“Dismissal” Kristina Morgan – Second Place Frances lives off campus with a roommate, Gail. They’re both freshman. They hooked up a couple of weeks before classes started at a fraternity party. The fraternity house was an abandoned cathedral with spires and all. They both loved smoking weed and found the same corner in the main room of the fraternity house to light up. Sitting Indian style on the red carpeted floor they watched the party as they got high. The party was out of control. People were falling over drunk. One guy was walking around with a bucket vomiting into it while trying to have conversations with several young women. He’d say “hello,” and vomit. “How are you?” and vomit, and string together a couple of sentences before vomiting again. There were two nearly naked guys dancing on top of a glass table with two naked girls. No one seemed bothered by this. “So what’s your name?” Frances asked. She took a large hit off her joint, and her name came out as a squeak. “Gail.” Frances blew out smoke. “Frances. I’m a freshman.” “Me too,” Gail said They were screaming just to hear each other. The music echoed around the room. People were dancing to Van Halen’s Jump. “I need a roommate,” Gail shouted. “And I need a room,” Frances shouted back. “Cool.” “How far are you from campus?” Frances asked. “A ten minute fucking walk,” Gail said. “Perfect. When can I come check it out?” Frances asked. 70
Vortex
Short Story
