4
380words
“Beds 1, 2, and 3 have toiletries, and Bed 4—Olivia’s—is empty.”
“You’ve been here a year and never bought any of that.”
“Honey!”Olivia clutched her skirt,breathing hard, “Mine were stolen!”
I’d expected her reaction.
Then I guided Ethan inside further. “Here’s Olivia’s desk…”
It was bare as well.
“Oh…”I moved a foundation bottle to my desk. “Guess you don’t mind, huh?”
Ethan’s brow furrowed, like doubt creeping in his head.
“Sophie, why are you framing me?"
She shrieked, ppointing at my desk. “That’s mine! You stole it!”
“Proof?" I flashed my phone. “I can prove myself, and.you?”
Olivia floundered, claiming her mom bought it in-store, but the receipt was lost.
The excuses was so crumbled that Ethan’s suspicion seemed deepened.
Then the other roommates returned.
The one on Bed 2 saw Olivia’s floral dress and grimaced, “You stole my clothes again?”
Olivia turned pale, panicked.
“She took your clothes?”Ethan’s face darkened.
“No…”Olivia stammered.
"Bed 2" yanked open Olivia’s closet, revealing her cheap thrift-store rags, nothing like her usual outfits.
“Liv,your clothes…”
“Where’s that white satin butterfly dress?”
Before Olivia opened her mouth, I flung open my closet. “Here! It's my dad’s birthday gift last year.”
I n addition, I showed the receipt. “No wonder it’s stained—you wore it out.”
"Bed 1" snorted from the door. “Not just clothes or toiletries—she steal our snacks..”
“Olivia, why beg your dear boyfrifor fancy dinners, then steal *my* food?”
“I didn’t!”
Olivia’s face flushed,her lips trembling, her eyes darting among us.
Desperate, she begged Ethan,. "Honey,I didn’t…”
“It’s just… I just thought we’re roommates, who share apartment bonds.I didn’t think they’d mind…”
“I've acted carelessness, I’ll mind it. Honey, trust me…”
But Ethan’s eyes lacked their usual warmth.
He hesitated, pushing her hand away,“I told you long ago—my family demands a status match.”
“With all these accusation from your roommates, it’s hard to trust you any more…”
“We’ve been hooked six months. I’ve been delighting you with mone .I never asked you to repay me…”
“There’s a new console out—$2,000. Buy it for me as a gift, otherwise you'll lose my trust.”
With thart, he sighed and left the dorm.
Everyone shook their heads, movd out of that room that night.
