"Um… where's Cassie?" The question slipped out in a shaky whisper, my voice thinner than I wanted it to be. My fingers gripped the edge of the towel like a lifeline, eyes flicking down every other second to make sure it hadn't slipped and betrayed me.
His stare lingered, lips twitching like he was holding back a smile, but he offered me nothing—not even a sound.
""Did you not hear me?" I pressed, forcing my voice to stay even. "I asked where Cassie is." This time, I tried to sound more controlled, less sharp than before.
His half-smirk deepened before he finally muttered, "No idea," and reached for the remote, flicking on the small TV perched on Cassie's dresser. I blinked at him, confusion prickling—if he didn't even know where she was, why was he here? Didn't he have his own room to haunt? I pressed my lips together, swallowing the sharp retort burning on my tongue.
" Alright, could you maybe… I don't know, step out so I can actually get dressed?" I blurted, tugging the towel tighter around me. If he'd noticed my half-naked state, he sure didn't act like it—either that, or he just didn't care.
"You're not my type," he said with a smirk and rolls over, his hands covering his face. His voice carried that sharp English accent I hadn't noticed before—probably because he never bothered to speak to me unless it was something rude. I didn't even know how to answer his latest remark, so instead I let out a frustrated sigh and turned toward my dresser. Maybe what he really meant was that he didn't even see me, or worse—that he found me plain. Shoving the thought aside, I slipped into fresh underwear, tugged on a pair of shorts, and threw an oversized T-shirt over my head.
Finished yet?" he drawled, his tone cutting through what little patience I had left.
"Is disrespect your default setting?"
"Seriously? You barge into my room while I'm changing and still manage to act like a jerk?" My voice came out louder than I meant, sharp enough to slice through the air. "I haven't done a thing to you, so what's your deal?" For the first time, his expression flickered—caught off guard. Good. At least my words had landed where I wanted.
He just stared at me, silent, and for a second I thought maybe he was about to apologize. Instead, he broke into laughter. Not just a chuckle—a full, deep laugh that filled the room, rich enough to almost sound… nice. It might've been pleasant if it wasn't coming from the most infuriating boy I'd ever met. Dimples carved into his cheeks as he kept laughing, and I stood there feeling ridiculous, caught between anger and embarrassment. I hated conflict, and picking a fight with him seemed like the worst idea imaginable. Before I could react, the door swung open and Cassie walked in.
"Apologies, darlings, but I'm suffering the hangover of the century," she announced, glancing quickly from him to me.
""Sorry, Aria—I totally spaced on warning you that Zephyr might show up," she admitted, shrugging as her gaze darted between us and the tension hanging in the room.
I'd like to think Cassie and I could get along, maybe even be friends. But with her taste in friends? Yeah, I'm not betting on it.
"Wow, your boyfriend's kind of rude," I blurted before I could catch myself.
Laughter erupted between them, and heat rushed to my face. Was I really that funny, or just that pathetic?
"Please, Zephyr is definitely not my boyfriend," she laughed, dragging out the word like it was the funniest idea she'd ever heard.
"Cassie whipped around, glaring at him. "Seriously, what did you say to her?" She faced me again, her voice softening. "Zephyr doesn't exactly talk like everyone else." Which was just a polite way of saying he was a jerk. Without a word, he leaned back, pressed a button on the remote, and changed the channel as if the whole scene bored him.
"There's a party tonight, Aria—you have to come with us," she insisted, eyes gleaming with mischief. I let out a sharp laugh, the sound more disbelief than humor. Did she really think I belonged at one of her parties?
"Parties aren't exactly my scene. Besides, I still need to grab a few things for my side of the room," I said flatly. My gaze flicked toward Zephyr—unsurprisingly, he sat there like a statue, eyes glued to the screen, pretending we didn't even exist.
" Oh, come on—it's just one party!" she pleaded, her voice rising with excitement. "You're in college now, live a little. One night won't kill you. Besides…" Her brow arched as she leaned closer. "How exactly are you planning to get to the store? Last I checked, you don't even have a car."
I'm not going to some party," I protested. "I don't even know anyone here. Plus, I already promised Jenna we'd video call tonight." My words barely left my mouth before Zephyr's low laugh cut through the room, proof he'd been listening all along. I ignored him and added, "And I was just going to take the bus to the store."
"Trust me, you do not want to mess with the bus on a Saturday—it's a nightmare," she insisted. "Zephyr can give you a ride on his way home… right, Zeph?" She didn't wait for his answer, turning back to me with a grin. "And as for the party, you'll know me. That's all you need. Just say yes… please?" She clasped her hands together like she was begging for her life.
I'd barely known her twenty-four hours—was that really enough to trust her? Beneath the bold exterior, there was a softness to her I couldn't ignore. Still… a party? That was a whole different story.
"I'm not sure… and no, I don't need Zephyr giving me a ride," I said firmly. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught him sprawled across Cassie's bed, that infuriatingly amused look plastered on his face.
"Tragic," he said flatly, lips curling into a smirk. "I was dying for some quality time with you." The sarcasm in his voice was so thick it made me itch to grab the nearest book and hurl it straight at his arrogant head.
"Be real, Cassie—she's not the type to show up at a party," he said with a laugh, his thick accent curling around every word. I hated to admit it, but a part of me was curious about where that accent came from. Still, the smug grin stretched across his face lit a fire in me—one that made me want to prove him dead wrong.
"You know what? I'll go," I said, plastering on my sweetest smile. Zephyr's low laugh rumbled in response, and before I could second-guess myself, Cassie let out an excited squeal and threw her arms around me in a crushing hug.
"Yes! This is going to be amazing!" she squealed, practically bouncing with excitement.
"God, I hope you're right."