I can’t believe my luck when I manage to get a park on the first try.Climbing out of the car, I push my sunglasses into my hair and cross the busy road.I’m hoping I’ve timed it well and no one will be there.If they’ve changed the locks again, I’ll be so furious.
My stomach hurts with cramps by the time I’m standing in front of the door.I use the key Zayden took from Emily and exhale in relief when the door swings open.Stepping inside, I peer around the room, wrinkling my nose in disgust at the state of it.Considering I was the only one who ever cleaned, it makes sense that the place is a total disaster now that I’m not here.
I wait for a few moments.Nothing but silence meets my ears.Another breath of relief.
My eyes move to the coffee table where I see a pile of cards and a few vases filled with flowers.Curiously, I sift through them.They’re all addressed to Emily.I pause, noting the same roses I’d been gifted recently sitting on the table.Lightly, I trace my fingertips over the petals.
‘What the …’ I say aloud, trying to rack my brain to recall any details of hearing about an accident or something.
Pulling out my phone, I head to the campus page and see a string of different posts.I begin scrolling through them until I see a post wishing Emily well.I thumb through the comments underneath it and according to them, she fell down the stairs – the ones that lead to the front door – and has broken her leg.
Putting my phone away, I shake my head, wondering how I hadn’t heard of it, but I suppose I’m not one to keep up with gossip.
Beelining to my room, I step inside and begin throwing all my things into the suitcase I brought with me.I didn’t bring enough bags for all my things, but I’ll come back when I have more time and clean the room as well, since I haven’t even heard back from the admin team yet.
Rummaging through my closet, I locate my mask – the one I had designed when I was planning to do social media live streams, but never found the courage to do so.My brand logo is based off of this, and I’m planning to wear it at the photoshoot on Friday.
Making sure it’s safely placed at the top, I zip up my bag and continue piling what will fit into the suitcase.There isn’t too much left to come back for.
When I walk out of my room, I almost collide with someone and I scream, falling backwards, but catching myself on the door frame.Riley blinks back at me and I slap my hand to my chest as if that will slow down my racing pulse.Her handbag is slung across her shoulder, her keys in her hand, as if she just got here.
‘Shit, Riley,’ I curse, stabilising myself.‘You scared me.’
‘Sorry,’ she says in that quiet, calm voice of hers.
‘I’m just grabbing some things.I’m moving out,’ I explain, offering her a small smile.‘You might have already guessed, since I haven’t been here for weeks.’
‘That sucks,’ she says gently, a frown tugging at her lips.‘I’m sad to see you go.’
My eyes drift down to her wrist, but she is dressed in a long-sleeve top tucked into track pants.I was hoping to get another look at her bracelet, since it looked so similar to the one I misplaced.
‘Yeah.I hope you get a good replacement roommate.’
‘Hopefully,’ she agrees, seeming a bit quiet today, like she’s not quite sure what to say to me.‘We should still keep in contact, though.Meet for a coffee, or something.’
Smiling, I nod.‘That’d be nice.’
Turning, I sweep my hair out of my face as I move towards the door, my eyes flitting around the mess of the apartment, thankful I’m not living in this situation anymore.
‘You should be careful,’ Riley says once I’m at the front door.Slowly, I turn back.She stares at me from behind her thick glasses, her hair messily framing her face.‘The new people you’re living with aren’t who you think they are.’
Frowning, I wait for her to elaborate, but she turns, disappearing up the stairs.That’s an odd thing to say.How does she even know where I’m living?I suppose most people are aware of my romance with Zayden and since Anya and I tag each other in stories all the time, Riley has most likely drawn the conclusion that I’m now living with them.
Hurrying to my car, I feel a little shaken by her words.Who is she referencing?Does she mean Zayden?Is there something about him that I don’t know?Is she friends with Emily now and is saying things to get inside my head?
Left with more questions than answers, I throw everything into the car as fast as I can.
When I get to the front of the car, I pause.A red rose sits beneath my wiper.Pulling it out, I unfold the note attached.
A small smile finds my lips.It’s cute that he does this.He had no need to be on this side of campus.It would have been completely out of his way.Practically the opposite end of campus.I’m surprised he found the time to get here before class.
I pull out onto the road and press the speed dial.Cami answers after the third ring.We organise a catch up this afternoon with Anya.I’m looking forward to seeing them.They have both been so busy lately, it’s hard to find a time when we are all free.
I go to my afternoon class and then head across to the bar we often meet at.We timed it so that it’s happy hour.Cami has already bought the first round when I walk in, with Anya following after a minute or so.
Anya fills us in about her road trip.It’s nice to see her so happy.She and Mason are much happier now that they are together.The pining for each other was so obvious to everyone around them.
Cami explains that she is in talks to become head cheerleader, so she’s basically been working her ass off at training and practice, hoping to secure the spot.With classes, practice and work, I don’t know how she fits it all in.
