Brianna

My heart skipped several beats at the rotating of the door handle. Ashley gripped my arm, and I cowered behind her. The pungent mix of cleaning agents was forgotten. I clasped one of the brooms nearest to my arm, ready to smack whoever was on the other side of the door.

Ashley licked her lips before speaking aloud, "Who is it?"

The rattling ceased. Silence followed. The door creaked after.

"It's Courtney." The whisper was audible enough to be heard through the door.

A chorus of sighs sounded after. Ashley released my hand and went to open the University storage door. She opened the door ajar and peeked out. Ashley turned with a curt nod after she confirmed the identity of the visitor.

Courtney slipped in through the small entrance and softly closed the door behind her. Pink eyes roamed the shelves of cleaning detergents on both sides of the room, to the stocks of broom, cutting tools, rakes, mops, and plant pots.