Who am I? Who the fuck am I right now?
I walk away before she sees me, and I have an even worse problem on my hands. Minutes later, I’m in an Uber and stopping at the first liquor store I can find.
If I can’t party with friends, then I’ll just party by myself.
After stocking up on supplies, my Uber drops me off at the beach, where I plan to stay for the rest of the day.
Watching the waves crash on the shore while enjoying a few drinks, I’ll just sit here pretending my life was different from the reality I’m currently stuck in.
ChapterTwo
Chloe
“Can you believe it’s been almost two months since we moved in?” Madison claps her hands together and bounces on her bed.
I shake my head as the time dawns on me. Have two months really already passed by? Where has the time gone?
Maybe it slips by while you’re busy keeping yourself so distracted you won’t think about a certain someone.
So busy you can’t possibly have time to think.
Yet the thoughts still find their way in—intrusive little buggers.
“Wow. Soon, it’ll be the holidays. Are you planning to stay on campus?”
Madison shakes her head. “No. Mom would kill Mason and me if we didn’t come home for Thanksgiving or Christmas.”
“Better show up then. I’ll enjoy the room all to myself.” I grin.
“You’re not headed back home?”
“Nah, things with my family are a bit rocky right now,” I tell her. Drew and I are better, but my mom? That’s a different story. It’s been a few years since Dad died, and she’s only gotten worse. Last I knew, she had a new boyfriend, her third one in a month. I couldn’t bear to watch it. “Ever since my dad passed, things have just been a mess. I feel like I don’t even know who my mom is anymore.”
“I’m sorry, Chloe. Your brother is in Cali, right? Maybe set something up with him.” Madison lays her head on her pillow, her hands tucked behind.
“Thanks. Yeah, maybe. I don’t really know where we stand, either.” I let the answer hang in the air for a second before I change the subject. I can’t hide the large sigh that escapes my lips, but I try to keep some cheer in my voice. “Any good house parties this weekend?”
Madison taps her chin. “I can’t think of any, but it’s only Wednesday. The week is young.”
“The week is half over.” I laugh.
“Not in the party world. So it’s time to share the tea!” She rolls over onto her side, facing me. Her eyes are wide, her face glowing under her desk lamp. She clips it to the headboard of her bed, which is flush against her desk. It easily swivels to shine light on her desk.
Our dorm room is simple. A rectangle shape with concrete walls and only one window. It’s small with our furniture, each running along the longer walls. From the window at the far end, our desks, then our beds, and then our small dressers sit. We each decorated our sides, hanging pictures and posters, string lights, and even some fake ivy.
Before moving, we talked to each other over email and agreed on who brought what. I brought a TV, which sits on top of my dresser, and Madison brought a mini fridge. Perfect for drinks and snacks. I also brought a hot plate for quick meals.
The room is warm and cozy.
Even Mason agreed.
He’s Madison’s twin brother, and he lives on the floor above us. He’s a nice guy, and he loves to tease his sister, often popping in to shower her with teasing affection. He always shows up with drinks and food, which is a win in my opinion.
“What was up with Tyler showing up here the other day?” Madison watches me, and I know she’s trying to read my expression. I’m not good at hiding my emotions, and I’ve quickly learned that Madison picks up on everything. Nothing is getting past her if she can help it.
So I don’t bother hiding how I feel from her because she’ll figure it out with one look at my face.
“Uh-oh. It wasn’t good, was it?” Madison says before I even answer.