Beyond the River's Edge

tle noise, a mix betwe

k with pleasure, not anger. It was a fake protest, a little game she played with he

ick. I could see the flush on her cheeks, the way her eyes were wide with a hungry,

ion a cold mask. I leaned against the wall in

athetic narcissism, the same insatiab

almost

n school graduate, full of hope and a little bit of fear. I got the job at Har

ing department and was looking for a roommate. She seemed perfect.

seemingly genuine. "We can commute together, help each

e, gave me tips on how to navigate the office politics. She even offered to cover a larger shar

d when I tried to protest. "That's wha

rk. Brittany was my opposite – social, outgoing, and a little wild. I thought we balanced each other

she was

y home, and I had been too blind to see the pois

My eyes were wide open. And I w