started with a lie ➳ raura revised

Chapter Forty-Eight

The Hitler has been doing random dorm room checks ever since some cocaine was found in the kitchen the other day. Casual, I know. She'd accidentally used it as sugar and oh, it was definitely not sugar. She's turned up her strictness to the highest notch since then. One time, I was in the middle of changing rapidly in the dorm since I was late for class and she came right in. It was great. I would sue her if I cared enough.

"Close your eyes. I'm going to change here," I say, hopping o the bed. He takes my spot and sits down on the bed, rolling his eyes again and looking the other way. I grab the cleanest shirt o the floor and throw off the current one I was wearing. When I was done, I tell him, "Ready."

He stands but something tangles his step and he almost trips.

I laugh. "Careful, bud."

Daniel glares at me before bending down to untangle himself and I almost wish I hadn't teased him because it's the same bra I'd tried to hide earlier. Crap. I should've shoved it under my mattress or something. He holds it up, unaware at first since he's more focused on trying to get free, but when realization dawns on his face, he yelps and throws the bra against the window. "Laura! I swear I didn't mean to—"

I run a hand through my hair, laughing nervously. "No big deal, ha-ha! Let's go."

His cheeks remain red as tomatoes as he shuffles out of the room, obviously trying to get out of here as fast as possible. When I'm shutting the door, I realize my make-up mirror is perched on my night stand and Daniel probably could've saw me change. Not that he's a slime ball and not that I'm saying he's that kind of person but we're all human and I would've peeked just a little if it was the other way around.

I lock the door with my dorm key and head down the hallway with him. He looks over and smiles at me, as if that whole situation was funny, which it is. I smile back.

It's strange because it's almost as if I kind of hope he peeked.

"Hey, guys!" Tanner says when we get to the fair.

It's being held at one of the campus building's balcony. It isn't really a balcony but it's just this open space that is half outside and half of it inside with large greenhouse-like windows. There are japanese lanterns hung from trees, courtesy of the Japanese Club. Some people are crowding some dancers from the Hip-Hop club. I see many tables and stands as the Future DJs Club throws on some beats. My eyes run over some: The Medical-Careers Club, Political Science Party, Art, Gourmet and Cuisine, and more.

Giselle stands next to him, sipping a sample drink from one of the food clubs. She's in a nice dark red casual t-shirt dress. She grins at me. "My girl, Ivory!"

Tanner hooks an arm around Giselle's neck. "And there's my boy, Danny!"

Giselle looks up at Tanner with an annoyed face. "Hands off, Tan! We are not pals."

I sigh at them. When I first introduced them to each other, I had been wicked excited. I was going to have a group of good old friends—my "squad" plus Jess who's doing her own thing to join us—but all of that shattered when reality set in and Giselle and Tanner hated each others' guts. When it comes to arguments, it's mostly Giselle, but sometimes Tanner. I guess they both have too loud personalities that clash every other second.

Tanner ruffles Giselle's hair. "C'mon, Elle, loosen up!"

Mistake number one, Tanner. As much as Giselle tries to come off as cool and effortless, living with her has taught me many things about her. One, she gets up an hour early to curl and crimp her hair in the right way to come off messy but beautiful. She expertly applies her dark make-up and bright lipsticks and makes sure her outfits are all a bit whatever but also a bit stylish.