Page 26 of My Roommate from Hell
He grins, but I’m not sure he’s joking. Zarmenus walks over and scoops Bell up, and she obliges, content to be picked up. He carries her across the room and plops her down on the desk next to me. Bell stares at me for a moment. Her eyes are a little bigger than a regular cat’s, and as I look into them, I feel a strange pulling sensation. Then I remember what Zarmenus said. A jolt of fear brings me to my senses, and I look away.
Bell walks across the bed and nudges me with her head. I want to pet her, but seeing as I suspect she nearly just stole my soul, I don’t try to. Instead she walks over my legs, purring loudly.
“See, she likes you. She’s invisible most of the time; she won’t bother you much.” He moves toward the door. “I’m going for a run. Bye!”
For someone who was attacked with a crossbow, he seems pretty nonchalant.
“Is that safe?” I ask.
“Why wouldn’t it be?”
Has he seriously forgotten about being attacked by a guy wielding a crossbow?
“Oh, that guy? Please. Besides, Leeke told me she’s increased campus security. Not that any human could hurt me.”
Leeke did call me, and she told me that campus security was being tightened. Apparently, there are going to be a lot more guards roaming the grounds, and there are security checkpoints at the entrances. Hopefully it means demon hunters and unfriendly paparazzi aren’t going to be a problem going forward.
Zarmenus waves, then ducks out of the room.
Bell blinks at me. I pet the top of her head and she starts to purr.
This means I don’t just have one roommate from Hell.
I have two.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“Are you doing anything tonight?” asks Zarmenus.
The question rubs me the wrong way, even though I think he’s asking it innocently. He’s where he normally is when he’s in our room, meaning he’s lounging on his bed. He stripped down to just a pair of gym shorts after he got back from the gym, so he’s been shirtless in our room for a few hours now.
Not that I’ve noticed.
What I did notice was a hint of accusation in his voice, probably because I’ve stayed in each night we’ve lived together. I’m starting to get more and more self-conscious about it, like I should be doing more, like everyone else has a full social life and I’m missing out. But I like staying in—what I don’t like is having a witness to it.
“Yeah, I’m going to that fall carnival thing,” I say. It’s one of the biggest events of orientation week, and the flyers I’ve seen online make it look fun. Apparently, there are going to be inflatables, free food, giveaways, and free fall carnival shirts, which is something I didn’t know I wanted.
“With who?”
I cross my arms. “No one, just me.”
I’m expecting judgment, but instead he smiles. “Nice, man. Put yourself out there.”
“I will.”
I smile at him, and he smiles back.
I’m putting on a brave face. I know it’s only been a few days since I’ve been here, yet I can’t help worrying that my best shot at making friends might be rapidly expiring. So many others have already found their groups; it’s common now to see the same groups of people sitting together in the dining hall, or to pass by people in the halls all wearing costumes, like togas or superhero outfits, that show they’re all going to the same event. Zarmenus has made friends, and is pledging the most exclusive fraternity on campus.
“Are you doing anything tonight?” I ask.
“That guy I met at rush is throwing a party. You could come, if you want? It’s not just for pledges or brothers.”
I could, but Zarmenus runs in a crowd I doubt I’ll ever truly fit in with. A party might be fun later, but with the window closing, I think my best shot at friends is looking elsewhere.
“I’m okay, thanks. I’ve been looking forward to the festival, actually.”
I’m about to leave, but I stop by the door.
