Chapter 3 NORA #2
‘Where’s the fun in that?’ She waves me off, sauntering towards the kitchen and dumping her things onto the floor in a very Cami-like fashion.
She does not have a single care in the world about where her things are or whether they’re in the way.
I’d love to have that level of obliviousness, but if anything, I’m stressed as hell about making sure whatever I do is convenient for other people.
We couldn’t be more different, but I’m so thankful we are friends.
Our differences have only made us closer.
Dressed in high-waisted shorts with a tight top tucked into them, she looks effortlessly boujee.
Bracelets litter her arms, her long, black hair falls down her back and those gorgeous dark legs of hers look like they’re the length of my entire body.
Anya on the other hand has a pale complexion, with sweet emerald eyes and semi-permanently blushed cheeks.
She has that soft, kind look about her, but I know she has a fierce side, too.
She has been through her fair share of drama these past few months and has faced it head-on like a true champion.
I’m so happy for her that she and Mason have found each other again. They are a match made in heaven.
My gaze flickers to the outdoor area where the sun slowly sinking into the horizon casts an orange glow across the pool. It’s such a nice place, I’d prefer to be over here than out in a busy bar.
Cami fills us in on the latest gossip among the cheerleading squad.
There is always something going on with the team, and I love hearing about it.
Drama is fun to listen to when it has nothing to do with you, but you know of everyone who’s involved.
It’s like I’ve subscribed to a podcast involving the real-life people around me. It’s awesome.
Barely pausing to breathe – or sip her drink – she dives into more stories and things she has heard around campus.
She knows anyone who is anyone, whereas I swear I exist and hear nothing, and don’t know anyone very well outside of these two girls.
I don’t mind it, I’m busy with study, my writing and everything else that comes with it, but it would be nice to be more social.
I’m simply not as outgoing as Anya and Cami are, but I’m thankful they’ve welcomed me with open arms and we’ve formed this trio.
It’s made my time here so far much more enjoyable.
The afternoon slips away. We consume too many cocktails, laugh far too loudly and honestly, I’m having the best time ever. These girls are so much fun.
As the sun disappears behind the horizon, I feel like all the drinks have completely gone to my head.
‘I might have a time out,’ I announce, pushing to my feet and swaying slightly. ‘I think I need a shower and some water.’
‘You okay? Do you want us to pause the movie?’ Cami asks, looking over at me, concern etched on her face.
‘No, no, keep watching. I won’t be long.’
‘Oh!’ Anya says. ‘The main shower isn’t working at the moment, you’ll have to use Zayden’s, in his room. The plumber is coming tomorrow.’
I straighten slightly. I don’t know why that made weird tingles erupt inside me.
Zayden Stark is hot as hell – anybody with eyes knows that – but being inside his room, in his shower …
it feels very intimate. It shouldn’t, it’s just a shower, but there’s something about Zayden that has caught my attention.
I often find myself looking up his social media, or watching him when I see him on campus, or purposely putting myself in his way when I’m over here simply so he acknowledges me and starts a conversation.
Nothing is ever going to happen, he’s my best friend’s brother, and he also has so many options that I’d never ever register on his radar, but still … a girl can dream.
‘Sure,’ I say easily, unsure why I’m forcing myself to act natural right now. There is absolutely no reason to be feeling nervous. He’s not even here.
Zayden’s room is a total mess. His bed is unmade, there’re a few dirty plates stacked on top of his bedside table, empty water bottles are piled into a heap and there’re clothes messily thrown across the floor.
This room looks like the opposite of my clean space.
I’m a little obsessive with keeping everything neat and tidy.
It makes me feel better mentally to have everything organised.
I even have my clothes colour-coordinated, as well as my bookshelves, which creates a nice rainbow feature against my wall.
Only a quarter of my books are in the apartment due to the limited space, but I have enough books to fill a room.
When I buy my own house, I plan to make a library, with one of those cool ladders that slides across the shelves. I’ve always wanted one of those.
Stepping over the piles, I head to the bathroom. It’s not as bad as I expected. I inhale. It smells like him. His cologne. I’m also not going to admit that it’s creepy that I know how he smells. I’m around him enough to know, and it’s totally not weird.
There’s a sliding door that closes off the bathroom from his room, but I don’t bother to shut it. It’s only us girls here, and I doubt either of them will come wandering in.
I step out of my clothes, letting them pool at my feet. Moving inside the cubicle, I let the warm water run over me. Pressing my forehead against the cool tiles, I wait a few seconds for the room to stop spinning. I definitely had too many drinks tonight.
My eyes shift to his body wash. After a moment, I squeeze a dollop onto my palm and begin to rub it over me. Inhaling long and deep, I sigh. It’s a nice smell.
After a minute or so, I exit, towelling off.
I’ve pulled my pants up my thighs and am just hanging my towel over the spare rack when Zayden’s bedroom floods with light and I hear footsteps enter the room.
I freeze, eyes wide, my heart dropping to my feet.
His shadow flickers across the open doorway.
‘Woah!’
My face is engulfed by flames as his eyes land directly on my chest. I scramble to cover my exposed breasts, realising that should have been the very first thing that I did, but as usual, my normal freeze response took over.
Zayden blinks at me, lips parted in shock, and I’m speechless.
My heart thunders. His mouth opens, and he goes to say something, but his eyes move downwards once more.
Suddenly, he spins, turning his back to me.
‘I am so sorry,’ he says quickly. ‘I had no idea you were in here.’
‘It’s okay!’ I reply. My voice comes out in a high pitch that sounds totally unlike me. ‘Anya said I could use your shower. I’m stupid for not shutting the door, I thought you’d be out all night.’
‘It’s all good,’ he says. ‘I’m really sorry.’
‘It’s fine.’
Panicking, I search desperately for my top.
‘Where the fuck is it?’ I hiss, flinging things around in the hope that I accidentally placed it underneath something else.
A throat clears. ‘I think your shirt is out here.’
Oh, just kill me now.
Swallowing, I run my tongue across my teeth, attempting to slow down my breathing and decrease my climbing heart rate.
‘Ah,’ I say after an awkward pause.
His hand appears, my t-shirt scrunched between his fingers. Slowly, I take it and make the mistake of looking in the mirror at his reflection. His gaze lifts, and our eyes meet.
And for some reason unknown to anyone in the world, I let my other arm drop.
He stares at me.
And I let him.
I’m only in my shorts, my breasts and curves on full display, and for some reason – most likely the alcohol providing me with an unhealthy confidence boost – I don’t care.
I’d love to know what he’s thinking, since his eyes are trained on the two little bars I have threaded through each of my nipples.
‘Thanks,’ I say.
‘Any time,’ he says smoothly.
Neither of us move for a moment, then I slowly slip my arms through the t-shirt and yank it over my head. As I push the door open the rest of the way, our gazes connect. Heat spears through me at the look in his eyes. His lower lip is between his teeth as he studies me for a moment.
‘You can use my shower any time you like,’ he volunteers, voice a little hoarse.
‘Thank you. I might take you up on that.’
Without another word, I brush past him, the reality of what just happened sinking in.