After

Chapter 4

" oh... Where is Steph?" I try to sound authoritative, but my voice comes out more of a squeak. My hands are clenched around the soft fabric of my towel and my eyes keep darting down to make sure it's accurately covered my naked body.

The boy looks at me, the corner of his mouth lifting up slightly, but doesn't say a word.

"did you hear me? I asked you where Steph is." I repeat trying to be slightly more polite this time.

his expression magnifies and he finally mumbles " I don't know" and turns on a small flat screen on Steph's dresser.what is he even doing here? Doesn't he have his own room? I bite my tongue, trying to keep my rude comments to myself.

"okay? Will can you like... Leave or something so I can get dressed?" he hasn't even noticed I was in a towel. Or maybe he did but it doesn't impress him.

"don't flatter yourself, it's not like I'm going to look at you." he scoffs and rolls over, his hands covering his face.he has a thick English accent that I didn't notice at first. Probably because he was too rude to actually speak to me yesterday.

I'm sure how I should respond to the rude remark I huff and walk to my dresser. Maybe he isn't straight, maybe that's what he meant by "it's not like I'm going to look." either that or he finds me unattractive. I hastily put on a bra and panties followed by a plain white shirt and khaki shorts. 

" Are you done yet?" he asks, snapping the last bit of patience I had.

"could you be adding more disrespectful? I did nothing to you.what is your problem?!" a shout, much louder than I had wanted to, but by the surprised look on his face, my words had the intended effect.

he silently stares at me for a moment. And while I wait for his apology... He burst into laughter. His laugh is deep and would be almost lovely sounding if he didn't come off so unpleasant. Dimples and that both cheeks as he continues on, and I feel like a complete i***t, unsure what to say or do. I don't usually like conflict and this voice seems like the last person I should start a fight with.

then the door opens and Steph bursts in

"Sorry, I'm late. I have one hell of a hangover" she says dramatically her eyes dart back and forth between the two of us "sorry, Tess, I forgot to tell you to Harden will be coming by"she shrugs her shoulders apologetically.

I would like to thank me and Steph could make our living Arrangements work, maybe even build some sort of friendship, but her choice is a friend's and late nights, I'm just not sure anymore.

"your boyfriend is rude." the words to Humble out before I can stop them.

Steph looks over at the boy. And then they both burst into laughter. What is with people laughing at me? I'm getting really annoyed.

"Hardin Scott is not my boyfriend!" Steph spits out, nearly choking. coming down, she turns and skulls that Harden." what did you say to her?" then looks back at me "Harden has a... A unique way of conversating."

lovely, so basically she's saying that Harden is, simply, to his core, a rude person. the English boy shrugs and changes the channel with the remote in his hand.

" there's a party tonight you should come with us Tessa," she says

so now it's my turn to laugh.

"parties aren't really my thing. Plus I have to go get some things for my desk and walls. I look at Hardin, who, of course, is acting as if neither of us are in the room with him.

"come on dot-dot-dot it's just one party! You're in college now, just one party won't hurt" she begs " wait, how are you going to get to the store? I thought you didn't have a car?"

" I was going to take the bus. And besides, I can't go to that party I don't even know anyone" I say, and Harden laughs again a settle of acknowledgment that he'll pay just enough attention to mock me. " I was going to read in Skype with Noah." 

" you don't want to take the bus on a Saturday! There are way too packed. Harden can drop you off on the way to his place... Right, Hardin? And you'll know me at the party just come... Please?" she presses her hands together in a dramatic plead.

I've only known her a few days, should I trust her my mother warning about parties goes through my head. Stuff seems quite sweet, from the small interactions I've had with her. But a party?

" I don't know... And, no, I don't want her to drive me to the store" I say.

Hardin rolls over across Steph bed  " oh no! I was really looking forward to hanging out with" he replies to Riley, his voice full of sarcasm that I want to throw a book at his curly head. " come on staff, you know this girl isn't going to show at the party" he says laughing, his accent is so sick. The Curious side of me, which I admit is quite large is desperate to ask him where he's from. The competitive side of me wants to prove his smug face wrong.

" Actually, yeah," I say with a sweet smile" it sounds like a might be fun"

hard and shakes his head in disbelief and Steph squeals before wrapping your arms around me in a tight hug.

" yay! Will have so much" she shrieks. A big part of me is practically praying that she's right.