You’re the Reason, стр. 2

“Thank God, we’re finally alone,” Chantel said, sweeping back into the room and closing the door behind her. “Tell me everything.” She dropped down onto her bed. “You single, bi, doing the long-distance thing, playing the field? Go.”

My eyes went wide, taken aback by the once sweet girl my mom had met. This version was nosy as hell. “Um…”

“You planning on pledging a sorority?”

“Um…”

“I’ve got pull with the Alpha Phis. It’s the best sorority on campus.”

“Is that your sorority?”

She laughed like I should’ve known that. “Obviously.”

“You don’t have a house?”

Something darkened in her expression, just like it had before when my mom was still there. “Not this year.”

I said nothing, realizing I must’ve put my foot in my mouth.

“Sydney Lane was pledging our sorority,” she explained. “And since her family won’t accept Sydney’s death was a suicide and won’t give up their investigation, the university shut down our house for the year to appease them.” Her eyes drifted over the four walls of our room. “That’s why I’m back in this hell hole. No offense.”

I shrugged. It didn’t matter to me. I was back in Texas. That’s all I cared about. “Are your sorority sisters in this dorm, too?”

“Yeah” she clipped. “All of us punished because of Sydney’s decision.”

“You didn’t want to live with any of them?” I asked, treading lightly.

“My bestie Patrice transferred last minute. That’s why you lucked out and got this room with me—Enough talk. You up for a party tonight?” she asked.

“Oh, I…”

“It’s settled.” She stood. “You’re coming.”

“Where’s the party?”

She cocked her head. “Does it matter?”

I chuckled. “I guess not.”

“I’m gonna go hang with my girls while you finish unpacking. I’ll come back to get ready and get you. We’ll have drinks in their room, then head over to Kappa Sigma.”

“Sounds good,” I said, not really sure I was up for a party with a group of girls I didn’t know, but I was willing to give it a try.

Once she disappeared out the door, I could finally breathe. Between her looks and rapid-fire questioning, she commanded an audience and dominated a conversation. I wasn’t used to someone so…forward. But she was my new roommate, so I’d make it work.

***

I curled my normally straight hair and threw on skinny jeans and an off-the-shoulder navy shirt, hoping to make my blue eyes pop. I brushed on a little blush and swiped on some mascara, making my already long lashes extend further. I was in the midst of curling my eyelashes when Chantel breezed into the room a little before nine.

“Almost ready?” she asked as she pulled off her T-shirt in front of the closet, sans bra.

“Yup.” I averted my eyes as she took her time searching for a shirt. If only I had that much confidence.

“I can’t wait to introduce you to my sorority sisters.”

I focused on curling my eyelashes, not wanting to turn around until I was sure she was dressed.

“How do I look?” she asked.

I held my breath as I twisted around. Phew. She stood there in a short denim skirt and a white crop top that showed not only her toned stomach but accentuated her perfect boobs. “Nice.”

“Is that what you’re wearing?” she asked, a tinge of disapproval in her tone as her eyes drifted over my outfit.

I glanced down. “Do I not look all right?”

She hesitated. “You look fine.”

Her words played through my mind again as we entered her sorority sisters’ room on the fourth floor. The space was the same size as ours but filled with girls all wearing the same outfit—tiny denim skirts but different colored crop tops. Apparently, I hadn’t gotten the memo.

All conversations ceased and eyes turned toward me. The girls assessed me from head to toe. I’d never felt more uncomfortable in my life, knowing a roomful of sorority girls were sizing me up all at once.

“Hi,” they said in unison, breaking into a bout of laughter once they realized how they sounded.

I lifted my hand. “Hey.”

Chantel closed the door behind us and bottles of wine were passed around. A few girls asked about my sophomore status and where I lived, but besides that, I sat back and listened to them chat about guys, their summers, who they planned to hook up with this year, and rush week coming up soon. It was obvious Chantel was their leader. She ruled the conversation, and they all quieted when she spoke.

“So, Maine, huh?” the only other brunette in the room asked as she sat down beside me on the floor.

“Yup.”

“Didn’t like the cold?” she asked.

I shook my head, realizing I’d have to have the same conversation with each new person I met. “Not at all.”

She laughed. “I’m Valerie.”

“Sophia.”

“Yeah, I know. Chantel filled us in before you got here.”

I cringed.

“Don’t worry,” she smiled. “It wasn’t bad.”

“I heard she was supposed to have another roommate. I hope she’s not too upset she got stuck with me instead.”

I expected Valerie to laugh and tell me Chantel was excited to have me, but she didn’t. She shrugged.

My eyes widened. “She is pissed.”

Valerie grinned. “She would’ve loved a single.”

Freaking great.

A short time later we walked across campus, the loud cackles from the large group carrying through the darkness. I felt like an outsider as I followed behind, trying to politely listen to their conversations but saying very little.

We moved toward a large white house with black shutters. A big Greek K hung on the peaked roof above the second floor. The rumble of loud music playing inside the house vibrated the pavement beneath our feet as we moved up the sidewalk.

“Hey!” called a guy from the front door.

The girls waved or