chapter 4
986 Words
Chapter 4: The Girl in Designer Heels
The loud knock on the dorm room door came just after eight the next morning.
Ava had barely finished buttoning her white blouse when it sounded again.
"Coming!"
She hurried across the room and unlocked the door.
Standing outside was a residence assistant pushing a luggage cart.
Beside her stood a young woman wearing oversized black sunglasses despite the cloudy weather.
Even before she spoke, Ava noticed the luggage.
Four large designer suitcases.
A matching leather handbag.
A shoe box with the logo of a luxury brand Ava had only ever seen online.
The woman lowered her sunglasses and smiled.
"You must be Ava."
Her smile was effortless.
Confident.
The kind of smile that made people immediately like her.
"I'm Bianca."
Ava returned the smile.
"Nice to meet you."
"The pleasure's mine."
The residence assistant handed Bianca a key card.
"Room 214. Both of you should read the updated dorm regulations."
Bianca nodded politely before stepping inside.
The room suddenly felt much smaller.
"Wow," Bianca laughed softly, looking around.
"This is... cozy."
Ava couldn't help smiling.
"That's one way to describe it."
"It's definitely not my apartment."
"You had an apartment?"
"Last semester."
Bianca shrugged.
"I got tired of living off campus."
Ava found that hard to believe.
Most students moved off campus because they wanted more space.
Not the other way around.
Still, she didn't ask.
Everyone had their reasons.
---
It took nearly an hour for Bianca to unpack.
Or rather...
It took Ava an hour to pretend she wasn't staring.
Every outfit Bianca folded into her wardrobe looked brand new.
Silk blouses.
Elegant dresses.
Designer jeans.
Heels in every color imaginable.
Even her perfume bottles looked expensive.
Ava quietly closed the wardrobe holding her own clothes.
Three pairs of jeans.
A handful of T-shirts.
Two sweaters.
One dress she wore only on special occasions.
The difference was impossible to ignore.
Bianca noticed.
"You can borrow anything if you ever need to."
"Oh."
Ava blinked.
"That's kind of you."
"I mean it."
"I couldn't."
"Why not?"
"I'd be terrified of ruining something."
Bianca laughed.
"They're just clothes."
Just clothes.
Ava wondered what it must feel like to say those words so casually.
---
After making her bed, Bianca flopped onto it dramatically.
"I hate unpacking."
Ava chuckled.
"I don't think anyone enjoys it."
"I know one thing I do enjoy."
"What's that?"
"Shopping."
She said it without hesitation.
Ava raised an eyebrow.
"It shows."
Bianca grinned proudly.
"I've got a bit of a weakness."
"A bit?"
"Okay... maybe a serious weakness."
The two women laughed together.
For the first time in days, Ava found herself relaxing.
Maybe having a new roommate wouldn't be so bad after all.
---
Their morning lecture was in the Business building.
Bianca walked beside Ava across campus, drawing more attention than anyone else on the sidewalk.
Heads turned.
Not because she was loud.
Because she carried herself like she belonged on a fashion magazine cover.
Students whispered as she passed.
Some admired her outfit.
Others admired her confidence.
Ava suddenly became aware of the faded strap on her backpack.
She instinctively adjusted it so it was less noticeable.
"You okay?" Bianca asked.
"Yeah."
"You got quiet."
"I'm just thinking."
"Dangerous hobby."
Ava laughed.
"I'll try to stop."
---
Business Ethics passed slowly.
Professor Mitchell divided the class into groups for a semester-long project.
"Groups of four."
Ava glanced around.
Before she could move, Bianca slid into the seat beside her.
"I call dibs."
Ava smiled.
"I don't think that's how group work works."
"It is now."
Two other students joined them.
By the end of class, Bianca had somehow memorized everyone's names.
She had a way of making strangers feel like old friends.
Ava admired that.
She'd never found socializing so easy.
---
Lunch arrived.
The cafeteria buzzed with conversation.
Ava reached into her bag for the sandwich she'd packed the night before.
Bianca frowned.
"That's lunch?"
"It's enough."
"No, it isn't."
Before Ava could protest, Bianca disappeared toward the food counter.
A minute later she returned carrying two trays.
Grilled chicken.
Mashed potatoes.
Fresh fruit.
Two bottled drinks.
"Bianca..."
"What?"
"I can't let you buy me lunch."
"You didn't."
"I watched you pay."
Bianca smiled mischievously.
"I bought mine."
"And?"
"The cashier felt generous."
Ava stared at her.
"I don't believe you."
"You shouldn't."
Bianca laughed and pushed one tray toward her.
"Just eat."
"I'll pay you back."
"If it makes you feel better, sure."
But something in Bianca's eyes suggested she had no intention of accepting the money.
---
That evening, Ava returned to the dorm after her shortened bookstore shift.
The room was empty.
A soft hum came from the bathroom.
Bianca was singing while getting ready.
Moments later she stepped out.
Ava almost didn't recognize her.
Gone were the jeans and sneakers.
In their place was a sleek black dress that hugged her figure perfectly.
Her makeup was flawless.
Her hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders.
"You look..."
Ava searched for the right word.
"...beautiful."
Bianca smiled.
"Thank you."
"Big date?"
"You could say that."
She slipped on a pair of elegant heels and reached for a small designer clutch.
"You'll be back late?"
"Probably."
"Be careful."
Bianca paused at the door.
She smiled again.
"I always am."
Then she left.
Curiosity tugged at Ava.
She walked to the window just as a long black luxury sedan pulled up outside the dormitory.
The rear door opened.
Bianca climbed inside.
The car drove away without a sound.
Ava watched until its taillights disappeared beyond the campus gate.
She frowned.
What kind of college student was picked up in a car like that?
She brushed the thought aside.
It wasn't her business.
Still...
As she climbed into bed that night, she couldn't stop wondering where Bianca went after dark.
And why she always came back with something new.
- Writer
