I sit on a barstool at the counter and grab a clean bowl, pouring cereal like I’ve done this a thousand times—which I have.I just want ten minutes to eat in peace before disappearing back into my room.
But of course, peace isn’t on the menu.
“Yo, Fox,” Blaze says, loud enough for everyone to hear, “why does your roommate look so pissed off all the time?”
I roll my eyes and shove a spoonful of cereal into my mouth, pretending I’m deaf.
“I don’t fucking know, Blaze,” Fox mutters, his voice flat.“Maybe that’s just his face.”
Charming.
“You’ve got a roomie?”the blonde girl asks, her voice high-pitched with curiosity.
“She just noticed now?”I think, but stay quiet.
Fox doesn’t respond right away, just exhales a puff of smoke and flicks ash into the tray on the table.
“That’s him?”she asks, twisting to get a better look at me.
I don’t look up, but I can feel her gaze on me—curious, calculating.Like I’m some weird exhibit she just found at the zoo.
She’s not the same girl from the other day.This one’s even blonder.And gigglier.Whatisit with him and blondes?
I shove another bite of cereal into my mouth and focus on chewing, trying to block them all out.
“Hey, Fox’s roommate!”Blaze calls out toward me, his voice teasing.
“Fucking leave him alone, man,” Fox snaps.
“I just want to introduce myself.He’s not bad.”Blaze’s voice gets closer, and I glance up to see him leaning against the kitchen doorframe, his arms crossed casually.
“Sup, man,” Blaze says with a grin.
I bite my lip nervously, not sure what to make of his friendliness.He’s tall, undeniably attractive, and his presence makes me more uncomfortable than I want to admit.My gaze shifts to the wall behind him.
“Hey,” I mumble, trying to sound casual.
“So, you’re Fox’s new roommate?”Blaze smirks.
“Yeah, I guess,” I reply, shrugging slightly.
“Nice to meet you.I’m Blaze,” he says, extending his hand.
“He doesn’t give a shit!”Fox calls from the living room, his voice dripping with sarcasm.I nearly roll my eyes.
“Shut up, dickhead.You’ve got to be nice for once in your life,” Blaze shoots back, rolling his eyes before turning his attention back to me.
I shake Blaze’s hand, surprised by his politeness.“Cameron,” I say, forcing a small smile.
Blaze seems… decent.At least more tolerable than Fox—not that it’s a high bar.Still, there’s something about him that feels a little more human.Maybe he’s just good at putting on a friendly face, or maybe he’s not a total jerk underneath the frat-boy exterior.Hard to tell after five minutes.
“You a freshman?”Blaze asks, leaning casually against the counter, arms crossed like we’re already friends.
“Yeah.What about you?”I ask, trying to sound polite, even though every part of me wants to retreat to the safety of my room and lock the door behind me.
“I’m a junior,” he replies with a nod.“Same as your roommate.”
Right.Of course, he is.
