Hey there Roomie!

'Nobody pinch me'

*Eli's P.O.V*

I just finished setting up for our date and I drive back to the hostel at quarter past 7. I hide the evidence of our date destination in the trunk of the car and bring out my formal jacket that I planned on wearing tonight from the back seat before locking up and heading towards our dorm door.

I open the door and the smell of her shampoo wafts into the room, making me feel warm inside. I smile, half expecting her to be dressed and ready.

I go to get myself some water from the refrigerator when I hear Ari talking to someone on the phone. Paying no attention to it, I sip my water and leave the empty glass on the counter before heading to the room. I had to shower soon if we wanted to make it there on time.

"Shit I gotta go! I'll miss you too! Love you too. Bye Anty."

I freeze in my tracks, halfway across the entrance of our room. I see Ari, in her bathrobe, hang up and look at herself in the mirror and that's when she sees me too.

Was I wrong about us the entire time? Were they in love with each other all along?

'Love you.'

The words I'd yearned to hear from Ari's mouth slipped so easily past her soft lips. And they weren't addressed to me. I clench my fists in seething anger, trying hard not to let it show to Ari.

He won again. Once again, he took something I wanted away from me. Did he even care about her? Or was this just a game to him?

I guess she only sees me as a friend after all. She didn't agree to this date because she had feelings for me too. She saw me as a friend. A friend she pitied and couldn't say no to.

"Get ready. We'll leave in 40 minutes" I say, and storm into the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind me.

If we were never going to be together, if Ari was never going to be mine, then I just have to live with it and hope she's happy.

I take a quick, scalding shower to ease the anger away and step out with my towel wrapped around my waist. I pause before opening the door, taking a few deep breaths to calm myself down.

I walk out and her scent creeps back into my heart. It physically hurts every time my mind wanders to her phone call.

Fucking Anty. That asshole is going to hear from me.

The entire time that I was trying to get him to not mention his plans at his house to her, he could have just told me. He let me make a fool of myself in front of everyone. Did they know too? Why was Tasha talking me into confessing my feelings to Ari if she already loved someone else. Wouldn't Ari have told them about her feelings? Maybe I should talk to Tasha tomorrow.

I feel a light jab against my back and I turn to see Ari standing behind me, her eyes trained on my bare chest as I stand in front of my closet in a daze.

I lower my eyes to see her wearing this ridiculously sexy strapless dress. A deep green that makes her look so sultry with her creamy soft skin that smells like vanilla milkshakes.

My eyes wander to her bare shoulders, her prominent collar bones, and my fingers twitches, yearning to trace my fingers along every contour of her body. My eyes trail down and I feel myself stiffen before I quickly look back up at her sweet soft face. It takes all the strength I have to hold myself back from sweeping her up and kissing every inch of her.

I had to keep reminding myself that she wouldn't be mine. No matter how much I hoped for it.

She was still looking up at me, her breathing shallow. She clears her throat and looks away from my eyes.