Chapter 5
*Jiselle*
After an exhausting day of classes, I was just about ready to collapse when a sudden knock on the dorm door made me pause. Eva was in the bathroom, so with a sigh, I pulled myself together and went to open it.
The moment I did, I was met with a sight that made my breath hitch.
The guy standing in front of me was insanely handsome. He had light brown, tousled hair, piercing gray eyes, and a smirk that looked like it had charmed its way through life. His relaxed posture and confident stance made it clear that he was used to people liking him. His lips curved into a lazy grin, and I could tell immediately that he was the type of guy who could make a girl forget her own name just by looking at her.
“Hey there,” he said smoothly. “This Eva’s room?”
I blinked, shaking my head slightly. “Uh… yeah.”
Eva already had hot guys calling on her? Damn, I was jealous but also happy for her.
With Nate’s dismissal, I made up my mind between yesterday and this morning that I wouldn’t bother forcing him to be anything to me. But, I had stupidly applied and enrolled in this death college, so I still had to make it out alive.
Didn’t mean that once or twice, I didn’t want to actually feel alive. Eva was already checking that box, it seemed.
He studied me for a second before grinning wider. “You must be the famous roommate.”
I narrowed my eyes playfully. “Famous?”
“Eva mentioned you. Didn’t expect you to be this cute, though.”
I opened my mouth to reply–possibly to babble thanks through my blush–but before I could, Eva emerged from the bathroom, towel–drying her
hair.
“Really, Max?” she said flatly. “I’ve been here for five days, and you’re just now showing up?”
Max stepped past me into the room with an easy laugh, plopping himself onto Eva’s bed like he owned the place. “Third–year problems,” he said with a mock sigh.
A
Third year. Just like Nate. Somehow, that only made him seem hotter.
I watched as Eva rolled her eyes but didn’t seem truly annoyed.
“So you two were acquainted before the academy then?” I asked, picking up on some serious relaxed energy. If he hadn’t been to our room since she came, but he knew about me, maybe she’d been to his room? But it seemed like they knew each other.
“He’s my brother,” Eva announced, almost making me choke on my own spit.
Her what?
My eyes were the size of bulbs. I’m sure as Max, as she called him, threw his head back with laughter. I felt my cheeks heating as I recalled how I thought they were dating.
Ew, I thought they were sleeping together.
“Oh shut up. You and your horrendous laugh,” Eva threw over her shoulder real affection in her gaze.
Max must be one of the two older brothers at the academy.
at Max. Unlike the way she spoke about her other brothers, there was
I folded my lips to avoid laughing too. Now that I was really looking, I could see the resemblance, but not striking like me and Ethan. Then again, Ethan was my twin.
I found myself awkwardly lingering by the door, watching the easy sibling banter between them. Eva had made it clear she wasn’t a fan of most of her brothers, but she seemed to genuinely like Max. That alone made him intriguing.
I sat at our desk, watching them talk about Eva’s first week of classes, and her refusing to accept his help in Pack Landscaping- a course that had easily become our least favorite. It made me realize that I missed my own brother. First year schedules for men compared to females were much more hectic.
1/3
Chapter 5
Eva usually complained about the ‘sexist–ass school, but we took advantage of the free sessions by fighting and trying to figure out the impossible
course.
After what felt like forever, Max caught me watching them, and that teasing glint returned to his eyes.
“What about you, Jiselle, would you like to accept my help? I was top of my year in that course, you know? I’m very good at everything I do.” His voice dropped an octave at the way he said ‘everything, like he was no longer talking about school.
The way he spoke caused my cheeks to burn instantly again, as Eva attempted to slap him in the head with her pillow. But he quickly ducked with the precision of an expert without even glancing her way.
Okay, that was hot.
“You’re such a shameless flirt! Leave my only friend alone, please. She already has enough third–year problems to add you to the list.”
Max only seemed more intrigued. “Oh, there’s another guy? Makes it more fun.”
“There isn’t-“I huffed. “You know what, it doesn’t matter. I would love your help with Pack Landscaping if you promise not to be a shameless flirt.”
“No promises.” He winked. He freaking winked.
Before I could gather my thoughts, the door swung open again, but this time, the energy in the room shifted entirely.
A woman strutted in, exuding confidence and dominance.
She was breathtaking in an effortless, predatory way–tall, with rich golden skin and jet–black hair tied in a high ponytail. Her body was sculpted from years of training, lean yet powerful, and she carried herself like she owned every space she entered. Her piercing amber eyes swept the room before landing on me, her lips curling into something that wasn’t quite a smile.
I frowned. “Who are you?” I asked, folding my arms.
She tilted her head slightly, annoyance flickering across her features. “Emari,” she said smoothly. “And I was assigned this dorm.”
I felt my stomach drop.
Damn.
There goes my and Eva’s privacy and happiness that we didn’t have a third roommate.
Max let out a low whistle from where he was lounging. “Damn, I thought the academy had standards.”
Emari shot him a glare that could’ve melted steel, and it became obvious that even though she was a first–year like me, they knew each other.
“You want to try that again, Laker?” she hissed.
Max only smirked, unfazed as he got up and moved to the door. He turned to me and winked.
“Careful, Jiselle. She bites.
Someu:ing in my stomach fluttered at his wink, but I shoved it down immediately.
“Get out,” Emari snapped, and Max raised his hands in mock surrender as he left.
Eva and I shared a look as Emari mumbled and made her way to the empty bed, looking as if she would rather be anywhere else.
“Well?” she shrieked, her eyes blazing as she glared at us. “Aren’t you guys going to help me?” Eva snorted. “We are not your servants.” She grabbed a book, dismissing Emari.
Her sharp amber eyes flashed to me, as if daring me to say no too. The nerve of this bitch. I got up, moving towards her, and I saw the smug look on her face as if she thought I was about to jump to her command. But it instantly dropped when I smirked and walked right passed her.
There was something else in her eyes too as she watched me go. Anger.
And I knew, I just made an enemy with sonicone who slept feet away from me.
Just another day at this freaking academy.
