It was almost two in the morning when I decided to leave. The house was almost empty except for the few drunkards who were crashing here.

Thinking back, I can't believe what all transpired in the last few hours.

I saw an insanely hot guy, that guy turned to be my roommate's brother, then I tried to ignore the spark between us, and then I flirted with him.

Well done with the ignoring bit Iris.

Fucking idiot.

Looking around the house, I was trying to locate Dani and Riley. As far as I know, Riley won't be coming to the dorm, she'll probably sleep here and I haven't seen Dani ever since I walked away from Ethan.

Finally, I find Noah wandering around in the kitchen, looking like he was trying to find someone. Taking my chances of that person being me, I made my way over and tapped his shoulder when he was within arm's reach. Turning around, I saw relief wash over his face almost instantly.

"Where have you been? I looked around everywhere for you!" He asked in a breath.

"Chill. I got caught up with some girls from the dorm." I inform.

"Okay, but you could have told someone where you were going."

"I am not a four-year-old Noah and anyway, aren't you supposed to be with Riley?"

"She dozed off a long time ago. The door's locked." Noah reassured.

She wouldn't need to come out of that room soon, and a locked door is anyway safer.

"Where's Dani?" I asked, looking around him as if she's going to suddenly pop out.

"She's with Mason in his room."

"Are they...?" I asked quirking up an eyebrow with a slight smirk on my face.

"Nope, she got fed up with the loud music. They were just talking when I left. She was about to come with me to look for you, but I told her I would find you and bring you to her. So, let's go."

"You guys are acting like I'm a child who got lost. Could have simply called me." I say rolling my eyes. Dani and her protectiveness.

"Your phone is with Dani and if you haven't noticed it yet, then you probably are a child," Noah said with amusement lacing his voice, and pointedly clutched my hand.

Somehow I had completely ignored the stairs that he was directing me towards.

"How many people live here exactly?" I asked, looking around at the number of doors.

"Eight," Noah said nonchalantly.

"Some guys used to live here, but then they shifted to separate apartments and stuff." He continued.

"You scared them off?" I mused.

"Something like that." He chuckled, shaking his head, and knocked on one of the many doors before pushing it open.

"I hope you are decent." He announced.

"You gotta say that before you walk in." Dani rolled her eyes, sitting on Mason's bed with her heels off.

"Insignificant details." Noah said, smirking to which Mason simply shook his head.

"Ready to go?" I asked Dani once our eyes met, motioning towards the door.

"Yeah, let's go." She said standing and started wearing her heels again with a groan.

"These sucks!" She mumbled.

"They do." I sympathized with her.

Everyone's here, well, Riley is practically dead but where's-

"Where's Ethan?" Mason said, taking the words right out of my mouth.

I looked at him to find him already looking at me expectantly. I turned to Noah, but he was also looking at me as if I had Ethan's coordinates.

"Why are you guys looking at me like that?" I asked.

"Because Ethan also left right after you, so we thought you might have been together." Mason explained.

"No, we didn't meet once I left." It was true, I haven't seen Ethan ever since. I got caught in one conversation the girls were having and let me tell you, they can talk for days about which lipstick company is better.

"Where is Ethan then?" Mason asked, confused.

"I don't know. Don't worry, I am sure he'll find us or something." Noah shrugged.

I wasn't really worried, more curious. Ethan didn't appear to be a person who would get lost in his own house. That would be quite dumb, to be honest.

"Shall we go?" Dani asked, dusting her hands.

"Yeah, let's go."

"Wait, what about Riley?" I paused as soon as we stepped out of the room.

"Ouch Iris."

"I am sorry," I said, looking at her apologetically.

"It's okay." Dani said, rubbing her scrunched nose. She didn't expect me to stop, so she bumped right into my back.

"I'll drop Riley tomorrow. I don't think she can really walk right now." Noah said chuckling.

"Okay cool."

As we continued on our way out, I was constantly looking around to catch a glimpse of Ethan. Not that I wanted to see him or anything, I am just curious.

"I'll walk you guys." Mason offered.

"Yeah, that's a good idea. It's way past midnight. I'll stay with Riley." Noah nodded and went inside once we bid our goodbyes.

I could hear Mason and Dani talk in a hushed voice as we walked on the sidewalk, and though I completely ship it, I refuse to be the third wheel. That's why I slowed down and walked behind them, maintaining a respectful distance to not eavesdrop.

"Iris!" I suddenly heard a very familiar voice say and turned out instantly.

We were just a few steps away from the house, that's why I could clearly see his face when I turned around.

Ethan.

Mason and Dani had also stopped walking because I couldn't hear the click of Dani's heels anymore.

"Where are you going? Oh!" He said walking towards me but halted in his steps when he noticed Mason and Dani.

"I thought you were going alone." He said sheepishly.

"No, they aren't alone, I was walking them to the dorm." Mason nodded in the "I got it, bro," way.

"I'll come as well..."

"Ethan." A gentle voice interrupted him.

Look around Ethan, an exquisite brunette came into my view. She looked so beautiful in a silk-fitted purple dress. It complimented her in the best way possible with her dirty blonde hair tied in a low bun, keeping her hair out of her face.

"Oh..." She trailed off awkwardly when she noticed all of us standing in front of Ethan.

"Brooke?" Mason questioned.

"Yeah. Hi Mason." She smiled gently.

"Hi. What are you... Oh." Mason said, realizing something.

Too many ohs going around here for me to keep up.

"Oh..." I couldn't help but mumble when I thought of all the possibilities of who she could be.

What if she's her girlfriend? Oh, my god! Please tell me I did not flirt with a taken guy. Oh shit.

"Hi." She said looking at me and Dani.

"Hey." We replied.

"I am sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt, I just... Ethan?" She looked at him when she couldn't explain her situation.

"Yeah, I'll see you in a few minutes, Brooke. I just have to walk them off." Ethan said, not looking anywhere in particular.

"Okay..." She nodded in understanding and started making her way inside the house.

"Oh, it's actually fine. Mason will walk us. We'll be fine." I didn't want him to drop his plans for us.

"Yeah Ethan, we got it." Mason said nodding with amusement dancing in his eyes.

Mason looked like he wanted to roll in laughter, whereas Ethan looked like he wanted to kill Mason.

"Okay. See you later." Ethan said begrudgingly.

That's really presumptuous of you, mister.

I would have said it out loud if he didn't have a girlfriend because my intentions behind those words were more flirty than friendly.

No hard feeling, though. It was my mistake to assume his status.

"Yeah, I guess." I nodded and turned around to motion Dani to walk.

"Bye Ethan, Bye Brooke. See you around." Dani, ever the polite one, said.

"See you around." I heard Brooke reply.

With that, we walked ahead, and though it tempted me; I didn't look back.

By the time we reached home, Dani and I were exhausted so, we quickly changed and did our skincare in silence before calling it a night.

I expected to feel worse in the morning, but other than a small headache and a heart full of guilt, I was absolutely fine.

"I feel like death." Dani mumbled as I gave her the aspirin and a glass of water.

"You look like death too. Surprisingly, I feel fine. Just a little headache." I said taking my aspirin.

"You were smart to cut off your alcohol after twelve." She mumbled.

"I have said it before and I'll say it again, I am the smart one." I smirked at her.

"Of course. You get the boasting rights for today." She grumbled.

"Thank you. Okay, so I am going to go walk around the campus, maybe grab a coffee. Do you wanna come?" I already knew her answer, but I asked anyway, praying to all the gods listening she would say yes so that I don't have to go alone.

"Hell no!"

"Okay..." I chuckled at her horrified expression.

"I'll get you breakfast." I offered.

"You are the best."

"Riley must be dying. She drank the most last night." Dani shivered.

Speaking of last night, I have mixed feelings about it. On one side, I had so much fun; I met so many amazing people, but I also hit on a fucking taken man and that was not on my to-do list for the night.

"Yeah. Do you think I should check up on her?" I ask Dani, not knowing if it was okay to disturb the whole basketball house.

"As a good roommate, you should. But I don't think she would have woken up by now. I'll call Mason and check." Dani nodded to herself.

"Sounds good... Hold up! You have his phone number?" I said smiling widely at her.

Maybe the ship is sailing.

"Yeah, we kinda hit it off last night. He offered to exchange numbers, I didn't see any problem with that so I agreed." She told me, smiling gently as if remembering last night. She picked up her phone to call Mason but instantly squinted at the screen.

"Why the fuck is it so bright?"

"You are just hungover."

I left her room to give them some privacy. I should probably wear something decent before stepping out.

"She is still sleeping, as I predicted. She woke up an hour earlier, took an aspirin, and went back to sleep." Dani informed me, stepping into my room.

"Okay. So, I don't have to check up on her?" I asked, confirming.

"No, the boys will drop her off, once she wakes up." Dani said and fell face-first on my bed with a loud groan.

"Okay, cool. You go shower! You'll feel better. I'll bring you something to eat. Riley will be back by then, probably. We'll go shopping after that." I summarised. We have to go decor shopping today, but looking at Dani and hearing about Riley, I am not so sure anymore.

"Yeah. I am trying."

"Try harder!" I said walking out of my room and then out of the dorm.

I wanted to walk around the campus before the actual classes started; I didn't want to look like a directionless fool on the first day. Also, I am someone who doesn't work well with anything new. New people, fresh places, anything. I am kind of introvert until I get to know the person a little more. So, I think having a feel of the place might make me more comfortable tomorrow when the actual classes start.

The sun was shining perfectly for a Sunday and there were so many people walking around, just enjoying their day. I love being a part of the crowd; it made me appreciate life a little more. The number of stories, tragedies, happy moments walking past you, without even you noticing them is surreal.

Not far away from the dorm, I noticed a small and cozy-looking on-campus cafe. I walked inside and as I predicted; the cafe was really cute and cozy. It had glass windows on both the walls, leaving the center of the cafe empty as they lined the seats along the walls, making it look spacious. Walking ahead, I joined the endless queue to order.

I was wondering what to order along with coffee so that I don't waste my time when I actually have to order; I hate such people, that's when I feel someone tap my shoulder. Turning around, I saw the last person I expected and wanted to see.

"Ethan." The surprise was very obvious in my voice.

⤎❁⤏

Hey guys! I hope you are doing well. Here is the new chapter. Tell me what you thought about it in the comment section and don't forget to vote if you liked it.

Also, let me know who is your favorite character till now?