Dream Walker

Chapter 4 | Appearances Can Be Deceiving

Since Callie had spent all day in classes or working in the library, she was looking forward to a relaxing night at home. In her mind, she imagined sitting in front of the TV with a glass of wine and watching some show that required absolutely no thought. She would put on stretchy clothes and grab the biggest blanket she could find to maximize her comfort. Maybe this combination would even lull her to sleep. It's not like falling asleep early would ruin her sleep schedule. Her sleep habits were already beyond repair.

Unfortunately, the cozy bubble Callie had built up in her head was burst by the sight that greeted her inside the apartment. The small living room was crowded with her roommates and a few of their friends. Takeout boxes were scattered across the kitchen and dining table, and the smell that hit her nose suggested they contained Thai food.

Her presence was not immediately noted, because the group was engrossed in a conversation. The TV was on in the background, and it looked like an older comedy movie was playing, but she could not hear the dialogue. Lyn finally noticed her and waved, indicating she should join the group. Callie sighed, knowing that her cozy, relaxing night would no longer happen. She quickly dropped her things in her room, ran her fingers through her hair, and resigned herself to being social. When she returned, she tuned into the conversation.

"She was a freshman, right? Only here for a month and this is what happened."

"You know, she was in one of my classes. I can't believe it. I never even talked to her. She was pretty quiet."

Callie peeked at the takeout containers and saw one with her name written on it. She opened it to discover pineapple fried rice, her usual order. Turning her head toward the living room, she saw Lyn watching her grab the food and smiled, mouthing her thanks. Lyn smiled back and nodded in acknowledgment. Her friend was always kind enough to include her, whether that meant ordering extra food or inviting her out with their other friends.

Callie carried the box to the kitchen island and settled onto a bar stool. The spot allowed her to see into the living room without sacrificing her personal space. Currently, her roommates were lounging on armchairs while the couch was taken up by their guests. Quinn's eyes flicked over to her, and he also smiled to acknowledge her, knowing she didn't need any grand welcome. His attention turned back to the conversation at hand.

"I know a girl that was friends with her, and apparently there's an ex that the police are investigating." This comment came from Natasha, who was squashed in the middle of the couch, though she did not look uncomfortable. Her dark hair was neatly braided and wrapped over her shoulder. Though they contained a hint of sadness, her green eyes were also bright with excitement while she spoke.

"It's always the boyfriend, isn't it?" Jonah, Nat's boyfriend, smiled cheekily when she nudged him with her elbow for this comment. His large form sat on one side of the couch, and his arm was thrown across the back. Despite the serious conversation, his posture was open and relaxed.

Lyn ignored Jonah's joke. "But what about the police saying it was an animal attack? Surely that means it was an accident, right? Do you really think someone could've set that up?"

For the first time since Callie had entered the apartment, the girl on Natasha's other side spoke up. "Anything is possible if someone is angry enough." Arabella's face was stolid as she spoke, yet it did not take away from her incredible beauty. Her light skin, auburn hair, and crystalline blue eyes gave her the appearance of a porcelain doll.

The pleasant lilt to her voice, courtesy of a childhood spent somewhere in Europe—Callie couldn't remember where—made her words sound lyrical. This friend of her roommates was the one she'd spoken with the least, and she typically found Arabella's inscrutable comments off-putting.