Chapter 3: Merideth

Ten days later…

Merideth was a party girl and everyone knew that, but what they didn’t know was that she was also incredibly smart. She kept very impressive grades while studying one of the most challenging majors offered at UofA.

Her family had a lot of money and rented her out her own place off campus to go to whenever school life got to be too much for her. This is where she often hosted weekend parties. There was plenty of space with a hot tub in the house, a pool in the backyard, and a big party treehouse for whenever a cramped space filled with a bunch of drunk college students seemed like a good place to be.

Roxanne was one of Merideth’s best friends and a huge party animal. These two sociopaths were stuck inside one of the campus’ main fitness centers located in the south wing rec center waiting out the lightning storm that came pouring down that afternoon.

“I am so sick of this rain, Roxy. I just want to go back to my room and RELAX!” Meredith whined as she contemplated the situation.

“Bitch, you’re telling me? I got my hair wet!” Roxanne, the tall dark skinned girl with long straight black water-soaked hair spoke with frustration in her tone. She had long eyelashes that almost appeared fake, but were definitely real, and she wore a thick coat of mascara that brought them out even more. She also had a lanky but somewhat curvy body.

“Yes, girl! I’m telling you! Sorry about your hair though. I’ll take you to get it redone if it’s messed up!”

“You betta. You the one that said ‘oooh let’s go to the gym… oooh let’s do yoga.’ Bitch, I tol’ you I ain’t want to today. Today was NOT the day!” She stressed and wringed water out of her hair to make a point.

“Hey! I’m sorry. I just wanted to do a little workout with my best friend! I didn’t know it was gonna rain!”

“Yes, you did! I done tol’ yo ass it was gonna rain!”

“Okay, but I didn’t know it was gonna rain this bad!!!”

“Mhhm. You done lost your workout privileges with me, baby girl.” Roxanne folded her arms and rolled her eyes up jokingly.

“I said I was sorry! I’ll pay for your hair! Will you forgive me now?” Meredith looked up to Roxanne with puppy dog eyes and a quivering lip. She even made a quiet whimper and held out her arms like a dog as she glared down at her.

“Alright alright. I’ll forgive you this time, Mer, but if you eva’ make me mess up my hair again, you gonna have to find somebody else to work out wit’. Comprende?”

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“Yo entiendo! I learned that in spanish.”

“Yeah alright, chika.”

“Well we came all the way here for no reason now. I know you’re definitely not gonna work out with your hair all soaked.”

“You got that right. I might go botha’ some of the boys in the gym though since I ain’t got nothin’ betta’ to do.”

“Girl, can you stop being a hoe for two seconds?”

“Nope! I sure can’t.”

Roxanne had a sly smile on her face as she reached around in her backpack for a brush. She found the one she was looking for, and brushed her hair as straight as possible.

“Do it look okay?” She asked, gesturing to Merideth.

“I’m sure those clueless boys wouldn’t even notice that your hair got soaked in the first place. Go hoe it up!”

“Oh I will. You coming?”

Meredith nodded her head, “No. I don’t think so. I’m just gonna get a head start on my homework. You have fun though.”

Roxanne stood up from their lounge seat and shrugged her shoulders, leaving her items behind for Merideth to watch as she headed towards the gym. The recreational building also had a residence hall attached to it, so there were always students present in the hallways. Several of them walked by as Merideth studied her Forensic Science textbook. Some took the time to acknowledge her as they walked by and she waved back at them.

At some point, a familiar face strutted by and locked eyes with her. The man was a friend she knew from class. He stood at about an average height, wore a red snapback and big basketball shorts. His hair hung over his eyes through his hat like an angsty teenager, but he spoke like a gentleman who was kind, polite, and friendly.

“Hey, Mer! Are you alright there? Came fresh out of the rain it looks like?” He chuckled and moved towards her.

“Oh Justin! Yeah I’m fine! Are you busy? You should come and sit with me!” She urged excitedly and the boy smiled, sitting down next to her.

“Nope! I’m not busy at all. I was just going around for a little walk around the building. I never seen you here. What are you up to?” The kind boy inquired.

“Oh my friend, Roxy and I came here to get a little workout in but her hair got wet so she didn’t want to anymore.”

“Aww well that’s a shame. Sorry that didn’t work out. Where’d Roxy go then? The bathroom to clean up or something?”

“No. She went to the gym to bother some boys. She’s always running off doing stuff like that, but it’s fine. I don’t mind it too much. Bummer about the workout though.”

“Well hey, if it’s not too forward, I got Mario Kart and Smash Bros in my room if you want to come and play. My roommate’s there too, and he’s a real nice guy.”

“Yeah of course! That sounds like fun. I hope you don’t mind if my hair gets your room a little wet or something though.”

“Not at all! A little water won’t harm anyone. Let’s go.”

They both smiled as Merideth got up from her seat and followed him down the hallway toward his room.

“Is all that stuff yours?” Justin asked, gesturing to the two bags she was carrying.

“Oh no! One bag is mine, the other is Roxy’s. I’ll let her know that I’ll give it back to her later… it’s just clothes, a brush, and make up… you know… girly things.”

Justin nodded his head as they approached his dorm room door. “This is it right here,” he said as he knocked briefly.

“Come in!” Someone shouted from inside the room. He then opened the door and led Merideth inside. Justin’s roommate was laid out on his bed scrolling through his phone when they entered.