Chapter 66: Chapter sixty six

Arielle

It was late in the night when we finally got to our destination, a fancy resort on the outskirts of California. I had gotten out of the bus before either Drayton or Dan could catch up with me. I didn't want to face either of them.

Unfortunately, that kept me at the same pace as Natalie.

“Okay, this is getting ready weird.” she groaned as we entered the lobby and I took my seat beside her.

“It's not. You're the one making it weird.” I responded. My eyes scanned the incoming crowd for anyone I could hang out with beside my grumpy cousin, I didn't find anyone. They were either too bratty or too clingy for me to hang around.

I wished for the hundredth times that Suzie was here right now. She would have been a great company. But sadly, juniors aren't allowed to go on senior trips.

“Alright, everyone settle down.” Ms Brown started. “I know we're all tired, so I'm just going to assign rooms real quick and you can all turn in for the night. And please, no one is allowed to switch rooms.”

There was a collective groan among students after that. I hoped whoever was assigned to be my roommate wasn't some psycho.

Dan and I usually got paired together in almost every school trip. If we got assigned to different rooms, we would beg the teacher to allow us switch, or ask the other's roommates to switch. We always won. I prayed I didn't have to do any of those things today. I was too tired. I wanted nothing more than to crash on my bed and sleep.

I barely paid attention to Ms Brown talking about how rooms were assigned in alphabetical orders. She doesn't want anyone wandering the hallway. No secret parties. No sneaking in alcohol. Bla bla fucking bla.

I rubbed my eyes and tried not to fall asleep. Her speech was making me dizzy.

“I have sent the documents containing details of your room numbers and roommates to your class group. Check it and retire to your room immediately. And quietly too. We're not a pack of hyenas.” Everyone chuckled at her last statement.

I pulled out my phone and scrolled down the names. My brows arched when I scrolled past the ‘A’s and I didn't see my name. I was about to call Ms Brown's attention when something caught my eyes. My mouth fell open.

“What the fuck?!”

I didn't realize I had said that out loud until the students close to me gave me a weird look. I didn't acknowledge them, not when I was staring at the biggest impossibility in my entire life.

‘Room 7: McAlister Arielle and McAlister Natalie.’

Natalie and I are freaking roommates. How the fuck did this happen? This was the first time something like this would ever happen to me. And why in god's name would anyone write my name like that?

McAlister Arielle. Seriously? Who writes surname first before someone's actual name?

Ridiculous.

I threw a glance at Natalie but she was already looking at me, a tight smile was on her face and her hands clasped tightly on her leg. I wondered how she seems so chill about this when I was freaking out.

This weekend was supposed to be about making memories, late nights, dangerous games, generally a memorable weekend. But it had started out with Jack almost catching Drayton and I, my best friend unraveling my web of lies, and as if all of that wasn't enough trouble for a day, Natalie had to be my roommate.

The universe does have a cruel sense of humor.

“Are you okay with this?” I asked.

She shook her head, a bit hesitantly. “But I can't do anything about it. Ms Brown was clear about not switching rooms.”

“Bullshit.” I scoffed. “You're Student Council president. You can switch if you want. No one will question you.”

For some reasons, my words seem to annoy her.

“Well, Arielle, I do not use my powers to request for silly favours. It's just one weekend. If you hate me so much that you can't survive one weekend in a room with me, then deal with it. Switch rooms or something. I don't care. I'm not going to fix your problem for you.” She stood up and walked away after that.

My mouth fell open as I stared at her retreating figure. I wanted to tell her that I didn't hate her, but the words seem stuck in my throat. I wondered what made her lose her temper.

Natalie and I have always exchanged bitter words with each other ever since our friendship fell apart. But this outburst felt different. I couldn't pinpoint exactly what the difference was, but I could feel it.

A thought crossed my mind and I froze. Maybe she found out about our parent's affairs too. It seems highly improbable as they had been extra careful and managed to fool all of us for years. But I had found out anyway.

What if that was what happened?

“What if what happened?” I flinched at the sound of the voice so close to me but relaxed when I realized it was Dan.

“Jesus! You scared me.” I hit his arm slightly.

“Sorry. Why were you mumbling to yourself?”

I sighed and leaned back. I flashed him the screen of my phone.

“Oh my God!” he gasped when he saw it.

“I know right. Whoever assigned rooms clearly hated me and was trying to get payback.” I sighed.

“Yeah, that has been going around a lot lately.” he muttered.

“So much for a magical weekend.”

Dan and I leaned against the bench, staring ahead. It was clear he was thinking about something. He hadn't asked me any questions since we sat. I felt guilty for using him last night without a proper heads-up and for lying to him all this while. He deserved more than that.

“Listen, I'm really sorry for using you last night without a heads-up. I promise to tell you everything soon. I just need you to trust me.” I said.

Dan stared at me, an unreadable expression on his face. He released a sigh and extended an arm. We hugged in silence. The guilt I had felt since the beginning of the trip lessened and I tightened my hold on him.

“I trust you.” Dan whispered as he patted my arm.

We stayed like that for a while until we heard Ms Brown's voice as she ushered everyone to their rooms.

“Alright. Everyone should go to their rooms now. We have an early day tomorrow.”

I pulled away from Dan with a sigh. I dreaded going to my room. I had hoped to talk to Natalie after the trip, not during. And even that seems impossible now. Natalie and I would definitely argue if we stay in the same room which meant I couldn't speak to her after.

“Should we just swap rooms like we always do? Maybe we'll talk to your roommate and they'd be willing to swap.” I said.

“Trust me, I want to swap rooms more than anything, but I don't think my roommate would be willing.” he sighed. “Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to share a room with Natalie. Who knows, she might have changed.”

I gawked at him. “You're talking about Natalie? She hates my guts.”

“But you're still family. Besides, she is not actively trying to fight you since this school year started. Maybe she's turned a new leaf and this trip would bring you closer.” Dan shrugged.

It was true that Natalie hadn't tried to hurt me. Normally, we would already be playing expensive pranks on each other by now, but she had been surprisingly quiet. I had just assumed she'd grown tired of fighting me, but now…I was confused what her reason might be.

The memory of the school's rooftop flashed across my mind.

“Okay, I'll try to be civil.” I sighed. “But if she put shaving cream on my hand and tickle my nose, it's on you.”

Dan chuckled. “Yes, ma'am.”

We shared a laugh after that.

“By the way, who are you sharing a room with? I really hope they're nicer than mine.” I asked.

Dan's gaze hardened. “I don't know about nice, but he's definitely something.”

He unlocked his phone and handed it over to me. My eyes widened in surprise as I saw who it was. A single glance at Dan and it was obvious he wasn't thrilled about it.

“Well, he's something alright.” I muttered.