by M. Clarke
A fan? I guess she meant because of his voice. “Okay,” I laughed.
“I heard he brings home a different girl every night. Is that true?”
“No.” I shook my head recalling seeing Heather the first night, but nobody else since.
Cynthia looked over her shoulder, and then looked back at me in a dream-like state. “He’s like a book boyfriend dream come true.”
I knew what she meant, but I just smiled. Trying not to make it obvious, I peeked at him over my shoulder. I thought I saw Elijah look my way, but I couldn’t tell. Surrounded by beautiful girls, why would he even bother? I’m sure he was distracted.
Cynthia tapped my shoulder while I continued to jot down lecture notes. “Yes,” I smiled, even though I was slightly annoyed.
“I heard he gets all the girls he sleeps with to orgasm.” Cynthia couldn’t stop giggling. “I heard even girls that have boyfriends want to sleep with him. You know, a one night-stand, just so they know what it would feel like to have one.”
I had heard enough. I didn’t want her to spread rumors; at least I thought they were rumors. “The girls he slept with were probably so in love with him, that just having him inside them would be enough to make them explode.” I couldn’t believe the words that came out of my mouth. What the hell was I saying anyway? Just the thought alone made me tingly and warm. Hearing Cynthia’s words, whether true or not, made me turn to face Elijah.
Giving him my warmest smile since I didn’t know what else to do when he caught me looking at him, he held up his pen and waved a greeting with that sexy grin he wore so well. Shrinking into my seat, my face felt flushed. How was I going to concentrate after that?
Elijah
Whiteboard:
Thanks for the delicious meatloaf!
I’ll have to keep you as my roommate forever.
-E
Knowing I couldn’t stay away forever, I decided to head home after dinner. I wondered if Liam was still there. Hearing two distinct voices coming from Alex’s room answered my question.
I don’t know what the hell was wrong with me, but something in the pit of my stomach made me want to vomit at the thought of Liam. The main reason was, that asshole didn’t deserve her. Why was she still with him when I knew how many times he made her cry? I had no fuckin’ clue.
Before I headed to my room, I wanted to get a snack. For some reason, I wanted a Big Stick popsicle. When I heard their voices getting louder, I knew they were having a disagreement. Since Alex’s room was next to the kitchen, you could hear their voices through the thin walls.
Being nosy, I leaned in closer to her door. I could only hear Liam cursing and yelling. I wanted to go in there and throw his sorry ass out. Alex didn’t deserve to be yelled at like that. My fists got tight, my muscles tensed, and I was really close to thrashing the door open and introducing Liam to my right hook when I heard his voice get even louder.
Before I could decide what to do, Liam stopped shouting. Not wanting to get caught, I went back to the kitchen—just in time. Liam stormed out of the room. He was exactly how I remembered him from Campus Karaoke. He was stomping around like he had a stick up his ass. When he saw me, he scowled and sized me up. That did it! He pissed me off. I wanted to glare back, but in a different way.
Holding my guarded stance, I slowly curled my lips into a smirk, and hid the popsicle behind my back. “Alex, do you want….” I started to say aloud to his face, darting my eyes at him, and then softening my tone so Alex couldn’t hear the rest, “my big dick?”
Yup, that did it. His glare intensified even more, and his face became blood red. The veins in his neck bulged out and his eyes were filled with venom. Thank goodness Alex came out, or I would have broken his nose.
“What did you say, Elijah?” Halting at a dead stop when she saw Liam, she timidly stood behind him.
Holding up a popsicle with the most innocent smile I could give, I asked, “Do you want a Big Stick popsicle? I don’t know if you saw them. I bought some yesterday.”
“My favorite. Sure, I could eat one to cool down.” She weaved around Liam and took it out of my hand. Heading back to her room, Liam followed.
I’m not sure if I made things worse, but a couple of minutes later, Liam walked out the front door. I couldn’t help what I felt. I was glad that prick was gone.
Chapter 16
Alexandria
Liam stormed out. He wanted me to find another place to live. I didn’t have time to look for one. School had started and I was pretty sure everyone was set with their living arrangements. When I told him I didn’t want to, he blamed it on Elijah. He accused me of wanting to stay because of him. I could understand why. He had seen me in his arms that night, but I had thought it was Liam at first. It was his fault for not being there for me.
Besides, I didn’t want to move out. Elijah was a perfect roommate. He even bought me my favorite cookies and Big Stick popsicles. I didn’t understand why Lexy told me that I could stay at her place if parties or girls got out of hand here because I hadn’t seen anything like that. And seeing Lexy and Seth on a regular basis was an added bonus not to move out.
“Everything okay?” Elijah asked as I walked out of my room. He was flipping through the channels. Sitting lazily on the sofa, his legs were spread out with one hand on the armrest while the other hand held the remote control.
“He’s just mad, but he’ll get over it.” I sat on the sofa across from him after I threw away the stick in the trashcan.
“It seems like he’s mad all the time.”
“He’s just frustrated with the situation. I live three hours away from him and I don’t have a car, but I’m very close to having one.”
“What do you mean?”
I could have sworn I had mentioned it to him before. Maybe he forgot. “I’ve been saving my money for a down payment.”
Elijah turned his attention away from the television, shifting his body toward me. “You surprise me all the time.” Then he started to flip through channels again.
“Thanks,” I smiled, hoping what he said was a good thing. “Oh, stop. That’s my favorite movie.” I pointed at the television screen.
“Grease?” he chuckled lightly. Twisting his head to me, his eyes twinkled like he wanted to share a dirty secret. “Don’t tell anyone, but I like it too,” he winked, biting his bottom lip, possibly thinking what I would say next. “I had a major crush on Olivia Newton-John.”
Oh God! That wink made my stomach flutter.
“What’s your favorite song?” he continued.
“I guess I’d have to say, ‘You’re The One That I Want.’ I had a major crush on John Travolta. My dad and I used to sing that together. Actually, I made him,” I said somberly. “I know it sounds strange, but my dad and I were very close. Most daughters are closer to their moms, but it was the other way for me.”
Elijah nodded, giving me his complete attention. His eyes said he was yearning to know more.
“We used to sing a lot together. My dad had a great voice,” I continued as my lips quivered. I purposely took a few deep breaths to hold myself together. There was no way I was going to break down in front of him again. “He would let me bring some of my friends. My best friend back home, Emma, would come with us a lot. Those were the good old days,” I smiled. “You know, that night at Campus Karaoke was the first time I sang in public since his funeral. It was difficult for me before, but I think I’m slowly starting to let him go.”
“Alex, it’s only been a few months. It’s okay to grieve. It’s okay to cry. Some people take years to grieve for their loved ones, but you’re so strong. I would have never known. Is that the reason why you ran out the door that night?”
“Yes, but it got worse when I heard the song my dad used to sing to me when I was little, ‘You are my sunshine.’”
“Oh, shit! I didn’t know.”
“It’s okay. It’s not your fault.”
“It was one of the songs our fraternity big brothers
made us sing to the sorority pledges. But you know what? The more you hear it and get used to it, it will make it easier.”
“You think so?”
“I know so. And you know what else?” He slightly leaned toward me, as if what he was about to say was something important, something he really wanted to stress, and I could see the sincerity flashing in his eyes. “Your dad is smiling at you right now. And he’s proud of you for being so strong.”
“You really think so?” I questioned, but I only said that to distract him. It was more of a rhetorical question. “Thanks.” My eyes started to blur with tears. The truth was, besides Emma, Elijah was the only one who seemed to truly understand how I felt. He didn’t tell me to stop thinking about my father like Liam did. Elijah’s words gave me comfort, and I didn’t feel so alone.
After having this conversation, I felt like our friendship grew to another level. I’d judged him because he smoked, his tattoos, being standoffish toward me when we first met, and other things, but what I missed in the beginning was his genuine heart. He wasn’t the bad boy other girls made him out to be, and if he was…well…he was a bad boy with a beautiful heart, and that alone made him more attractive.
“What’s your favorite part of the movie?” His question helped stop the tears from falling.
I quickly dabbed a drop that was about to fall. “I like everything about the movie. I think it was so cute at the end how they tried to change their appearance for each other. You know how Sandy dressed all hot and sexy and Danny dressed all preppy? And how could you not love the ending? How they drove off into the sunset together. That was sweet.”
Elijah nodded in understanding with a grin, and then changed the subject. “Since Liam left, I invited Lexy and Seth to come over. You don’t mind do you?”
“Nope, I don’t mind at all.”
“I hope you like to watch scary movies. We’re going to watch “The Ring.”
I gulped in fright. “Um…Sure.”
Lexy and I made the popcorn while the boys set up the movie. It had been a while since I’d seen a scary movie. I have nightmares when I watch them, but I figured I’d be ok with my friends there. How wrong I was!
Lexy sat next to Seth, which meant I had no choice but to sit next to Elijah. I could tell they were enjoying the movie, but while I, on the other hand held onto the sofa pillow and bit my lower lip.
Occasionally, when I would cover my eyes with my hands, Elijah would chuckle and nudge me to watch. Sometimes his knee would touch mine by accident, but he would quickly shift away. One time, his arms went around my shoulder as if we were a couple, but he apologized and folded his arms in front of him again. I knew his actions were not intentional, but I didn’t mind his soft touches. In a way, the physical contact gave me comfort through this dreadful scary movie.
Most of the time, I had my eyes closed throughout the movie. Looked like I wasn’t getting any sleep tonight. It was past midnight when Lexy and Seth left. Turning on all the lights in my room, I plopped into bed after I washed up.
Unable to sleep, I decided to check my phone. I had missed a call and a text from Liam. Watching the movie with my friends helped me forget about the fight we’d had, but seeing his text brought it all back; and I didn’t know what I was feeling at this moment.
I’m sorry I took off like that. I didn’t have the right to tell you what to do. I miss you. I’ll come by next weekend.
I texted him back. See you next Saturday. The best part of texting was that even though I was still mad, he didn’t know it. I would cool off by the time we saw each other again anyway. What was the point of arguing when I knew I couldn’t make Liam see my point?
The next text was from Emma. What are you doing? Hope you’re not having too much fun with Ellie. Just kidding. Miss you.
Miss you, too. Just saw a scary movie. I know. I’m crazy, but I did. Now I can’t go to sleep. Are you up?
With no response from her, I tried falling asleep while listening to music, but all I could picture in my mind was that girl in a white long dress. With long, black hair and dark evil eyes, she was all I could see when I closed my eyes. Popping my eyes open, I thought about sleeping in the living room. Maybe knowing Elijah was closer, I could fall asleep.
Taking my blanket and my pillow, I laid down on the sofa, but that didn’t make it any better. The humming from the fridge and noises I never noticed during the daytime were very evident now. A shadow that was most likely cast from the tree outside didn’t help the situation either. Looking at the clock on the microwave, I saw it was after three in the morning, so I resorted to my last option. I knocked on Elijah’s door with my pillow and blanket.
“Al…ex?” My name was drawn out in a question.
“Elijah, are you sleeping?” I asked timidly.
“Would I be answering if I was sleeping?” he asked, slightly chuckling.
Duh! “Umm…do you think you could sleep on the sofa? I mean…I can’t sleep.”
“Are you scared?”
I didn’t know how to answer. I sounded like a little girl. “Yes.”
“I’m not sleeping on the sofa. You can come in here.”
I pushed the door open and stepped inside his room for the first time. Elijah was laying on his bed, but his eyes were wide open. Though it was dark, the open blinds allowed the light from the streetlight to penetrate through.
Elijah’s room was about the same size as mine. It looked pretty much the same, except for different type of furniture. He had a desk and a dresser, and it was simple and clean for a guy’s room. There was nothing hanging on the walls—no posters, no paintings—just like mine. I assumed all of his clothes were hung up since there were none on the floor. He had some photos on top of his dresser, leaning against the wall without any picture frames. I’d planned to look at them in the morning.
“I didn’t know you were this scared,” he said, placing his arms behind his head. I could tell this was a mistake. He was giving me funny tingles just by the sight of his biceps flexing, and he was looking all dreamy.
“I’m sorry to bother you, but I keep seeing that girl in my mind,” I said with a snort, as if it was the silliest thing to be said by a grown person. “Is it okay if I sleep on the floor?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I have a king-sized bed.” He patted the bed, gesturing me to come. “It’s large enough for the two of us.”
“A king-sized bed?!” I said a bit too loud. “Mine is only a full. You’re only one person. Why do you need a king-sized bed?”
“You really want an answer, Alex? You may end up dreaming about it.”
His naughty tone already told me I didn’t need to know. “Nope. No thanks,” I said quickly.
“Don’t worry, I won’t bite. Place your blanket on the edge of my bed and use mine. It’s not that cold tonight. You can use your pillow if you’d like.”
“O-kay.” I was hesitant, fidgeting, wondering if I should take up on his offer. “Thank you. I promise I don’t snore,” I giggled, trying to make this awkward situation better as I lifted my side of the blanket.
“I can’t promise you I won’t,” he said playfully. “If I do, just shift my head to the side.”
“Good night, and thank you,” I said softly.
“Good night, Alex. Think happy thoughts.”
Chapter 17
Elijah
I don’t know why I couldn’t fall asleep, but when I heard noises in the living room, I knew Alex was having a difficult time falling asleep, too. I was just about to go out there and ask her if everything was all right when I heard a soft knock at the door.
When Alex came in, she looked like a lost little girl. I wanted to comfort her. When she wanted to sleep on the floor, I’d offered her my bed. Big mistake. Now I wouldn’t be able to fall asleep for sure.
Closing my eyes, I tried to pretend she wasn’t here, but it was impossible when I felt her body shift from side to side. Turning to her, I could see her shuffling in and out of the blanket, trying
to decide if she needed it.
“Alex. Are you asleep?” I whispered, trying not to wake her up just in case she was on the verge of falling asleep when she was finally laying still.
Alex turned to me, peering up to catch my eyes. “I can’t sleep. Do you think you could sing me a song?”
That was an odd request, but she got a laugh out of me. “Are you serious?”
Alex laughed. “Please. It will help.” Her cheeks were pinched and her lips perked out. It was the sexiest pout I’d ever seen. Hot damn! I wanted to suck those pretty sweet lips of hers. How could I say no after that?
Gazing into her eyes, I sang to her. Sure enough, her eyelids started to flutter. She gave me a warm smile and slowly drifted off to sleep, and so did I. I don’t know how long I had been sleeping, but I woke up when Alex started bawling and talking in her sleep. “Don’t go daddy. Don’t leave me. Please stay.”
She hadn’t woken up like the last time. Seeing her like this was killing me. I scooted to her side, slipped my hand underneath her, and pulled her to my chest. With the other hand, I rubbed her back while telling her it would be okay.
I wasn’t sure if she was aware of what she was doing when she crushed into my chest, wrapping her arms around my neck tightly. Her body shook as she continued to cry and I knew the reason why. I had cried like that many times before, but alone. I felt her pain as if it were my own. All I wanted to do was comfort her, to take it away, but having her this close to me was driving me insane.
Allowing her tears to soak into my shirt, we both fell asleep again, but this time with our bodies entangled.
Alexandria
Feeling the body heat woke me up. Though somewhat groggy, I’d had enough sleep and blinked my eyes to open. I was surprised to find my hand on Liam’s chest, but his wasn’t that firm. Panicking and worried about where I was, I jerked back to see the sexy stubble and strong jaw line. I pulled back even further to see a dragon tattoo. My body was practically on top of Elijah’s. Crap!