Please Don't Bite

Three

Orion's POV:
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I groaned when I dropped the pile of books in my arms, leaning against the wall as I stared down at them and sighed. I knew I should've stuffed them in a bag, but of course I didn't listen to myself. I kneeled down to start picking them up, hearing a door open and someone walking over.

"Ry-Ry? Are you being clumsy again?" Willow asked sweetly.

I hated that nickname. But I allowed Willow to use it because I couldn't ever tell her to stop. I looked up at her to find her holding a plate and tilting her head. "I guess so." I started to stack them again.

Willow was about to help until she heard talking in Bosco's room, smiling and rushing down the hall. "I hear a new friend~" She sang and knocked on their door.

"Gee, thanks for the help." I mumbled. I took my room key out so I wouldn't struggle to get it out of my pocket, picking my books back up and walking back down the hall to my room.

I was right in front of the door when I ran into someone else in the hall. She squeaked when we collided and I jumped back, the books falling out of my arms once more. I sighed and looked down at them, wishing I could just leave them there. Not like I used them anyway. "God damnit..."

"I'm so sorry-" The small girl apologized and immediately leaned down to pick them up. "I was so busy trying to find my room I didn't see you there-"

"...It's fine." I kneeled down to pick them up, glancing up at the girl as I stacked the books once more. I immediately felt bad when hearing my tone come out hostile, forcing myself to say something a little nicer. "I don't recognize you. Are you new?"

She smiled nervously, picking up some of the books for me as she stood back up. "Y-Yeah, I am. My name is Jorgia but I much prefer Jorgeous. It's more fitting."

I raised a brow as I stood up with the rest of the books tucked under my arm. I thought nicknames were used to shorten names. "Jorgeous? Like gorgeous?" I asked as I unlocked the door to mine and my friend's room.

"Yes! Exactly!" Jorgeous exclaimed happily. Her smile was contagious, and I found myself smiling a little as well. I don't think I had done that in a bit. "Gorgeous like Jorgeous!"

I nudged the door open and dropped the books on the nearest surface. I took the rest from Jorgeous, looking down at her. "Uh, thank you. Do you need help finding your room?"

"Yes please." She showed me her room number and I led her down the hall to Deja's room. She hummed as she walked beside me,  swinging her ponytail around. "You didn't tell me your name."

"Oh, oh yeah." I said as I knocked on the door. "It's Orion. Orion Story."

"Ooo, that sounds pretty." Jorgeous smiled before the door opened. Deja stood in the doorway and looked me up and down immediately.

"You look pale, Ry." She said, leaning against the doorway. "You sick already?"

I huffed and shook my head. "No, just tired and haven't had dinner yet. I brought you something." I nudged Jorgeous' arm, trying to ignore her look of concern.

Deja's worried expression quickly turned into a smile when she saw her new roommate. "Aw, aren't you a little sweetie." She led her inside and shut the door in front of me. I stood there for a moment before sighing, turning to go back to my room but being stopped by Willow. She stared at me in suspicion.

She tilted her head, holding the plate of cookies up to me. "Take one. Right now Ry-Ry."

I couldn't just say no. Willow would shove it down my throat if she had to. I took one of the cookies and thanked her, going back down the hall to my room where I was out of everyone's way.

Alyssa wasn't here yet, which left me alone. And if she was here she probably went to Daya and Maddy's room first or to her girlfriend, June. Alyssa was my best friend and she always assured me that I was hers, but sometimes I felt like I didn't make her very happy like a best friend should. I think other people could make her happier.

I took a bite of the cookie and set it down on my desk, focusing on the carrier that sat on my bed. I couldn't have risked opening it when I was still bringing my stuff in.

"You can come out now, but you have to stay quiet." I said as I opened the wire door of the carrier.

My cat, who I affectionately call Jazzy Boy, walked out and immediately crawled onto my lap. I smiled as I pet the top of his head. There wasn't many things that made me happy these days, but my kitten sure did and no stupid rule about pets in the dorms would take that away from me. He helped with the lonely feeling I got a lot. I know my friends love me, but I struggle a lot with believing it. At least with Jazzy, all I had to do was feed him to make him love me.

I leaned back and tried to let Jazzy's purring calm me down. I had switched my major this semester, going from graphic design to photography. I proved to be no good at graphic design, and I hoped I'd be somewhat better at photography. It was something I had always been interested in but was too scared to try it.

"You only took one semester, how do you know you aren't any good at it?" I remember my family asking.

I didn't really have a good answer other than I just didn't feel like I was doing good enough. I had some faith in my choice of switching to photography. I had even treated myself to a nice camera that was still sitting in it's box on my desk. I just prayed I would find the motivation to start practicing before classes started.

The door opened and Jazzy Boy immediately meowed. I hushed him as quickly as I could, looking up to see Alyssa dropping some bags onto her bed.

"Hi Jazzy Boy~" She cooed, coming over and petting underneath his chin. "And hi Orion." She pat the top of my head.

"Hey." I said softly, watching as Jazzy Boy rubbed his head against her hand. "You're here late."

"I stopped by Daya and Maddy's room. Maddy was in need of some extra love." She said, starting to open one of her bags. "You alright? You seem sad."

I shrugged and sat up, Jazzy rubbing his head against my hand for more pets. "I'm alright. Just tired. Been a long day of driving."

Alyssa didn't seem super convinced. She was good at reading me. Sometimes I didn't mind it, but other times I wished she couldn't tell how I was really feeling. She had gotten better at it after what happened last semester. She sighed, sitting on the end of my bed.

"I guess Maddy isn't the only one who needed some extra love, huh?" She smiled a little, holding her arms out.

I hesitated for a moment before giving in, scooting closer and letting her wrap her arms around me. I wasn't super into physical contact, but I loved my friends and I would allow it when I really needed it. Especially when it was from Alyssa. I still felt terrible about what I've put her through. I rested my head on her shoulder, watching Jazzy curl up on my pillow.

"You wanna go get some dinner?" Alyssa asked softly. "You only took one bite out of that cookie on your desk and I know you haven't eaten anything else yet."

I nodded, finally realizing how hungry I was. "Yes please."

Alyssa helped me stand. I said a quick goodbye to Jazzy Boy before letting her lead me out the door and down the hall, my hand limp in hers.

I glanced at the door closest to the stairs. The room I had taken Jorgeous too. And for some reason, I couldn't get her out of my head for the rest of that evening.

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I gotta find a new nickname for Bosco to call Jasmine because of Orion's cat's name. And I swear the next chapters will be more interesting. Hope you're enjoying it so far ❤️