Chapter 11: Part 1 | Chapter 10 ~ Study Week
Lance sat up slowly, glancing around tiredly. I however, laid quietly in bed, phone out as I messed around.
"Jesus, my head..." He groaned.
I didn't bother glancing up from my phone, allowing him to endure his own silence. He looked over at me, as if expecting me to say something.
"You were drunk and sitting in the bathtub." I responded with a sigh.
"Oh.." He looked down, scratching his head.
He was silent for another long moment, before he huffed softly. I took the time to rise from my bed and head to my dresser in search of a new outfit. I always had Sunday off from school. Just before I trailed towards the bathroom, I heard him speak up.
"Uh.. Calvin.."
I paused to look at him.
"Thank you.." He hesitated on his words, as if he'd never said them before in his life.
"Sure. You looked like you needed help." I responded casually, then closed the bathroom door behind me.
Now dressed in my Sunday best, I left the restroom. Lance, however, was at his dresser, and before I knew it, he had tugged off all his clothes
Whether it was involuntary or not, my entire face had exploded into a bright shade of unexpected red as I couldn't help but stammer as I stared at his.. Well, you know.
Lance quickly brought his hands down to cover himself, stepping backwards before holding a shirt against himself.
"Sorry. Didn't expect you to come out." He stated calmly, unaltered by my gaze.
I know I shouldn't be looking at him still, and I should've turned around right away. But I must admit.. He was pretty impressive.
I never thought I'd say that in my life.
"R-Right, right- Sorry." I turned around quickly to fold my arms.
I gave him some time to get changed fully before I was able to turn back around.
"I'm going to cook some breakfast." He headed for the kitchen.
Once he was out of sight, I let out a long breath of relief. I couldn't get that image out of my mind.
Those broad shoulders.. Strong arms, each covered in a sleeve of tattoo.. Tight chest and toned abs.. All the way down to that breathtaking-..
What am I talking about?
Cassidy was right. I really am gay. But I can't complain. My roommate really is hot, even if he's annoying.
There, I said it.
I quit daydreaming and finally gathered myself, deciding that it was best just to forget about that whole incident. Lance sure would. He was almost proud to show me, as if he were confident in his complexion.
Well, just because he's 'above average', doesn't mean that his personality is. He's still a jerk.
A couple moments later, my thoughts were drowned out as the scent of freshly fried sausage filled my nostrils and forced me to salivate. I peeked around the corner to watch him as he cooked.
"Do you like sausage?" He asked suddenly.
"Do I.." I let out in a squeaky like tone.
He smirked. "I make the best sausage in Mirwell University."
"I believe it, it smells delicious." I rubbed my hands together.
He watched me for a moment, specifically my hands. I couldn't exactly tell, but his expression seemed to form into that of amusement.
"What?" I asked.
"Nothing.. You just seem very enthusiastic about.. Sausage.." He grinned and looked back at his pan.
"You know that's not what I meant." I glared, his implement finally clicking with my senses.
What a bastard.
"Are you sure? You seemed pretty excited when you barged out of the bathroom."
I grew silent as I crossed my arms defiantly.
"You didn't think I missed that, did you?" He cocked a brow, playing the breakfast.
"Shut up." I sat down at the table.
He let out a soft chuckle, then set both plates down as we dug in, and my god, it was amazing..
"Like it?" He asked.
I nodded vigorously. "I swear.. You have a gift."
He watched me closely for another moment, gazing over my features in silence, as if he were studying me.
I looked up to meet his eyes.
"What?" I swallowed my bite.
"Nothing.. I'm just trying to figure you out." He narrowed his look.
We stared at each other quietly.
"One minute you're slapping me across the face-"
"I thought we were over that-" I interrupted.
"Then the other you're just.. Calm.. Funny even." He continued, then paused to find my reaction.
I just watched him. I couldn't exactly tell whether he was being serious or not. Did he just compliment me?
He looked down with a breath to pick at his food again. "You're not so bad, Malone."
I thought about that for a moment, then looked down at my own food. "You're not so bad yourself, Baker."
We both glanced up at each other in sync, a small smile pricking at his lips, as it did with my own. We just watched each other, before we looked back down at our food again.
*****
A couple hours had passed, and I was working on some study work. My exams were on Friday, as were they for everyone in my major. That means I have a whole week of nothing but reading my textbook and reading back through notes until midnight every day.
I wouldn't call myself frantic, but I'm nervous for sure.
"What are you working on?" Lance asked, peeking over my shoulder slyly.
"Studying." I replied, unbothered by his presence.
That is, until I began to feel his breath on my neck.
"Do you know what personal space is?" I asked bluntly.
"Oh," He backed up a step. "Sorry."
I let out a breath, getting back to my work. He just kept watching.
"Isn't that boring?" He cocked his brow.
"It's work that I have to do if I want to get a good score on my exam." I huffed.
"Well I know that," He rolled his eyes. "But is it boring?"
"I'm studying. It's not supposed to be fun." I grumbled, loosing my train of thought. "Now let me work."
"Mkay." He leaned back.
We were silent again as I went back to scribbling, sighing with relief.
Lance looked around, rocking back and forth on his feet. Just before I was getting comfortable again, he broke through my thoughts again.
"Studying is boring."
"Studying is not supposed to be fun! It is educationally stimulating!" I snapped.
He smirked, clearly enjoying my frustration.
"Then let's go do some, 'educational stimulation' somewhere else." He pulled the pencil from my hand.
"Hey!"
As if it were fate, my phone rung with a text as I opened it up, still mumbling over Lances complaining.
Cassidy: Hey! I'm pulling a study group together at my place. Want to come?
I thought for a moment.
"Sounds fun." Lance chimed.
I realized that he had been looking over my shoulder. That's why he was quiet.
"Stop looking over my shoulder!" I shrugged him away, turning to hide my phone.
Calvin: Sure, sounds fun. My roommate is being a pain anyway.
"I would think otherwise. I think I'm doing a pretty swell job at distracting you." He grinned.
"Ugh, go away." I stood up to gather my things, shoving them into my brown leather satchel.
"Where are you going?" He asked, following me with his eyes.
"You read my phone, where do you think?" I shook my head, closing up my textbook.
"Oh.." He watched me as I pushed into my shoes.
"Entertain yourself." I opened up the door to head out.
I closed the door fast enough to block out his words just before they were spoken and trailed down the hall. I pulled my phone out.
Calvin: Be there in 10
I walked into the elevator and pressed for the first floor, watching the doors as they began to shut.
A thumping down the hall caught me off guard as I lifted my brow, peeking out of the machine, only to come face to face with Lance as he slammed into me.
We both were thrown into the elevator just as the doors closed, his upper body pinning against mine in an uncomfortable squeeze, paired with the wall. I wheezed, moving my face to look up at him- then shoved at him to get off since he wasn't doing himself.
"Are you kidding me?!" I shrieked, before lowering my voice to scowl at him.
"I'm bored. So.. I'm coming with you to study!" He grinned widely.
"You've got to be joking." I sighed.
"Nope!"
"Don't you have a party to go to? Or.. Some kind of bar to hit up?" I groaned.
"But I thought you were the one who told me to get my life on track." He smirked.
"Not by hijacking my elevator!" I stamped my foot.
"Well, I'm sure your little friends would love to have me." He leaned against the railing of the machine.
"Yeah. I'm sure they would." I growled.
"Any pretty ones there?.. I'm newly single, ready to settle down I think." He grinned.
I lost it. Hard. I shoved my finger in his face and settled my gaze on his. He seemed surprised.
"You stay away from my friends Lance. You stay away from them." I snarled.
"Touchy touchy. Fine." He rolled his eyes, pinning my finger in a small grip with his thumb and his index fingers, then moved it away.
I finally leaned away with a sigh to wait for our floor, then sauntered out right as the doors opened. I'm guessing Lance was overtaken by my quick movement, as it took him a moment or two to jog up to my side. Secretly, I hoped he would've lost me.
"So where are we going anyway?" He asked, pocketing his hands as he strolled beside me.
"To Cassidy's dorm." I replied swiftly, heading down the walks.
"The pretty one?"
I glared back at him. He smirked.
I walked into her building, then took the stairs this time. I hate the elevator.
Moments later, we were up waiting at the door to her room. I'd already knocked, and Lance stood behind me. Even his presence mocked me. Why did he have to be so much taller than me?
While waiting, I slowly stood up on my tippy toes in hopes of rising a little taller than the bottoms of his shoulders.
"What are you doing?" He cocked a brow.
I quickly lowered myself.
"Nothing."
We stood in silence again.
"So~" He lifted a finger out to me
"Don't-" I cut him off, lifting a hand to block his finger.
He gave off a huff of disappointment as we waited a little longer.
Cassidy opened her door after what had seemed like an eternity.
"Hey Cal," She smiled before she looked at my roommate. "And Lance.." She sighed, then stepped aside to let us in.
Her dorm, as usual, smelled of blueberry and grape soda. I loved it. I noticed the circle of girls in the carpet, textbooks out and snacks in the middle. They looked up to Lance and I.
"Oh my god.." One of the girls stated.
"Lance!" Another one shouted, leaping up.
In mere seconds, three of the girls had surrounded Lance in a swarm of lustful words which I couldn't really pick out. I rolled my eyes as I watched. Cassidy shuffled to my side.
"Why in gods name did you bring him along?" She muttered.
"Trust me. I didn't." I huffed.
We watched as he dotted on the girls as if they were pets.
"Well, now I know these three won't being paying any attention to studying." She sighed, turning to head to the circle where the remaining 2 females and 1 male sat.
Julianna, of course, and Rylee. She's a new friend of Cassidy's I think. I wouldn't exactly call her very enthusiastic about her education, and I'm 99% sure she only came to talk to people, but she's still very compassionate about her friends.
And that's Miguel. He's an alright guy, super funny. He's always been sorta close to me, as friends of course, never more. He's the stereotypical gay guy though, girl clothes, girl voice, girl attitude. He's a really good person. Love him to death.
"Alright, lets get started." Cassidy announced with a smile and took a seat beside Julianna.
I sat beside Miguel, who bumped my shoulder with his. We grinned at each other.
A few moments later, and the girls who were busy fan-girling over Lance were sitting down again, still giggling over their encounter. Lance, however, was staring in my direction. I could sense annoyance in his gaze as he headed over and sat down right in between Miguel and I, shoving us apart with those bulky legs of his.
"Hope you don't mind." He smirked at me.
I scoffed and folded my arms, looking away from him to focus on my textbook.
"Alright everybody, lets get to work." Cassidy rubbed her hands together in anticipation and opened her textbook.
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