Page 4

I wave bye, then head across campus.

Other than my conversation with Maya, it’s quiet. Which is weird for a Friday. Normally, there are people all over the lawn, laughing and kicking back. Even my fraternity is pretty toned down tonight. There are two guys in the TV room, playing a video game and screaming at each other—and whoever’s on voice chat.

My backpack’s so damn heavy.

I make it upstairs to my bedroom and throw open the door.

My roommate’s in bed, blankets pulled almost over his head. The only thing I can see is the very top of his messy brown hair and one foot sticking out from the comforter. Judging by his breathing, he’s been out cold for a while.

On his desk, sandwiched between his collection of pig figures, is the biggest stack of cup ramen I’ve ever seen.

And a note.

kroger sale you’re welcome

I grin, picking up each of the cups. There’s every flavor known to man, plus some I’ve never heard of. Tucking a curry-flavored one under my arm, I flip the note over and scribble out a reply.

best roommate ever

He’ll probably think it’s a joke, but I’m dead serious. He keeps the entire room clean, and buys the things we run out of without me asking. All I do is decorate and buy the other half of our groceries. We only run into each other a handful of times during the week, and he’s always the nicest person. I don’t have to deal with the stress half the other guys do; they’re always complaining about one thing or the other.

Plus, the only time we talk is during club.

I hit the jackpot.

Ira is literally the best roommate.

Chapter 2

Ira

“…And onto other news. Raymond Wallace was found dead in his home last night. The police are still investigating the string of crimes in the area, but they feel confident enough to link this to the murderer the public has deemed the Eunice Strangler…”

My head snaps toward the TV.

Excuse me?

How are they “linking” it to anything? The Strangler is the most boring thing that’s come to town since the one-dollar theatre opened last May; all it shows is the same four movies on repeat.

Ew.

I scoot forward on the couch, raking my nails across my lower lip.

“…suggesting everyone walks in pairs and checks their home for intruders before locking up for the night…”

Because that’s going to help shit.

“You good, Ira?” someone on my left asks.

Names and me have never gotten along. Everyone here looks like they’ve stepped out of an Abercrombie ad or a concert anyway. I’d get them confused if I tried. The only name I know is my roommate’s, and that’s because he came over for Christmas two years in a row when my brother was still in college.

“I’m okay.”

The dude nods. “Okay. You look kind of freaked—I just wanted to make sure.”

I smile and pull my hoodie sleeves over my hands, leaning back on the couch again.

“Thanks,” I say.