Deciding to change the subject, she asked, “What kind of food do you like?”
“I’m pretty easy going. Cheeseburgers, steaks, pizza.”
“Me too.”
“Do you have pets?” he asked.
“No. Pets and I…we don’t get along.” Animals didn’t like her much. She had a feeling it had something to do with being a demon. Animals could tell she wasn’t human. “What about you?”
“I don’t have any right now. Used to have a dog.”
The longer they chatted, the more she wanted to take him back to her room. She had to keep a straight face as the images of them making out sailed through her mind. When his fingers accidentally touched hers, an electrifying feeling flew through her body. “I’ve gotta get back to my room and finish this project. My parents are coming tomorrow and I’m sure my mom will keep me busy while they are here.”
Lily quickly stood up and grabbed her tray. “Thank you for inviting me to dinner. I had a really nice time.” She forced herself to turn away, throw her trash in the garbage, and go to her room.
Lily unlocked the door and quickly shut it behind her. She sank to her knees and leaned against the door. Her heart was racing and she couldn’t stop thinking about Jake. “You can’t be with him. You’d kill him,” she told herself.
Touching her necklace, she took deep breaths and calmed her body down. After a while, she was able to concentrate on her project until she went to bed.
Jake walked slowly back to his room once he made sure Lily made it to hers. He didn’t understand why he felt so protective. He hadn’t felt this way towards anyone in a very long time. Why now? What was so special about this girl? She seemed to make him feel again. Like his body was turned back on. He wanted nothing but to be with her and he didn’t even know her. How insane was that?
Matt had left for Thanksgiving break, so it was just Jake in the room. When he was finally able to fall asleep, he dreamt of Lily in that long, white dress. As always, she would giggle and tease him. He would try to catch her and kiss her, but he never could.
***
On Wednesday, Lily’s phone rang. “Hello?”
“Hi Honey! Our plane just landed. We should be there in about an hour,” her mom’s cheerful voice announced.
“Okay.” Lily hung up and tidied up her room so her parents didn’t freak out. Her mother thought everything should be neat and orderly and had no patience for messes.
Soon after, there was a knock at her door. Lily opened the door to the smiling faces of her parents. Her mother threw her arms around her and squeezed her tightly. "I missed you so much."
Lily endured the hug, and then hugged her father.
Her mother whipped off her black leather gloves and looked around the room. "This is quaint. You would think for the amount of money this place costs, they would give you a larger room."
"It's fine, Mom."
She watched her mother slowly unbutton her long wool coat. Everything her mother did was seductive, even if there was no one in the room to watch her. She draped it over the chair and put her hand on her hip. She was wearing a dark red dress that hugged her curves and black stilettos. Fashion over comfort was her mother’s motto.
"So tell us, honey, how do you like it here?" her father asked. He looked concerned. "I hope it's not too horrible."
"At first I hated it, but I've made a friend and that makes it bearable."
"A friend?" She could hear the doubt in her mom's voice.
"Yes, mother, a friend. My roommate, Hannah. She's really nice." Lily pointed to a picture of Hannah with her siblings.
Her mom stared at the picture for a moment. "That's nice dear. You've always wanted a friend.”
After they chatted for a few more minutes, her mother suggested, “Why don't you show us around the campus?"
"There's not much to see, but sure if you want." Lily shrugged and grabbed a coat. Thankfully the place was practically deserted because of the holiday.
"We can