Chapter Six

                            

I looked around anxiously once more, despite feeling a false sense of safety. i turned my attention back at the stranger when I noted that there was no evil shadows lurking around trying to kill me. I was safe.

 “Here it is,” he exclaimed.

 I walked closer to him, and watched his long finger tap a spot in the book. It took me awhile for me to note my name scribbled in messy handwriting across the the pages.

 “That’s my name,” I sad stupidly.

 He looked at me in amusement. “Of course, it’s your name. Come on, let’s take you to your room,” he said softly.

 I looked back at the door, as worry ate at me. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. Won’t the management get upset if I find my way to my room without completing any formalities. I don’t wish to take a risk,” I said calmly.

 Tyler snapped the book shut, and then walked towards my bag. A couple of seconds passed before he grabbed the bag off the ground. The man didn’t understand the meaning of no and I wasn’t sure which was more daunting.

 “Let’s go,” he said firmly.

 I nodded, but of course I stepped forward. My decision was made. I would let him assist me. We walked to the corner, and I was dangerously aware of how his muscles moved under his shirt as he carried the bag. I licked my lips slowly. 

 “I’m glad you don’t think I’m a villain that sprang out of nowhere,” he teased.

 I laughed softly. “I never thought that. It’s just that it’s my first time being here, and it makes me a bit anxious. Plus, your comment about restriction of movements got to me,” I explained.

 He took the stairs, and soon, we were going through it. There were various candles on the stairs. It was our only form of light as we navigated through the stairs.

 “I understand that.” He said simply.

 Within moments, we were at a room labelled 7A. This was my room. I couldn’t see the colour or anything, but it actually called out to me. 

 “We are here. I will take your leave now,” he said calmly.

 I smiled. “Thank-you.” I mumbled.

 I took the bag from him, and placed it by my side. I turned over to his direction, but I only stared at darkness. He had gone without even telling me anything. Wow! I didn’t even know his name. That was so crazy.

 I turned over to the door, and knocked twice. There was a few swear words, and I found myself hopping from foot to foot. The last thing I wanted was to annoy whoever was on the other-side of the door. I wasn’t good with my mates, and…

 The door sprang open, and I was pulled in without ceremony. I blinked a couple of times to be sure that this was actually happening. The light was a complete contrast ti the darkness out there, and I stared at the beauty in front of me, who looked like she just rolled out of sleep. She was carrying my bag.

 I moved quickly, taking it from her. “Thanks. I…”

 “You’re my new roommate, who doesn’t have a sense of time,” she blurted out.

 I shook my head. “I’m really sorry. My home is a bit far from here, and I…” 

 She started laughing at me like I had said something remotely funny. I stared at her.

 “Relax. I was just pulling your legs. Though, it’s not normal for anyone to move around by this time, but it’s not unheard of either. Now, I’m Bethany. What’s yours?” She asked softly.

 “Susan,” I said quietly.

 She laughed once more. “That’s so old-fashioned.” She blurted out.

 I shrugged in response. I had to bear it because my parents gave me that, but I didn’t tell her that. She kept talking, and even making me laugh at odd times, and soon, she informed me she slept down, that means I will take the top bunk. That was perfect.

 I felt more at ease, the more we spoke to each-other. My stay here wouldn’t be awful after-all.

      I wound my way out of that place, and towards my room. The girl I had helped to her room sat at the centre of my mind. I have no idea why I didn’t have the courage to ask her name. But, I will surely see her again. I had to.

 “Tyler, as usual you are a dutch. Where the fuck were you? We’ve been waiting for you for hours to complete this project. But, all you do is play around because this doesn’t mean anything to you, right?” Salvador, my twin brother screamed at me the moment I stepped into the room.

 I ignored him, and sat beside Paris who had a jotter pad on his thigh. It was too late to engage in squabbles with this dick head. I won’t give him the pleasure of grating on my nerves. 

 “I’m talking to you Tyler! Don’t even try to snub me! You’re nothing but a failure and an unserious bastard.” Sebastian screamed.

 I rose to my feet, as rage rose from the recess of me. “What did you call me?” I snapped angrily.

 “You didn’t go deaf overnight,” he snapped back.

 My fist connected with his lip, which should have cracked open, but did not. The gasps resounded from everyone in the room, and the shot to their stuffing to separate us before we got nasty. I didn’t want them to bother. 

 “Is that all you’ve got? You even hit like a girl, and you think you can compete with me on anything?” Salvador taunted me, relentlessly.

 I was about to give him a taste of his own medicine, when strong masculine hands pulled me back.

 “You guys should stop this. Ty, just tell him where you were and let’s go back to studying. We have a lot to cover,” Liam snapped with a grunt.

 I snapped at the ginger-head boy. “Nothing of that nature would happen. Salvador can’t keep bullying me,” I snapped.

 “I can’t bully a senseless dog like you,” he said coldly.