6. Wren
I’ve never been more thankful for my internal clock than I am now as I wake at the asscrack of dawn while the rest of the dorm is still quiet.
It really is beautiful now that I can look around without my eyes landing on a ridiculous hot guy at every turn.
Hot and annoying.
I stretch and yawn as I mentally prepare myself to get up. For a couch, it’s not too bad. I’ve slept on worse, and the pillow and blanket that someone left out for me smell great, like the woods after rain: fresh and freeing.
I pull a pair of fresh pants, underwear, and a shirt from my bag before I move as quietly as I can to the bathroom, closing and locking the door behind me.
I’m sure there's a second bathroom upstairs, considering that’s where the other rooms are, but if not, they can wait.
The co-ed dorms weren’t as common because of issues like this and, of course, the problem with students fucking. At least I don’t have to worry about that, not when they all hate me.
Not that I would want to fuck any of them anyway; I mean, they're good-looking, sure, but that only gets you so far.
I strip down and let out a sigh of relief as the hot water hits my back. I said I didn’t mind sleeping on the couch, and I don’t, but years of stress and worrying always melt away under the hot spray of a shower.
I’m lost in the feeling of the hot water hitting my back in what just might be the most perfect shower ever when I hear it and freeze.
Humming.
The shower stall is glass, and while it isn’t frosted, it is steamed up. I wipe a hand across it and hastily peer out to find Julian standing with his ass resting on the counter, a toothbrush in his mouth, and a shit-eating grin on his face as my eyes meet his.
What the fuck…
I’m certain I locked that door, though I can’t see for sure from here.
It’s Sunday, which means no classes, so I’d assumed they would all sleep in; lesson learned.
“Don’t use all the hot water, or next time I’ll have to pop in with you.” He winks at me before he turns to spit and rinse his toothbrush.
Next time.
There won’t be a next time; who the hell does this guy think he—
I’m pulled from my mental tangent when he turns back around and stalks toward the shower instead of leaving the way I’d thought he would.
I’d been so caught up in the fact that he was in here that I hadn’t realized he’s also shirtless.
Holy hell, it’s hot in here, and it has nothing to do with the water.
Julez isn’t ripped, but he’s toned and covered in tattoos from his neck all the way down to the edge of his boxers, where some of his ink disappears, no doubt dipping lower.
His basketball shorts sit low on his hips, and I’m beyond underqualified for the thoughts that are going on in my mind, but here we are.
As if he wasn’t already tempting enough with his blue hair and piercings.
No, bad Wren. The last boy you liked was a bad boy and gave you a wonderful lesson on why everyone says to stay away from them.
Julez stops just short of coming face-to-face with the glass wall that divides us, and all I can do is watch as he reaches out, tracing his hand over what would be my face with a smile that would surely melt my panties if I were wearing any.
I stand frozen yet overheating as he turns and walks away. It's not until the door clicks closed behind him that I manage to shake myself loose of the hold he just had on me.
I’d never imagined that co-ed rooming might actually be a problem, but it seems Julez has other plans.
Rubbing a hand down my face, I step back into the spray of water, but the hot water isn’t what I need now. I reach back and flip it to cold, needing a moment to cool off.
I let out a little yelp, but it does what I needed, clearing my head almost instantly. I finish my shower quickly, constantly looking toward the door as I dry off and yank on my leggings and comfy sweater.
Starting tomorrow, I’ll have to wear a uniform again, so I want to be comfy while I can.
I braid my hair, brush my teeth, and drag my feet as long as I can before I have no choice but to leave or risk someone coming in to get me.
Pass, once is more than enough.
I pull the door open and find everyone in the little kitchen area. Nobody pays me much attention except Julez, who beams at me.
Fuck, I’d decided I wasn’t going to talk to him anymore after his little stunt, but how can I possibly stick to that when he’s looking at me like that?
Nobody’s ever this happy to see me…
My chest feels tight as I swallow down the lump in my throat and give him a shaky smile in return.
He all but skips over, and it’s impossible to miss the fact that he’s still very shirtless.
So much for that cold shower helping.
His chuckle is deep and amused, and I snap my eyes up to his to see a knowing smirk on his lips.
Well…
“I got you a chocolate muffin and a banana.” He holds up a plate in offering.
Did he have that the whole time?
“I didn’t know what you liked, but I figured you can’t go wrong with chocolate.” He shrugs, and I take the plate.
“Thanks,” I mumble, rolling my lip under my teeth as I turn and head back to the couch.
Note to self, breakfast in the cafeteria is for the best.
I take my plate back to the couch and pull out the folder with all the papers that the office gave me yesterday.
Anything to keep busy.
I feel eyes on my back, but I don’t dare look to see who they belong to. I’m unwilling and ill-equipped to face off with whoever it is that’s trying to burn a hole through my skull right now.
Between the weird encounter in the bathroom and then Julez feeding me, he makes my head spin and my heart race, and that’s the last thing I need.
No, what I need is to graduate so I can go, well, anywhere that isn’t ‘home.’
“You think she always studies this much?” Julez says to one of them in the weakest attempt at a whisper I’ve ever heard, and I roll my eyes.
“She has to if she’s been beating Gavin all these years.” I think it’s Nolan who answers him, but I can’t be sure with how little I’ve heard them speak.
“Was beating. We haven’t faced off in anything for years, and I have top marks now. She won’t be changing that.”
Ah, Gavin, I’d know his voice anywhere after years of decathlons and him insisting I’m a cheater.
“We’ll see about that,” I huff under my breath, more to myself than to him.
Technically, I don’t need top marks; I just need to pass, graduate, and get the hell out of dodge.
I’d had zero desire to get top marks prior to this moment…
but when in Rome, I guess, because I suddenly can’t think of a single reason not to.
If anything, his being here will ensure I don’t get sloppy, maybe even make this fun, and it’s been a long time since I’ve had any fun.
The thought sobers me, and I almost miss Gavin’s reply.
“Yeah, we will,” he growls as he stomps past, glaring at me for a moment before he disappears out the door, slamming it behind him and making me flinch.
“Five bucks says he’s stomping his ass down to the library to study. Can’t have Pookie taking his title,” Julez says with a laugh, and none of the others argue with him, so I’m guessing he’s probably right.
It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell them that’s not what I’m here for, but I can’t, not when his stupid nickname all but error'd out my brain. I’ve never been so grateful that my back is to them because if he could see my face, well, I doubt it would be good for me.
Nobody’s ever given me a nickname besides my brother.
Oh no, abort! Bad idea.
Just the thought of him has tears welling in my eyes, my vision blurring, and I frantically try to blink them away. Silently begging any god that might be to help me hold it together.
I cannot cry in front of them; I won’t.
Setting down my plate and my half-eaten muffin, I grab my map and my phone and head toward the door. My appetite is gone, and my nerves are already shot even after just one day.
“Need a guide?” Julez calls as I grip the door handle, and I pause.
“No, I have a meeting with my guidance counselor,” I call back over my shoulder as I walk out the door, pulling it closed behind me a little harder than necessary. The sound bounces around the otherwise quiet hallway, and I breathe a sigh of relief, looking down at my map and other official papers.
I wasn’t lying exactly; I really do have a meeting with my guidance counselor, Mr. Adler, though it isn’t for another hour yet.
Could I have used the tour, probably? This school is huge, and from the little I’ve seen of the halls on my way up to the dorms yesterday, it’s all pretty old and similar looking, but I’ve never been a quitter.
I unfold the map they gave me at the desk that I’d been trying to look over a few minutes ago and head down the hall.
How bad can it be?