Page 50 of My Roommate from Hell
Whatever this is, he can deal with it.
I don’t care anymore.
CHAPTER TWENTY
“You look nice,” says Zarmenus.
“Thanks,” I say, giving him a quick smile. It’s all I can muster.
To his credit, over the past few days he has stuck to his chore chart, and his side of the room is neater than it used to be. But he only ever does what’s on the chore chart, meaning he’s left clothes on the floor and hasn’t taken the trash out even though his bin is full.
Do I really need to tell him to do every little thing?
Plus, he brought that doll in, which is now sitting on his desk, so it’s constantly watching me with its black button eyes. It might just be my mind playing tricks on me, but it feels like more than just a doll. Like, when I’m trying to read, it feels like it’s actually watching me, and I’m too scared to move it into a drawer or something, as there’s this creeping fear that something bad will happen if I do that.
Zarmenus and I both going to the same event tonight: Point Pandemonium, a dance night that has taken over the Hub, one of the central buildings on campus. There has been a promise of free food and drinks, as well as games and a DJ. Zarmenus is going to go with his friends, and I’m going with Tyrell and the rest of his friends.
Zarmenus is already ready for tonight. He’s wearing all black again, this time a tight-fitting shirt, jeans, and pointed boots. It’s a great look. As annoyed at him as I am sometimes, I can give him credit when credit is due, and he does know how to look good. Hetried on a few different outfits for tonight, and he’s left all the clothes around the floor. His lunch from earlier, a burrito bowl, was tossed into the bin, but still, my emotions feel volatile. It’s to the point I’ve even started to reconsider Leeke’s offer, which is surprising to me. I also know that I probably never will; the prospect of the internship is too great to give up on.
But a part of me wishes I could. And every second I find myself thinking about the situation, trying to justify giving up and asking if I can move out. It’s not like me to give up on something that could be so beneficial for my future, but I’m not sure how much longer I can take living here, unless things somehow change.
“Ready to go?” asks Zarmenus.
His question surprises me. Even though we’re going to the same event, I didn’t think we would walk together. But the thought is kind of nice, and I really do appreciate that he seems to be trying. And, like, I do get it, in some way. He is literally a prince of Hell, which from the sounds of things isn’t all that different from being a prince here. He’s been pampered and spoiled his entire life. If I had been raised that way, I’m sure I would’ve turned out the same. I might even be worse.
“I just need to put my shoes on,” I say.
I grab my white Converse and pull them on. Zarmenus kills the time by petting Bell, who is purring loudly. For a second I think about how cute she is, but then I remember she tried to eat my soul. As I put my shoes on, Bell jumps onto my bed and meows, demanding to be petted.
I give in and scratch the top of her head. I’ve been spending more than I’d like to on antihistamines, but it’s worth it for moments like this.
“She really likes you,” says Zarmenus. “Normally it takes her ages to warm up to someone.”
“She’s probably waiting for me to drop my guard.”
Bell flips over onto her back, showing her belly. I scratch her there, which she seems to like. For a creature capable of stealing souls, she really shouldn’t be this cute.
Once my shoes are on and Bell has been petted enough, we go outside. Standing by the entrance of Clark Hall is a group of paparazzi. Their cameras start clicking.
“Same deal as last time,” says Zarmenus as he starts posing for the cameras. “Do you want to join, Owen?”
“I’m good,” I say.
Zarmenus gives them a bunch of different poses, and then we walk to the Hub in silence. I wouldn’t describe it as comfortable. I keep thinking about the scorch mark in the carpet, and the mess he made that I have to clean up. Bell is cute, yes, but wouldn’t my life be more peaceful if I shared a room with someone else? The answer is obviously yes.
It doesn’t take long for us to reach the Hub, where Point Pandemonium is already in full swing. Electronic music is pounding, and flashing lights are visible through the glass windows.
We go inside and show our student IDs to the bouncers standing by the doors. Zarmenus also shows an ID I’ve never seen before: a card made of shiny orange plastic. A license from Hell? The ID passes the test of the bouncer, and each of us is given a yellow wristband.
I check my phone to see if Tyrell has responded to my message asking him if he’s here already.
Yeah, we’re near the bar! See you soon!
Zarmenus and I stop by the entrance.
“My friends are at the bar,” I say.
“Mine are on the dance floor,” he says. For a moment, it’s a little awkward. I could invite him to come and hang out with my friends, but I don’t think he would say yes, so I figure there isn’t really a point. I look in the direction he pointed and see a group of gym bro–types all dancing together.
