Room 312
Emergency contact info?Knowing less is better.I repeat to myself.
Putting both legs through a pair of leggings and grabbing an oversized t-shirt with the school’s emblem of a wolf, I tell Em the news, and we head out to Dirk Hall.
Chapter Six
CAMERON
My day was supposed to end around five o’clock, but ended up finishing at one instead, due to my visit to the health center after Kamila’s meltdown. Thankfully, nothing is broken, and it’s only an ugly black eye. I got the medical excuses I needed for class and iced my face on and off for hours in the confines of my room.
My parents paid a little extra for a room with no roommate so I couldfocus on my studies.Whatever their reasoning was, today I’m thankful that I don’t have to explain this damned black eye to anyone.
I’ve been lounging around for about two hours since I finished a short essay, and I’m bored out of my mind. Why did Kamila have to go and pull a stunt like that? It ruined my whole fucking day academically and socially. She’s gotten inside my head, and now it’s time to get her out. I should’ve never listened to that little devil on my shoulder, he’s already gotten me into enough trouble in the past. Hell, that little voice was the thing that got me into this mess during my senior year of high school.
My phone rings, and Ethan’s name flashes across the screen. I roll my eyes, knowing that I have to pick it up or he’ll keep calling.
“Ethan.”
“Someone’s in a mood.”
Shit, am I really that crabby today? “Bad day,” I grit out.
He makes a grunting sound. “Dude, it’s your first day, and you already pissed someone off?”
“Did you call me for any particular reason, or was it just to annoy me?”
My cousin whistles. “Sheesh, someone really did a number on you.”
Now is not the time for this. “And you called because?”
“To check up on you, you ass.” He laughs, not giving a shit what mood I’m in, thinking it’ll go away in a matter of minutes. Little does he know who the person to ruin my day was.
This time, I exhale deeply, shaking some of the frustration off. “Sorry. Like I said, it was a bad day. Nothing I can’t get past.” Because Kamila will not be a problem again.
“Good. Don’t get too distracted. Have fun, but you know, be responsible, focused, and all that shit. You’re the brains behind our future.”
I’m very aware of what my role in our future is. Part of that future plan rides on me learning everything and anything I can here at Driscoll about how to run a business. Ethan has always been like a brother to me, so when he knew that he wanted his own tattoo shop, I quickly hopped on board, offering to be his partner.
He’s been an artist for the past five years and gave me my first tattoo before I was of legal age. I ended up loving the art form of tattooing, but had no interest in doing the art itself. Hence, why I’m studying the ins and outs of the business side of things.
“Don’t worry about me, Ethan,” I say honestly. “You know I’m always on top of these things. You focus on practicing, saving up, and recruiting other artists.”
“Already on it. Keep me updated, and let me know if you need anything. You know I’m always here for you, brother.”
“You got it.”
“Before I let you go, I gotta ask. Have you seen her?”
Closing my eyes, I mouth a curse. I knew this was going to come up at one point or another.
“No.” The lie comes out a little too easily. “And if I do, I’ll just ignore her. No drama or distractions, right?” Another lie.
Hello, little devil, welcome back.
He scoffs. “Right. Seems like everything is set then. Good luck, Cam.”
“Bye, dude.” We both hang up, and I stare at my phone screen, wondering how I already broke my promise to Ethan about no drama or distractions. After a while of watching YouTube videos, my eye starts to throb again. Popping in a few ibuprofen, I close my laptop to get some shut-eye.
