Page 6 of Sinful Little Lies

Me

Makes total sense. I’ll see you back at the house in a bit for pregaming.

Aspen

Yes ma’am!

Opening the front door,I’m met with loud music. No one notices as I close the front door and sneak into my room. I just need a moment to myself before having to put on the mask of Miss Carefree.

It doesn’t take long for the patter of footsteps to follow my movements and a familiar voice to speak through the door. “I heard you come in!” Aspen sings as she lightly taps on my door. Fuck. My estimation skills are way off. I thought I had at least two minutes before she noticed I was home. It hadn’t even been thirty seconds!

“Hey, I’m hopping in the shower so I’ll come find you when I’m ready,” I respond, hoping to get her off my tail for just a few more minutes.

“Oh, how perfect! I was just going to suggest a little hotbox sesh before the other girls get home?!” She asks brightly, and how can I say no to that? Aspen is not a stoner. She is not a smoker, toker, or pothead of any kind. Unless it’s a special occasion. I’m sure the first RSB house party of the school year equates to a special occasion in her mind.

But I’m afraid she’ll see my bruises and ask questions I don’t feel like answering. But I never turn her down to smoke, so if I do that now, she’ll ask questions, anyway. I need to be smart about this.

“Yeah, I’ll roll one up. Meet me in the bathroom in five minutes.” I say, making my way to my nightstand. Within a couple of minutes, a new joint is rolled and I’m undressed by theshower. Turning on the water, I step in while it’s still cold and call Aspen.

The cold water sends jolts throughout my body, sparking a second wave of energy in me. Goosebumps break out on my skin from head to toe, and it feels as if my muscles go numb. I take choppy deep breaths, trying to calm my racing heart from the slight shock it just went through.

My art project is draining me and things are still a bit rough with Leo. Stress and contusions have taken over my life and cold showers have been proven to help with both, so let’s put this bitch to the test.

Aspen and I pass the joint back and forth a couple of times. With each pass, I’m careful to use the same non-bruised arm, mindful not to alarm her of my situation. Shortly after, Aspen taps out, and leaves the bathroom. Smoking the rest of the joint, I put it out in the mini ashtray on the ledge of the shower. Yes, I have an ashtray in the shower. Can’t smoke in public areas and the shower isn’t all that bad or uncommon. Moving on.

Rinsing my hair once more, I turn off the shower and peek outside the curtain, double-checking that Aspen is gone. I snatch the black towel from the counter, wrapping it around myself before dashing back to my room.

I lock the door, quickly dry my body, and throw on the first outfit I find in my closet. Thank fuck for matching sets, because they make my life a whole lot easier.

It’s one of my favorites, a velvety two-piece, pants, and a tank top with a mesh long-sleeve underneath. I slip on my beloved chunky black platform boots. The mesh paired with the tattoos that litter my arms make it harder for my bruises to grab the attention of my peers.

Aspen’s music booms throughout the house and I feel the vibrations from my room. The blunt helped to calm my nerves and I know she’ll be calling me over soon to start drinking.Softly singing along to the music, I sort through my mostly silver accessories, looking for the perfect pieces to match my outfit. Earrings decorate the edge of my ears from diamond studs to miniature weed leaves and simple hoops.

An hour later I emerge from my room, my inky hair is straightened and my makeup is smokey and dark. I look so fucking good, but I wish I felt better. About myself. About my life.

Sighing, I put on yet another fake smile, and walk out into the kitchen area where Aspen is dancing and mixing drinks. “I’m just finishing up our drinks!” She squeals, adding a pineapple wedge to the rim of the glass.

I raise my eyebrows, impressed with her presentation, “Fancy! Thank you!” Her feet lightly pad out of the kitchen and I guzzle down the drink.

“I’m going to get ready with Blair, but we shouldn’t be too long. Leave in an hour or so?” She asks, disappearing down the hallway.

“Yep! Sounds good. I’ll be here.” I say and gulp down the rest of my beverage. The buzz of mixed vices is euphoric and makes life bearable. If only feeling this good was an option all the time.

Another hour passesand the girls, including Lorelei, our fourth roommate, finally make their grand entrance into the kitchen. Dressed and ready to go, we take back another shot and get ready to head out.

It’s not a long walk to the party, about fifteen minutes later we’re rounding the corner, the vibrations of the music shakingthe whole block. Blair, our newest roommate, questions who lives here and Lorelei gets her tits in a twist over her lack of knowledge. To be fair, she’s been here for a fucking week. I wasn’t exactly excited for a new roommate either, but hell, she’s quiet and keeps to herself, mostly.

A small pang thumps through my chest as I realize I wasn’t as welcoming as I could’ve been. Should’ve been. All because of my personal problems that she most certainly was not the cause of.

Be better, V. Don’t turn into him.

We enter the house and Aspen and Blair head to the kitchen for more drinks, while Lorelei trails off to go find her prey of the night. I do my best to blend in with the walls, hoping to be noticed by one person and one person only. Stealing glances around the room, I bob my head and sway to the music to not look too awkward. I spot a couple of fellow art students and we discuss the latest project.

That’s when I feelhim.

The hairs on the back of my neck stand tall and goosebumps trail down my arms.

My eyes scan the living area as I try to locate him. And when I do, I wish I didn’t.

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