Page 51 of My Roommate from Hell
“Well, have fun,” he says.
“You too.”
We split up, and I start walking through the crowd. Like he saidthey would be, Tyrell and his friends are sitting at a table near the bar. Along with them is Madison and Avery, as well as a few others I recognize from the Gaymers night. A lot of them are drinking a bright blue drink.
“What is that?” I ask.
“Point Punch,” says Tyrell. “It’s good, you should try one.”
He points at a sign on the bar, which shows there are two different versions of Point Punch available: one is a true cocktail and one is a mocktail. Despite the very aggressive blue color of the drink, which at least checks out given the school’s colors, it’s apparently apple flavored.
“Want to try it?” asks Tyrell, offering me his cup. I take a sip, and it’s not bad. It tastes like lemonade. I decide right away I’m going to get one. I approach the bar and order my drink. The bartender takes one look at my wristband and makes me the non-alcoholic version.
Whoever this DJ is, they’re incredible and playing songs I really like. I check out the dance floor, and it’s easy to spot Zarmenus and his friends, who are dancing right by the DJ. They’ve all taken their shirts off. Zarmenus turns his head and catches me watching him. The party slows around us as he holds the eye contact.
He winks. My heart does this weird lurch. My drink is ready, so I pay for it and go back to the group, trying to ignore the weird shock wave that just went through me. I should not, and do not, care what Zarmenus does tonight.
“So,” says Tyrell, when I make it back to the table, drink in hand. We move a little to the side so we can speak in private. “Did you decide if you’re switching rooms?”
“Not yet,” I say. “I’m giving him another chance. I know he means well.”
“It’s more than I would’ve done.” He takes a big sip of his drink. “Did you see what he posted today?” asks Tyrell.
I shake my head.
Curiosity gets the best of me, and I search for Zarmenus’s profile. And oh, wow.
He’s posted a shirtless thirst trap. Normally he keeps his shirt on in his gym selfies, but not this time.
I hate thinking it, but it’s hot.
He might be a demon, but he is still a very conventionally attractive man. He’s ripped, for one. And there’s something appealing about a guy so confident he can post a picture like this.
“Speaking of Zarmenus,” says Tyrell, “I was wondering if I could run something by you.”
“Yeah, what’s up?”
“Dean Leeke noticed my TikTok,” he says. “And asked me if I’d be willing to write some stories forPoint Pressabout it.”
“That’s amazing!”
“Yeah, it’s a great opportunity, but I wanted to run it by you first.”
It’s nice that he did, but he didn’t have to. It probably won’t be that different from the TikToks he’s been making, and he’s my friend. If he thinks this is a great opportunity for him, then I want him to go for it.
“I don’t mind at all,” I say.
“Cool, because she wants me to interview you as well. Would you be down for that? It’ll be a puff piece, you don’t have to actually say how you feel about living with him.”
This I’m less certain about. But I can tell this is important to Tyrell. It’s like my internship, it’s an opportunity to get your foot in the door. People like Tyrell and I have to take these chances when they come our way if we’re going to have any chance of making it into our dream careers.
“Of course,” I say. “Anytime.”
“Yes!” he says, grinning big. “I’m so glad I asked you to fight me.”
I laugh. I am, too, Tyrell. I am, too. Our conversation is interrupted by Avery, although he’s in full drag, so I guess I’m speaking to Red Velvet. Her outfit is red and covered in glittering rhinestones. It perfectly matches her wig, which is a sculptural work of art.
“What are you talking about?”
