CHAPTER SIX >>>
_JARVIS'S POV_
A taxi pulled up in front of Rizz Hostel. Caroline stepped out first, and I followed with a wide smile, taking in the sight of the massive building.
“It’s even better than the pictures. I love this place,” I said, biting my bottom lip in excitement.
The taxi driver unloaded my bag while Caroline paid him.
“You should go now, Aunt. I’ll find my room—it’s in Block C, Room 20. The housing officer will guide me. I’ll call you later,” I assured her.
“You always say that,” Caroline said with a soft sigh, cupping my face gently.
“This time, I mean it. Go before you get fired at the supermarket,” I teased, grinning.
She kissed my forehead. “Avoid parties. And final-year guys. They’re all jerks.”
“Got it. Love you.”
“Love you too,” she replied before walking off.
I turned back to the hostel and smiled to myself. “New life, new school.”
“Jarvis!” a loud voice called from behind.
I turned around to see Dorothy running toward me with her arms wide open. She had just stepped out of a sleek black car—definitely her uncle’s.
“Dorothy!” I grinned, opening my arms to hug her.
I wasn’t the kind of girl who made friends easily, but there was something about Dorothy’s energy that made me feel at home.
“Meet my uncle, Zach,” she said as a tall man stepped out of the car.
“How are you, young lady?” he greeted kindly.
“I’m good. Thanks for bringing this chatterbox,” I joked, making him laugh as he pulled Dorothy’s three large bags from the trunk.
“You didn't have to pack your full house,” I said, reaching for one of Dorothy’s heavy bags. “I’ll take one with mine. She can manage the rest.”
“Well then, be a good girl, Dorothy,” Zach said with a smile.
“Of course, Uncle. I’ll call you once I’m settled,” she promised.
With a final wave, he drove off, leaving the two of us dragging our luggage toward the building.
“I can’t wait to see what our room looks like!” Dorothy said, practically bouncing with excitement.
“I just wish we got assigned the same one,” I replied with a sigh.
“What’s your room number?” she asked.
“Block C, Room 20,” I answered.
“No way! Same!” she gasped, eyes wide.
“For real?” I blinked.
“Dead serious,” she said with a wink.
“Yes!” I squealed, and we hugged again like two excited kids.
We reached the housing office and quickly got our room keys and a campus map.
“Just one more thing,” the housing officer said as we turned to leave. “Avoid Jayden.”
We paused and exchanged a confused look.
“Who’s that?” Dorothy asked.
The man just shook his head and shut the door without saying more.
A knowing look passed between us, and without another word, we grabbed our bags and headed toward Block C.
Luckily, the hallways weren’t too crowded. Most students were still in evening lectures.
Finding Room 20 was easy. Dorothy and I took a deep breath before pushing the door open—
And froze.
“Wow!” we gasped at the same time.
The room was bigger than we expected. There were four sections, each with a bed, wardrobe, and personal rack. In the center stood a table for four, and beside the door was a tall bookshelf filled with all kinds of textbooks.
We were still admiring everything when we heard a loud huff.
One of the girls already inside stood up sharply. “I hate having too many roommates! What was that stupid housing officer thinking?!” she shouted before storming out.
The second girl chuckled softly. “Nice scent, right?” she said, rolling her eyes. “That was Nicole Fisher—rich, moody, and completely full of herself. Also… she has serious body odor. But don’t ever tell her I said that. And one tip? Never touch her stuff.”
Dorothy and I exchanged nervous glances.
“By the way, I’m Scarlett. Scarlett Jones,” she said with a friendly smile. “And you are?”
“I’m Jarvis Dobrev, and this is Dorothy Williams,” I answered.
Scarlett nodded. “You two are friends, huh?”
“Yes,” we said together.
Scarlett turned out to be a total sweetheart. In the next hour, she helped us unpack and arrange our things like we’d known each other forever.
“I’m so glad you both came,” she said with a sigh of relief. “I was this close to murdering Nicole.”
“Is she really that bad?” I asked.
“You’ll see by tomorrow morning,” Scarlett replied with a smirk.
Dorothy dropped onto her bed. “By the way… who’s Jayden? The housing officer told us to stay away from him.”
Scarlett’s smile faded a little. “Wolfie? Yeah… he’s kind of the school psycho. That’s all I’ll say. Now—who’s up for a tour of the hostel?”
“I need a shower first,” I said. “I’m all sweaty.”
“Alright! Dorothy, you’re coming with me,” Scarlett said, grabbing her hand and dragging her out.
Once I was alone, I quickly stripped, wrapped a towel around myself, and picked up my toiletries.
The warm water felt amazing as it washed over my skin. I closed my eyes, finally relaxing.
But three minutes in… the water stopped.
“What the hell?” I muttered, feeling around blindly. My face was still covered in foamy cleanser, and it stung my eyes. I tried turning the handle again. Nothing.
Groaning, I grabbed my towel and wiped my face, nearly slipping on the wet floor in the process. Still dripping and half-covered in soap, I wrapped the towel tighter around me and stepped out to call Dorothy for help.
But the moment I entered the room—
I froze.
Someone was sitting at the table.
His back was to me.
The room smelled faintly of mint.
My heart skipped.
The tattoos on his arms… they looked way too familiar.
No. No way.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I asked sharply. “And who are you?”
No answer.
I took a step closer. “Are you deaf? I said—”
He turned slowly.
I stopped breathing.
It was him.
The same arrogant jerk from yesterday.
He sat there chewing gum, looking completely unfazed. His eyes met mine, and a slow, smug smile appeared on his lips.
I stood frozen in place, shocked. “You?” I whispered.
His gaze drifted down my bare legs and then back to my face. That look in his eyes—dark and teasing—sent a weird feeling through my stomach.
“Hello again, little girl,” he said, his voice low and smooth.