As She Fades(20)

“Mae, why were you talking to Slate Allen?” the brunette asked.

“Been there, and stop judging. It’s worth it,” the blonde said.

“You’re a slut, Sam,” Mae said, then motioned for me to sit down. “This is my new friend Vale. She’s rooming with Everly, God help her, and she’s friends with Slate.”

“Slate doesn’t have female friends,” the brunette said, looking at me suspiciously.

“I second that. I’ve been here as long as Slate has, and he’s never had a female friend.”

“She’s also fucked him,” the brunette added.

The blonde who I now knew was Sam rolled her eyes and kicked the other girl. “Shut up.”

“So, anyway, these are my friends. Sam and Joy,” Mae said, sitting down. “They also have no filter, so I’m sorry for everything that comes out of their mouths.”

“Whatever, you don’t either,” Joy said. “So, tell me, how are you friends with Slate Allen?”

I wasn’t sure we were friends, really, but I preferred to use that as an explanation rather than anyone thinking I was one of his many. “He’s my brother Knox’s frat brother. We met this summer.”

“Knox McKinley is your brother?” Sam asked, straightening in her seat.

I was almost afraid to confirm, but I nodded.

“He’s gorgeous. I’m angling for an invite to the Kappa Sigma party next weekend just so I can see him. I need to use my new red dress to get his attention.”

I was used to girls chasing my brother. This had happened in high school, too.

“Warning, if you try to use or harass Vale over her brother, I will forbid you any contact. No chasing the brothers of friends. Remember my rule.”

Sam pouted. “I thought that was just Charlie.”

“Nope. Goes for her older brother, too.”

Joy chuckled. “Good luck with that.”

“I guess I might believe the friends-with-Slate thing now. He wouldn’t poach a brother’s sister. They’re big about that at Kappa Sigma.”

Small miracles. I sipped my drink and relaxed a bit. The girls all began talking about their summers and asking me about my life. I left out the fact that Crawford was back home because he was in a coma. I wasn’t ready to share that just yet.





CHAPTER SIXTEEN

BECAUSE OF THE blackout drapes that Everly had hanging over the window in our room, I wasn’t sure what time it was when I woke up. The room was still pitch black. I reached for my phone. Nine thirty. Wow. I had gotten in bed at ten thirty. I wasn’t sure when Everly got in. At least she’d been quiet.

I turned on my flashlight and shined it at the floor so I could find my way to the bathroom. I could get ready before Everly woke up. That way there would be no trying to share the facilities.

“Turn that thing off, Jesus,” Everly grumbled.

“Sorry,” I apologized, pointing it away from her and toward my baskets by the wall.

“Like, turn it off now,” she snapped with loud rustling of the covers.

“I’m just trying to get my things and get to the bathroom,” I explained.

“Then fucking hurry!”

I grabbed my basket and turned off the flashlight. I would try to not break an ankle or run into a wall in my attempt to find the correct door. I was afraid of the monster in the bed. She didn’t sound like a morning person at all.

I successfully made it into the bathroom and locked myself in before turning on the light. Just in case the light from under the door sent her into a crazed frenzy and she tried to attack. The girl was seriously hard to deal with. I had a pink furry pillow on my bed, for God’s sake. What more did she want?

I turned on the shower so the water could heat before I undressed. The steam filled the room and I looked forward to the warm water. The room was chilly. I heard the air conditioner running all night as well as a fan that Everly had plugged in.

Today I was supposed to have lunch with Knox. He’d texted last night. Then I was going to find the library and get the books I needed to start the reading on my course schedule. Mae had mentioned doing something this afternoon. She had to go check in at a restaurant called Polly’s where she worked last year as a waitress. They had promised her a job when she returned. She said she’d ask for me. Hopefully I could get a job that easily. My parents expected me to make my own spending money. They’d give me gas money only when I came home. Everything else was on me.

I’d seen two other text message alerts on my phone, but due to having to fight my way in the dark to the bathroom I hadn’t read them. I would do that when I was done showering. More than likely it was my mother or one of my brothers checking on me.

I wasn’t homesick yet, but I still carried a heaviness in my chest when I thought of home and Crawford. I wanted to call his mom and check on him, but I worried that the reminder that I was here and he wasn’t would make her sad. I didn’t want to add to what she was already dealing with. I would have my mom get me an update.

After showering, I reluctantly turned off the water and wrapped myself up in my monogrammed towels, one for my hair and one for my body, before reaching for my phone to check my texts.

One was from my mom.

One was from Slate.

I slid my finger over my mom’s text first. Good night, honey. I hope your day was a good one. Love you.