Page 53 of My Roommate from Hell
“Sure.”
Zarmenus and I go back into the building. I see Tyrell and Avery blocking the entrance from the people who were filming. Inside, the hall is now mostly empty, and all that’s left is a few stragglers and staff members, some of which have already started the herculean task of cleaning up after the party. There are streamers all over the timber floor, as well as balloons and discarded cups.
“What’s your problem?” asks Zarmenus as he pulls his shirt back on.
“What’s my problem?” I say. “I can’t believe you asked me that.”
“Fine, what’s your problem with me?”
“You really want to know?”
“Yes!”
“I don’t think it’s your fault,” I say. “I think it has to do with the way you were raised. But the thing is, I don’t know if you know how to be a good roommate.”
It scares me to be so controlled by emotions, as it’s not really like me. But given how upset I am, I can’t stop myself. I never thought I’d get to this point, but I don’t care anymore. Not about any of it.The internship, Leeke, human-demon relations, none of it. I just don’t care.
I’m done. Completely and utterly done. I thought I’d be fine before the internship, and I can go back to that. It might be harder, yes, but if Zarmenus keeps acting the way he has been, I will doubt my ability to pass any of my classes.
“I’m sorry,” he says. “I’ll be better.”
I want to believe him, but I’ve gone down this road before. He isn’t going to change. And if he isn’t going to change, then the only responsible thing to do is leave. I’ll tell Leeke that I can’t do it. It’s still early in the semester, they can find someone else to share with him. I’ll fall on the sword and take the blame if I have to. Anything to get out of my current life.
“Please,” he says. “Give me one more chance.”
It triggers something within me. How many second chances do I give? The thought of giving up on trying to make this work floats around my mind for a moment, then solidifies. The anger within me evaporates, replaced with something like resigned sadness. There’s no reason to fight, since the decision has been made.
“Fine,” I say. “Let’s go back to our room.”
It’s been decided. This is officially the last night I will have Zarmenus as my roommate.
Tomorrow, I’ll be free.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
“ZARMENUS!”
The voice is so loud I can hear it bouncing around my skull. I startle awake just in time to see my dorm room door burst open. Burning cinders float through the air, flaring orange before disappearing.
A tall, demonic figure stands in the doorway. Maleilius. He’s in his human form, but his eyes are a burning shade of orange, and wisps of flames are coming off the top of his head and his suit.
“Dad?” asks Zarmenus. “What are you doing here?”
Maleilius waves a hand, one that’s adorned with rings studded with jewels, and our door slams shut. Across the room, Zarmenus gets out of bed and pulls on a shirt. It’s only now that I realize I am in a room with the king of Hell while only wearing my boxers. I pull my blanket higher, covering as much as possible.
Luckily for me, Maleilius isn’t here for me. He approaches his son and throws a bundle of magazines down onto his desk. They land with a heavy thud.
“Explain yourself,” says Maleilius.
I grab my shirt from yesterday and pull it over my shoulders. I put it on the wrong way around, but it’ll have to do. The two demons are in a face-off, giving me a chance to get out of bed and put on some pants. I try to do it as quietly as possible, but both still pause to watch me scurry across to the closet.
“I can’t control what they say about me,” says Zarmenus.
“Nobody asked you to,” growls Maleilius. His voice has a slight demonic echo to it, revealing his true nature. “I asked you to control yourself.”
The floorboard beneath me creaks as I step into my chinos, and the pair turn to face me. Smoke is now rising off both of them.
“I’ll give you two some space,” I say.
