Page 5 of Deceit

I give her a polite smile and nod as she escorts me to a bed, pulling the privacy curtain before she fires up the computer at the station. We are going through all the routine questions like my date of birth, history of illnesses or surgeries when she catches me off guard.

“Are you sexually active?”

I blink at her for several seconds.

“Do you really need to know that?”

She gives me a sympathetic smile as she nods.

“University policy.”

I stare at her for several more seconds, before I gently shake my head. She smiles at that, like being a virgin is something to be proud of, before she quickly types away on her keyboard. Then she rifles through a medical cabinet, grabbing a needle and other supplies.

“What is that?” I ask.

“Birth control,” she says easily, as she begins readying the syringe.

“Uhm, no thank you. I’m good.”

“It’s not optional, sweetie. Every student is tested for STDs when they return from each break and every female student is given birth control each quarter.”

“Even if I’m not having sex?” I ask dubiously, instantly regretting it when she gives me a pinched look like I’m irritating her.

“Yes,” she says, before she gestures to my arm. “Roll up your sleeve, please.”

I want to argue more, she’s literally forcing me to get birth control and submit to an STD panel? This is ridiculous. I don’t even have sex. I got a lengthy lecture from my father about the very subject, which was as uncomfortable as it sounds. He told me that it was of the utmost importance that I was a virgin before Asher and my ceremony. I didn’t argue with my father at the time, but after meeting Asher, I have to say, I have some complaints.

Slowly, I roll up my sleeve and she makes quick work of giving me the shot. It only hurts for a moment and soon she’s bandaging my arm before she runs the STD panel, which is a hell of a lot more invasive. I guess it keeps their precious children from getting pregnant or catching diseases. It is still a college,despite its impeccable education and really what else is there to do at college except go to class and have sex?

I’ve thought about what it would be like to lose my virginity a thousand times, but not once did I ever picture myself losing it to an asshole like Asher. Apparently he can have sex with whoever he wants, but of course as the woman I have to stay pure and chaste for our arrangement.

What a bunch of bullshit.

Chapter Three

Skyla

The next day, I slip on a white sleeveless pantsuit with an off-the-shoulder camel coat that hits just at my knees. I decide to leave my hair for the day, only throwing in a few curls for volume before I expertly apply my makeup until I look effortlessly flawless. This is the bare minimum in my father’s eyes.

I already know that nearly everything I do here will get back to him. My health records, who I’m seen chatting with, my grades– I have no doubt my father will be getting regular reports of it all. So, as much as I’m more than slightly disappointed this won’t be the college experience I was hoping for, it’s not all that unexpected.

Unlocking my phone, I pull up my schedule again, trying to correlate it with the map posted in the middle of the courtyard. I feel myself staring at it for an embarrassing amount of time before a figure comes up beside me. A girl, with a knowing smirk and beautiful red hair, stares at me before she speaks.

“You’re Skyla Parris, right?”

I frown at that. “Yes, have we met?”

“No,” she laughs. “I’m Maggie Bartlett.”

I shake her hand as I nod.

“Sorry, how did you know my name? It’s a big campus and it’s a little odd,” I say with a guarded laugh.

Maggie shakes her head. “It may look like a big campus, but the student population is small, and we all grew up together. You’re the first new face that’s come around in a long time.”

“Really?” I ask, extremely envious at the moment that all these students have the advantage of knowing each other, while I’m stuck being the new fish in the tank.

She nods her head, gesturing towards the sign.

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