“Have you joined any social clubs?” she asked as she hung up her clothes which I noticed were mostly skin tight tops and black pants. “Just a few academic ones. I’m on a scholarship, a full ride, so I have to really make sure to keep it up.” “I see” Haley said. “I have a few scholarships and grants but it’s student loan city for me.” And she laughed. “I’m going to try for a sorority, rush week will be soon, their dorms are so much nicer!” she said in disgust and rolled her eyes. Then she stopped and took me in, seemingly for the first time since she arrived. “Boyfriend?” she asked me. I shook my head no. “Perfect, you can find one here.” She winked. “Do you?” “Oh no, I did not come to college with a boyfriend. I’m bi, actually. But no worries, you’re not my type!” and she laughed. “You are pretty though, you’ll find a guy in no time. We should do something about your hair however.” And she went back to unpacking. My hair? I thought. I looked in the mirror that was hung on the back of our door. It was plain and straight, cut in a blunt way and came down to my mid-back, it didn’t have a lot going on besides it being strawberry blonde. Was I pretty? I was tall, had spots of freckles across my nose, hazel eyes and a clear complexion. My breasts were small but I knew enough to know they were nice. I wasn’t athletic but had a small frame. I guess boys just had never really noticed me. Haley noticed me observing myself. “Have you ever had a boyfriend?” she asked. I hesitated. “Yes, of course.” I said, not wanting to tell her the truth. “Ok, cool.” she said and jumped on her bed. Her clothes had been put away and her bed made. She also had photos of France on her wall but they looked like hers. “Have you been?” I asked her, pointing to a photo of Notre Dame. “Yes, just a few months ago, for the second time. I just love Paris, guess you do too?” and she nodded toward my poster. “Yes, very much, but I’ve never been.” “Are you going to take French 1 with me, then?” she asked, raising her eyebrows. “I planned on it!” I lit up, academics, my comfort zone. “Tres bien” she responded, with a really good accent too. “I know a little already but it will be good to brush up.” Haley had organized her things the same way but it was clear how different we were. She seemed so sure of herself, so confident. “Alright, well, are you hungry? I’m starved!” she grabbed her sunglasses and her bag and grabbed my hand. “Let’s go for a walk!”
We wandered around campus and I admired the tall brick buildings and the history of the campus. Everything was green and lush and leafy. The sun was shining and it was easy to spot the very attractive guys that were swarming campus. Haley attracted attention, that much was clear. She seemed older in a way, wiser. She was cool and collected and most importantly it seemed, outgoing. As a group of guys crossed our path, she stopped them. “Know of a good place a girl can grab some lunch?” she said, tilting her sunglasses their way. As the most handsome guy of the group gave her directions to a small Mexican restaurant nearby, I stood there, hopeless. “This is my roommate, Danielle” she said, now everyone’s eyes on me. I managed to put my hand up in a small wave and said, “Hi”. They looked disappointed and waited for me to say more but nothing came out. They turned back to Hayley and she thanked them and Brett, her new friend, jotted his number down on her hand. When they turned to leave, she came close to me and clapped her hand against mine. “And that is how it is done.” She smiled. As she told me what she thought of Brett, all I could think of is how that mantra of mine failed to work. I was still the very timid, very shy, Danielle.
Chapter Two
The first week of school went by in a blur. I was happy with all my classes and was already ahead of the assignments so I wasn’t feeling too pressured. I’ve spent most of my time at the library because the dorm has been loud and boisterous since the first night. Hayley has made friends with practically everyone on our floor and the only person I know is our resident advisor. How lame. Not to mention that our dorm is co-ed. Girls and guys roam the halls together. It might not be so bad except they are so loud. Playing football in the halls, yelling about sports teams, playing video games until all hours; it’s driving me crazy. At least I don’t have to share a bathroom. Some girls walk slowly to their room with their towel wrapped around them, their hair wet and they smirk at the guys who pass. We have separate bathrooms but I always make sure to get up early before anyone and get back to the room before anyone wakes up-even Haley. There are two guys down the hall though, who annoy me the most; Eric and Kyle. They are the loudest, most obnoxious guys I have ever met. The worst part, is they know they’re handsome and think they can get away with everything. I never see them go to class and they always have girls hanging out around their room, girls who I have never seen in this building and I’m sure don’t live on our floor, what on earth could they be doing here all the time? I wonder. I’m complaining to Hayley about this and she begins to laugh. “What is so funny Haley?” I demand, getting annoyed. “Danielle, seriously? They are hooking up! Hello? One night stands!” she claps her palm to her hand. In my naïveté, I hadn’t realized. I felt incredibly dumb. “Oh.” was all I said as I sighed and plopped down on my bed. “You aren’t used to this, it’s no big deal. Actually, Eric and Kyle are nice guys, they are just adjusting to college life like the rest of us; they’ll settle down.” “Do you want me to introduce you?” she asks, but I shake my head. “No thanks. I’m going to the library.” “You should just get a room there!” she calls behind me and I can’t help but agree with her.
Studying at the library, even everyone there is paired up. Couples or friends or something and I still haven’t made any friends besides Haley. I groan, unsure of how to get myself out there. On a brighter note, my grades have never been better. I realize I don’t actually need to be here but where else would I go? I could spend time with Hayley but her friends tend to rub me the wrong way; a little too wild. I go on social media and browse the handful of people I’ve become friends with in class and see what they are up to. A new friend request? I click on it and roll my eyes. Kyle Ritter. His profile picture is of him with a girl, maybe an ex-girlfriend? They are both smiling on the beach. The sun is bright in the picture but I can tell he has a nice body. I scroll and find mostly posts about sports or memes from friends. I can’t see anything else unless I accept. I hesitate. “Whatever.” I say and he is added. More pictures of him reveal exactly what I thought of him. There are dozens of photos of him, all with different girls at different parties. I keep investigating when I get a message; “Hey”. It was from Kyle. “Shit.” I mutter under my breath. I close out of his page and I can see he is typing. “What’s up” is his next question. “Hey. Not too much. You?” I say back, not knowing why he has decided to chat with me and really not in the mood for it. I wait and wait and then it says he’s logged off. “What the hell?” I close my laptop, angry at even responding to that obnoxious guy. I decide to give textbooks a break and open up a novel I checked out last week; ignoring the fact that I’m alone with a book and no prospects to speak of.
Chapter Three
Fall has come and gone and in the throws of winter, the dorm situation isn’t better. Now that the weather is keeping everyone inside, it’s gotten even louder, even during ‘quiet hours’.
I’ve been spending more and more time in the library and oh joy-the student librarian now knows me the best out of anyone on campus. I roll my eyes at the thought. I decide to take a break and call my best friend back home, Sarah. “Hey, girl!” she says enthusiastically, “How are you?” Sarah went to another college, one closer to home. She is a lot like me, very studious and reserved, believes academics are important and was my date to every school dance since third grade. “Do you hate college as much as I do? I mean, the classes are great but gosh, all the parties, I just can’t handle it all the time!” There was silence. Sarah and I hadn’t talked for the last few months, not much more than a text here or there. “Really?” she said, sounding surprised. “I think they’re great. I’m even kind of seeing someone right now.” She said, I could hear the smile in her voice. “You are? How did that h
appen?” I asked incredulously. “Ugh, well come on Danielle, how do you think?” I began to say something but she interrupted, “Oh I went to this dorm party and ended up spilling my vodka all over this guy, Chad. I was mortified, but he helped me clean it up and by the end of the night he kissed me! He plays lacrosse and is so fit but he’s smart too!” I was shocked. Sarah had never had a boyfriend either. The night before we left for college we had one last sleepover and both commiserated about boys and how we were terrified of sex and wondered what having a boyfriend would even be like. We also both promised the other we would tell each other the moment it happened; if it did. “So when was this?” I asked her. She seemed to be on the same page as me. “Oh, Danielle, it was just a couple weeks ago. I was going to tell you but all your texts have been so depressing. I didn’t want to rub it in.” “No, I’m happy for you, I am. I just wish you would have told me.” “I get it, I’m sorry. But take my advice, things aren’t so scary. Just put yourself out there.” “Ok, well I gotta go to class.” I said, lying. We hung up and I sat back in my chair at the table and starred at my books. I was still reeling over Sarah’s news when I got a text from Haley. “How long do you plan on being at the library?” she asked, including the smiley face emoji with glasses. “Another couple of hours.” I responded. “Good. Someone is coming over so…maybe just text when you are on your way back?” I rolled my eyed. “You got it.” Was all I said. Haley had never brought anyone to our room before like that, I wondered who it was. I prayed it wasn’t Kyle or Eric.
I was almost to the building two hours later when I remembered to text Haley. “I’m almost home, be inside in one minute.” I texted. No response. I hesitated outside my door, listening for something, I heard murmurs. I didn’t want to go in but I wanted to sleep. I slowly opened the door and the lights were off. I saw two figures moving in Haley’s bed but I couldn’t make out who it was. A long wave of brown hair trailed off her bunk and I knew that was Haley, then another head emerged from under the blankets, but it was a woman. Her hair was tied up in a bun and I heard them giggle and kiss, they were naked and I saw the outline of the mystery girls breasts as she moved on top of Hayley. I sat my bag down and grabbed my towel and headed to the shower. It was late and the hallway was unusually quiet but noises were still heard from behind each door. Peeking down the hall, it was empty and I scurried to the showers praying that when I got back, Haley would be alone in her bed. I showered for what seemed like an eternity before finally feeling I had given them enough time. Wrapping the towel around me, I peeked down the hall again. I saw another girl locking up and heading down the stairwell, but the coast was clear. I shuffled quickly down the hall, keeping my eyes down when I heard a door open and a guy’s voice call to me, “Hey you’re Hayley’s roommate, Danielle, right?” I gritted my teeth and looked back. It was Kyle. He was very tall and handsome, he had a beard and piercing green eyes. “Yeah.” I said, wanting this situation to be over. “How come we never see you around?” “Probably because I’m too busy actually going to class unlike you.” It came out snarkier than I had anticipated. “Oh really? Well, maybe you can tutor me.” He said, eyeing me up and down and giving a small laugh. “No thanks.” I wanted to ask him why he had messaged me so long ago and then not kept up conversation, but months had passed and I felt odd about so I just continued to my room, opening the door quickly and closing it behind me with a thud. A small lamp was on now and Haley was out of bed in only a small tank top and her underwear. The girl, someone who I had seen around campus, was dressed and was kissing Haley goodbye. She was a bit taller than Haley and looked like a dancer, she was long and lean and even in the shadows, I could tell she was beautiful. “See you later, Char.” Haley said and smacked her ass she went out the door. “Sorry, roomie. I didn’t see your text.” “Charlotte?” I said, “I had no idea..” “Yeah, well, she’s bi like me. We have some fun time to time.” My eyes widened and I wasn’t sure how to respond. “You don’t have anything against that do you?” Haley asked me, unsure. “Oh no, Haley of course not, I am so liberal, I don’t care at all, I just had never seen, I was just surprised.” I rambled. Haley laughed, “Well no worries, next week we’ll be at her dorm.” And she winked at me. “Anything exciting happen to you today?” she said, getting in her bed and under the covers. “I just ran into Kyle in the hall, he asked who I was then asked if I’d tutor him. Yeah, right.” Haley sat up, “You should! I actually think you would really like him!” I gave her a deadpan look. “Get real, he has a rotating door of women, he does not need me. Besides, nothing in common, I don’t know if he’s that cute.” “Are you blind?” she laughed, “He’s so good-looking and damn, so tall.” “Have you ever…?” I asked her, eluding to him. “I haven’t.” she said, with a tinge of regret in her voice. “But maybe one day, who knows!.” “I’m joking” she said when she saw the shocked expression on my face. “He’s not really my type.” Hayley said. And she laid back down under the covers. “Goodnight, Haley.” I said as I crawled into bed but she was already sound asleep.
Chapter Four
I woke up early for my 7:00 class and by the time I got back to my room, flyers and banners littered the hall. I picked one up, FLOOR PARTY THIS FRIDAY NIGHT- 6:00. “Great.” I muttered to myself, rolling my eyes. “Guess I’ll be locked up in the library once again.” I opened the door and was surprised to see Haley sitting there doing homework. “Up so early?” I asked her. She had a big cup of coffee in her hand. “I do study, you know.” She said, teasing me. “I know, I just wasn’t expecting you awake so early!” “Sex give me more stamina, out of the sheets as well.” And she laughed, I just shook my head. “Did you see this?” I asked, handing her the flyer. “Floor party, huh? Will you please come! Have fun for once! You are always complaining about not having friends, this is your chance!” she was turned around now, eyes locked on me. “But I’m not twenty-one, I can’t drink.” “Lame excuse. You don’t have to drink, just meet people, would you?” I knew she was right. She saw the hesitation still resting on my face. “Hey, if you have a horrible time, your room is right down the hall.” I couldn’t argue with that. “Ok, fine. I will join.” She squealed. “Awesome, you can wear something of mine if you want!” I almost argued with her but then nodded, “Yeah, that would be great.” And laughed. I thought of Sarah and how well she seemed to be doing. I knew I needed to get out of my shell so this was the perfect opportunity.
Friday night was here and Haley roped me into wearing one of her many tight pairs of black jeans, which surprisingly I liked. “You look stunning!” she said to me. “Now, for a top.” She perused her closet which was so jam-packed with clothes it was hard for her to take any one item out. “This!” she finally exclaimed and took out a bright blue silk top. “This will look great!” I put it on and admittedly, I felt great in it. I slipped on a pair of my black boots and felt confident to go out. “Wait!” she said, grabbing me before I could protest. She took out her curling iron and got to work. “Just a few waves.” She said as I felt the hot iron curl around my hair. She opened her make-up bag and added eye-liner, mascara, blush and some clear gloss. ”Now you’re ready!” I looked in the mirror and hardly recognized myself. It was me, but better. I looked older, I looked well, like Haley. “Thank you, I feel great!” I said. She gave me a hug, the first hug she had ever given me and I finally felt like we were becoming friends not just roommates. “Don’t worry about anything, ok?” she said to me. “I won’t” I said and stood up to head out to the hall where we could hear the party was already getting started. I shut the door and locked it behind us and Haley grabbed my hand and we headed towards Kyle and Eric’s room. At the end of the hall, next to their door, was a lounge area with a few couches, a ping pong table which had been taken over for beer pong and a couple of TV’s. Haley found a friend and said, “Be right back!” and left me to squeeze into a spot on the couch, across from Kyle. “Oh hey, you decided to join the land of the living?” he joked, knocking a beer back. “I guess I have, h
ere I am.” I said, opening my palms and showcasing my presence. “Yes, here you are indeed.” He smiled. He was smooth, I almost went with it until I remembered this was his thing-charming girls into his bed. “Why aren’t you drinking? Can I get you something?” he asked, making a motion to reach for a beer in a cooler beside him. “No, thanks. I don’t drink, I just don’t want to.” I said, the remark coming out in more of a mumble. “So you’ll hang out but won’t hang, I see. What if this was a class on beer? Would you participate?” he joked. I hated him, how could someone be so obnoxious? “I gotta go.” I said and stood up and walked back to my room. “Hey, I was only joking!” he called out, but I heard someone shout to him and I was forgotten. I go to the room and shut the door behind me. “Just breathe.” I tell myself. I catch another glimpse of myself and feel ridiculous. Ridiculous for going, ridiculous for bailing. I leaned against the door, debating what to do when there was a thud. I opened the door to find a group of guys on the floor in a tackle, clutching a football. “Ugh.” I say aloud and side-step them to try and find Haley. Maybe if I can hang out with her for a little, I might feel better. I wander in and out of rooms, but there’s no sign of her. I walk back to the lounge and thankfully, Kyle isn’t there. People seem to be leaving and I hear someone say they are going to another party at the fraternity house across the street. “Thank goodness, maybe I can sleep.” I mutter to myself. I get ready for bed and lay there, enjoying the silence but worried about Haley. I send her a text but get no response. My mind is on the night and surprisingly on Kyle. My fingers moved in between my legs and I touched myself. I didn’t want to think about why I thought I could get off on someone I found so obnoxious. I pressed my fingers onto my clit and felt myself throbbing. I imagined his body, his strong arms around me, his beard tickling my neck. With my other hand I touched my breasts, imagining his hands on them. That sent me over the edge and I let out a small cry as I came. I felt good, I felt relieved. As I turned on my side and faced the wall, I fell asleep dreaming of Kyle and the idea of having sex.
The Beast In The Castle Page 10