Page 73 of Shadows of Nightshade
The little lightblinked from red to green as I swiped my school card through the electric card reader. The elaborate, chrome-framed doors opened, and I stepped inside the women’s only dormitory on campus.
I hadn’t planned on stopping by my room today, but considering the stares I’d gotten over the last forty-five minutes, it might be prudent to pick up some nicer clothes. I supposed news traveled fast on campus, and people were sure to notice a man like Damen hanging around little ol’ me.
I couldn’t stay looking like a complete slob.
Students milled about, moving through their daily routines, and even though I didn’t see anyone watching me, I felt as though I was the center of attention.
I didn’t like it.
Was it really that strange that I was friends with these men? I hoped not—it wasn’t often I felt this level of kinship with others. But what if, after the mystery ghost was saved, there was no reason for me to hang around Damen and the others anymore?
My eyes burned at the thought. It was surprising and alarming how attached I’d gotten in less than a few days.
But, despite our awkward afternoon coffee, I’d enjoyed spending time with Damen. He was a gentleman, even opening doors for me and holding out my chairs, and I’d been able to study his personality a little more.
But there was still some time to kill before we were set to reconvene at his house, which made this the perfect chance to re-evaluate my supplies.
None of the girls looked up as I passed the common room, and the rose-colored carpeted hallways were empty of people on my journey back to my room. Still, my roommate was here—her presence was obvious the instant I opened the oak door leading to our living quarters.
We’d been assigned a large, ground-level space with wood floors. Immediately to the left of the entrance were two single-wide beds with gold-framed headboards. The creamed-colored wall above my space was absent of decorations besides a string of twinkling fairy lights and a round, olive-colored alarm clock on the bedside table. In contrast, my roommate had a lava lamp on her table, and various posters featuring her favorite metal bands hung above both her bed and desk.
As always, I marveled at how cool she was.
I couldn’t hear anything. However, the warm, humid air and the open window made it easy to assume that Jiayi was taking a shower in our private bathroom.
Which meant we wouldn’t have hot water for a while—shealways took the longest and hottest showers. I’d just have to bathe at Damen’s house.
I stepped across the room, past the white and gold-trimmed dresser, and pushed the lace curtains out of the way to shut the window. Hopefully, no one had been lurking; otherwise, I’d be forced to deal with people knocking at the door to complain about Jiayi’s singing.
Apparently, they claimed that she was not very good, but it’d never really bothered me.
The glass was covered in a light sweat, and the cold, outside air brushed across my face as I fought to close the window. It was stuck again.
Our campus was a mix of both old and new buildings, and our room happened to be located in one of the oldest residence halls still in use. Despite that, I hadn’t noticed a single ghost since arriving.
But, now that I knew what I did, was that strange, or not? Were the ghosts driven away? How many other people like me lived here?
I bit my lip, grunting under my breath, as the window finally slid closed.
“Why hello there.”
My heart slammed, and I turned to find Jiayi standing directly behind me.
She wore a fluffy purple towel that reached her knees, and her long, black hair was wrapped above her head in a messy, wet bun. She tilted her head, and her large, brown eyes watched me in that strange, calm way she had about her.
“This is a surprise,” she said. “I was not forewarned of your impending presence.”
“O-oh…” I’d pressed my hand to my chest. But, really, who was going to warn her? I couldn’t ask, however. Sometimes I found it difficult to talk to her in general—she was too perfect.
And maybe she knew it. Otherwise, how could she remain completely unperturbed while lounging around the room half-naked?
It really wasn’t fair how awesome she was.
Then her statement registered.
Did she not want me here? The realization caused a familiar pang to shoot through me. Why would she?
“Sorry.” I averted my eyes and shuffled toward my white dresser. “I’ll be gone in a minute.”
