CHAPTER EIGHT: A LITTLE MAYHEM

~ They called it love, but it felt more like a leash. ~

POV: GABRIELLA BROOKS

"Welcome" I smiled as my parents followed me into the dorm room.

It took a hell damn of a time for Sage to request access for my parents to get into the building, she had to lie that they were her relatives because the lady at the front desk had already seen Sage's parents the day she resumed.

I was really grateful for the fact that Sage's roommate wasn't around, because according to Sage, the girl was very uptight and strict on morals. There was no way she was going to cover up for me.

"Is this your side of the room?" My Dad asked pointing to Sage's roommate side of the room.

That side of the room looked very composed and put together, decorated with minimal colors, it had posters of the sayings of some great philosophers, the study table next to her bed had multiple textbooks, notebooks and looked very neat.

While Sage's side of the room was...oh well...it was neat too but just very pink and looked like a typical Gen Z girly room. She had cute P*******t frames on her walls and two very crazy posters. One was a poster of Cardi B and the other was a poster of Jungkook's calvin klein shoot. I had been to her room before but I swear the jungkook one wasn't there before, it was a poster of all seven members of BTS. She must have changed it and I was done for.

There was no way my parents would believe that was my side of the room, a poster of an almost shirtless Man? Yeah, they would drag me back home and withdraw me from school.

I remember Kai telling me to use Sage's side of the room as mine but...I don't think that would work anymore.

"No that's.....

"Yes it is" I quickly cut Sage off and gave her the look, she immediately understood that there was a change of plans.

"That's really nice, you did a good job decorating it." My Dad complimented and I smiled in return.

I just needed to keep up the charade for a few more hours.

"I was really worried that we didn't get to see your room the last time but I feel relieved now that I'm here." My Mom said as her eyes roamed around everywhere and everything.

She was definitely looking for something to complain about.

"And who are you again?" My mother turned to face Sage and I almost face palmed myself.

"My name is Sage, I'm her roommate and I'm studying law too" Sage answered politely with a smile on her face, ignoring the fact that my mom just rudely addressed her.

"Oh that's beautiful, that's makes it easier to study together and go for classes together. Baby, Why didn't you tell me she was studying law too?"

"I forgot to mention it, school work has been so hectic that I barely have the time to think about anything else." I lowered my voice and pouted my lips.

That should work.

"My baby girl is working so hard." My Mom brought her hands to my face and pinched my cheeks gently.

I looked at Sage with side eyes and saw her trying to hold in her laugh and my embarrassment doubled.

"I totally forgot to ask, Sage how is your mother? Is she recovering fine from the accident?" My Dad suddenly asked making my eyes go wide and my Mom eventually left my cheeks.

"Yes, the accident must have been really bad for you not to have resumed early." My Mom added.

Anyone who didn't know my mother would think she actually cared.

Sage turned to look at me so fast and i turned away, there was no way I could even start explaining to her that my non existent roommate had family issues.

"Thanks for asking, it was nothing too serious, she is fine now, just a small fire incident." Sage got into the act real quick and I couldn't be more thankful.

Fire incident? I love you Sage.

"That's good to hear, we'll be taking Gabriella out for lunch so she will be back later." My Dad announced.

"Okay, have a nice day, see you later boo." Sage waved at me.

"Yeah, bye." I waved back and left the room with my parents.

They took me to a restaurant just around the corner and did the ordering of food by themselves, they didn't even bother to ask me what I'd like to eat because of course, they were confident that they'd know what i liked to eat.

"So how is school dear?" My Dad started the conversation.

"It's been good." I replied curtly.

"I don't like your roommate, she is not good for you." My mom said as she tried cutting the steak on her plate.

Of course, you always know what's good for me.

"True" My Dad supported. "Did you see the posters on the wall? What eighteen year old child puts up such nudity on the wall like it's normal."

Nudity? Please.

"You noticed it too right? Gosh I was apalled but tried not to show it, I didn't want to come off as rude. I think we should apply for a room change, that girl is going to be a bad influence on our baby."

"Yeah, Gab you're okay with that right?" My Dad asked as if my answer would change anything.

"Why wouldn't she be okay?" My mom scoffed and then looked at me. "Aren't you okay with it?"

"I'm totally fine with it, I would start the process immediately I get back to the Dormitory." I grinned like I was totally enjoying the conversation.

"That's my girl" All of a sudden her fork fell off the table and she bent down to pick it up. "Oh my God what is that?" My mother's voice went up an octave and I jumped in my seat.

"What is it?" My father asked and my mom raised her head up and proceeded to point at my toes.

I looked down at my toes and saw my whole life flash before my eyes, I forgot to remove the acrylic nails on my toenails.

Kill me.

"I just wanted to try something new" i muttered and I heard my mother gasp.

"Did i just hear that? The only new thing you should be trying is different studying techniques to keep your grades up. You would have enough time for all these later, studying should be your first priority. The money you spent on getting those could have gone into something useful, like paying for extra tutorials or even getting a new textbook. It's not even been up to one month since we left you alone and you already getting influenced."

Wow! It's been long I got an earful.

"I'm sorry, it won't repeat itself." I apologized with my head down.

I had to look like I meant it.

"It better not, listen to your mother, I know your roommate is the problem, she is the one trying to rope you into her lifestyle. I want you to cut off all ties with that girl, I don't care if she is your classmate or not, avoid her. Is that taken?"

"Yes Dad."

"Good, now let's continue lunch" My Dad said and he and my mother went back to eating.

I lost whatever appetite it was that I had to continue eating the steak in front of me, I just drank my glass of red wine all through the lunch and answered a simple yes or no whenever they asked me a question.

About an hour passed and my parents were finally ready to leave, they drove me back to the D

dormitory and started another session of do's and don'ts.

"Take care of yourself, I will call you tomorrow to ensure that you've started your room transfer process."

"Okay mum"

"That's my baby" She kissed my forehead and got into the car.

"It's a new month tomorrow, send me the list of necessities you'll be needing so I can send you some money. See you soon dear." My Dad kissed my forehead too and entered the car.

He waved at me one more before eventually reversing the car and drove out of the premises. I released a breath I didn't know I was holding the whole time, being with my parents was emotionally draining.

I went back into the dormitory to meet Sage but her room door was locked. She must have gone out to get something, my handbag was in there, my house keys and credit card was in my bag, and I needed it if I wanted to get back to my apartment.

The only thing with me was my phone so I decided to call Sage, I needed her to get back here asap.

"Hey girl where are you? I'm outside your door." I asked the moment she answered the call.

"Aren't you supposed to be home by now?" She asked back in return.

"My house keys are in my bag, and my bag is in your room."

"Oh shit, that's bad. I actually saw it when I was packing my bag and wanted to leave it with the front desk so that you could pick it up but I totally forgot." Sage explained.

"Where are you and when are you coming back?"

"I told you about the family thing i had today right, I only delayed because of your mommy and daddy issues. I'm on my way to Ventura county and won't be returning till on Monday, I suggest you stay in a hotel this night, my roommate would be back from wherever she went to by tomorrow so you could pick the bag by then. She is the only other person with access to the room"

Wow! And i thought this day couldn't get any worse.

"Wonderful!" I exclaimed, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Common don't be like that" Sage chuckled. "I could call Lyra so you can spend the night at her place."

And impose on her?

"No thanks, I will find a way, see you on Monday."

"Bye bitch."

I sighed after the call ended because I was at a loss on what to do, the whole day had been nothing short of a temptation or should I call it ragebait.

Nothing was going my way, absolutely nothing.

And then i remembered.....Kai gave me his number earlier after dropping me off at the dorm.

It wouldn't hurt to call him right? I really needed someone to talk to and pass time before I finally decide where to sleep when night comes.

I opened my call log, searched for his number and called him, he answered after two beeps

I really hope I'm not making a wrong decision.

"Can you come over to pick me up?"