Page 100 of My Roommate from Hell
“Good,” she says. “You’re doing well, but let’s not take our eyes off our goal, all right?”
Even though she’s disciplining us, I realize something.
This video has worked wonders for us. There’s no doubt in her voice at all that we aren’t a real couple. This could be enough to silence Adam and possibly Tyrell, as their voices will be drowned out. Even though I know the truth, watching the video, it truly looks like Zarmenus and I were caught hooking up.
We’ve accidentally done it.
We’ve convinced the world we’re a real couple.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
“Is college everything you hoped it would be?” asks Mom.
It’s a big question, and it comes out of nowhere. We were in the middle of our call, and we were just talking about how well her latest painting has been going, and now she’s surprised me with this.
It’s been nearly two weeks since Zarmenus and I were called to Leeke’s office, and things have settled into a predictable routine. Everything has been strangely normal. Or, as normal as possible, all things considered. One night our floor disappeared, replaced with an endless black void.
But other than that, things are steady. I love all my classes, and Zarmenus has stuck with his promise of being a better roommate. He’s even started coming to all the Gaymers meetings, which I’ve enjoyed. If Tyrell suspects us, he hasn’t said anything, and if Adam is still trying to convince people we’re not a real couple, it’s not working.
“Yeah,” I say. “I’d say so.”
Speaking of, Zarmenus is currently by his side of our closet, trying to pick out an outfit while I talk to Mom. We’re going to a tailgate organized by the school, and after that we’re going to a football game with the Point Piranhas going up against the Trinity College Lions.
I’m excited, mostly because I’ve figured out a way to take thenight off from schoolwork, which has been getting so intense I spend most of my time thinking about it. I’ve put a lot of hours in at the library, and not because I want to avoid Zarmenus, although the threat of a supernatural horror in our room does make the library a slightly more appealing study space.
“I’m glad,” she says. “And how is Zarmenus?”
I feel a little guilty having to lie to Mom and Dad about our relationship. As far as they know, we’re really boyfriends. I know it’s the right call, though. They can’t be trusted with a secret like this. I’m sure they’d accidentally give us away.
“He’s good,” I say.
“Oh, your father’s home,” she says. “And he has news.”
She hands her phone to him.
“I got fired!” he says.
His upbeat tone does not, in any way, match what he said.
“What?” I ask. “Why?”
“There was some cooperate restructuring, and my position is no longer needed. But it’s good news, Owen, because I already got a new job!”
“This happened a few weeks ago,” says Mom, filling in the blanks. “We decided not to tell you, because we know you have a lot going on.”
I go quiet for a moment as that sinks in. All this was happening and I had no idea?
“You could’ve told me,” I say.
“I know,” says Dad. “But we didn’t want you to worry. The good thing is that it all worked out! I’m actually getting a fifteen percent pay raise, and we’re using the severance to go to Ireland.”
It makes sense: they’ve both wanted to go to Ireland, where Dad was born, for years. I haven’t heard Dad this excited in a long time. The coffee shop failing sucked a lot of the joy out of him. But this makes sense. Plus, this way he’ll never have to see his old boss again, the man who had made his life miserable for nearly a decade.
“I always say when one door closes another opens,” he says.“You just have to keep your hopes up. Anyway, we’ll let you get back to it, give our best to Zarmenus.”
“All right, love you. And that’s great, Dad. I’m so happy for you.”
“Love you, too.”
