4 Waxing & Waning Read Free Page B

science class this semester?”
    “Yeah. Oceanography.”
    Paris furrowed her brow. “I have that, too.”
    We compared class schedules, finding relief in the ordinary.
    “Well, at least we have a class together.”
    “I hope it’s better than Astronomy,” I said, referring to the class we’d both taken freshman year to fill our science requirement. The idea of cutting up a frog held zero appeal for both of us.
    “There aren’t any oceans around here,” Paris said. “That means we won’t be out in the frigid cold doing labs this time.”
    That was definitely a bonus. “I’m just excited to have my Fridays free,” I said. “It’s good being high enough in the pecking order to get first dibs on classes.”
    “That’s for sure,” Paris said.
    We both turned our attention back to the television, the sound of slamming doors on the second floor dragging our gazes to the ceiling. “Who do you think is fighting now?”
    Paris shrugged. “Tally seems to hate Kristy – and Kristy seems a little too slow to notice,” she said. “Kelsey seems to hate them both.”
    Part of me felt bad for Kelsey. The other part was glad she was the one living upstairs. “Do you want to get out of here?”
    “Sure. Where do you want to go?”
    “We could go to the UC,” I said, referring to the University Center, where the bookstore and coffee shop were located. “I need one book, and I could use some coffee.”
    “That sounds good to me,” Paris said, getting to her feet. “Let me grab some shoes.”
    Five minutes later, we were heading out the front door when a voice stilled us from the top of the stairs. “Where are you two going?”
    Kelsey was standing there staring at me when I turned around. “The UC. You’ll forgive us if the constant yelling isn’t conducive to a restful environment.”
    “I’m going with you.”
    I nodded, sighing. “Hurry up.”
    Unfortunately for us, our happy little trio had expanded by the time we left the house. Tally and Kristy insisted on going, calling it a “bonding experience” for the house. The only thing I wanted to be bonded with was space from the two of them. I didn’t say that out loud – even though I was tempted to do just that.
    The UC is located on a corner lot at the center of campus between two class halls and the library. It’s the hub of life at Covenant College. It was also where I met Aric for the first time, and as we neared the building, that thought was at the forefront of my brain.
    When we got inside, we separated – thankfully – and went our separate ways. I found the book for my oceanography class right away, purchased it, and then settled at a table in the coffee shop to wait for Paris and Kelsey. It didn’t take them long.
    “What’s wrong?”
    Kelsey was scowling and, although she often had that expression on her face, it looked particularly ugly right now.
    “I don’t like Tally,” she said, pulling out a chair and huffing dramatically as she sat down.
    “Me either,” I said. “Maybe we can form a club?”
    “We can get shirts made up,” Paris teased, sipping from her cup of coffee. “They can say something like ‘Tally the Terrible.’”
    “Or Tally the talented … .”
    Paris cut me off with a look. “Let’s try not to get vulgar.”
    “How do you know I was going to get vulgar?”
    “I know,” Paris said.
    I rolled my eyes, a thought suddenly occurring to me. “Hey, I forgot to ask – what with all the excitement of moving in and getting to know our new roommates – but how are things with Mark?”
    Mark was Paris’ boyfriend. He was also part of the monster-hunting academy on campus. He was a nice guy, friendly and outgoing. I was still leery of him due to his association with the group, although Paris seemed fond of him.
    “He’s okay.” Paris averted her eyes.
    “It doesn’t sound like things are okay,” I pressed. “It sounds like you’re having second thoughts.”
    “It’s not that … oh, I don’t