Sweet Home

Shelly edged closer to him, never taking her eyes off mine. Judging by the positioning of her body—legs bent, touching his, her ample chest brushing against his arm—she and Rome were obviously very friendly.

I moved to hand the last sheet out to Shelly when she trilled, “Nice shoes, Molly. Do all future philosophy professors have such fantastic taste in fashion?” Students snickered at my expense.

I glimpsed down at my budget-friendly Crocs, viewed her fancy gold—no doubt expensive—gladiator sandals, and sighed sadly through my nose.

Rome instantly pushed her leg away from his thigh and spat, “Quit it, Shel. Why d’you have to be such a f**kin’ bitch all the time?” His remark also effectively silenced the rest of the room, the take-no-shit attitude causing the class to turn away from my awkwardness and cower in their seats to avoid his unwanted attention.

Shelly folded her arms and slumped in a sulk.

Rome ignored her petty attitude and lifted his eyes back to me, flicking his chin. “You really believe what you said just now?”

“Which part?”

He shifted awkwardly on his chair, his fingers combing roughly through his messy blond hair. “‘Bout life bein’ unfair. ‘Bout philosophy givin’ answers to why some people get dealt shit and others don’t.”

“Vehemently,” I replied with unwavering certainty.

He nodded slowly, upturning his bottom lip, seeming almost impressed.

I swung away with urgency in my step and dropped into the seat behind the TA’s desk at the side of the room. I kept my head low while the class was dismissed.

“Molly.”

I lifted my head to find the professor standing before me, censure on her wrinkled face. “Care to explain what happened just now? It was so out of character.”

“Suzy—”

“Erm, Professor Ross in class, Molly. What’s come over you?”

Grimacing, I said, “Sorry. My head is all over the place at the moment.”

“You haven’t answered my question.”

As I met her stern stare, I could see not only disappointment at my lack of professionalism in her aged eyes, but also a flicker of worry.

I sighed. “Just a bad day. Nothing more. It won’t happen again.”

Suzy dropped her arms, her reprimand of my behaviour forgotten. “Don’t let people like that young lady affect you. Never make excuses for who you are.”

A smile spread on my face. “Thank you, professor. Lesson learned. She just… I don’t know… got to me for some reason.”

“I could see that. But next time, block her out. Just ignore it.”

I nodded in agreement.

“Now, why don’t you get yourself home?”

“Thanks, professor.” I grabbed my brown leather satchel from the back of my chair and walked out of class.

Rome was in the hallway with a skinny blond girl’s arms wrapped around his neck, her chest flush against his red football shirt as he attempted to wield her off with an exasperated expression on his face.

I froze in my tracks, feeling incredibly awkward at the situation.

“But… but… why not? You never refuse me!” the blonde whined as she reluctantly let go of Rome’s neck, crossing her arms and stamping her cream wedge-heeled foot in protest.

“Things change,” Rome stated harshly, pushing her back from his body.

“Change? You? Since when?”

“Since right f**kin’ now! You’re not required anymore.”

With an outraged cry, the blonde made her exit and Rome ran his palm down his face, looking beyond agitated, pressing his forehead dejectedly against the wall.

Taking advantage of his turned back and with my firmly head down, I silently hurried past him, only breathing again when I’d successfully slipped by unnoticed.

As I walked through the doors into the bright summer’s day, I couldn’t help but feel slightly disappointed that Rome was obviously one of those guys—a player… heartbreaker… every inch the typical bad boy.

With looks like that, it wasn’t exactly surprising.

2

“Tell me once again why the hell I’m parading around with a bed sheet loosely wrapped around my almost-exposed tits and arse?” I asked a bit louder than necessary as my friends and I headed for the dreaded initiation night at our chosen sorority.

Lexi stopped on the spot and pulled me by my arm around to face her. “Because, I will finally become a cheerleader, goddamn it, and this is the easiest way in! Head cheer-bitch runs this whole sorority, and I intend to rub shoulders with her and use it to my own advantage. I’ve tried for three years without being in a sisterhood and nada. This is my last year to try, so quit that mouth and let’s get to it!”