Anovel of My motherś ex chapter 5 by authoress rose
“Is this room 567?”
a cheerful voice startled her from behind.
“Oh my God! Are you my new roommate?”
Rylee turned to see a short girl with wild, curly auburn hair, glasses slipping down her nose, and a smile that was practically blinding.
“Uh… I guess so,” Rylee replied cautiously.
As they both entered the room
“Yesss! Finally!” The girl shoved a pile of books against her hip and extended her hand.
“I’m Carla. And you’re—let me guess—Rylee. Or, wait, am I supposed to call you something shorter, cooler? Like Ry? Or Lee? Oh, I know, Rylee it is. You totally look like a Rylee.”
“How did you know my name?”Rylee asked as they made their way into the room.
“I am psychic” Carla said In a low tone.
“Really?” Rylee’s eyes widened
“Sike! It’s on your back pack” Carla said bursting into laughter.
Rylee hesitated before shaking her hand, overwhelmed by Carla’s rapid-fire chatter.
“Nice to meet you,” Rylee said with a small smile.
“Okay, so first things first,” Carla said, bursting into the room.
“This side is mine. That side is yours. But if I snore, just throw a pillow at me. Not too hard, though—I bruise easily. And oh, if you’re into late-night snacks, I’ve got a stash of chips under my bed. Don’t touch the gummy bears, though; they’re sacred.”
Rylee blinked, watching as Carla zipped around the room, gesturing animatedly.
“Do you always talk this much?” Rylee asked, unable to hide the amusement creeping into her tone.
“Oh, honey, this is me on low battery. Wait till I’ve had caffeine,” Carla quipped with a grin.
Just as Rylee started unpacking, a knock came at the door. Carla flung it open without hesitation.
“Hello, new friends!” announced another girl, her dark hair styled into a sleek ponytail.
“I’m Sophia. Freshman. Future business tycoon. You’re welcome.”
Carla burst into laughter, and even Rylee couldn’t help but smirk at Sophia’s confident introduction.
“Future tycoon, huh?” Carla teased, folding her arms. “Well, I hope your empire includes free snacks because I’m starving.”
Sophia rolled her eyes playfully. “And you must be the roommate who never shuts up.”
“That’s me,” Carla said proudly.
“I heard from the dorm matrons” Sophia said.
“And this is Rylee—quiet, mysterious, and probably regretting meeting us already.” Carla said.
“I’m not mysterious,” Rylee mumbled, trying not to laugh.
The three of them clicked almost instantly, their banter bouncing off the walls as they strolled around the dorms.
Carla cracked jokes about everything, from the hideous carpet to the creepy dorm warden, while Sophia offered sharp, sarcastic remarks that had Rylee laughing harder than she’d expected.
As the evening rolled in, Carla leaned against the doorframe of their room. “So, party tonight?”
“I thought we were supposed to get settled,” Rylee said, raising an eyebrow.
“Settling is overrated,” Sophia interjected. “We’re freshmen. This is our time to shine.”
Rylee hesitated but eventually caved.
The house party was a world apart from anything Rylee had ever experienced.
Neon lights pulsed against the walls, the bass from the music vibrating through her chest.
The smell of cheap alcohol, sweat, and a faint hint of perfume filled the air. Students were crammed into every corner, dancing, shouting, and laughing like they had nothing to lose.
Rylee trailed behind Carla and Sophia as they weaved through the crowd, her nerves betraying her attempts to act cool.
“Look at this place!” Carla exclaimed, throwing her arms in the air. “This is college, baby!”
Rylee couldn’t help but smile at Carla’s infectious energy. Sophia, on the other hand, had a smirk plastered on her face, already eyeing the guys around the room like a hawk sizing up prey.
“This place is a goldmine,” Sophia said slyly, nudging Rylee. “You should loosen up. Maybe even try flirting.”
“I don’t flirt,” Rylee muttered, adjusting her sweater nervously.
Carla rolled her eyes, grabbing a red solo cup and handing it to her. “Well, then fake it, honey. This is a once-in-a-lifetime vibe. Don’t be a wallflower!”
Sophia raised her own cup. “To bad decisions!”
“To bad decisions,” Carla echoed, clinking cups with her.
Rylee hesitated but took a small sip of the bitter liquid. It burned on the way down, making her cough. Carla and Sophia burst out laughing.
“Lightweight,” Carla teased.
“Shut up,” Rylee said, her face flushed.
On the dance floor, Carla wasted no time finding a group of guys to entertain her. She tossed her hair back, her wild energy drawing them in like moths to a flame.
“Don’t wait up for me!” she called over her shoulder, already lost in the crowd.
Sophia spotted a tall, athletic guy with dark curls and a mischievous grin. She winked at Rylee.
“Time for me to have some fun. Don’t get lost, okay?”
And just like that, Rylee was alone.
She stood awkwardly near the edge of the dance floor, unsure what to do. The party seemed to be swallowing her whole.
As she sipped her drink, a guy with shaggy blond hair and a cocky grin appeared beside her.
“Hey there,” he said, his voice smooth and confident. “You look like you could use some company.”
“I’m fine, thanks,” Rylee said quickly, but the guy didn’t back off.
“You’re too pretty to be standing here all by yourself,” he said, stepping closer.
Rylee stiffened, her instincts screaming for her to walk away, but the guy was persistent. He leaned in, his breath reeking of beer.
“C’mon, don’t be shy. Let’s dance.”
“I’m good, really,” Rylee said, trying to edge away, but he grabbed her wrist.
“Relax,” he said, his grin turning predatory as he leaned closer. His hand slid toward her waist, and panic flared in Rylee’s chest.
“Let go of me!” she said, her voice sharp, but the guy only tightened his grip.
Suddenly, a hand clamped down on the guy’s shoulder, yanking him backward with surprising force.
“She said let go,” a deep voice growled.
Rylee turned to see another guy, taller and more athletic, standing protectively in front of her. His dark hair was slightly tousled, and his piercing blue eyes glared at the blond guy with barely concealed fury.
“Mind your own business,” the blond guy sneered, but the newcomer didn’t budge.
“My business is making sure she’s not harassed by creeps like you,” he shot back.
The tension crackled between them, and for a moment, Rylee thought a fight might break out. But the blond guy scoffed and raised his hands in mock surrender.
“Whatever, man. She’s not worth the trouble,” he muttered before disappearing into the crowd.
Rylee let out a shaky breath, her heart racing. “Thank you,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
“No problem,” the guy said, his gaze softening as he looked at her. “Are you okay?”
“I think so,” Rylee said, brushing her hair out of her face.
“I’m Aaron, by the way,” he said, flashing her a small smile.