I stand there for a bit just watching the cars continue on their way, wishing I’m not alone, but knowing it had to come to this, so why not just get it over with. There comes a time when you have to just say, screw it, world, I’m here. Well, at least that’s what my mom used to tell me.
Turning around, I walk into my building and head to my room. Walking in again it doesn’t feel exciting. It just feels lonely. The lights are all on. Thankfully, I thought ahead and didn’t turn them off when I left. Continuing on to my room, I shut and lock the door behind me, then plop on my bed. I’m exhausted, but I won’t sleep. I can’t. Not yet. So I pull out my computer and start looking into my new surroundings. PennU is definitely different than anything I’ve ever dealt with before. When I’m done researching this new city, I pull out a book and begin reading.
Just as I’m finishing my book, the sun starts coming up. Once finished, I get up to turn the lights off. Looking out the window, I see students are still moving in today and I know I will soon meet my roommate, Cameron. I both dread this and am excited. Back home I didn’t really have friends. Not after everyone knew what happened. So I just focused on school and reading. Now I get to start over, so I’m hoping she and I can be friends. When you apply, they try to match you up with someone with similar interests, so that you are compatible. Hopefully, the computers are right because I could use someone to talk to here. Climbing into my bed, I quickly fall asleep in the brightness of the day.
Bang.
My eyes flutter open and I look at my clock. It’s just after one o’clock and I’ve slept a good six hours.
Bang. Bang.
The noises coming from the other room are loud, telling me that she’s here. I go to the door and open it to introduce myself, but I can’t see her. She must be in her room. I walk across the room and go to lean against the door. “Hey—” I almost fall over at the sight and without thinking, I yelp. I run back to my room and slam the door behind me. I’ve just made the biggest fool of myself. Looking down, I notice I’m still in my pajamas. They are a small pair of shorts with a tank top. They’re comfy and have little kitties all over them. I never thought to get dressed because I didn’t expect her to not be alone. Duh. People have people. Just not me.
A quiet knock comes at my door, startling me. I turn and slowly open the door and see the most attractive guy I’ve ever seen. He has short dark brown hair, pale skin, and from what I can see a very well developed body. His eyes, wow they are the brightest shade of blue I’ve ever seen. The thoughts make my heart race and not in a good way. Breathe.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.” He looks genuine and gives me a small smile. God, he has dimples. No man should look like this and he definitely shouldn’t be looking at me the way he is. I begin to squirm under his gaze and for a moment, I forget I’m in my pajamas. I quickly bring my arms across my chest. Real smooth. He tries to hide it, but he chuckles a bit. I slink away from him, pulling myself farther into my room using the door to cover me a bit.
“It’s okay,” I say quietly, trying not to look at him. He puts a set of earplugs on the shelf right next to my door. I give him an odd look, asking him to elaborate. Talking to men is not something I do. When he doesn’t, I have no choice but to talk.
“She’s a snorer?” I ask, hoping he’s just giving them to me so that his girlfriend or sister and I don’t run into any roommate issues.
Again, he chuckles. “Maybe…” he says, and I look at him in confusion. “Well, you must be Fate,” he says, sticking out his hand for me to shake. I look to him and hesitate. Time to be normal, Fate. Taking a deep breath, I place my hand in his and shake it firmly.
“Yes, I am,” I say with a shy smile.
“Great, that’d be weird if someone else was in your room, right?” he says with a chuckle. “I’m Cameron.” My breath catches and I pull my hand away.
What…the…hell…
Chapter Two
“Cameron is a boy…” Clarissa says from the other end of the phone.
“Yes, a boy. How did that happen?” I say in a panic. This cannot be happening. Me, living with a man. Well, that’s just going to be an anxiety problem.
“I told you that box meant Gender as in co-ed living, not the sexual orientation of your roommate. But you wouldn’t listen, you were all, ‘I don’t care as long as we get along.’ Well, babe, the computers seem to think you will get alone with Cameron…who is a man. Not a boy. Since the age on the fact sheet said twenty-one.” She is enjoying this. I was determined to do this University thing and all the joyous paperwork alone. I didn’t even talk to her about it till I’d sent it in.