"And here we are! Welcome to Stilwater University's Sorority Row!" piped a zealous Stilwater cheerleader by the name of Jeanine. Her honey blond waist length hair streaked brilliantly in the sunlight. The tiny gaggle of naïve freshman fanned their sweaty, flushed faces while strolling behind Jeanine. Sorority Row was faced directly across the cobble stone street from Frat Row. The column of dormitories resembled more of an upscale neighborhood than college dormitories. The garden and lawns were kept in pristine condition. Their green grass swaying lightly at the feeble late summer breeze, it did little to squelch the heat. Jeanine skipped down the walkway leading to the double doors into the dormitory that was second to the last building.
Emmalyn stood in awe. She spotted a wooden veranda in the back with a murky lake peacefully existing in front of it. A million thoughts buzzed through her mind as she dragged her remaining luggage into the dorm's lobby. The crystal cool white marble was slick and clean. Off to the far left was an office, the RA or dorm mother was cheerfully greeting the novel freshman. To the very right of the lobby sat a sitting room and a kitchen placed directly next door. Emmalyn smiled warmly, feeling extremely anxious of her brand new environment. She waddled over to the elevator, jamming the button with her elbow. She could see her mocha brown hair stuck to her forehead.
The elevator doors creaked open, revealing a lavish green and grey interior. The young woman scooted inside of the contraption and pressed her floor's button. The ride was short and sweet, instantly dropping her off on floor three and with one last bout of strength and energy; Emmalyn heaved her heavy bag and exited the elevator, seeking her room number. "302…303…304…305" she whispered, looking up and down the hallway. "Ah! Room 307!" Emmalyn sighed, dropping her bag, creating a muffled thump on the deep grey carpeted floor. She shoved her hands in her black leather satchel, fiddling around its contents for the keys. Finally discovering them, she snatched them from the bag and struggled to get the keys into the lock quick enough.
Once the lock clicked open and gained her access, she kicked her bag into the room. She shut the door behind her, the cool air blowing from the A/C welcoming her. "Thank God!" she exclaimed while wiping her hair from her forehead. Emmalyn examined her surroundings, finding the place more than suitable than expected. The week previously, her parents came and settled her room. The dorm room was similar to an apartment, containing a spacious kitchen, living room, two bedrooms and one bathroom. Emmalyn shoved her bag into her own bedroom, the second bedroom across the hallway. The door was closed. "Maybe she's not here yet…" she pondered, turning back to her room.
In her room sat a queen sized bed with violet bed sheets and plum comforter off to the far left. Her laptop and textbooks sat on the desk across from the bed neatly and a corkboard sat up on the wall. Her dresser and closet were on the other side, next to the bedroom entrance. She lifted the satchel from her shoulder, placing it on the bed. She was leaning against the desk chair when her cell phone began to blare in her pocket. "Ah shit!" she hissed, struggled to release it from the confines of her jeans. Once free, she answered the phone. "Emma, honey, are you there?" the woman asked with concern. It was her mother, Geraldine Green. Emmalyn rolled her eyes, huffing silently. Her mother's domineering outlook would grate the nerves of nearly anyone. "Yes. Mom I'm in my room. Everything is fine and I have all limbs, organs, fingers and toes." She assured before Geraldine was given the chance to berate her with questions.
She could hear her mother suck her teeth. "Don't get snippy with me miss. You know how much this means to your father and I. Is it so wrong that I want to make sure my only daughter is safe and sound?" she pleaded. "Ma, stop that silly nonsense. I'm not – "Geraldine interjected, changing the subject instantly. "Have you met your roommate yet?" "No, she isn't here yet." She responded. A pause wafted between the two, "Well, be careful sweetie. I know firsthand how those frat parties can get out of hand!" she proclaimed greatly. "POW!" the sharp bang emitted from the front room. "Honey! Was that a gunshot!" Geraldine shrieked into the phone's speaker. Emmalyn sat up straight, creeping towards her bedroom door. From around the bend, she could see a female shoving her bags into the room. "No, ma I think my roommate is here. I'll call you later." She stated ending the call before her mother had the ability to reply.
"Heelllooo! Is anyone here?" an airy, light voice asked in a sing-song tone. Emmalyn emerged from her room and walked down the hallway and into the living room. Her entry caught the unknown woman's attention. The woman tilted her head to the side, scanning Emmalyn. "And I assume you're Alyssa Rodriguez?" Emmalyn addressed her hands on her hips casually. The woman nodded, flashing a luminous smile. She was stunned with Alyssa's appearance. There was something about her that seemed so familiar. Something in which she couldn't place her finger on at the moment. Her strawberry blonde collarbone length hair was tied into a messy bun; her dazzling green eyes were lined with heavy black eyeliner. Her snake bites clicked against her teeth.
Alyssa was taller than Emmalyn, her frame much leaner as well. Her black and red Feed Dogs shirt clung tightly to her chest, emphasizing her buxom figure. The black low riders exposed her tanned hips. Her converses were on the verge of disrepair. Alyssa was practically the antithesis of Emmalyn.
Emmalyn was drastically shorter than Alyssa. Her mocha brown hair barely scraped the end of her bra strap. Her eyes were a pale brown, often covered by black framed glasses. Emmalyn's curvy figure was always hidden under baggy sweatpants and a t-shirt – she was not the girl for flaunting her flesh, which was a dark caramel. "You must've had a rough night?" Emmalyn questioned, rocking back and forth on her heels. Alyssa laughed, "Rough? No way! How about the best night of the summer!" she shouted. Emmalyn giggled, hoping to an extraterrestrial being that Alyssa would not become more to bare. "So," Alyssa stated still gazing at the girl before her, "You must be Emmalyn Green from Cecil Park?"
She bobbed her head in agreement. Alyssa spared her a smug expression. "Oh this will be fun." Emmalyn had no idea what this meant. Not too long after those words, another blond haired specimen entered the room. He was carrying what Emmalyn believed to be the last of Alyssa's bags. The man glimpsed at Emmalyn, her eyes widened immensely. He noticed this and made his way over to her, extending a hand. "Yes, it's Matt Granger." He introduced in third person jokingly. "My sister was a really big fan of the Feed Dogs." She shyly explained. She could feel her face become warm. Matt Granger, the lead guitarist and vocalist of a regionally famous metal band, the Feed Dogs was the heartthrob of many women around Stilwater. He was also a famed tattoo artist as he worked in many of the Rusty's Needle tattoo parlors. His silky, luscious blond hair was often times styled into a short mullet. The variety of facial piercings donned his face.
A menagerie of tattoos ran down his arms. Emmalyn felt a sorrowful pang hit the bottom of her stomach. His very presence thrust what memories she had of Eliza to the surface. Memories she tried with all might, to cut out.
