Page 18 of My Roommate from Hell
“Nothing, it’s just that people aren’t normally this excited about rules.”
I know he’s joking, but it still stings. I’m fun, not some horrible stickler. If I was, I would’ve asked him to turn the volume down and to be a little more careful with the Dorito dust he’s getting everywhere.
“What kind of rules are you thinking?” I ask.
“Well, first things first, if there’s a sock on the door, don’t come inside. And that goes both ways.”
I can feel my cheeks heat up. I won’t lie—yes, one of the biggest appeals of college for me is the prospect of boys. I mean, nothing ever really worked out for me on that front all throughout high school, and I didn’t even have an excuse. My school was about as liberal as it gets, and there were a bunch of out, queer guys who dated or hooked up. I just didn’t. I am kind of hoping that it will be different here. I feel more confident, and Ashley has always saidthat I shouldn’t worry about my lack of action in high school since I’ll clean up during college.
Plus, I don’t have a crush on anyone anymore. The guy I used to like is miles away, and it’s like my brain has finally accepted that feelings for him are not good for me. Knowing myself, I’m sure it won’t be long until I get a crush on some other unavailable guy, but at least I have some peace at the moment.
“Okay,” I say. “Anything else?”
He shrugs. “No nagging.”
“Nagging?”
“Yeah, I hate that. And no being passive-aggressive. If we have issues, we should just say it.”
“Totally.”
“Easy,” he says. “Can you think of anything else?”
We just met. I don’t want to spring any rules on him just yet.
“Nope, I’m good with those.”
“Sweet. What are your plans tonight?”
“I’ll probably just crash,” I say. “I’m pretty tired. What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to a house party,” he says. “You could come, if you want? I’m sure it’d be fine.”
Classes don’t start for a week, and I know this week is designed for Point students to get settled and make friends. That’s a huge part of college, and it’s not like I don’t want to meet new people. I do. I just am not sure about going to a party with a guy like Zarmenus. He doesn’t seem like he runs in the kinds of circles that I’m used to, and I don’t want my first night here to be a disaster.
“I’m kinda tired,” I say. “Next time, though.”
“Damn it!” he yells at the screen. “Sorry, that wasn’t at you. I died. All good, roomie.”
A few minutes later, gunfire sounds on the TV.
“Yes!” says Zarmenus, practically bouncing in his seat. “Man, does anything feel better than revenge?”
“I truly wouldn’t know.”
He laughs.
“Did you go to many parties in high school?” I ask.
“Not really. My parents were pretty strict about that kind of thing.”
“Are your parents strict about everything?”
“You could say that. I mean, they’re pretty much the whole reason I’m even here.”
“So you don’t want to be here?”
“I didn’t say that. It just wasn’t my choice. I have always been curious about Earth, though,” he adds. “People fascinate me. They always have. How about you, have you been to many parties?”
