“So, this is your dorm room.” Micheal observes, his hands in his pockets. “It’s…small.”
Small being an understatement. The dresser and the bed seemingly makes the room look crowded. There’s no way all of my belongings are going to fit in here. There aren’t even any windows. I’m friggin claustrophobic. Where’s the ventilation? I can’t live in these conditions.
“You think you’ll have a roommate?” He queries, scratching the back of his head.
“Are you kidding me?” I exclaim, flailing my hands wildly. “This is barely a room!”
“It’s not that bad.” Micheal soothes, looking around. “I mean, you’re a small person Liz. How much more room could you possibly need?”
I send a glare his way. “Are you presuming to suggest that because I’m petite, I should be comfortable living in a petite-sized room?”
He shrugs indifferently. “Not really comfortable. Just to make useful of what you do have.”
“What I have?” I screech. “Take a look around, Micheal. I might as well be living in a closet! I can’t live here for four years!”
“So what are you going to do?”
“I don’t know.” I murmur miserably, sinking onto the bed. “I’m supposed to be moving in here tomorrow. When my parents see this they’re going to freak.”
He sits down on the bed beside to me. “What about Max?”
“I can only imagine what he’s going to say when he sees it.” I mutter, rubbing my head absentmindedly. “I don’t even feel like telling him about it.”
Micheal shakes his head. “That would be lying. Totally unacceptable in a relationship.”
I arch an eyebrow. “What?”
“I got chewed out last night for keeping secrets.” He explains. “Just thought I’d pass on the wisdom.”
“Oh.” I nod. “What’d you keep a secret about?”
“Don’t you have other things to worry about?” Micheal counters. “I’m surprised Maria hasn’t told you yet.”
“Well, you’re here, and so is she. Did you really think she’d divulge it in your presence?” I retort. “And besides, I’m in a bind. Don’t you want to cheer me up?”
Micheal rolls his eyes. “Some chick in my class slipped her phone number in one of my textbooks. I found it, was a bit surprised, and before you ask, no, I didn’t call her. I just dismissed it and left it right where it was. After all, it’s no big deal. Then Maria comes over, snooping through my things like usual, stumbles upon the number and goes off on a rampage. Apparently, it didn’t bode well with her. She went on and on about telling the truth and relationships. I had no choice but to shut up, listen and nod my head obediently. Hence, my advice to you. It would serve you well to take it.”
“I wouldn’t lie to Max.” I say in rebuttal. “He could tell when I am anyway. I’m not very good at it.”
“Well, leave that as it may.” He replies, standing up from the bed, his eyes drawn across the room. “I think I just saw a cockroach on the dresser.”
I jump up from the bed, shuddering in disgust. “I am definitely not staying here. Let’s find Maria and Alex and get the hell out of here.”
Micheal nods jerkily. “Yeah, I’m with you.”
Making our way out into the halls, we walk down a long corridor. Rounding the corner, we spot Maria and Alex, avidly conversing with someone.
That someone is Aaron Harding. I haven’t seen him for weeks now. I wonder what he’s been up to? Thank god Max isn’t here. He notices my arrival.
“Hey Liz.” He greets, an endearing smile on his lips. “How you doing?”
“Hey.” I return casually. “I’m good. And yourself?”
“Busy.” Aaron answers, sighing. “I’m the new R.A. this year. The prepping is a pain in the ass.”
“Not to mention all the access you’ll have to everything around the school.” Alex quips sarcastically. “Why are you complaining again?”
Aaron chuckles. “Remind me later.” He suddenly notices Micheal beside me. “Hey, I don’t believe we’ve met before.” He says politely, extending his hand. “I’m Aaron Harding.”
Micheal shakes his hand firmly. “Micheal Guerin.” He raises an eyebrow in curiosity. “You wouldn’t happen to be related to a Tess Harding, would you?”
He nods, grinning. “Yeah, she’s my sister. You know her?”
Micheal glances at me briefly, an apologetic frown on his face. “Yeah, she um, she used to date my best friend…Max Evans.”
Aaron smiles. “I know Max. Nice guy. It’s pretty weird we never crossed paths before, huh?”
“You can say that again.” Maria mutters discreetly, incessantly twirling the ends of her hair. “Did you find your dorm room?”
“Yep, if that’s what you want to call it.” I reply, pushing my hair behind my ears. “Just tell me where I can find the rest of it.”
“What do you mean?”
“The room is a box.” Micheal answers. “Literally.”
“You’re kidding?” She queries incredulously.
“I wish I was.” I sigh. “I don’t know what the hell I’m going to do.”
“They didn’t expect to receive such a large number of students this semester.” Aaron explains. “So all the good dorm rooms are either taken or already in use by previous students.”
“But something could be done, right?” Maria asks him. “I mean, they could fix this. She has to move in here tomorrow.”
“I don’t know.” He replies, seeming uncertain. “You could talk to one of the campus advisors. But it’s not a guarantee that anything can be done.”
Maria snorts, pulling her purse higher on her shoulder. “We’ll see about that.”
Micheal grabs her wrist, halting her exit. “Where are you going?”
“To talk to one of the campus advisors.” She says slowly. “I’m going to see what I can do.”
He releases her arm. “I’m coming with you.”
Maria rolls her eyes. “I do not need your assistance, Micheal. I am perfectly capable of talking to them on my own.”
“We’re trying to help her get a bigger dorm room.” He replies. “Not getting her kicked out all together.”
She narrows her eyes, scoffing. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Micheal begins walking away. “Just follow me.”
Watching their retreat, Alex frowns skeptically. “Do you really think they’ll get any answers?”
I shake my head. “Not particularly.”
“Want me to go with them?” He offers.
“Please.” I beg, turning hopeful eyes to him. “This is too important.”
“I’m on it.” Alex nods, jogging to catch up with them.
“Thanks.” I call out.
“Interesting group of friends you have.” Aaron comments, smirking. “They’re really entertaining.”
“They are.” I agree, chuckling. “But they’re good people. I love them.”
“I can see that.” He replies softly. “So, where’s Max?”
“Working.” I answer quietly, saying as little as possible. “I’m actually meeting up with him later.”
He nods. “How’s that going?”
I look up at him, a confused expression on my face. “How’s what going?”
“The relationship.” Aaron clarifies, his tone inquisitive.
“It’s going well.” I smile, thoughts of Max consuming me. “Really well. I couldn’t be happier.”
“You look it.” He replies, his gaze penetrating. “You look radiant.”
I lower my eyes in acute embarrassment, compliments never failing to make me blush, no matter who it‘s from. “Thank you.”
“It’s the truth.”
I nod uncomfortably, needing to change the topic. “So, what about you? Anyone special in your life?”
“Nope, no one.” He answers. “I guess, I’m not really looking.”
“Oh?”
Aaron continues, shrugging. “I kind of already have my eye on someone.”
I narrow my eyes, consciously aware of how close he suddenly is to me. What is he doing?
“It’s you, Liz.” He murmurs, his voice low. “I’m talking about you.”
I shake my head emphatically, taking a step back. “I-I, um, that’s um, it’s very flattering, but I’m--”
“With Max.” Aaron finishes, stepping in closer.
“Exactly.” I reply firmly. “I love him. I don’t want to be with--”
His lips descending on mine ends my retort. He grabs my face in his hands, holding my head still for his plundering kiss. I squirm in his grip, shoving him back forcefully.
“What the hell are you doing?” I yell, swiping a hand over my mouth. “Are you crazy?”
“I-I’m sorry.” He stutters, panting. “I-I don’t know what came over me. I wasn’t thinking.”
“The hell you weren’t.” I clip out angrily. “I have a boyfriend. You know that. You know him.”
“I know.” Aaron mumbles, grimacing slightly. “I just - I like you Liz. I like you a lot. I always ha--”
“I have to go.” I interrupt him abruptly, departing swiftly down the hall.
I can not believe what just happened. I can’t believe he just kissed me. How am I going to tell Max?
***
I haven’t kissed Max all night. I’ve evaded his every opportunity, turning my head when he’d make a move. I know he suspects that something’s wrong, but in fear of jeopardizing our evening, he hasn’t uttered a word about it - neither have I.
The truth is, I’m petrified. I don’t want to keep this from him, but it’s proving to be an impossible task for me to even get the words out. How do I tell him something like that? I don’t want to screw up our night anymore than he does, but the longer I keep quiet about what happened, the guiltier I feel.
Max stops the car in front of an unrecognizable apartment duplex, killing the engine before turning to face me. The street lights illuminates his face in the darkness, his golden eyes seeming to glow as they watch me intently.
“You haven’t said a word all through dinner.” Max begins, his voice soft. “What’s wrong?”
I lower my head, swallowing thickly. “Nothing. I-It’s nothing.”
“Liz, just tell me what it is.” He replies, his gaze unwavering. “Did something happen?”
“No.” I deny, blinking rapidly as my eyes begin to water. “Everything’s fine.”
“Then why won’t you let me kiss you?” Max queries. “Why are you being so distant?”
“I’m not being distant.” I say in rebuttal, getting unnecessarily defensive. “I just don’t feel like talking.”
“You don’t feel like talking?” He parrots incredulously, shaking his head in disbelief. “Look, I don’t know what it is you’re not telling me, but maybe after I confess a few things myself, like why we’re here for instance, you’ll be honest with me too.”
I narrow my eyes. “What are you talking about?”
Max sits back in his seat. “I got an acceptance letter.”
“So soon?” I query excitedly, my own problems momentarily forgotten. “From where?”
“York College.” He replies, noticing my immediate disappointment. “I know, I was hoping for NYU as well, but it’s not like I can’t transfer after the semester’s over. In fact, that’s what I plan on doing.”
I nod sullenly. “A whole semester, Max? We’ll barely see one another.”
“I know.” Max agrees, reaching for my hand across the gear shift. “But I already have a solution.”
I arch an eyebrow. “You do?”
He nods, squeezing my hand gently. “Come on. I’ll show you.”
Stepping out of the car, he directs me to the apartment duplex, my hand still encased in his.
It’s a lavish building. Not overtly luxurious, but fancy all the same. It’s quite gorgeous.
Taking an elevator to the second floor, we step out into a quiet hallway, dim lights adorning the ceiling.
“Okay…,” Max murmurs, stopping in front of an apartment marked 2E, handing me a key. “Open the door.”
“What?” I say in disbelief. “Why?”
Max steers my hand toward the doorknob. “Baby, please, just open it.”
Sticking the key into the lock, I twist it slowly, the door opening slightly. His hand on my lower back, he assists me into the darkened room.
“What are we doing here?” I whisper, searching for his eyes in the darkness. “Who lives here, Max?”
“We do.” He answers, flipping on a light.
“We what?” I query, my eyes widened in shock.
Max leads me to a stool, sitting me down gently. “I said we live here. If you want to.”
I open my mouth to respond, only to close it abruptly. He rushes to explain. “I leased this apartment about two weeks ago. No one knew about it. Well, except Micheal. He was with me when I purchased it. And your dad. I told him about it last night.”
I look at him in amazement. “You want to live together?”
He nods, his eyes hopeful. “I know we’ve only been together for nearly four months now, but you make me want all these things I never wanted before in my life. I want to be able to wake up every morning and go to sleep every night with you in my arms. I want to come home to you at night and cook you dinner when you’re tired. I want to see all of those little things you do - all the things that make you so special. I want you with me…in every way possible.”
I stand up from the stool, gazing into his eyes in wonderment. “I want all of that too.”
Max kisses me then - and I let him. His mouth is hungry, passionate. I reciprocate the same vigor, refusing to give him anything less.
“Are you sure?” He murmurs, my face cradled in his hands. “We’re going to do this?”
“I’m sure.” I smile, gripping his waist tightly. “I’ve never been more certain about anything in my life.”
Max grins, pulling me into another searing kiss. “I love you - so much.”
I rest my forehead on his, our gazes locking. “I love you too.”
Aaron was the furthest thing from my mind.
The End.
~~~~
Sequel anyone?
It's in the works!