Actually, I know why I'm here. I've been on high alert for a tiny blonde since I left the tower yesterday afternoon. I'm not sure when I will see her again, but I know I will. This campus isn't that big. I was on my way back to my dorm after my last class and decided I'd never find her if I hide away in my dorm, so I made a detour to the library. She seemed like the studious-type. I’ve spent a small amount of time here in the library over the past couple of years, so I pick a study room that is sure to see a lot of foot traffic. Plus, it has a great view of the courtyard. But as I settled in, I realize she probably did her studying in the tower.
I stay put, though. I'm not sure what I'm going to do when I see her again, but she intrigues me.
I've got my Beats on, listening to some old-school The Strokes when I hear a far-off banging. I glance around the tiny unit and see my roommate, Wells, knocking on the glass window-wall. I push my headphones off my ears and rest them on my shoulders; the music steams from them as Wells opens the door and leans against the frame.
There's a lazy smirk on his face. "I'm surprised the building didn't go up in flames the moment you stepped inside."
"Nah, that's only the Church of Perpetual Sorrows," I joke back. Things between us haven't been easy in a while, so I play along.
"Well, do us all a favor and keep your distance." His easy-going tone clearly isn't something I'm used to. Freshman year, we were paired up with two other guys in the dorm. Despite clicking and having a blast, things changed when he found out about my computer skills. By sophomore year, he wasn't shy about his disdain of my special skill set. Second semester, things went downhill when he took a job with on-campus security. He drew a line in the sand and said if he caught me doing anything illegal, he wouldn't hesitate to turn me in.
"Will do, Officer."
He straightens, and his causal stance is a ghost in the wind.
I play it cool, of course, but it fucking sucks to lose your best friend over something stupid. Truth was, the shit I was doing, it was all stupid. Petty stuff, but it wasn't hurting anyone.
Even though we steer clear of each other most of the time, we still continue to room together. When it was time to log our request for roommates, he asked and I said sure. Now, as upperclassmen, we are in The Lofts and share a two-bedroom suite.
Really, I didn't care to have a new roommate; I'm kind of a loner. Wells feels it's his civic duty to keep an eye on me or some shit. Whatever. Our situation could be better; it would be nice to be friends again, but what we've got going on works.
"So, you planning on coming to class tonight?" He's clearly got his panties in a twist now that I called him officer. I don't know why it pisses him off. I’ve been doing it since he became a student officer.
"What's it to you?" Humanities really isn't my cup of tea. I went the first week to check it out but didn't go back last week. Honestly, hadn't planned on going this week either.
Wells shakes his head and looks to the ceiling. "You know what, I don't even know."
"It's not like I'm going to get dinged for attendance. The Prof doesn't take it. And I can always get access to study notes, and well, other things." I smirk at him when his eyes narrow at my admission. I've got an old hook-up in the class, and we have an arrangement: she gives me copies of her notes, and I make sure her drunk social media posts are wiped before her parents see them.
The girl likes to party. Personally, I think she should embrace her crazy, but she's afraid Mommy and Daddy will cut her off. Wells doesn't need to know any of this. Let him think I hack into the school’s server for the notes and test answers.
Don't get me wrong, I will, and have if I needed to, but not for this class.
"I've wondered for a couple years now, how are you still here? Your attendance rating has got to be under fifty percent." He crosses his arms over his chest, acting like the tool he pretends to be.
Chuckles burst out of my mouth. "You really want to know?"
Wells takes a deep, calming breath. I can't help but be entertained at his annoyance.
Changing tactics, Wells walks into the room and leans his back against the glass. "How's your uncle?"
I know how to push his buttons, but I give the dude some credit, he knows how to push mine as well. I have more control over my emotions than he does, so I keep the smile plastered on my face.
"Uncle is good." It's all I offer.
"Still grumpy about your choice of extra-curriculars?" He's referring to the fact that on occasion I've been on the top of the Dean's shit list, and therefore, my uncle's.
My parents died when I was a toddler. It sucked. I spent a few years in the system before my dad's long-lost older brother decided to do me a solid and take me in. By take me in, I mean, he sent me off to boarding school. Since I've been in his care, eleven or so years now, I've only spent about a year's worth of time with the old ass.
He's a self-made millionaire, some high-powered real estate mogul living the ultimate bachelor life. He didn't want his lifestyle cramped by some bratty nephew he didn't want.
Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful he pulled me from the system. However, my multi-millionaire guardian does not provide everything I want and need. He gives me just enough to get by. I never had nice, new things like my rich-as-fuck classmates, and I never seemed to fit in with the students at the expensive boarding schools I attended.
But I adapted. It's what I do.
If I'd been left in the system, I wouldn't have gotten the education I did. While I didn't love living away at school, I did relish in the fact that I stayed in one place year after year. I experienced teachers who cared more for their students than my uncle ever did for me. I hadn't planned on going to college, since I didn't want to pay for it, but I was surprised when he requested I go to his alma mater. One hundred percent paid for, plus a tiny expense account for school-related expenses. I thought, why the hell not?
I'm living a pretty damn easy life. I do what I want. I hack into shit for fun. I do just enough school work to keep my grades passable. As long as I keep up my grades or don't get caught hacking, I don't hear from my uncle.
But, over the past couple of years, I've been stupid, and I've gotten caught. Petty shit, mostly, but I've had to answer to my uncle. I learn from my mistakes. I get smarter.
I chuckle at Wells's question. My uncle’s stance on my hacking hobby remains the same. "He's always been grumpy and will die grumpy."
"True that." He laughs, and for the first time this year, I think we are actually enjoying each other's company. The moment ends, and he pushes off the wall. "Alright, well, see ya around, Ryker."
He gets a few feet out of the room when I call him back. He doesn't seem perturbed when he turns and walks back in. He steps up to the table, coming further into the room than before.
"Hey, there's this new student. Transfer. Tiny. Blonde. Lots of hair." I lift my hands and stretch my arms out to the side of my head, then drop them to the side. "Like long. Very long hair."
His eyes narrow. "Why?"
"I just met her. I haven’t seen her before. Call me curious."
"I know her." Is all he offers.