Aspen Heights, Book 1: Chosen

Brianna

I knocked on the door of my new dorm, three quick taps.
"Come in!" a female voice called.
I opened the door and stepped in, pulling my luggage behind me.
"OMG, Livia!" I gasped.
"Oh, hi," said Livia flatly, grimacing. "I guess we're roommates now... yay." Sarcasm dripped from her words. Her arms were crossed and her shades were down even though we were inside. "Britney, right?"
"Brianna," I corrected.
"Okay. Hope you're okay with me having a little party in here," she said. "Because I'm having one, whether you are or not."
"OMG, yes, that sounds so fun!"
"Great, you can start getting everything set up while I go invite my friends."
She pulled a flat square out of her suitcase, which somehow unfolded into a table.
"Snacks," she said, pointing at it, and then left the room.
I stared at Livia's numerous pieces of luggage in admiration and fought the urge to rummage through them. I'd hear that her dad was the chief executive for Benton United, a breakthrough company that was taking North America by storm, or something, I have no idea what they actually do. On top of that, apparently her family was rolling in inheritance money, and she was also making her own income through social media virility and sponsorships.
I envied Livia. She would never have to worry about money. She could probably pay her way into any college or career field she chose.
My straight blonde hair felt bland and flat next to her  thick brown waves. At least the bangs I'd cut last year had grown out considerably and could almost pass for curtain bangs now.
I suddenly remembered the task given me and jumped into action. "Snacks," I murmured to myself. "Where do I get snacks?"
After a moment I made a decision. Was I proud of it? No. Well, maybe a little.
I poked my head out the door and looked down the halls. There was one girl outside, talking on the phone, but no Livia. I started carefully scanning the contents of her luggage, until I came upon a wallet. Bingo. I took a $50. She probably wouldn't notice it was missing, considering there were many more $50 bills, as well as some $100. This was her party anyway.
I took the money to the nearest vending machine and after what felt like 15 business days, I was walking back to the room with an array of chips, cookies, and sodas, as well as 72¢ change, which I pocketed. I arranged the goodies neatly on the table and started sliding Livia's suitcases into the closet, along with my own. Just as I was shutting the closet doors, Livia strode back in with two other girls.
"Arianna, these are my decorating committee friends, Hadley and Maya."
"Brianna," I corrected again, waving at the girls who I recognized from last year.
"Hey Brianna" said Hadley, who I'd had science class with last year.
"This is so cute girls!" said Maya.
I thought maybe Livia would tell them to thank me, because I was the one who set up the snacks and cleaned up the room. She did not. Instead she said "thank you, it was all my idea," before pulling the desk chairs out and turning them around and placing pillows on the floor for seating.
"Who else is coming?" asked Hadley.
"Should be Cassie, Jasmine, Miles, and Ben."
When Livia said Ben her tone softened, like she enjoyed the sound of the name on her tongue.
"OMG, boys in the girls dorms? Sneaky," said Maya, grinning.
"Duh," Livia replied, giggling.
Just then there was a soft knock at the door and Ben and Miles walked in. Miles said hi to the other girls and then asked me my name.
"Brianna." I was getting tired of the sound of my own name.
"I like that name," said Miles, gazing into my eyes. He was acting flirty, which was funny, because we definitely had two classes together last year and he didn't seem to notice me. Guess it was the bangs.
Ben was chatting with the other girls but he looked slightly uncomfortable, or maybe it was just me.
"I'm gonna call Cassie," Livia announced.
I walked to stand closer to her. Miles' breath smelled like garlic and cheese.
Being Livia's roommate did not seem like it was going to be easy, or all that rewarding... unless I played my cards right.