Sweetheart Single

02 | Ice Cream Blizzards

I'm settled into my dorm. My bags are unpacked. My new classes start tomorrow, and I couldn't be more excited. I can't wait to pick new seats in new classes. I always go front row. I also can't wait to get my coffee from the campus lounge. Best latte around.

For now, I'm cozied up in my oversized college hoodie, sitting legs-crossed on my bed. Tasha, my roommate (if you can even call her that), isn't back yet. She's likely going to show up either at midnight, after some back-to-school party, or tomorrow morning, halfway through classes. We aren't exactly cut from the same academic fabric, her and I.

"Elle! Hey girl!" Nikki bursts through my door and jumps onto the end of my bed. Her long golden blonde hair is like a blur of sunshine.

"Hey!" I laugh. "Just get back?"

"Nah, came last night. Wanted to squeeze in a date night before all the craziness started and campus was flooded again. How about you?" Nikki asks.

"Just got back an hour ago maybe. Where's Chloe?" I smirk.

"She's back in her suite now. They got a new suitemate this semester so they're all bonding." Nikki puts air marks around bonding.

"Gotcha. Hey, are we in English Lit together again?" I ask.

Last semester we always walked to class together. Tuesdays at 10:10 AM. Nikki always complained it was too early for a class.

"Huh, I think I signed up for the one you picked. I'll have to check my courses tomorrow." Nikki shrugs, rolling over on my bed.

"You don't know your classes?" I scold. "They start tomorrow."

"Not everyone knows their class schedule by heart, Elle. You worry too much."

"And you don't worry enough." I shove her arm.

"No? Maybe you can memorize my schedule too. If you haven't already." Nikki rolls her eyes.

"And maybe I should just take your classes too," I quip.

"Save me some time for sure. Plus, I need to show my brother around the buildings tomorrow." She groans, pulling at split-ends.

"Your brother?" I ask.

I only met Nikki down the hall at the beginning of last semester. Aka my first semester in college. But I don't remember her ever mentioning a brother in the whole four months of our friendship.

"Yea," she shrugs. "He got decent grades at community last fall, so my parents caved and let him start here for spring semester."

"Oh," I nod. "He's a freshman too?"

"Yup. He's a twin. I know, I know. There's two of me." Nikki smirks.

"Then he can't be all that bad," I shake my head.

"Don't worry. He is." She grins, rolling over and propping herself up on her elbows. "So, I have to deal with him now. And Chloe is on me about getting outfits for our first Valentine's Day together.

I watch Nikki pick at her French manicure. Always picking at something.

"Probably matching outfits, knowing her." Nikki laughs. "Love the girl, but come on. Oh, and I saw Darren in the lounge earlier. He wants to have a thing here. Maybe this weekend."

"Thing? Here?" I ask.

Darren is the RA (Resident Advisor) for our wing of this dorm hall. Although, he hardly spends any time advising unless you count telling you which parties to attened and which not to.

"Yea, thing. Just in the rec center downstairs. Just the building, I think. Sort of a welcome back from winter break thing." Nikki waves it off, but I know better. Nikki loves a good party, big or small.