Twisted Lies by Nora Cobb
Chapter 2
Astrid
On my way back to the dorm, our conversation plays through my head on a loop as I pick apart what Dr. Rawlins said. Standing outside my door, I hear someone giggling inside and then a deep voice before I enter. Roni is sitting on her bed with Terri facing her and looking cozy. She’s even wearing the red lipstick she picked up in Boston when she went shopping with her mom. Terri clears his throat and inches away like he was caught with his hands on her chest. I want to laugh. They’re so fucking innocent it hurts my brain.
“I’m just getting my gym bag,” I smile and toss my backpack on my bed. “I see you went past the first floor, Terri.”
“Don’t tease him,” Roni edges back toward Terri, who has his hands folded under his armpits. “We’re just talking.”
“I can see.” I grin. “It’s pretty humid in here. Do you want the window open?”
Terri bounces off the bed and stares at the floor like it’s a part of the conversation. “I better head out. I’ll meet you at the dining hall.” He looks at Roni but barely glances at me before rushing out the door.
We wait for a second in silence, and then I hop on the bed next to Roni. “Are you?” I whisper. “With him?”
She shoves my arm. “Don’t embarrass him. Or he’ll never try to make a move.”
Smiling, I nod with approval. “You should have texted me. I would have given you space.”
“You haven’t been around much,” she replies. “I wasn’t expecting you back so fast.”
“So, he’s been here before?” I ask.
Roni shrugs her shoulders and leans back against the wall. “After you smashed his heart, he lowered his expectations.”
I frown. “Roni, don’t…”
She shakes her head dismissively, stopping me before I can offer her a reason or an excuse. “It’s me being real and not too picky. He’s not Bryce Shelton, but Terri Hamilton is in my league.”
“Roni…” I frown at her. She’s so pretty with large eyes and a beautiful smile and a lot of personality. But no one wants to be told they have a wonderful personality when they’re trying to hook up with a guy.
Roni throws up her hands. “He’s a nice guy, and I’m not being snarky. He has odd hobbies, but we can really talk to one another.” She looks up at the ceiling dreamily. “And that’s okay. I wouldn’t know what to do with a hot guy. I’d always be second-guessing myself, and who wants to live like that?”
I nod, looking guilty. “Yeah, who does?”
Except that’s what I’m doing. Dr. Rawlins told me twice to stay away from the boys, and it is solid advice considering the way they act. They’re using me, and I’m letting them. I’ve been playing their game when I thought I had them playing mine.
“You hear about Charlotte?” I ask her, changing the topic. I don’t want to think about the boys and the club. I’ll think about it later while I’m trying to sleep.
“Yeah, that’s hard. I don’t know her that well. I know you two are friends.” Roni eyes me and then shrugs her shoulders. “It’s a tough thing. I feel bad for her.”
I hesitate, with the words teetering on my tongue. I want to talk to someone about what Rawlins said, but who? Roni loves to gossip, but I refuse to be her supply. My girl Nova doesn’t know these people, and even if she did, these are rich kids’ problems. And, of course, I can’t confide in Charlotte. She has her own massive issues, and I’m a major part of them.
Sighing, I stand up, grab my gym bag, and toss it on my bed. “I’m going to go work out before dinner.”
Roni makes a face, and I feel like I’ve let her down. She’s expecting us to share how we feel, but I continue to keep my cards against my chest. We should be tighter than this and would have been if I hadn’t met the boys first.
“Okay,” she says, grabbing her phone and plopping flat on her bed. “I’ll meet you at the dining hall.” Her phone chimes, and she giggles at the screen as I leave the room.
