| LEXI MICHAELSON |

I groggily opened my eyes, the soft rumble beneath me making my head rise and fall. It felt like I was resting against something warm and solid, and for a moment, I couldn't quite make sense of it. As my vision cleared, I noticed a waistband—someone's boxers. My eyes snapped open fully, and I jerked my head up in alarm, but the sudden movement sent a sharp crack through my neck.

"Oww!" I groaned, rubbing the painful spot on my neck. "My neck!"

I turned to my right, meeting Blake's amused grin, his eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief.

"What? It's not funny! My neck just snapped!" I scowled, sitting up with a wince.

But as I moved, I lost my balance and toppled backward onto the bed with a thud. Great, now my back hurt too.

Blake's laughter erupted, loud and carefree, filling the room. It was refreshing, in a way, because there was something undeniably sexy about the sound of him laughing so freely. But at the same time, it grated on me a little, considering how sore I felt—and it was too early for this.

"Oh my god!" Blake wheezed between fits of laughter. "Are you alright?"

"No shit!" I huffed, sitting up slowly, trying to crack some of the tension out of my neck and back. "I thought I was gonna get a concussion."

"Let me help you," Blake said, and as he stood, I caught a glimpse of him—bare-chested, just in his boxers. The sight was enough to make my heart skip a beat, and I found myself staring a little too long before quickly looking away.

"I'm fine," I muttered, grumbling like an old man. "I don't need your help."

He raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. "Really?"

"Yeah," I said, rolling my eyes as I pushed myself up.

Blake chuckled again, walking over toward me with that look in his eyes that made my heart race. "Let's see when you need my help, then."

"Never," I shot back, my voice firm, though my stomach fluttered at his proximity.

"You look hot in my clothes, by the way," he remarked, his gaze lingering on me for a moment longer than necessary. "Catchy." And then, with that same playful glint, he winked at me.

I felt my cheeks burn crimson. I wanted to scream You're sexy as hell! but I held back, keeping my thoughts to myself.

***

| BLAKE ADAMS |

Damn.

Watching her in my Arsenal football jersey was something else. She looked... fetching. Her legs, so smooth and perfect, made me want to run my hands along them. But I kept that thought to myself, only commenting on it like it was no big deal.

Because it wasn't. At least, I told myself it wasn't.

She'd made it clear last night that she didn't feel the same way about me. I wasn't about to push her, to beg her for something she wasn't ready to give.

I had no idea what had gotten into me the night before. I'd been determined to make Lexi jealous through Aria, but then, I just went for what my heart said. And now, as much as I tried to play it cool, I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd messed something up.

She left early this morning to go home, and while she wouldn't tell me how she was planning to get past her parents, I knew she had something figured out. "Let it go. I'll tell you when I'm ready," she said. That made me a little nervous, though. I hadn't met her parents yet, and I didn't know what to expect. How strict were they? How old-fashioned were they? The thought made me feel like a rebellious teenager, sneaking around behind their backs.

I shook my head, trying to clear the mess of thoughts, and headed for a cold shower. Watching her in my clothes... well, it did things to me.

When I finally got dressed—navy blue shirt, black jeans, hair styled just right, and a bit of cologne—I was ready. Ready to get out of my head. I needed to see Odin.

He was an interesting guy—innocent enough, but with that "I know everything" attitude. He liked to joke around, throw in the occasional dirty thought, but at the end of the day, he was a good guy. Even though I had class in a couple of hours, I needed to clear my mind. And who better to talk to than Odin?

But when I entered University, I was met with Vincent. "Hey! Bro!" Vincent cheered.

I fist bumped him and we greeted. "What's up? What are you doing here so early? It's barely ten." I said.

"Ah, I was hoping to meet Lexi. But I see, she's not here." He replied.

I felt a sense of annoyance wash over me.

"Why?" I asked.

"To ask her out for welcome party." He said excited. "You know? They arranged a welcome party for freshmen year but we are also invited."

"Really? After two fucking months! Lazy bastards." I commented and laughed along.

"Yeah. It's on Saturday by the way." He said.

I nodded and started to walk towards library, hoping to find Odin. "Have you seen Odin, Vincent?" I asked Vincent.

"Odin? Who the hell is Odin?" He laughed. "The name is so funny!"

"It's not his fault his parents named him Odin." I rolled my eyes.

"Is he something to you? No offence, but he sounds like a nerd and you don't seem to make some nerd a best friend." He said.

"Watch it, Vincent. He may be a nerd but I'm friends with him. What's so bad in that?" I walked inside the library and immediately that made Vincent shut up.

There on a couch, I saw him holding his head with a book in front of him, his glasses on the table. My eyebrows furrowed and I neared him. He seemed to notice me but didn't look up.

"I don't want to talk to anybody right now." His voice seemed like he had been crying.

"Odin, it's me." I reached for his shoulder and say down beside him, on a chair. "What has happened?"

"My father happened." He croaked out.

"What happened to your father?" I inquired. I looked up at Vincent who frowned visibly and shrugged at me.

"He died. Now shut up." I wanted to chuckle at his odd behaviour but I held it in.

What to do? How do you soothe a person whose father died?

"I- I'm sorry?" I said, rather questioning it. "I don't know how to soothe a person, really."

"It's fine." Odin chuckled lightly. "I was just grieving. Not dying that I'd need your fucking pities."

"Woah, so nerds do swear." Vincent spoke in a low voice. "Breaking stereotypes."

"Shut up, Vincent." I retorted at him. Then I looked at Odin. "Let's go eat something."

"Vincent, if you want to have babies in future, then you better shut up." I was damn shocked at Odin's non stuttering voice.

We all laughed and Vincent quickly covered his balls and we walked to the Kingston University cafeteria.

***

"Fake bimbos," Vincent commented after a couple of girls walked past us, sliding pieces of paper in our hands and touching our chests.

Seriously, these girls looked like they had put way too much effort into looking perfect. I don't know why they did it. I have my favorite girl with me, and I respect her, thank you very much.

Odin laughed as he choked on his Sprite. "They touched me too. I could practically feel the silicone."

"Not quite the nerd I met earlier, sweet Odin," Vincent teased.

"Oh, let it go! I'm not a nerd!" He defended himself while pushing his glasses up his nose, and I just watched, sipping on my coke.

"You are. With those big round glasses, black slacks, brown sweater, hair in a quiff, and those Nike shoes. What are you, Harry Styles?" Vincent joked.

"Now, who the hell is Harry Styles?" Odin asked.

"Don't even mention his name, my sister's obsessed with that guy," Vincent said.

I chuckled and intervened. "He's not that bad. I met him twice. He's actually pretty down-to-earth."

"Damn, don't start fangirling on me!" Vincent punched my arm lightly, and I laughed.

And that's what we did for the next two hours, but it all stopped when the bell rang, signaling that mine and Vincent's classes were about to start.

Which means, Lexi is here.

"Hey! Blake! Vincent!" I heard her voice.

***

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