My lips puffed out a long exhale. “No problem.” I turned to walk away, hesitated, and looked over my shoulder. “Where’s the fourth musketeer?”
Carter’s eyes raised. “We share some subjects, but Seb’s timetable alters because he is studying international law.” He stopped talking for a moment. “Why?”
I shrugged my shoulders. “Just asking.”
Chapter 11
Lacey
Laterthatweek,Isighed heavily as I killed the engine and parked my motorbike in the dorm car park. Nothing could beat the drive when the weather was still gentle, but all I needed now was a coffee, a long soak in a bath and enough time alone to think things through.
I walked up the path that led from the car park to the dorms, listening to the resonating jingle sound of my keys as they dangled in my hand. I froze. My ears pricked hearing something wispy and obscure, like a lullaby in the wind. Calmly as my legs would take me, I reached the dorms and pushed my key in the door and after walking inside the block, I turned and slammed the door shut behind me, securing myself inside as I peered back out at the grounds.
I narrowed my eyes as I searched around, but couldn’t see anything.
Was it just a feeling? There was definitely something strange in the air lately.
Something was changing.
That night, I sat on the stool facing my dressing-table mirror, drinking my second cup of coffee as I applied make-up for our night out. I was happy to be going out because there was a weirdness I’d felt ever since my birthday. Or was it since seeing the man in the university window?
I’d seen it on one more occasion but kept it to myself rather than tell Carter. That was mainly because I spent the week avoiding him outside of the university, and apart from one ballet class mid-week, I kept out of his way and him mine—the way I liked it. Clay had asked me to be friends with him, and I agreed, but had no intention.
I wanted to hurt Carter by telling him about Seb, but I still needed to work that one out, because I liked Seb, and I thought he liked me, but up to now he’d made no more moves and our paths never crossed either.
Polly and I were attending the university Halloween ball, and I hired a costume of Poison Ivy from the Batman movie, which comprised of a sequined green leotard, a long red-haired wig, and I finished the outfit with a mask and green tights.
I smiled as Polly stood behind me. “Where did you really hire your costume from?” I asked, cocking an eyebrow.
Polly dressed as Catwoman, only she wore a long black wig and a lace black mask. She ran her hands over the skin-tight black outfit. They stopped on her ample breasts. “If this doesn’t get me noticed, nothing will.” She smirked as she raised her arm and smacked her whip against the floor.
“Ah, you’re ramping up the seduction. Gone is sweet Polly and replaced by vamp Polly.”
Her mouth curled up into a grin and she walked away from me.
I twisted to the mirror, giving myself a last look and then ran a layer of bright red lipstick on my lips and more black eyeliner around my eyes. I smiled and rubbed away a smudge of lipstick from my teeth.
“Are you ready?” Polly called.
“One minute.” I stood and pulled the leotard over my arse as it rode a little higher than I wanted. Fluffed up the crimson coloured hair, positioned my mask carefully and gave one last glance. Glad nobody would recognise me tonight, but with this wig and mask, I didn’t recognise myself.
“Taxi will be here in ten minutes. We’ll have a quick drink before we go out,” Polly shouted, not realising I stood at the side of her.
“Are you a secret alcoholic?” I asked.
“I’m living away from my very strict parents and enjoying myself. You should do the same.” Her eyes widened as she stared at me. Her hand slipped around my wrist. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it to sound as it did.”
I flicked my other hand in the air. “I know, and stop fretting each time you say something like that. You aren’t saying it with malice, but you know I’d kill you if you were?” I smirked.
Polly’s mouth fell into the perfect ‘O’, and I burst out laughing.
“You look like you believed me. What are we drinking?”
Polly sighed. “I’ve got tequila or vodka mixers.”
“I’ll have a vodka mixer, I liked those vodka cranberries on my birthday.”
She handed me a glass and a can. “It won’t be long before the taxi gets here.”