuck does that make sense? He wiggled his finger, and I started to feel like I had made some kind of drastic mistake.
With the teacher yelling at him to leave, he waved and blew a kiss at me. Yep. That guy was not normal.