Page 32 of Hell House
Javelynn chuckles sitting at the table next to me. “You’re being dramatic. Our school isn’t big enough to be considered a mob.”
“Always so literal Javey.” I say bumping my shoulder into theirs. “Thank you for the clothes by the way.”
“Well, it was that or have you show up to class naked, so really I’m saving everyone.”
“Are you saying I don’t look good naked? I’m offended.”
“Well, if you thought people couldn’t leave you alone today, just imagine what that would be like sans clothes.”
“Good point.” I tip my water bottle at them, and we clink our water bottles together.
“Is everyone hounding you today?” Skye says looking disheveled and tired as she sits down.
“Yes.” Both Javelynn and I answer at the same time.
“I just had to prove to a group of people that I, in fact, did not receive 3rddegree burns.”
Skye takes a sip of her lemonade. “People thought that we burned down our room on purpose, so we’d have to stay at Hell House. Someone literally said they were jealous they hadn’t thought of it first.”
“That’s insane.”
“Well, the guys at the fraternity are a hot commodity.” Javelynn states. I glare at them. “What? I have eyes. They’re gorgeous. I don’t know how you’re not drooling everywhere having to be in that house with them.”
“Oh, trust me, it’s a struggle.” Skye says. “The bathroom was overrun by a bunch of naked dudes this morning, I had to change in my room and I’m in desperate need of a shower.”
“I’ll second that.” Javelynn says laughing into their sandwich.
“Hey.” Skye scolds frowning into her bag of chips.
“I’m kidding, you look amazing.”
“I hardly got any sleep last night. Lukas was snoring all night and it was so loud. I’m going to have to get some of those ear stopper things, what are they called?”
“Noise canceling headphones?”
“No, no- the little squishy things that you shove into your ears. They’re like bright orange. I need those.”
“Oh, um… you know I have no idea what those are called. Why can’t I think of it? I have no trouble reciting the periodic table, but THIS is the thing that stumps me?”
“I think they’re just called earplugs. We should stop by the school store and see if they have any. With as many of us that have roommates here, I don’t see why they wouldn’t stock them.”
“Good idea. We should see if they have any uniforms in our sizes too.”
I shift uncomfortably in my chair, “Um, yeah. Sounds great.” I take a bite of my turkey sandwich, as I swallow it feels like a rock settling into my stomach. I needed to fix my money situation, and soon, which meant I would have to contact Grandma Clementine. Ah. The cherry on top of my clusterfuck of a week.
CHAPTER THIRTY
Emmet
The Headmaster’s living room is flush with a roaring fire to stave off this ungodly cold front. It’s far too early in the season for it to be this cold. We sit in wingback chairs that face the fire. The flames cast dancing shadows around the dimly lit room. The wind howls against the windows, rattling them with a furious force.
“I’m worried about Pierce. While he did what I asked him to, he resisted. Even with all of my influence, he’s too stubborn for his own good.”
“What would you like me to do about it, sir?”
“Keep watching him like you have been. If he slips up, or starts developing feelings for that girl, let me know. We’ve worked far too hard to be thwarted by some stupid frat boy”
I nod my head, standing to leave.
