Page 1 of Cheap Shot

Chapter 1

Haley

As I unzipped my suitcase, I nodded along to a song blasting from my earbuds, wishing the loud music and overstimulation could be enough to drown out the constant state of panic that has weighed on my chest ever since the attack.

Unpacking was going quicker than I expected, and if I finished this, I would be able to escape reality with a nap before the new student orientation. That was all the motivation I needed to sort my clothes into piles according to the drawer they belonged in.

A hand gripped my shoulder.

I lifted my right elbow and twisted in the same motion, aiming for my attacker’s nose.

A female scream filtered in over my music.

I pulled out my earbuds and tossed them on the bed as I dropped to my knees next to the woman. “I’m so sorry!”

Unnatural, steely, lavender eyes glared up at me while she covered her nose. “Good thing I have quick reflexes. You only nicked me.”

I scooted away as she tossed her head back, sending her crop of unruly bronze curls out of her face. The shaved left side of her head showcased the silver hoop in her eyebrow and dozens of piercings in her ear. Her warm brown skin was flawless, and I almost asked her about her skincare routine until I realized she was still glaring.

“I am really sorry.” I leaned back against the side of my bed. “I didn’t hear the door open.”

“Obviously.” She rolled her eyes and stood. Her long legs were covered in ripped fishnet tights that were only partially concealed by an oversized concert T-shirt with the name of a band I didn’t recognize and black combat boots with neon handwriting scribbled on the sides.

Everything about her screamed effortless and cool, from the pink and orange streaks in her hair to the septum piercing. Edgy in a way I’d never ever be able to pull off.

She was my opposite in every visible way. My dark brown hair hung limply over my shoulders, and my creamy skin was speckled with freckles and the reminder of teenage acne.

I bet no one would try to attack her. Well, at least, not on purpose.

My confidence had taken a serious hit in the last year, and her radiant self-assurance and pride that only came with being totally and completely comfortable in your skin made me want to shrink deeper into myself.

“Are you my roommate?” There weren’t many other reasons why she would be in here.

Her eyes narrowed even more. “Obviously,” she repeated like I was a moron.

I tore my eyes away from her to look at the other half of the room. The dove gray comforter and sparse decorations of succulents and candles hadn’t been enough to draw my attention when I brought in my stuff. Now, the juxtaposition was startling. The eccentric woman in front of me couldn’t possibly be responsible for such a boring living space.

“Oh.” I couldn’t think of anything to say that wouldn’t offend her or confirm her suspicion I was stupid.

“So, is your first instinct always to attack, or can I relax in my own room?” Her eyes softened, but only enough to tell me she was joking. Kind of.

I shook my head. “Only when I’m surprised.”

And grabbed from behind when I thought I was alone.

I turned to my suitcase but could feel her eyes burning holes into my back.

“My name’s Emery, by the way,” she said. “And you are?”

I set the shirt I was holding on top of a pile and faced her. “Haley.”

She eyed me from head to toe, not bothering to be discrete about her assessment. “Transfer?”

What about my charcoal shirt and ripped jeans told her that? “Yeah, how’d you know?”

“My last roommate joined a sorority and moved out. They said I’d have the room to myself unless a late transfer came in.”

I almost apologized but stopped myself. I had nothing to be sorry for. Plus, it didn’t seem like my arrival inconvenienced her at all. My side of the room had been completely empty when I came in. If I’d been her, I would have spread out and taken over the extra desk and dresser.