The Secret

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

"Wanna' get food with us tonight?" Teddy asked poking his head into my room, "We're thinking Chinese."

I straightened and looked up at him, pushing away a stray piece of hair from my sweaty forehead. I noted how he said, 'us' and 'we', meaning Jace would be there too.

Jace had his own place to live, it was just him and his mum; but it was further outside of central London, meaning he often stayed in the spare room in the flat with Teddy making it easier to get to and from university.

I nodded, "Sounds good."

"We're going to order it soon, just let me know what you want."

"Sure." He walked away and I turned back to the box and bent back into the large cardboard box on the floor, pulling out some items.

A couple of hours later Teddy, Jace and I sat on the sofa with our Chinese. I had invited Leah, when she facetimed me earlier, but she was too busy moving into her own place in student accommodation to come.

"Are you going out for freshers this week?" Teddy asked me, taking a mouthful of his food from the container.

I shook my head, finishing my own mouthful, "Leah mentioned a few things, but we don't have plans."

"You should," he told me, "Fresher's week is the best."

My brother and Jace loved to remind me that even though they aren't 'freshers' anymore, anyone can go to freshers' parties. They've been to at least three every year.

"It's not really my thing." I told him.

He knew it used to be, I used to go out with 'friends' when I was younger, go to house parties and drink until I was blackout, I would dance until my feet hurt in my too high heels and wouldn't remember all that had happened when I woke up the next morning.

Neither of them said anything as we finished our food, the boys had put some football game on the TV and once I had finished my food, I pulled my phone from my pocket and scrolled through TikTok so I didn't have to watch it.

I yawned and arched my back, pulling my arms above my head, stretching out my body as the tiredness consumed me. My eyes felt heavy.

"I'm going to shower, then bed." I told them as I stood and tucked my phone into my pocket.

Teddy said nothing, not taking his eyes off the telling and peeking around me as I walked in front of him.

"See ya'," I heard Jace say as I strolled down the hallway to my room, refusing to look back at him.

...

I pull open the bathroom door and run my fingers through my hair as I go to walk out of it, colliding straight with someone.

"Shit," I reach out to grab something before I fall.

I feel a strong-arm grip me and keep me up straight.

"Twice in one day," a deep voice says, "You really should watch where you're going."

I look up at his dark eyes, the breath catching in my throat, "S-sorry." My voice stutters.

The edges of his lips curl upwards.

I swallow hard, realising I'm only wrapped in my towel, I grab where I've bunched it up in the front holding it tightly. His eyes track my movement and I feel my cheeks get hot.

Damn London, three-bedroom flat...and only one bathroom. I knew this might happen...but on the first day...and with Jace.

"I-I-" I couldn't get any words out, just pointed to my bedroom door slightly down the hall. I side stepped him and moved down the hallway.