Page 67 of My Roommate from Hell
“In a clumsy-little-lamb way?”
“In all kinds of ways.”
Our food is nearly done now, and I find myself disappointed. This conversation has been fun, and I’m not ready for it to be over. I think about asking him if he’d like to keep this going, maybe stroll across campus and find somewhere that’s still open and sells ice cream. Then I remember this is not real. It’s only so people can see us so we can sell our fake love story. Even then there aren’t many people here so the whole thing is mainly pointless.
“How about you?” I ask. “Any crushes?”
“Nah, I don’t really do that.” He takes another fry from my plate. “Open your mouth.”
“What?”
“People are looking, it’ll sell it. Come on.”
I open my mouth, and he feeds me the french fry. I bite down, then check to the side. He was right, people are watching.
What I don’t understand is the fluttery feeling in my stomach.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
I’ve never been a good liar.
Actually, one might call me a horrifically bad one. Make me play a bluffing game and I’ll give away myself away in seconds.
That thought doesn’t instill much confidence in me, given what I’m about to do: meet up with Tyrell and talk to him about living with Zarmenus. I decided to get to Brewed Awakening early to get myself as settled as possible before he arrives. I check the time: I have ten minutes. My nerves are fried, and I’m trying my best to calm down. Right now, fear is not a helpful emotion. The more relaxed I am, the better.
On my phone, I look upPoint Press. It features articles written by students about a variety of topics ranging from surviving college loans, the perks of solo travel, and questioning the relationship between social media and mental health. I don’t have to read that one to know that it’s not good.
Tyrell’s article is easy to find. It’s near the top of the website and includes a picture of a flaming pair of devil horns. It’s called “My Classmate from Hell.” I click on the picture and start reading.
When I heard the prince of Hell was going to be studying at Point this year, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The idea of havinga demon as a classmate was, to be honest, alarming. Like many people around the world, I was wary. All my life, I’ve been warned about demons, and I wasn’t sure what studying with one would be like.
I’m happy to report that my fears were unfounded. Prince Zarmenus might be a demon, yes, but that is the biggest difference between him and the other freshmen. From what I have seen, he has settled in extremely well. He’s getting along well with his roommate, IT student Owen Greene, and is already quite popular.
The demon prince can often be spotted running along Southside running track, or working out in the campus gym. If my interviews are any indicator, the students consider him a welcome addition to the campus.
His presence has made me think a lot about the world we live in, and the way we can judge people before we meet them based on preconceptions. I’m grateful Zarmenus has come to Point because now I know firsthand that demons aren’t like what we’ve been told they are. In reality, they’re just like us.
This is the first in a series of articles in which I will be documenting my firsthand experiences of what it is like to go to college with Prince Zarmenus, aka my classmate from Hell. Keep your eyes peeled as next week, if all goes well, I’ll be posting an interview with Owen Greene, Zarmenus’s roommate!
“Sorry I’m late,” says a voice, startling me. I tear my eyes away from the screen to see Tyrell standing at my table. He takes off his bag, a worn leather satchel that is so nice I want one, and drops down into the chair opposite me. He’s dressed as preppily as always, and even has his shirt tucked in.
“You’re not late,” I say, double-checking the time on my phone to test my theory that he is, in fact, five minutes early.
“Oh, you’re right! Sorry, I just assumed. Myron is always late tothings, so I never expect anyone else to be on time. I thought I’d have to wait for you. Anyway, should we get this started?”
He takes a notebook out of his bag and lays it on the table. He places his phone down between us and taps on the screen.
“We are on the record now, okay? So, when did you first find out you’d be sharing a room with the prince of Hell?”
He clicks the end of his pen.
“The day I moved in,” I say. “I thought I was sharing with a guy called Rohit, but there was a last-minute switch and we ended up being put together.”
“That must’ve been quite the surprise.”
“It really was. But after the shock passed I realized how cool it is that I get to share a room with him.”
Tyrell’s eyes narrow slightly. He knows the real story, but we both know we’re not here to tell the truth. We’re here to sell the narrative Leeke wants. In the back of my mind, I remember the ghoul Zarmenus sent to spy on her. Hopefully it’s not causing her too much grief.
