Riot

Chapter 8

Alison's POV

It was still quite early when I arrived back at my dorm. I dropped my bag and jacket on the floor and absentmindedly walked into the kitchen. Never in a million years would I have expected to run into Marylee at the book reading. The fact that she was apparently interested in such affairs struck me as odd, mostly because I only knew of her passion for the feminist movement. I had no idea that she even had any other hobbies.

Her reaction when she saw me was probably equally surprised as my own. It was not the reaction I had expected when she came towards me. Quite frankly, I half expected her to burst out laughing when I handed her my books. I figured that she would think I was the most boring person she'd ever met.

The girl standing next to her seemed to be even less polite than Marylee, and I had to restrain myself from calling her out on her behaviour. Thankfully Matthew was there to prevent me from doing so. It was probably for the best, since I had a feeling I would never win an argument with that girl anyway. She seemed quite confident, perhaps even arrogant.

The one positive thing about running into them was that Marylee and I finally found some common ground. Maybe this would give us the opportunity to have some real conversations. I couldn't help but chuckle at that thought. We were completely different people, but it wouldn't hurt to try to get along a little bit better.

I suddenly realized how hungry I was, seeing as though I hadn't eaten anything for hours. I opened the fridge and quickly glanced at its contents. It was nearly empty, so I'd have to get some groceries tomorrow. I did find enough ingredients to prepare a simple soup, so that would have to do. As I sliced everything up and added some boiling water, I was also skimming through one of the books I'd purchased at the event.

I hardly noticed the door opening and someone entering the dorm. It wasn't until Marylee stepped into the kitchen that I realized I wasn't alone anymore. That was a bummer, because I was really looking forward to having the rest of the evening to myself.

She immediately started rummaging through all the stuff on the counter, as if she was looking for something. I decided I should ask her what she was doing, or at least try to be helpful. So I asked her what she was looking for. She turned to face me.

'Have you seen a tiny piece of paper? With some numbers scribbled onto it?', she asked me. I shook my head, but then remembered that it was definitely possible that Mike had something to do with this.

'I haven't, but maybe Mike threw it away...', I suggested. She didn't seem to pleased to hear that, and I watched as she walked towards the trashcan. My jaw nearly dropped when I realized what she was doing.

'Marylee, you can't do that!', I warned her. I tried to hide the fact that I was absolutely shocked at what she was doing, but failed. She didn't respond, but reached down in the trashcan and took out a small note. I shook my head in disbelief.

Marylee on the other hand didn't mind at all, and tried to convince me that I shouldn't make a big deal out of it. Knowing that she couldn't be reasoned with I let it go, focusing on my soup instead. I would never truly understand this girl.

I decided to go to bed early, since I promised Cécile I would go to yoga with her at eight in the morning. She was a friend of mine, and a sweet one at that, but she had a way of dragging me into her crazy hobbies and adventures.

One time we went on an excursion to the Museum of Witchcraft in Cornwall. Unlike me, Cécile was very much interested in the occult and supernatural, and at the time it was the only birthday present she would accept from me. That was nearly two years ago, and I still remembered the uneasy feeling I had the entire time we were there. If my parents knew about it they would have me committed, for sure.