Chapter Three

Fall has come and gone and in the throws of winter, the dorm situation isn’t better. Now that the weather is keeping everyone inside, it’s gotten even louder, even during ‘quiet hours’.

I’ve been spending more and more time in the library and oh joy-the student librarian now knows me the best out of anyone on campus. I roll my eyes at the thought. I decide to take a break and call my best friend back home, Sarah. “Hey, girl!” she says enthusiastically, “How are you?” Sarah went to another college, one closer to home. She is a lot like me, very studious and reserved, believes academics are important and was my date to every school dance since third grade. “Do you hate college as much as I do? I mean, the classes are great but gosh, all the parties, I just can’t handle it all the time!” There was silence. Sarah and I hadn’t talked for the last few months, not much more than a text here or there. “Really?” she said, sounding surprised. “I think they’re great. I’m even kind of seeing someone right now.” She said, I could hear the smile in her voice. “You are? How did that happen?” I asked incredulously. “Ugh, well come on Danielle, how do you think?” I began to say something but she interrupted, “Oh I went to this dorm party and ended up spilling my vodka all over this guy, Chad. I was mortified, but he helped me clean it up and by the end of the night he kissed me! He plays lacrosse and is so fit but he’s smart too!” I was shocked. Sarah had never had a boyfriend either. The night before we left for college we had one last sleepover and both commiserated about boys and how we were terrified of sex and wondered what having a boyfriend would even be like. We also both promised the other we would tell each other the moment it happened; if it did. “So when was this?” I asked her. She seemed to be on the same page as me. “Oh, Danielle, it was just a couple weeks ago. I was going to tell you but all your texts have been so depressing. I didn’t want to rub it in.” “No, I’m happy for you, I am. I just wish you would have told me.” “I get it, I’m sorry. But take my advice, things aren’t so scary. Just put yourself out there.” “Ok, well I gotta go to class.” I said, lying. We hung up and I sat back in my chair at the table and starred at my books. I was still reeling over Sarah’s news when I got a text from Haley. “How long do you plan on being at the library?” she asked, including the smiley face emoji with glasses. “Another couple of hours.” I responded. “Good. Someone is coming over so…maybe just text when you are on your way back?” I rolled my eyed. “You got it.” Was all I said. Haley had never brought anyone to our room before like that, I wondered who it was. I prayed it wasn’t Kyle or Eric.

I was almost to the building two hours later when I remembered to text Haley. “I’m almost home, be inside in one minute.” I texted. No response. I hesitated outside my door, listening for something, I heard murmurs. I didn’t want to go in but I wanted to sleep. I slowly opened the door and the lights were off. I saw two figures moving in Haley’s bed but I couldn’t make out who it was. A long wave of brown hair trailed off her bunk and I knew that was Haley, then another head emerged from under the blankets, but it was a woman. Her hair was tied up in a bun and I heard them giggle and kiss, they were naked and I saw the outline of the mystery girls breasts as she moved on top of Hayley. I sat my bag down and grabbed my towel and headed to the shower. It was late and the hallway was unusually quiet but noises were still heard from behind each door. Peeking down the hall, it was empty and I scurried to the showers praying that when I got back, Haley would be alone in her bed. I showered for what seemed like an eternity before finally feeling I had given them enough time. Wrapping the towel around me, I peeked down the hall again. I saw another girl locking up and heading down the stairwell, but the coast was clear. I shuffled quickly down the hall, keeping my eyes down when I heard a door open and a guy’s voice call to me, “Hey you’re Hayley’s roommate, Danielle, right?” I gritted my teeth and looked back. It was Kyle. He was very tall and handsome, he had a beard and piercing green eyes. “Yeah.” I said, wanting this situation to be over. “How come we never see you around?” “Probably because I’m too busy actually going to class unlike you.” It came out snarkier than I had anticipated. “Oh really? Well, maybe you can tutor me.” He said, eyeing me up and down and giving a small laugh. “No thanks.” I wanted to ask him why he had messaged me so long ago and then not kept up conversation, but months had passed and I felt odd about so I just continued to my room, opening the door quickly and closing it behind me with a thud. A small lamp was on now and Haley was out of bed in only a small tank top and her underwear. The girl, someone who I had seen around campus, was dressed and was kissing Haley goodbye. She was a bit taller than Haley and looked like a dancer, she was long and lean and even in the shadows, I could tell she was beautiful. “See you later, Char.” Haley said and smacked her ass she went out the door. “Sorry, roomie. I didn’t see your text.” “Charlotte?” I said, “I had no idea..” “Yeah, well, she’s bi like me. We have some fun time to time.” My eyes widened and I wasn’t sure how to respond. “You don’t have anything against that do you?” Haley asked me, unsure. “Oh no, Haley of course not, I am so liberal, I don’t care at all, I just had never seen, I was just surprised.” I rambled. Haley laughed, “Well no worries, next week we’ll be at her dorm.” And she winked at me. “Anything exciting happen to you today?” she said, getting in her bed and under the covers. “I just ran into Kyle in the hall, he asked who I was then asked if I’d tutor him. Yeah, right.” Haley sat up, “You should! I actually think you would really like him!” I gave her a deadpan look. “Get real, he has a rotating door of women, he does not need me. Besides, nothing in common, I don’t know if he’s that cute.” “Are you blind?” she laughed, “He’s so good-looking and damn, so tall.” “Have you ever…?” I asked her, eluding to him. “I haven’t.” she said, with a tinge of regret in her voice. “But maybe one day, who knows!.” “I’m joking” she said when she saw the shocked expression on my face. “He’s not really my type.” Hayley said. And she laid back down under the covers. “Goodnight, Haley.” I said as I crawled into bed but she was already sound asleep.