Page 5 of Only When We Fall
“I’m studying art,” Zara announces, turning to me as if to prompt me to go next.
I give an awkward smile. “Erm, English Lit.”
Landon grins, “Me too.”
My eyes widen in surprise. He isn’t your typical English Lit kind of student. For a start, he’s hot. Like seriously, drop-dead gorgeous with the bluest eyes and cutest dimples. Zara nudges me with a small giggle, and I realise I’ve been staring. “Good. Great. Fantastic,” I mutter, trailing off and wincing at my awkwardness. He smiles too, his eyes lingering a little too long on me.
“And I’m here for football,” says Noah, causing Zara to groan. “Sports science.”
“Then we should definitely establish some rules.” She takes a drink before continuing. “I love a party as much as the next girl, but I also take my studies seriously and I’m not here to get into thirty-grands worth of debt, for late night parties every night, to fuck it all up.” I nod in agreement. “I propose a limit on weekend parties at the flat.” The boys exchange a look. “Friday or Saturday night, but not both.” We all agree, and she moves on. “No flatmate relationships.”
My head whips around in surprise, and she laughs again. “It will get messy and lead to arguments and side taking. No one’s got time for that shit. We have to live together for a full year. Let’s not get it messy.”
She’s right. I can’t imagine having to suffer any more heartache and be forced to live with the offender for the rest of the year, even if these two are hot as hell. “She’s right,” I mutter.
“Pity,” Landon murmurs, side-eyeing me in a way that sends butterflies to the right parts.
“Strictly friends. Got it,” says Noah with a nod.
“I take it you ladies are single then?” Landon asks.
I nod, and Zara shrugs before adding, “I kind of broke things off before I came here, but he’s taking some time to get used to the idea.”
“I’m single,” Noah announces loudly enough for a nearby table of girls to hear. They glance over, smiling at his declaration.
“Me too,” adds Landon.
“Great, so we’re all in the same boat,” Zara says, “Single and ready for Uni life. I can’t wait.”
“Aren’t you gonna draw up a rota or something?” asks Landon, his voice teasing.
“Actually, I’ve done it,” she replies, and we all groan. “I added you all to a chat and I’ve posted it there.”
I laugh. I think I’m going to love living with these guys.
Zara claps her hands together. “Now that’s sorted, let’s make a proper flat pact. Like, a memory. First-week tradition or something.”
“Oh God,” Noah mutters. “This sounds dangerous.”
“Not dangerous,” she insists, grinning wickedly. “Just . . . symbolic.”
“Like what?” I ask.
She thinks for a second, then points toward the SU bar’s ancient jukebox. “One song. Each of us picks one. We have to dance to it when it comes on, wherever we are, whatever we’re doing.”
Noah laughs. “So, if I’m halfway through a lecture, and it just so happens to come on, I’ve gotta bust out the Macarena?”
“Exactly,” Zara says proudly.
“I’m in,” Landon says, eyes on me again. “Only if you are.”
His smile makes my stomach flip, but I pretend I don’t notice. “Fine. But I’m picking the most embarrassing one I can find.”
“Deal,” he says, clinking his glass against mine.
One by one, we pick our songs and add them to the queue. When Zara’s comes on, a classic disco track, we all groan butend up dancing like idiots in the corner of the empty bar. A few students cheer us on.
Later that night, as we walk back to the flat, Landon falls into step beside me. “You’re not what I expected,” he says softly.
