All or Nothing

Chapter 1

"Your dorm room is number 217, and this is your schedule," Mrs Brandy said as she passed me a paper.

I thanked her and headed off, dragging my suitcase behind me. I glanced at the elevator. There was definitely enough space for me, but nonetheless uncomfortably crowded. I opted for the stairs instead.

I found my room and was about to unlock it when at the end of the hall, I locked eyes with someone disturbingly familiar, Grayson Stockington. I fumbled with the door to get it open and promptly slammed it shut, locking is behind me. I grasped to catch my breath, feeling a panic attack begin.

"Woah, are you alright sweetie?"

It was roommate. What was her name? Mrs Brandy had told me this morning. Sandra... Sylvia...?

"I'm Skylar. You're Adrielle, right?" She asked.

I was amazed and embarrassed that she knew my name but I didn't know hers.

"Sorry... new places... uh... new people," I said through deep gasps for air.

She sat me down on the bed and rubbed my back soothingly.

What a wonderful year it was going to be with Grayson. At least Skylar's nice.

Suddenly, but not unexpectedly, there was a knock at the door that nearly stopped my heart.

"I'll be in the bathroom," I yelled and ran before she had time to question my odd behaviour.

The door unlocked and I put my ear against the wall to better hear their conversation.

"...I'm Grayson... who was that?..."

"..socially awkward... totally fine...I'm Skylar..."

I couldn't understand most words but I could make out just enough to understand the situation. Pretty much Skylar thought I was socially retarded, so she planned on stealing Grayson for herself.

This time he spoke loudly, perhaps on purpose, and said, "I'm having a small get together in room 225... bring her... I'm bringing an old friend named Mary Jane," said Grayson.

Right away I was interested. Weed? Hell yeah, invite me!

"What time?"

"Be there at ten."

With that, Skylar giggled, and the door shut. Something about this whole thing was very odd.p and off putting. Grayson would never want to me unless this was a revenge plot, or maybe he really hasn't recognized me. Either way, I was seriously debating grabbing my suitcase and getting the fuck out of this university. I also had a question that was itching at the back of my mind.

Should I tell Skylar? Well of course I should. But could I? Well of course not.

I decided that maybe I'd just keep quiet unless he pulled a stunt. He wasn't bothering me anymore and I hadn't heard of him bothering anyone else for a while either.

I exited the bathroom and began looking around the dorm, since I hadn't really gotten the chance. The kitchen was small but the bedroom was fairly large and had two queen sized beds with dressers beside them. I was content enough with that. The bathroom had been also okay, not huge but good enough for two university gals.
The living room was pretty big, and had one large sofa along the back wall.

"I have a small tv downstairs in my car. I still have more to unload," Skylar said.

"Oh that's great we can use my Netflix account," I offered to which Skylar smiled brightly.

We both headed downstairs and to our cars. Hers was much newer, mine was a crappy old one that belonged to my mother. I cringed at the thought of her.

I grabbed two boxes and a bag from my trunk; one box contained clothes (so did my suitcase that was already upstairs), one had all sort of random junk (it varied from feminine products to a baggie of weed), and the bag had all my school stuff.

Skylar had grabbed many bags and one box and was struggling to hold it all. So of course, a random guy walking by offered to help her.

I struggled up the stairs listening to Skylar and the guy (whose name was Jay) giggle and flirt. Gross.

After he'd dropped off her stuff, she gave him her number and closed the door.

"What the hells wrong with you?" I asked.

"What do you mean?" She replied, a serious and offended look on her face.

"You just— never mind," I trailed off.

She seemed fairly annoyed and insulted for the rest of the night as we unpacked. She took the right side of the room which was closest to the door, so I had the left side which was closest to the window. I had a nice view of all the buildings and pollution. Whoopee.

"Skylar I'm sorry for what I said, I just don't do well with people and you just willingly gave your number to him and it just made me anxious. I didn't mean anything else by it," I explained.

This was the usual reason. However, this time, the other reason why I freaked out has to do with my ex boyfriend Grayson. I'm scared to tell Skylar, I never told anyone else. If he wasn't hurting her than I saw no reason to tell her anything. It would just a ruin a potential life long partner, if he'd really changed.

"Nah it's fine. I get it, I mean, look at what I'm wearing," she motioned down to her jean shorts and crop top.

"Answer me this. Do you have sex with multiple people regularly?" I asked her.

"I mean what do you mean by multiple?" She said blushing furiously.

"More than one guy in a week," I rephrased.

"Oh only guys? Well then I'd say two guys a week depending on how many parties I go to," she replied.

I noticed the emphasis she put on guys and that's when it hit me. "Wait then how many girls?"

"I'd say about three of them..." she trailed off.

"So five people a week," I repeated.

She nodded weakly.

"Well... naturally people are going to judge you. You're able to do all of this, keep yourself safe and get into a great university. While there are some choice words that do match with that statistic of 5 per week, don't let those words define you, because you are you and not a set of words," I said quickly.

Skylar got up and unexpectedly hugged me.

"Oh, sorry I'm really socially retarded," I explained.

"Nah, you're not so bad. I'll help you," she began, "But you have to come with me tonight to Grayson's."

I gulped uneasily.

"I have to?"

"Yes! You'll have fun. Well, if you're into weed," she said the last part quickly.

I reached over to my bag and pulled at the baggie.

She gasped fake dramatically, and I began to laugh.

"That," she said while laughing, "was the last thing I would've expected you to pull out of your bag."

"I mean this shit definitely helps with social anxiety," I said.

And even though I hadn't said it, it was obvious that I'd be going to Grayson's tonight. I sighed regretfully.

This was gonna be great.