4 Waxing & Waning Read Free

having a bad day.”
    “Should we check it out?”
    “I guess.”
    We followed the angry voices up the stairs, stopping in front of the first bedroom we found. Kelsey was standing in the doorway, hands on hips, and she was clearly angry with someone we couldn’t see yet.
    “What’s going on?”
    Kelsey jumped when she heard my voice, swiveling to face us. “Oh, good, you’re here.”
    “What’s wrong?”
    “Well, Tally here decided she would get the biggest room since she was here first,” Kelsey said. “I told her that wasn’t fair, and we should draw straws or something.”
    I looked Kelsey up and down. She looked the same. Her hair was still long, halfway down her back, and her fiery green eyes were full of undisguised loathing. It seemed bonding with the new roommates wasn’t going well.
    “Does it really matter?” Since I’d paid money to snag the biggest dorm room last year, even I was surprised by my utter lack of interest in haggling over bedrooms.
    “As it stands now, you and Paris will have the two rooms on the main floor,” Kelsey said. “I didn’t think you would want those.”
    I thought about it. “Actually, I’m fine with it,” I said. “Being on the main floor means that I’ll have two options for escape should it become necessary.”
    Kelsey blanched. “Do you think it will become necessary?”
    “I hope not,” I said. “I’m not taking any chances.”
    Paris nodded. “I’m fine with it, too. We’ll probably be happier down there away from … all of this.”
    Kelsey frowned. “I hadn’t thought of that.”
    I peered over her shoulder, taking in the tall girl sitting on the floor in the middle of the bedroom. Her auburn hair was long, and she had high cheekbones and a sculpted nose. She looked like a model, her face buried under a layer of makeup so thick it looked caked on, and her smile was suspiciously wide. I could already tell she was going to drive me crazy.
    “I’m Zoe,” I introduced myself. “This is Paris.”
    “I’m Tally,” the girl replied, not bothering to get to her feet. I’d seen her before, although I’d barely spoken to her. That was starting to look like a mistake. “This is going to be a great year, girl.”
    I rubbed my tongue over my teeth. “Yeah, it’s going to be totally rad.”
    Kelsey hid her smile behind her hand, while Paris’ shoulders shook with silent laughter.
    “Totally,” Tally agreed, obviously missing the sarcastic silence the three of us were mired in.
    “Where’s the other one?” I asked.
    “You mean Kristy?”
    “Yeah, her.”
    “She’s in her bedroom.” Kelsey gestured for me to follow her. “You’re going to love her.”
    Oh, I couldn’t wait.
    When we got to the next door, we paused outside. The girl in this room was tall, too. She had long, blonde hair, and most of it curled around her shoulders in ringlets that could only be acquired with a home perm. Her cheeks were rounded and flecked with freckles, and her eyes were clear and blue.
    “Hi,” she greeted us, waving from the desk she was organizing. “I’m Kristy.”
    Paris and I introduced ourselves and then waited. Kristy seemed fairly normal – at least so far.
    “Wow, I can’t tell you how glad I am to meet you guys,” Kristy said. “I was worried you would be Goths or something.”
    I pursed my lips together. “Goths?”
    Kristy lowered her voice. “You know, devil worshippers.”
    “Oh, right, Goths ,” I said, exchanging a look with Paris. Living on the first floor – away from Tally and Kristy – was looking like an inspired choice. “So, um, we have to finish moving our stuff in. We’ll all … catch up later.”
    Kelsey shot me a scorching look, but she disappeared into the far bedroom. Once we were back on the main floor, Paris and I couldn’t contain our giggles.
    “I thought you said this was going to be a good year?” I said.
    “We don’t know it will be a bad one,” Paris replied. “We just know Tally and Kristy are