Page 17 of Penalized Love

“You know exactly who I’m talking about,” Selene says, narrowing her eyes at me. “Have you seen him?”

I try to keep my face neutral, but I can feel the heat rising in my cheeks. “No, I haven’t seen Asher. And I’d like to keep it that way.”

“Understandable, and I’m glad you haven’t. You don’t know how hard it’s been not to kick his face in every time I see him around.”

That statement forces a laugh from me. I appreciate Selene’s friendship, but there is no reason to get violent toward anyone about this. What happened occurred three years ago, and harming him won’t do any good.

Even if he left me with a broken heart.

“I would have loved to have seen that a few years ago, but that’s all in the past. After all, I have more important things to worry about now.”

“I know, I know. You’re right. Nevertheless, the offer stands if you ever change your mind.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. But seriously, I’m good. I’ve got too much going on to worry about anything related to Asher Bennett.”

“I hear you,” Selene says, her expression softening. “Just know I’m here for you, always. If you need to vent or just want someone to hang out with and forget about all the bullshit, I’m your girl.”

I smile as she opens her arms to hug me. “I know, thanks. It means a lot.”

“Anytime, girly. I hate to cut this short, but I’ve got to run, or I’ll be late for class. Catch you later?” She gives me a quick hug.

“Definitely. Text me when you’re done with everything. Maybe we can grab dinner or something.”

“Sounds like a plan!” Selene waves as she speed-walks away.

I’m left staring in her wake for a moment before I turn to start packing my equipment. I grab my camera bag and sling it over my shoulder before walking back toward my dorm.

As I approach the building, I can’t help but feel a distinct pain forming in the center of my forehead. My roommate situation has been... tense, to say the least. I take a deep breath before pushing, using my key card to enter the building, and walking up to our door.

The last thing I wanted to do was live at home, so when I heard a bed was available in one of the upperclassmen dorms on campus because someone transferred out at the beginning of the year, I told Dad that’s where I wanted to be. With that, I didn’t know who my roommate was going to be or if our personalities would mesh well together. Turns out we don’t vibe with one another, and I say a small prayer as I stick my key into the lock, hoping she’s not there.

“Oh, you’re back,” my roommate, Tessa, says with little emotion, barely glancing up from her laptop. “I hoped to have the room to myself for longer.”

I bite my tongue, resisting the urge to snap back. “Sorry, I just needed to drop off my camera gear before my first class.”

I don’t have to explain myself, but I’m doing my best to keep the peace. I set my camera bag down on my side of the room. Her side of the room is immaculate. Everything is organized, and there is not a single item out of place. In contrast, my side is a bit more messy, with a few clothes draped over my desk chair and my photography equipment occupying a significant portion of my limited space.

“You know, maybe if you didn’t have so much stuff, there would be more room in here for both of us,” she remarks, her eyes still glued to her laptop screen.

Annoyance continues to grow inside of me, but I take a deep breath and try to let it go. It’s not as if my stuff is encroaching on her space, but I’m trying to keep the peace. “I’ll try to keep my things more contained.”

Tessa just hums in response, clearly uninterested in continuing the conversation. That is fine by me. The less I have to talk to or engage with her, the better. From the moment we met, it was clear that she wished she could have kept the room to herself, and I don’t blame her. Sharing a room with someone isn’t high on my list of wants either, but I’m willing to put in the work so that we can coexist. Her actions tell me she doesn’t care about that, so I like to be here only when she isn’t or when we’re both asleep.

“Can you be a little quieter? I’m trying to concentrate…. Some of us actually have work to do instead of just taking photos of random shit.”

I’ve had enough. “What’s your deal?”

My roommate turns slowly. “What. Is. My. Deal?” she says slowly, as if she doesn’t understand what I’m asking her.

“Why do you hate me? I haven’t done a thing to you.” I hate that I'm starting to sound desperate.

Tessa raises an eyebrow, her gaze cold. "Hate you? Don't flatter yourself. I just don't get why I have to pretend we're friends when we're not. You're just... here. Taking up space."

Her words sting more than I'd like to admit, but I refuse to back down. "I'm just trying to coexist. We don't have to be friends, but we don't have to make each other miserable either."

"Coexist? Sure. Just keep your stuff out of my way, and we'll be fine." She turns back to her laptop, dismissing me as if the conversation never happened.

I snatch my laptop off my desk and grab my backpack because I can’t stay here a second longer than I have to. “Bye.” Even though she was a prick to me, I can be nice.

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