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“Jai, we need to talk,” she chided and pursed her lips.
“You know, if we were a thing, that would’ve struck fear into my very soul.” That broke her a tad as she fought her snicker. She failed, and it came out as a snort.
“I’m serious, Jai. This isn’t a laughing matter.” She grabbed my forearm before she parted at the forked sidewalk. “Everyone went home. You were in class, but another girl died. They’re letting students take a couple of days.”
“Another girl was murdered?” I blurted in disbelief. She tapped the back of my phone.
“They sent an email half an hour ago, and a lot of us just went home. I’m late meeting up with Bexley. I stayed so that I could catch you.” She pulled her phone from the back pocket of her jeans. “She hasn’t called me yet, but I know she’s uneasy about everything happening.”
“Is she doing okay, you know, since that meeting and everything?” I asked as I ran a hand through my hair.
“Yeah, uh, she’s doing fine on that front. I’m not here at her request, though.” She crossed her arms, popped a hip, and challenged me in a stare.
“Oh, well, what’s going on?” I fought the urge to swallow thickly. Mari was perceptive and clever.
“How long would you say we’ve known each other?”
“Technically, Riverwalk, but I think we shared that one class last year?”
“Yeah,” she said, drawing out the word. “I like to think I know you and your mannerisms well enough.” Her arms uncrossed and she moved her hands to her hips. I felt like I was going to break out into a sweat.
“I don’t think there’s much to pick up on, really.” I laughed it off.
“Yeah, but if we were in a crowded room, I feel like you’d be recognizable to me,” she asserted. I nodded; it was all I could muster. “So,Jaiden,” she said my name with a pointed look. “Would you say that you’re interested in B?”
“I think a lot of people would be interested in being her friend, Mariana. She’s a nice girl.” It was the shittiest deflection possible.
“Right,” she said as she turned back to face the parking lot. I released my breath slowly, relieving the tightness building in my chest. “So, aren’t you in a fraternity now?”
“Now? Well, yeah, but I’ve been a member, so to speak since we started lectures.” I stood frozen as she stepped forward like she was the towering giant and I was a miniature punk.
“Which one? You don’t wear anyone's letters.” Seriously, the only being in the world to truly frighten me was Mariana with a purpose.
“Sigma,” I choked out and cleared my throat.
“Oh, well, that’s cool. Were you at the parties?”
“Yeah, it’s a requirement. I was there. In costume, to be exact.” I breathed heavier and felt myself wanting to ramble. “But you know, I was like in the back rooms doing shit Callum ordered.”
“I see,” she said when her phone went off. She looked down and swiped the alarm notification off the screen. “Well, I hope to see you this weekend. I don’t know if I’ll have Bex, but I’m looking forward to seeing you in theme.” She turned and hurried across the grassy area.
I’m fucked.
Bexley
The road was slick from rain mixed with pavement oils. It wasn’t too cold out, but the wind was brisk. I’d be a liar to say I didn’t enjoy blasting my heat. Not to mention, the heated seats were the perfect way to ease the shivers.
As I drove, I passed the colorful trees dropping their leaves and swaying in the wind. The cold would be more tolerable when winter came in full stride. Snow days were one reason to like the frigid temperatures.
Just a short drive from the main campus parking lot, our apartment came into view, and I pulled into our marked space. It was nine in the morning, and I was back for the day. I considered taking the offered day off tomorrow, too. I studied from home just the same.
Earlier, an email pinged our phones, and students fell into distress one by one as they read the subject line. Those who didn’t care to look initially were pulled in by the hysterics breaking out.
Attention: Campus Student Murdered.
I thought it lacked tact, and it definitely could’ve been saved for the text body. No one needed to see “murder” in their email notifications.
I stepped onto the concrete steps that led to our door. There wasn’t space for decorations as there was no porch. But again, it was a great price and it meant freedom at the time we signed our lease.
