The Wanderers

Chapter 15

I met Josie in our room and put on some shoes and my new jacket. Tristan waited for us outside in the hall where he handed us each a flashlight. I was starting to think this little adventure might not be a good idea, but Josie and Tristan were already out the door and I did not want to be left behind.

We ran into Josie's new boy toy out on the quad. "Billy!" Josie squealed, jumping on him and almost knocking him over.

"Hey, I was just on my way to see you," he said, giving Josie a kiss. "Tristan, my brother." He nodded and shook Tristan's hand. He turned to me and looked at me funny.

"What?" I said, returning his awkward stare.

"You look familiar," he replied.

"This is my roommate and BFF Ella," Josie said, finally getting down.

"Oh, that explains it," he said, blushing. "We haven't officially met. I'm Billy."

"Ella," I said, not understanding what he meant by officially. Josie cleared her throat and looked at me. I stared back at her wondering what the hell she was trying to tell me when it clicked. "Oh," was all I said, now realizing. Billy was with Josie the night I walked in on them. I could feel my cheeks start to get hot with embarrassment. I looked down at my feet not able to meet his eyes anymore.

"We're taking a little trip. Care to join us, Brother Billy?" Tristan asked, sensing the slight awkwardness.

Josie nodded her head like a bobble head. "Sure, I'm always up for an adventure," he said, giving Josie an adoring look. She looped her arm through his and leaned up against him.

"Let's go," Tristan said, and we followed.

The cold air burned my lungs and kept me at a distance. My toes started to go numb and it was getting harder to keep up with everyone. "Ella! Hurry up!" Josie called. "You're too slow."

"Easy for you to say, you're not walking," I mumbled to myself. Halfway there, Josie was tired of walking and hopped on Billy's back.

Tristan stopped, turned around, and jogged up to me. He grabbed my hand and pulled me up to the front with him. "Are we almost there? I can't feel my toes," I groaned.

"Give me your flashlight," Tristan said, holding out his hand. We walked around to the back of a building. Tristan put his finger to his lips for us to be quiet. "Wait here," he said, disappearing around the other side of the building. Billy put Josie down as we waited. Not a minute later, Tristan shined his flashlight at us gesturing for us to follow. Around the other side was a door into the building, and conveniently, it was unlocked. Although I believe it was more Tristan's doing than convenience.

Tristan shined the light down a set of steps and to another door. He took my hand and led me down the stairs. This door was also conveniently open. We stepped into a pitch-black room. "Stay right here," Tristan warned. "Don't move."