CHAPTER FOUR
1044 Words
Avena
As I strolled around campus, I had this nagging feeling that someone was keeping an eye on me. I could feel a familiar chill creeping up the back of my neck. But every time I turned to look behind me, there was no one there.
Thankfully, I had a packet with my temporary student ID, key card, class schedule, and a map. After memorizing the route from the student center to Ridge Hall, I shoved the map into my bag, not wanting to broadcast how terrible I was with directions.
I followed the brick path, passing a frisbee game on the lawn and a group of girls sitting on a blanket, laughing and chatting. A part of me wondered if I’d ever have that—friends, a sense of belonging.
This was my chance. A fresh start. An opportunity to leave the past behind and reinvent myself.
I spotted the sign with my dorm’s name. It looked as beautiful as the other buildings, exuding a sense of history and prestige.
I pulled my key card from my back pocket and swiped it at the door reader. The red light blinked green, and I stepped inside. To my right was a lounge where a few students casually talked and shared a pizza. They seemed so at ease in their new environment, without the anxiety that still clung to me. Or maybe they were just better at hiding it.
I made my way toward the staircase, absentmindedly rubbing my chest. Kael had that same effortless ease, as if he was completely at home with himself. And why wouldn’t he be? Handsome and charismatic, he probably cruised through life without any real struggles.
I shook my head to clear my thoughts. Kael was older, with an established circle of friends. I probably wouldn’t see him for months, even though the campus was small.
On the third floor, I searched for room 303. My packet said my roommate’s name was Kendall Barlow, but that’s all I knew about her.
At first, I accidentally walked in the wrong direction and had to turn around. After making my way through a few twists and turns, I finally spotted an open door. Excited voices filled the hallway.
I peeked at the number—it was the right room. Nervousness bubbled up inside me, but I forced a smile and stepped in. The chatter stopped as three girls turned to look at me.
A blonde was balanced on a desk chair, tipping back on two legs. A redhead and a brunette sat on a bed with matching floral bedding. Even the bucket chair in the corner was covered in the same material.
Everything about the scene was perfect. And everything about it told me I didn’t belong.
The brunette leaned forward, her gaze scanning me with a critical eye. "Avena?"
I nodded. "Yeah, that’s me. Are you Kendall?"
"Uh-huh." Her lips tightened after she spoke. "I hope you don’t mind, but I went ahead and picked a side. I wanted to start settling in."
"That's fine." I didn’t care much since I liked my side better anyway. Even though hers had more space and a bigger closet, I had a window next to my bed, which gave me a nice view of the forest surrounding the campus.
Kendall gestured toward the blonde and the redhead beside her. "This is Maggie, and that’s Bella."
"Nice to meet you," I said.
Both girls sized me up, much like Kendall had, and it was clear they weren’t impressed. They gave polite greetings, but their expressions didn’t match the words.
I bit my cheek and turned toward my bed.
"Are your parents bringing the rest of your things?" Kendall asked casually, not knowing how much that simple question stung.
Without turning back to her, I replied, "I shipped my stuff ahead." I nodded toward a large box sitting near the other desk. It only contained my bedding, but she didn’t need to know that.
"That’s it?" Bella asked, disbelief in her voice.
Maggie stared at me. "What about your shoes?"
I frowned. "Shoes?"
"I had a whole box just for shoes. What are you going to wear to all the welcome parties?" Maggie looked genuinely shocked for me.
I shrugged. "I’m not really into parties."
Kendall scoffed, running her fingers through her sleek, dark hair. "Your loss."
Maggie grinned. "More Irish boys for us."
I frowned deeper but chose not to ask. I didn’t want to know.
I busied myself unpacking my few belongings and making my bed. Soon enough, I faded into the background as the girls across the room continued chatting. I had a knack for becoming invisible, to the point where it sometimes felt like I didn’t even exist.
"Oh, I’d do anything for them. Kael with that smile, Mason’s intense gaze, and Ronan’s wild grin," Bella said with a dreamy tone.
"Hands off Kael. I already called dibs," Kendall shot back.
Hearing Kael's name caused a strange, primal reaction in me. It made me want to lash out, or do whatever it took to prove he was mine.
Maggie and Bella exchanged a look.
Kendall tossed her hair over her shoulder. "And steer clear of Ronan. He’s more likely to kill you than anything else."
Maggie muttered, "He can kill my vagina." Kendall and Bella stared at her in shock.
Maggie shrugged. "What? He’s got that Viking thing going on, and I binge-watched that show this summer."
They all burst into giggles.
Bella gave her friends a knowing smile. "I heard they share."
Kendall frowned. "What? A house? Yeah, they live off-campus."
"No, I mean women," Bella whispered.
My skin heated at the idea. Could the two guys I saw with Kael earlier be the ones they were talking about? They had seemed pretty normal compared to Kael.
Kendall shook her head. "That can’t be true."
Bella picked at Kendall's comforter. "Just something I heard. Adrian and Kieran join in too."
Maggie shook her head. "No way. Adrian is a professor here. There are strict rules about that, and he wouldn’t risk it." She smirked. "Not that I wouldn’t volunteer."
They laughed again, but I couldn’t shake the thought. Five men and one woman. What a lucky woman she must be.
- Writer
