I learned to like it without. “Force of habit, I guess?”
Stella pulls a face as she moves to the fridge and loads her mug with some kind of flavored creamer. She takes a sip and sighs. “Ah, sugary goodness.”
We drink our beverages in silence for a minute, before Stella randomly bursts out laughing.
“What?” I ask, because seriously... who just cracks up out of nowhere?
“I was just thinking. I’m blonde and like lighter coffee. You’re brunette and like dark coffee.” She shrugs and takes another sip. “I don’t know, it just made me laugh.”
“You’re ridiculous,” I tell her. “And I love it.”
“Duh. I’m lovable AF.” She finishes her mug and refills it. “What are your plans today?”
“I need to get my books, but that’s pretty much it.”
“Oh my God! That reminds me—we haven’t compared schedules or anything! What are your classes? Do you know your major?”
“Psych major,” I say, ducking my head, before rattling off my class schedule.
“Oh, we have history together!” Stella remarks, rinsing her mug and then the carafe. “I’m an education major. Every woman in my family since basically the dawn of time has been a teacher.”
“That’s really cool.” I mean it, too, seeing as the only degree my mother ever earned was her Mrs.
Stella nods. “Most people think I want to teach because it is expected of me, but I truly have a heart for it. The thought that I could impact a child’s life... to help them on their path... I don’t know, it makes me happy.”
“I think that’s amazing.”
“Thanks! So, do you know what you want to do with your degree?”
Right as I go to reply, there’s a knock on our suite door.
Stella checks the peephole on the door before unlocking it and swinging it open. “Hey, Melanie,” she says in greeting, waving the lanky brunette into our space.
“Good morning, ladies,” she chirps, stepping into the room with a folder clasped under one arm.
“Hey,” I murmur, glancing down toward the floor.
“We didn’t get to meet yesterday,” Melanie says, stepping closer to me. “I’m the RA for your floor. I stopped by yesterday, but y’all were out.”
“Sorry.” I wipe my hands across the front of my shorts. “I’m Emmy, it’s nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you, too.” Melanie smiles, seemingly unbothered by my sudden bout of nerves. “This is for you,” she says, holding the folder she brought with her out toward me. “It’s a little welcome pack from me to you. You’ll find the dorm rules, along with some useful info.”
“Oh, thanks.” I clutch the folder to my chest.
“For sure. Are y’all settling in all right? Getting along okay?”
I step back and let Stella take point. “We are. Emmy and I are a match made in roomie heaven.”
Melanie beams. “Glad to hear it. If you ladies need anything, my number is on the last page in your welcome packet.”
“Perfect. Thanks so much.” Stella walks her back to the door.
Our RA offers us one last smile before stepping back into the hallway.
“She seems nice,” I murmur, hating myself a little for shutting down in her presence.
Stella nods before smoothly changing the subject. “Let me get dressed and we can head to the bookstore together.”
I pop my now cold mug of coffee into the small microwave and sip on it while Stella gets ready. Luckily, she’s fairly low maintenance as well and doesn’t keep me waiting long.
The sun is high in the sky and shining brightly when we exit the dorm. It’s unseasonably warm out, which is why the chill skittering over my skin has my back stiffening and the fine hairs on my body standing on end.
It’s the same feeling as yesterday, as though someone is watching me. It’s a fight not to frantically search for the prying eye that has my skin feeling like it’s covered in ants, itching and crawling.
“Are you okay?” Stella asks, somehow tuned in to my discomfort.
As discreetly as possible, I survey our surroundings.
Once again, there isn’t anything or anyone suspicious.
I shake off the feeling and force a grin. “Yup, just got a chill.”
“Do we need to go back so you can change?” Stella nods down toward my shorts.
“No, I’m good,” I assure her. After all, paranoia isn’t something you’ll find in the weather app on your phone.
She regards me, doubt darkening her pale eyes, before finally nodding. “Okay. Let’s go.”
We fall into step together, making our way across the campus to the student center, where the campus bookstore is housed.
It takes a few minutes for the feeling of being