Stir the tension

Chapter 25

Ace POV-

I threw myself down on my bed, I was so exhausted after having worked all day. Since I didn't have classes, I figured I could work extra time to make some more money fast. I most definitely wasn't going home to my parents this holiday and staying at the college without too many students seemed like a fine plan. I was going to spend a quiet and calm Christmas alone.

Tristan wasn't staying here which was a relief. He probably went home with some random girl or something.

After a couple of minutes, I had finally built enough strength to get up, I had to take a shower since I was all sweaty after having worked. I picked out some comfortable clothes and went inside the bathroom.

***

I took the book I was currently reading from my nightstand and headed for the library since I wanted to have a change of environment from this little room.

I passed a smiling Miss Evans who was just walking out of the library. She had always been nice towards me. Unlike most of the other teachers, but it was understandable since I wasn't always the kindest student towards all the teachers.

I walked in the library, and it was so quiet, more than usual. I was unsure to if there were even any students in here. I figured I would go down to the best sitting spot in the corner, with the beautiful view over the ocean since normally at least one student always took the seat there.

Today was no exception, I groaned audible as I saw a student sitting there. After a little while of cussing under my breath, I realised that it wasn't just anyone. The freckles and the fluffy hair belonged the one and only surfer boy.

I contemplated for a while but decided to approach him. I stood right next to him and rested my hand on the chair right next to him.

''Hey Leon, mind if I sit?'' I took a moment to look at him, not wanting to disturb him too much.

He probably got a little surprised from my sudden presence, but he quickly turned to me with a smile.

''Hi, yeah of course" he quickly moved his laptop a bit and packed up his camera making space on the table for me.

I gave him a genuine smile and whispered thank you as I sat down.

''Aren't you going home this holiday Leon?'' I asked him confused to why he was sitting here all alone when he seemed like such a family person.

''No... My parents are going on a trip, and Claire has plans too, so I'm basically left here all alone'' he looked disappointed as he shrugged.

''Welp, guess we'll both have our holidays here then'' I said with raised eyebrows as I took out my book and put it on the table.

''Really? Are you staying here too?'' he asked with a little hope in his voice. I hummed in agreement as I quickly nodded.

''Won't your family miss you?'' My smile slowly faded as my mouth turned into a straight line. I opened my mouth but was unable to say anything.

''I'm sorry that was a little too personal'' He quickly added followed with a nervous laughter.

''It's fine Leon, I guess you could say my parents are sort of going on a trip too'' I jokingly said as I chuckled. Hoping he would feel less bad about it.

''At least I know one person at campus who is staying too'' he said letting out a sigh of relief.

''Yeah, we can hang out this holiday, then we'll both have something to do. I'll text you.'' With that I got up, took my book and exited the library.

I was a little happy that Surfer boy was staying there too. I liked hanging out with him and he didn't mind hanging out with me despite the little so-called reputation I had built myself. I was in no way proud of that reputation but having one person who still wanted to hang out was nice.

I smiled to myself and went back to my dorm.

Leo POV-

I was quite relieved that I at least knew one person who was staying on campus as well.

Ace had told me that he was going to text me so we could meet up. I couldn't help but smile as I remembered back to the conversation. It was nice knowing that he wanted to hang out with me.

I stayed back as I listened to rises the moon by Liana Flores and looked thoroughly at the photos, I had taken to keep the best ones.

After I had selected the photos that I wanted to use, I printed them out, and went back to my dorm with them.

***

I was laying in my bed when I received a message from Ace telling me to get ready and meet him at dorm number 133.

I got up from my bed and looked at the mirror. I frowned as I noticed the bags underneath my eyes, as I hadn't gotten a lot of sleep the day before. I splashed some cold water onto my face to wake myself up a bit. Then I went back to pick out a casual outfit.

I grabbed my shoes from the shoe rack and headed out. The hall was long, and I wasn't quite sure where dorm room number 133 was, so it took me a little while to finally find the right dorm.

I scanned the big 133 sign on the door and hesitated to knock. Finally, after a few minutes of just staring at the door, I mustered up the courage and quietly knocked three times.

The door slowly opened, and I looked up at him. He was leaning against the doorframe with a small smile on his face.

''Hi, that was fast'' he said as he turned his back to me, leaving the door open for me to enter.

''Hi'' I said in a quiet voice as I walked in. I scratched the back of my neck as I took my shoes off and placed them right next to the door.

The room was a little messy, more than my dorm but that was all thanks to Daniel, otherwise it would have looked even worse than here. I was a little awkward and didn't really know where to sit. So, I just stood in the middle of the room looking around a little and slowly rocked back and forth.

''It's okay. Just sit down wherever you want, and talk'' Ace chuckled as he put his hands into his pockets.

I nodded and went over to sit down on one of the two beds.

''What is that?'' I asked him very interested in what he was making over in the kitchen.

''Hot chocolate, do you want some?'' he said with raised eyebrows.

''Yes please'' I said, nodding my head excitedly.

''Okay, how do you like it?'' he asked as he chuckled at my excitement.

''Mm, do you have mini marshmallows?'' I said with hopeful eyes.

''No, I sadly don't. But I guess we could go buy some if you're interested.'' he offered with an opened hand gesture.

''If it isn't not too much trouble?'' I sheepishly said, not wanting to be too troublesome. Ace looked at me and nodded.

''Okay'' he said as he ran a hand through his hair.

I got up from the bed and we went over to the door to put on my shoes. I went over and opened the door after I was done tying my shoelaces.

I looked behind me and waited for Ace to grab his wallet on the kitchen counter.

"Oh, and by the way. You can just call me Leo" With that I closed the door shut behind us.