BZZT! BZZT!

Nichole finally finished her chores and began to start on her physics homework when her phone started vibrating. She noticed Sangre's face on the screen, so she ignored the first couple of calls.

She didn't want Deivian to wake up, so she finally answered the phone, “Hello?”

“It's Sangre. Meet me downstairs.”

“I can't right now. I have to study.”

“But it's important.”

He begged for a few times before she finally put a stop to it, “I will talk to you tomorrow.”

She hung up the phone and glanced over to Deivian to see if he had woken up.

I feel bad for blowing him off, but having him chat about a relationship wasn't something I cared for right now.

The words on the computer screen began to blur as her head bobbed up and down.

“You can just do that tomorrow.”

She heard a faint whisper as she began to doze off. “Did I wake you?” she yawned as she looked over at him sitting up in bed.

“No, I'm just hungry.”

She looked around the room and tried to find her stash of snacks, “I think I brought some snacks with me.”

He stood up and stretched. She watched mesmerized as his muscular body flexed with every movement. It was such a beautiful sight to her.

“Really?”

“I.— I guess not.”

He laughed as he stumbled to the bathroom.

“Are you okay?” she stood up with her arms out waiting for him to fall over.

“I'm good,” he replied as he shut the bathroom door.

“If you want, I can go get something for you to eat?” she shouted from the other side of the door.

“Sure.”

She looked around for her wallet, Okay... I think I have some extra change.

She made her way to the first floor where the snack machines were. It was a small area across from the office. The school was quiet and barely lit. It was like the setting of a teen slasher film. She looked around as she quickly put change into the machine.

Clink… Clink... BUZZT!

The machine locked up as the snacks remained stuck in the latch.

“What?! This cannot be happening!” she banged on the side of the machine as it buzzed.

Her efforts were in vain as the machine didn't budge. She was too small to make a difference with her petite frame.

“Stupid machine, that was all the change I had left.”

“Need help?” a voice spoke from behind me.

She jumped up against the machine as she turned to see Deivian standing behind her, “Geez! Why do you keep sneaking up on me?”

“I didn't. You just didn't hear me,” he looked behind her at the machines, “What are you doing?”

She pointed at the stuck bag of chips, “I was getting a snack.”

“These machines don't work,” he laughed at her as he leaned up against the side of the machine.

“Figures. It took the last of my money.”

She didn't have time to take back what she just said after the realization that she let him know how broke she was. How freaking embarrassing! I wish I could just disappear for a few minutes!

“Seriously?” he laughed at her embarrassment.

She turned and flashed him an angry look as she could do nothing but pout, “You don't have to say it like that.”

A few moments of silence passed before either of them spoke. “Hey—,” she paused when she noticed that he was holding up a fifty-dollar bill between his pointer and middle finger.

“What is that for?”

Geez! Not only did he laugh at me, but he is offering me money?!

“For you,” he smiled.

She raised her hands in rejection, “No! I-I can't take that!”

He stared at her for a moment then flashed a sly grin. Reaching down, he grabbed her pants pocket as he slid the bill inside.

He's so close! She started getting hot all over as he pulled her closer to his body. What am I supposed to do?!

He leaned towards her as his lips lightly brush passed hers and whispered in her ear, “We're roomies, right?”

She just stood there in silence as he backed away from her. She could feel the heat in her cheeks as she watched him turn around. He waved his hand in the air as he walked back toward the elevator, “Roommates help each other.”

She watched him disappear into the elevator as she pulled the bill out of her pocket, “I guess.”

                                                                ******

It was midnight before she could get back to the dorm. She had left campus to buy some bento boxes from the 24-hour shop a few blocks away.

“Nichole?” a voice called out to her as she struggled to unlock the room door. Sangre ran up to her as she walked into her room not responding to his call.

“What's going on?” he asked catching the door before it shut completely.

“What are you talking about?” she replied putting the bags of food onto a table that stood beside the door.

“You hung up on me earlier,” he frowned as he closed the door and sat down on the bed.

“Oh,” she played dumb as she started pulling the food from the bags.

“I want to ask you something important,” he took a deep breath before continuing.

“That's Deivian's bed,” she acknowledged as she sat down on my bed.

“That's who you are sharing a room with?!” he nearly choked on his words.

“Um... What did you want to talk about?” she blatantly tried to ignore the question as she quickly stuffed an egg salad sandwich in her mouth.

“Don't ignore the question, Nichole!” he groaned at her as he got up and sat down on the desk chair near her bed.

“What did you want to ask me?” she avoided the question again as he peered at her still awaiting her response.

“I don't think it is a good idea to stay in a room with a guy.”

She sighed as she turned to face him. It would've been dumb to try and convince him otherwise, so she sucked it up and finally confirmed his suspicion.

“It's not that I don't trust you, but—it's just—not right. Especially, if it's him.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“Well, he is a very popular playboy,” he declared.

“Nonsense, he has a girlfriend.”

“Nichole...” he grabbed her hand. “Just please move into the girls' dorm.”

“I can't,” she put the food down on the ground, “It's full.”

“What if I ask my roommate to switch with you?” he begged.

“Seriously, Sangre,” she declared, “I am fine. He hasn't tried anything, and he has been really nice to me.”

“Listen, Nichole. I know you don't have much experience with guys but trust me on this. He's a guy and guys act nice to get what they want,” he looked at the ground, “I mean it's not that I don't trust you, it's just—”

“So, are you just being nice to me to get what you want?” she glared at him, “Whatever it is that you want.”

“Ahem! Like I was saying… I just want you to be safe, and if you are going to share a room with a guy, I want it to be at least with me.”

She turned and looked at him. Rolling her eyes at his suggestive smile, she let out a frustrated sigh.

“We can see each other any time you want,” she quickly replied.

The door opened slowly as Deivian walked in. Sangre stood up and headed out of the room.

“Where have you been?” she asked as she followed Sangre to the door, “Are you okay?”

“With Tish,” Deivian uttered as he laid down on the bed.

“I will see you tomorrow,” she told Sangre as she gave him a kiss on the cheek good-bye.

“Think about what I said,” he reminded her as he closed the door behind him.

“Your boyfriend told you to move out?” Deivian asked as she walked past him.

“You jealous?” she flashed him a smile as she sat down on her bed.

Laughing, he sat up, “You wish. He isn't even competition.”

“I wouldn't say that. He is very sweet, and girls li—“ she was cut off by him suddenly being face to face with her.

“Uh,” she leaned back, “I-Is something wrong?”

“Do you think he can really compete with me on that level?” he grinned.

“W-well—I mean—” her mind raced as she tried to come up with a good comeback.

He whispered in her ear, “Well, do you?”

She sat there frozen in place without saying a word.

Man, she's beautiful! He thought as he reached his hand up to touch her but stopped.

“We should get to bed. It's late,” he backed away.

“R-right,” she watched him confused.

They both climbed into their beds without speaking another word to each other.