FIVE

♥ Lucille ♥

"You know, 212 is actually a good sign in numerology." Dakota tells me. I'm walking with her and Brie to my dorm now. Brie is one of the friends Dakota introduced me to at the party last week. She's soft spoken and quiet, but she's funny and sweet.

I'm hoping Kiara won't be home. She wasn't there after school yesterday, so I'm hoping she has classes later than I do. I can't text and ask her because I don't have her number. I don't want anything of hers in my phone.

"What does it supposedly symbolize?" I ask her as we get off the elevator. It has been repaired, so I've been using it every single time I leave or come back.

"I believe it's associated with love..." She says in a teasing tone, nudging me in the arm. "Hold on..." She pulls up her phone, double checking with google. "And to remain optimistic, surround yourself with positivity, and to trust others."

"That'll be hard to do with Kiara as my roommate." I mutter. Dakota laughs. Her laugh is squeaky, like a guitar when you slide down the frets quickly.

"You really despise her... Why don't you just see if you can switch dorms?" Brie suggests as we approach the door. I pull out my keycard to unlock it.

"I don't think it's worth the hassle. Besides, it's not like she's stepped over any boundaries." I admit, opening the door. We all step inside, and unfortunately for all of us, Kiara is sitting cross legged on her bed. She has a textbook out, along with her laptop. Headphones over her ears.

I sigh, louder than necessary to fully express my annoyance.

Dakota nudges me. "So rude, Luc. Hi!" She says loudly, greeting Kiara.

Kiara looks up from where she was hunched over on her bed, only now noticing all three of our presences in the dorm. She needs to be more aware of her surroundings.

"Uh. Hi." She waves a small hello, drawing her attention back to her text book.

"Don't talk to my friends." I tell her. I wonder if she'll be as much of a bitch in front of them.

Kiara raises an eyebrow at me. "Wow. So overprotective. Or jealous? You know, I don't bite..."

"Well I don't know that for sure."

"Oh so it's trust issues then? I see... You should work on that." Kiara's smirking slightly. She is so fucking irritating.

"I actually said the same thing moments ago," Dakota agrees, turning to me. "For different reasons, but this is a sign, Luci."

"Yeah," Kiara speaks. "It's a sign, Luci." She does a mocking gesture with her hand. Though, it's clear Dakota isn't the one she's mocking.

"You don't get to call me that, you... uh... Hot Topic employee!" I stammer at her.

"Whoa, how'd you know I used to work there?" Kiara deadpans, shutting her laptop and crossing her arms. She's still sitting and smirking at me.

"It was supposed to be an insult!"

"Oh. You should really work on your insults then too." She closes her textbook too, gathering both items in her arms. She slips on black Crocs. "I'm going to the library. Have fun with your friends."

She leaves. As soon as the door shuts I groan loudly. "I am so sorry, she's so fucking annoying."

"She didn't seem that bad." Dakota says, walking into the kitchen area, scavenging for snacks.

"I agree." Brie says with a shrug, hopping up to sit on our counter top.

"Okay well you don't have to live with her, so your opinion is irrelevant..." I argue. "You guys want coffee?"

I did end up buying a coffee machine a few days ago. My dad told me to get an exact make and model, but I couldn't because they stopped selling that kind 8 years ago. I prompted for a newer—and cheaper—model from the same brand.

"Nah. I'm good... Though I should mention... Nevermind." Dakota trails off, but in the way where it's clear she wants you to beg for her to tell you what's up.

"Just say it, D." I sigh. I glance to Brie, silently asking if she wants coffee. She shakes her head no. I make a mug for myself though.

"You know I didn't want to say it earlier, but dorm 212... 212 symbolizes love... Kiara as your roommate... You guys would be a super cliche but cute couple." She says it so casually. Meanwhile, I am fucking repulsed.

"I will throw you out of here if I have to. Never fucking say that again." I threaten, not that it fazes her. Brie laughs softly, Dakota wears her gap-toothed grin, teasing me with just her smile.

"I don't really see it, but I'd totally approve." Brie admits.

"You guys suck." I groan, though biting back my own smirk.

♥♥♥

It's 6 PM now, I'm making nachos in the microwave for dinner. Dakota and Brie left an hour ago. Kiara isn't back yet, which I'm grateful for. It's quiet other than the music I've put on. The current song is I Don't Like My Mind by Mitski. I saw her live this past spring. Her voice is just as beautiful in person. It was majestic.

I'm leaning back against the counter, eating my nachos. We should really get some kind of table in here. The only place to sit is the floor or the beds. No food is allowed in my bed, and the floor is just wrong, so I've been eating standing up or sitting on the counter.

I hear the door's lock beep, and then it opens. Kiara walks inside, kicking off her Crocs. She glances around. "Good. I was worried you'd still have your friends here."

"Is there a problem with my friends?" I accuse, pausing and turning off my music.

"No. No problem with them. It was just inconsiderate of you to bring them over without warning. I was studying."

"You could've said that. We could've gone to their dorm." Honestly, it would probably have been a way better idea to do that in the first place. They're roommates, and though their dorm is in a different building, it really wouldn't have been that big of a setback. Oh well.

"It shouldn't have been that hard to interpret, least weasel." She sets her book and binder down on her desk.

"Did you just call me a fucking weasel?" I yell. Just a week ago, manslaughter wasn't on my bucket list for college. Now it definitely is. And there's a name attached to it.

"A least weasel. They're the most aggressive of their kind. Also one of the most aggressive of all animals." She says like it's common knowledge.

"Nerd."

"Weasel." She repeats, then starts taking her shirt off. I look away, embarrassed.

"Why the hell do you keep changing in front of me?"

"Because my dresser is right here." I see her putting another shirt on out of the corner of my eye. I fully turn my body away from her when she starts removing her jeans. I continue to eat my nachos.

"You could just go into the bathroom, you know. Or warn me at least." I mutter, though not quiet enough for her not to hear me.

"Why? Scared you'll realize my hotness?"

I snap my head in her direction, annoyed, minorly relieved she has put pants on since. "I cannot even with you."

She's wearing that smirk. I'll knock her out and sew her mouth shut if I see it one more time.

She catches my glaring gaze, shaking her head. "Are you capable of not being annoyed with or at me?"

"If you stop being a cocky bitch, and quit pissing me off, maybe." I give her the most two-faced grin I can conjure.

That makes her laugh. Ugh. "Hell no. It's too easy. And also hilarious."

"Well then your answer is no, mosquito."

She claps her hands. "Good job! A somewhat original and logical insult."

I groan loudly, stuffing my final nacho in my mouth. "I am not doing this."

I storm over to my closet, where I keep my shoes. I angrily put on my white sneakers and then leave the dorm, slamming the door. I need a walk.

I don't even bother with the elevator, going down the stairwell to get outside. I consider going over to Dakota and Brie's dorm, but they don't have a couch either so it's not like I could spend the night. I'm also not even sure which building they live in.

Besides, I just need a walk to clear my head and calm down. The heat was miserable just last week, and now it's only in the 50s. It's nice though, so no complaints. The sky looks beautiful. The sun is setting, painting the atmosphere in orange.

I stop walking on the sidewalk, pulling out my phone to get a photo of the sky above. I should've brought my camera outside. Oh well.

After snapping a few pictures I continue walking. I edit the photos a little bit, making everything a little darker other than the sky, enhancing the contrast. I've done this a million times. I could probably do it without even looking.

Unfortunately, editing doesn't distract me from my thoughts. God, I cannot stand Kiara. I know that she gets a kick out of annoying me—she just admitted that—so maybe I'm also the problem? But it's so hard not to react when she's being... HER. Also—

FUCK.

I'm on the ground. Apparently, looking at your phone while lost in your thoughts may increase your chances of tripping.

I get off my knees, seething. I only fully landed on one of my knees. It is now bleeding. Of course, one of the only days I decided to wear shorts. I should've known it was a bad idea when I found out about the semi-chilly weather.

I dust off my hands, still remaining sitting on my ass. I grab my phone from where I dropped it—no damage thankfully. I take a closer look at my scraped knee. Blooding is dripping down my legs, reaching my white socks. How fucking fantastic. The other knee is also minorly scuffed.

I should haul back to the dorm. Dammit. I was hoping for at least ten more minutes of my walk, but who knows, maybe it will take me that long.

I force myself up, putting my weight on the less injured leg. I'm still bleeding, of course, and it hurts like hell.

When I get back I honestly have no idea what I'm supposed do. My dad would always take care of me when I got hurt, even when I got older, and even though my mom was an actual doctor. I think there's some kind of first-aid kit in the bathroom. I hope.

♥ ♥ ♥

My knee hurts so fucking bad and my sock is definitely stained. I open the door, finally making it back to the dorm.

I see Kiara look at me from across the room, looking confused as she sees my pained expression. She gets up from her bed, walking over then seeing my leg.

"Shut up." I interrupt her before she has the chance to say something snarky, I enter the door to the bathroom, looking for a first-aid kit.

I find one, thankfully. I sit down on the closed toilet seat, taking a moment to breathe as I can finally get the weight off my sore, bleeding legs.

I take a washcloth from the counter right beside me, reaching over to put some water on it. I press it to my knee, seething at the stinging feeling. Kiara is watching from the doorway.

"You can leave."

"I can help you." She replies.

"No. Fuck off." Despite my attempt to dismiss her, she walks fully into the bathroom, squatting in front of me.

She takes the cloth from me, swatting my hand as I reach for it back. She presses the damp fabric to my wound gently. As pissed as I am, I decide not to object.

"You are an idiot." Kiara says, tossing the cloth into the sink. She takes another washcloth, drying the skin and scrape. I wince as she touches it directly.

"Fuck you."

"I'm flattered, but no thanks." She looks up at me. I feel my face get warmer as I realize what she's implying. I am ready to slap her.

She shakes her head, laughing upon seeing my expression.

"I hate you so much. This is your fault you know? If I hadn't left because of how irritating you are, I wouldn't have gotten hurt. I seriously don't understand how it is so enjoyable for you to bother me." I rant as she presses a bandage to my knee.

As if she's heard nothing I just said, "Extend your leg." She tells me.

"And why should I do what you say?"

"I really don't need to help you. I was just trying to be decent." She has a point. And I'm also hopeless when it comes to bandaging myself, so I do fully extend my leg.

She wraps the gauze around my knee and then wipes away the blood from my shin with another wet cloth.

She looks over my knee one more time and then stands. "All done. Try not to tear open the other one on your way to bed."

She walks away. "Dick..." I mutter as she goes.

Unfortunately, she hears me. "You should really be kinder to me or I will not hesitate to rip off that bandage and throw you in the ocean."

"The nearest ocean is an hour away." I tell her, standing using support from the counter beside me.

"I suppose I'll need some rope then too..." She goes back over to her bed. I stay standing there for a moment more.

I should get a shower, but that would end up destroying all her hard work. Not that I care, I would just need to reapply it myself since there's no way she would help me a second time and I am incapable of doing that. I also showered this morning.

I wash my hands. I decide to make myself useful and wring out the washcloths that now had my blood on them.

I limp out of the bathroom. I should probably say thanks...

"Thank you..." I say under my breath as I go into my closet to get my pajamas. At least I can say I said it, even if she didn't hear me.

"What was that?" Dammit she definitely heard me.

"I said thank you!"

"I didn't know you were capable of doing that... I suppose we learn something new each day... You're welcome." She grins slyly at me.

I just roll my eyes, going over to my closet to get my pajamas.

"Oh. Shoot. You can shower if you want." She says sheepishly. "I can put more bandages back on after... It's probably a good idea anyway..."

"As long as you'll actually do it, gladly." I take my clothes—and towel—into the bathroom with me. She definitely wasted time bothering with the dressings, but it's the thought that counts I suppose.

She's still on my shit list, but I appreciate her kindness in this one and only scenario.