My Delinquent Roommate [GirlxGirl]

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 | 𝟹

I somehow found myself sat with my oldest, and closest friend Elsie in the cafeteria, overloaded with students and the overwhelming sound of chatter as if perfectly normal.
"I'm still so shocked", Elsie laughed, mouth half stuffed with a blueberry muffin.
"You haven't changed much, Els", I chuckle lightly. "I didn't realize you wanted to attend this university. Didn't you have different career plans when we were younger?" I ask.
Elsie pulled an odd expression, as if caught out on something. She quickly composed her expression back into a smile.
"I guess... I had a change of heart. So I'm focusing my mind elsewhere, hopefully into law. But never-mind me, I'm so happy for you! You've always dreamed of coming here, haven't you? If I remember right".
"Yeah, but I guess you already know that it's not completely my dream", I reply with thoughts of my father in mind.
Elsie nods, knowing she doesn't need to answer an obvious question. "I'm sorry, I wish we hadn't parted. I could've been there for you". She says with a sad tone.
"No it's okay, don't be sorry. It wasn't our fault you had to move for your family", I nudge her playfully, hoping to regain her smile.
Elsie looks up, making contact with my eyes and staying for a couple seconds before breaking it, "I've really missed you, Riles".
"I've missed you too, Els".
Before asking another question, my thoughts were disrupted by a familiar character in the corner of my eye. I notice the flow of brown, unkempt hair and dark but protruding outfit approaching the table I was sat at. I notice her radiating smile, as she gave me a gentle wave.

"Olivia, finally awake?". I joke, except I get no response and instead her expression had fallen to an end. Her contact was no longer with me, but opposite me. Her attention was averted to Elsie, who's expression wasn't light either.
"Riles, you know this girl?", Elsie spits, with a fixed glare upon Olivia.
"Yeah... she's my roommate. Am I missing something here?", I ask confused.
"Riles? Are you two close?", Olivia asks. 
Elsie laughs, almost egotistically. "We're best-friends actually". She answers for me, before I get a chance to open my mouth with a response.
"Oh...", Olivia whispers. I was taken aback by her expression, it was completely broken as if her feeling had been torn like thin paper.
"I gotta go", she laughs it off. "I need to go speak to my teacher about being late", and she turned around without a goodbye, or looking me in the eye.
I look back to Elsie, who went back to eating her lunch as if that situation ceased to exist. 
"Hello? Want to explain what just happened?", I say stern and focus her attention back on me.
"Oh, that? We used to know each other. There's not much to tell though, we just didn't get along that well".
"That seemed a lot more than just 'not getting along'". I say, eyebrow raised in suspicion.
"You worry too much still, Riles. She's your roommate isn't she? Ask her as well."
I sigh and drop my eyebrows, giving in to defeat. "Alright", I say and take a sip of my water.
"But... Maybe don't get too close. As your best-friend, I only want the best for you". Elsie mutters.
"You're definitely hiding something, tell me". I speak.
Elsie laughs, muffin crumbs around her mouth. "Honestly, don't worry. Now hurry up and eat, classes are about to start soon!". 
I mentally release a sigh, glancing up at Elsie to see her scoffing the rest of her muffin like a child.
"My best-friend wouldn't lie, would she?", I wonder to myself before shaking off the thought. 

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The cold, crisp air of the wind was flowing through my long, brunette waves. Sending shivers down my spine as I cling to my cardigan for warmth. I was making my way back to my dorms after attending my first psychology class, to which I knew no one and made no friends either. I parted ways with Elsie after lunch, and didn't manage to get any more information out of her other than more 'catching up' with each other.
Caught up in my thoughts again, I almost disregarded Olivia who I saw was sat on a nearby bench with her neck rested on the back. I frowned in confusion and steadily made my way toward her.
"Olivia?", I softly spoke. "What are you doing over here? It's freezing". 
I was focused on her thin layer of clothing, imagining that the cold must be washing over her.
"Oh, hey Riley. I was just getting some fresh air", she laughed. Except, it didn't seem very convincing. There was definitely something on her mind.
"You're a bad liar". I say sarcastically, removing my cardigan and draping it over her shoulders.
"Come on, it's freezing. Let's go back together". I grab Olivia's hand, helping her come to her feet.
"I-". She didn't finish her sentence, and her eyes were wide from my sincerity. She didn't finish her sentence, but instead released a genuine smile.
"Alright". She simply said, and grasped onto my cardigan with her free hand.
"You're freezing! Come on, let's hurry and get you warmed up". I speak whilst spinning in the other direction toward the dorms, Olivia's hand unconsciously still grasped in mine.

______________________________

I was in somewhat disbelief that I've not even attended a week at this university, and I was somehow babying my roommate who I had only met very recently. I had thoughts of my father flashing in the back of my mind, and the disappointment on his face if he were to find out I was slacking in some way. 
I sigh wrapping a fleece blanket around Olivia who was sat legs crossed on my bed with her head down, looking unusually gloomy.
I softly take a seat next to her, and give her a nudge.
"Wanna talk?" I offer, giving a small smile.
She turns her head to face me before answering after a short few seconds as cogs turned in her head.
"I..." but she didn't finish.
"You can talk to me, it's alright". I say, trying to reassure her.
"I don't want to cause trouble or anything". She sighs.
"Olivia, you aren't causing any trouble. You can say what you want".
"It's just... My problem is Elsie" she mumbles, but I heard her perfectly well.
"Can you tell me what happened? Why do you know each other?" I question, curious as to why my childhood best friend knew Olivia, and why Olivia knew her. 
Olivia looks me dead in the eye, before delivering me another response.
"Riley, you might not believe me and I can understand why. But Elsie isn't a good person, I'm not sure what she was like when you knew her, but she isn't what she seems anymore".
I was taken back by her response, and I blink in confusion. I couldn't sense that she was lying in what she said, but I was in disbelief that the person she was talking about was Elsie, my Elsie. 
"And... I can't tell you everything right now but just don't put all your trust in her, okay? Please believe me. I don't want her to hurt others". Olivia said, her eyes fixated on mine.
"...Alright". Is all I could muster, and I felt stupid for somewhat believing this girl I've known for such a short time, but her words were plastered with honesty.

She gives me a small, but noticeable smile. "Thank you for believing me", she said.
"I'm not sure why, but I just feel like I can trust you. I must be losing my mind". I say, laughing.
Olivia smirks, "catching feelings?".
I took a couple seconds to process what just came out of her mouth, and my eyes widen.
"Definitely not!" I almost shout, my face flustered and I lightly slap her on the shoulder.
Olivia giggled, almost falling off my bed. 
"I'm just messing!" she laughed, and stood up to make her way over to her own bed.
"...Kind of" Olivia mumbled, and I was unable to hear her from my side of the room. I was also unaware at the time, of the blush and heat spreading across her cheeks.
"What was that?" I ask, confused.
"Nothing, nothing. Anyway it's kind of late, we should get some sleep" Olivia smiled, hopping in her bed.
"Thanks for listening to me by the way", She yawned.
"Of course... Make sure to wake up tomorrow too". I remind her as she seemed tired, and she laughed before switching off the lamp on her side and rolling over to face the other way.

My thoughts that night were filled with so many questions, but somehow felt it wasn't my place or time to ask.
But what was more odd, is that I couldn't get Olivia out of my head the entire night either.
Why?