“I can’t believe you’re living off-campus in a huge apartment, and you’re only a freshman,” Gabi says.
“Yeah, well.” I sigh. “My mom said dorms are for crack whores and drug addicts.”
“Guess we’re crack whores,” Gabriella says to Madi with a smirk.
“And addicts,” Madi replies, making us laugh.
“I at least wanted to try it, you know? I’ve always imagined myself in a dorm when I thought of going to college.”
Gabi shakes her head. “You aren’t missing out on anything but annoying roommates and fear of catching infections in the showers.”
“Uh… I’m your roommate,” Madeline says, narrowing her eyes at her.
Gabriella grins; her eyes are on me. “My point exactly,” she says.
“Like you’re any better?” Madi says. “At least I don’t bring people back to the dorm when you’re trying to sleep.”
Gabi faces Madi. “That was one time,” she says, lifting a finger. “And in my defense, I thought you were asleep.”
“If I was, I would have woken up,” Madi adds, letting out a laugh.
Gabi rolls her eyes. “You’re so dramatic. She left right after. Plus, she was quiet.”
Madi scoffs. “But you weren’t. I’m traumatized from hearing your sex noises when I was sleeping less than six feet away.”
Gabi presses her hand to her mouth, trying not to laugh. “You’re just strung out,” she says, “you need to get laid.”
“What I need is a drink,” she says, holding out her cup. “Fill me up, Perez.”
“Careful,” Leila says, filling up Madi’s cup, trying not to laugh. “Make sure you don’t pass out like Gabi over here.”
Gabi groans. “Not this again,” she says. “Jesus, you pass out one time,” she muses.
“You passed out?” I ask.
She shrugs. “I might have.”
“She definitely did,” Madi says.
“From one drink,” Leila adds.
“You have no proof,” Gabi says, crossing her arms.
“I definitely do,” Madi replies. “The picture of you passed out on the floor is proof enough.”
Gabi’s mouth drops open. “You took a picture of me?” she asks. “What kind of friend does that?
“The kind who knows you’re going to lie about it. Plus, you were passed out for like a minute. Calm down.”
“You want to be my new best friend?” Gabi asks me. “Madi just got demoted.”
“Thank god,” Madi mutters, making Leila and I laugh.
Gabi links arms with me. “I’m a great friend.” Madi snorts in the background, but Gabi ignores her. “And I have alcohol,” she says, handing me a red plastic cup filled with the beer she poured. “Stick with me, and you’ll have fun,” she says, flashing me a wink.
I look down at the liquid and bring it to my mouth, taking a sip. My face screws up as the bitter taste burns my throat. But it’s not completely horrible. I throw back the cup and down the rest of the drink.
“Woah. Slow down, Rosie,” Leila says. “Have you ever had alcohol before?”
