Loving His Demons

First Day

**Phoebe's POV**

Today was the day. The day Darry and I head off to college! We both decided to go to Stanford, even though our parents really wanted us closer to home. However, in the end, it was our choice. Full scholarships for the both of us, me in academics, and Darry in football. We were so excited, and I was looking forward to going to all of my cousin's games. I know he will be busy trying to avoid the crowd of girls that will most likely be obsessed with him, but hopefully things between us do not change. 

I am standing in my room, looking around at my empty walls, closet, and dresser drawers. I am feeling sad, scared, and excited all at once. This room has changed so many times over the years in my life. From my pink and gold nursery, to my jungle themed toddler stage, then my preteen phase when I had posters of all my favorite singers and I foolishly imagined a life with them, and finally my white, grey, and teal room. Flowers, and twinkle lights adorned the walls. Pictures of my family and some friends hung here and there. Most of it now, all packed away. 

"Ready?" My dad knocked on my open door. I turned to look at him, and he was looking at my empty walls with tears building in his eyes. "I still remember the day you were born. You took your first steps by your crib that was right by that wall. You drew on the walls right over there." He chuckled as he continued to point around the room and reminisce. "Now your off to college."

His voice broke. I walked over to him and wrapped my arms around his torso. "Daddy, I'll always be your little girl."

"Always." He whispered, and kissed the top of my forehead. "Come on, your mom and Darry are waiting downstairs with Elliot and Chelsea."

We headed downstairs so Darry and I can say goodbye to everyone. We convinced our parents to let us take a cab to the airport. We didn't want them to make us miss our flight because they couldn't stop with the hugs and kisses goodbye. After hugging everyone, our dads helped load our luggage into the trunk of the cab. We are only taking one check in and one carry on. The rest of our things will be shipped to us. After the dreaded tears and hugs from our mothers, we climbed into the cab and watched as our parents got smaller and smaller as we drove away. 

The drive to the airport seemed to drag. The cab driver was a nice older man who talked about how he and his wife were sadly never blessed with children, so he likes to see proud parents sending their children off on their own. We arrived an hour and a half before our flight, which should give us just enough time to check our bags and go through security. Darry unloaded our things and paid the driver. We stepped through the double sliding doors and started the long headache to getting on an airplane. 

After everything, about two hours later, we were finally settled in our seats. Of course my parents being who they are, we were seated in first class. The only young adults up here. I felt weird, but Darry loved the attention he was getting from the gorgeous flight attendant. Although she looked at least in her early thirties and was sporting a diamond ring on her wedding finger. That didn't stop her from casually touching Darry as she would walk by. 

"She's married." I whispered as I slapped Darry on his shoulder after he watched her walk by to obviously stare as her butt.

He chuckled and shrugged his shoulders. "I'm just looking. She is the one getting all handsy." 

I rolled my eyes and we continued to talk about all the things we wanted to do before classes start. We were arriving a week early, enough time to get settled into our dorms and have a look around. My dad wanted to get us an apartment, but my mom mentioned how easy it would be to have privacy with a boy. That idea was quickly out the window. My dad and Uncle Elliot had a serious conversation with Darry about making sure I remain innocent. Of course Darry is protective of me, but he promised not to intervene if I wanted to finally 'get laid'. As long as I know that it would most likely be a one night stand, since college guys were more than likely to have a few girls to handle their needs. I hated having my nonexistent s*x life everyone's business. 

Mom and Aunt Chelsea had a long talk with me last week. Basically use the buddy system, don't walk alone at night, don't leave your drink unattended at a party, and always let Darry know where I am. Especially if I decide to go out with a boy. I know things happen to girls in college when they aren't careful. It just sucks that girls have to be careful, instead of boys just not being predators. 

After a little over four hours, we were landing in California. Darry was getting our carry on bags from the bin above us when the flight attendant who has been flirting with him walked by. She whispered something in his ear and handed him a paper. He smiled and whispered back, but he must have said something she didn't like because her face turned sour and she stomped off. 

We were waiting by baggage claim when I finally asked. "What did she say?"

He smiled. "She have me her number. Wanted me to call her since the flight crew will be staying for the night. The paper had her hotel and room number."

"You wouldn't!" I punched his arm. 

He winced and laughed. "Of course not! I told her married women weren't my type."

We collected our bags and went outside to find another taxi. There was a long line of people waiting for a cab and I knew we were going to be here for a while. That was until two young guys walked up to us. "Darius Edwards?" He smiled. He was very good looking. Looked about Darry's height. Had brown curly hair, hazel eyes, and a great smile. Combine that with a great body, and he would make any girl drool. "I'm Nathan Drake. Captain of the football team." 

"Hey, man. Nice to meet you." Darry shook his hand. 

"We're here to give you a ride to campus and show you your dorm." The other guy spoke dully. He had black hair, dark eyes, and tattoos on his upper arms. Danger, mysterious and good looks. Every girls wet dream, or so I've heard. He started to grab Darry's bags.

"Cool. As long as she comes." Darry gestured to me casually.

Both eyes turned to me, and pretty boy looked at me from head to toe. "Usually we don't drive the girlfriend but-"

"I'm not-" I started to interrupt, but Darry cleared his throat and interrupted me. 

"Not going without her." He smiled and slung his arm around my shoulder. "Stuck like glue."

I rolled my eyes. He was obviously trying to make it look like I was off limits, but did he have to make it look like we were together together? It's weird. I shrugged his arm off, and elbowed him in the ribs. Nathan chuckled. "Cousins. We're cousins. I'm Phoebe." 

"Well Phoebe. I guess 'stuck like glue' means I'll be seeing a lot of you." He winked as he leaned forward to grab my bags from me. "You can ride in the front with me."

I blushed unintentionally, which made him smile wider. We followed them to the car, and Darry poked me in my ribs. He looked between Nathan and I and wiggled his eyebrows up and down. Then he did that disgusting gesture where he put his index finger in a hole that he makes with his other hand. Meaning intercourse. God, he was so childish. Thankfully the two guys didn't see us. 

Once settled in the car, we headed to campus. Along the way, Nathan pointed out different things. Told me he would show me around whenever I wanted. However, he only said he would show me around. Not us. I was flattered, but I don't think I'll take him up on his offer. He was obviously really charming and flirtatious. I wouldn't doubt if he was one of the guys that had a line of girls just waiting for that late night call. 

Danger guy never spoke. He sat in the backseat with Darry and just stared out of the window. When we got to campus, Nathan unloaded my bags and asked me what building I was in. "Wilbur Hall. Otero house, I think second floor."

"Oh good, you're on an all female floor. Would hate if you were on a co-ed floor. I don't like competition." He winked again. "Giovanni, show Darius where he will be staying. I'll catch up later."

"Call me later when your settled. We'll have dinner." Darry hugged me and then followed Henry in the opposite direction. 

As we walked, there were eyes that followed us. Guys looked amused, while the girls looked upset. I didn't like all the attention I was already getting. "I don't help girls to their dorms." Nathan spoke. "That's why they stare. Being the football captain, everyone knows me, and seeing me with a freshman is new."

"So your a man whore." I said out loud. Not carrying that I was being extremely blunt. I wasn't going to be a mousy freshman. 

Nathan stumbled and almost tripped. He chuckled as he stopped to turn and look at me. "I don't think a girl, especially a freshman, has ever called me out like that."

I shrugged my shoulders and giggled. "With all the death glares I am getting from the other girls, it's pretty obvious. Your hot, and you know it. Your charming and flirtatious, and you know when to do it." I took my bags from him and looked him in the eye. "And I'm not falling for it. You're a snake in the grass, and I'm not interested. Thanks for the ride Nathan, but I'll find my dorm on my own."

I walked away, leaving a shocked Nathan behind. I had no idea where I was going, but I would rather be lost than on my first day have everyone think that I was his next conquest. I found a map nearby and saw the general direction I needed to head towards. After about ten minutes of walking, I was in front of my new home.  After checking with the front desk, I was given my key and headed towards the stairs. My room was on the second floor, which I was thankful for. If I was on the third or fourth floor, I think I'd die. 

Finding my door was not an issue, however getting to it was the hard part. The hall was crowded with girls greeting and smiling with each other. Some doors were opened and they were walking freely from one room to another. I was thankful that my door was still closed. I don't like people invading my space. 

When I opened the door, I found only half of it empty, and a girl sitting at one of the desks by the window. She turned to me and smiled. She was beautiful. She had green eyes, light brown long straight hair, a slim build, and perfectly shaped lips. She could be a model. "Ciao!" (Hello.) She stood up to walk over to me and hugged me. She had a slight Italian accent that no one could miss. "I'm Sofia Mancini. We are going to be best friends!"

I looked at her and knew she was right.