101 - The chapter with the big news
Christian
We left the room together, heading towards the common area where we always met our friends. Skyller was sitting in the armchair, while Theodore remained hand in hand with Camille, who seemed delighted by the attention, on the other sofa.
" Where is Van Derr Waal? " I asked, taking a seat on the vacant space on the sofa.
Rose did not hesitate to settle on one of my legs, I wrapped my arm around her waist, smoothing her thigh over the denim fabric of her pants. That little exchange of caresses was not unheard of for our friends, but the fact that we did it in public attracted some attention, although no one commented on it.
" He was waiting for you to arrive so he could make a triumphant entrance, after all, he has big news " Skyller rolled her eyes, seeming to consider it a big nonsense " I'll send a message letting you know that you've arrived.”
" Does anyone know what's going on? " Rose asked, bringing her hand to mine and playing with my fingers.
" No, he's making a big mystery out of it and wouldn't even tell me. " Sky muttered nonchalantly, making me smile.
That was typical of Van Derr Waal, he had an intense personality that couldn't help but exaggerate the drama in everything he did.
" The fact that you're The most beautiful creature in the universe doesn't entitle you to inside information on what you tell the whole group, Baker," the boy's voice caught our attention, making the girl snort, ignoring her boyfriend's compliment.
Liam walked over to the coffee table, stopping there to stare at us expectantly.
" Are you going to tell us what's going on, or not? " Theo decided to break the silence.
" Right, I have good news and bad news, which one do you want to hear first? " He asked with a small smile.
" The good one " everyone was unanimous, making our friend frown, looking annoyed.
" Well, you guys didn't follow my script, so I'll ignore your opinion and start with the bad one " Liam shrugged after a few seconds of thought " It turns out that the Dwayne Carter building, which houses the second mixed residence Hall, underwent an inspection during these two weeks of vacation after some suspicious cracks appeared...".
We all remained silent, trying to understand how this could be bad news, for us at least.
" What does this mean? " Cam asked.
" 'Excellent question, Cutie. I always knew you were the smartest of them all " Liam winked at the girl, making her blush with that little gesture " it means that all the students living in that building will be relocated to the other three remaining residences, and the privileged people like Rose, who was left without a roommate, or me who pays extra not to have a roommate... will lose that privilege.”
Rose let out a disgruntled grunt, and I understood her frustration. Just when we had managed to sort ourselves out, we would no longer have the freedom to sleep together. That was real shit!
" If that's the bad news, what's the good news? " I decided to end the mystery once and for all.
Liam started to walk back and forth in front of us, watching us, looking like he couldn't stop himself from telling us what he knew.
" You know I still live here because of the ridiculous college rule that forces all students whose families don't live in Grayfox Mills to live in campus residence halls or fraternities " he began " Since my father made an annual donation so that I could have more privacy, due to the new situation, I talked to my father and he had a long conversation with the Dean and managed to reach an agreement.
" If the deal is that you keep your room while I lose mine, it's not as good news as you might think," Rose complained.
" Patience, my future Renoir. If you let me explain, you'll understand why this is great news. Not another word from either of you until I'm done,” he warned, pointing a finger at her after Rose opened her mouth to retort. “The big issue is that my father made a deal and they decided to include in the rules that private communal housing can be opened if it is no more than two kilometers away from campus, has at least six residents and at least one of them must be over twenty-one. My dad has secured a budget that should be more than enough to rent a nice house, so we'll all be in it together! Now yes, questions?”
Theo was the first to raise his hand, and Liam quickly pointed at him, giving the boy permission to speak.
" 'Has your dad ever said "no" to you in your life?”
" Why would he do that? He loves me and I'm the proudest thing in his life " Liam seemed genuinely confused by that possibility.
I couldn't pass up the opportunity to mock my friend, taking my cue from Peterson.
" So, you've never heard a 'no'?”
" 'Of course I have, that's what those two have said to me the most since we met,” he pointed at Rose and Skyller, receiving a collective laugh in response.
" For someone so spoiled, it's a surprise that you take a female 'no' so easily," Camille mused.
" Hey, my parents have always given me everything I want, but they've also always taught me that women aren't objects,” he returned, looking offended.
Rose settled into my lap, laying her head on my shoulder as she watched him with a frown.
" What you're saying is that we're all going to live together?”
" If we promise to stay out of trouble, keep the rented house maintained and clean, not go over the budget he gave us and keep getting good grades without missing classes " He picked up his cell phone, seeming to read a list of rules so he wouldn't forget any.
" And when are we moving? Because I need permission and my parents will never allow me to live in a mixed house. Until I'm eighteen they have to sign everything for me " Camille looked worried.
" We have to have six members for this to work, right? " Sky sighed.
Liam frowned for a moment, seeming to think of a solution to this situation.
" Okay, we'll look for a house calmly and until then, Rose could be Sky's roommate and you share a room with Davis," Theo suggested.
" Hey, my room only has a double bed, are you suggesting I sleep with Davis? " Liam complained.
" I think he's suggesting that every night we switch, and Sky sleeps with you while Davis occupies the vacant bed in my room," Rose returned.
I restrained a small smile at the looks we received, but ignored them. This really was great news, and I felt more excited by the second.
