Roommate Roulette

Chapter 1: The Unwelcome Surprise

Alex Marcelli walked through the grand archway of Valemont University, her suitcase trailing behind her on the cobblestone path. The campus was as picturesque as the brochures had promised—ivy-covered buildings, lush green lawns, and the distant hum of student life. Valemont was one of the top universities in the world, a beacon for ambitious minds, especially in the fields of science and engineering. Getting accepted had been a dream come true, and Alex had scraped together every scholarship and savings she could find to make it happen.

At 24, she was older than most of the other first-year students, but that didn’t bother her. What did bother her was the nagging insecurity that had crept up on her over the past few years. Her boyfriend back home, Aaron, hadn’t been the best for her self-esteem. Despite her natural beauty—long auburn hair, hazel eyes framed by dark lashes, and a figure that could turn heads—Aaron’s constant flirting with other girls and subtle put-downs had taken their toll. She often found herself second-guessing her looks, her worth, and whether she could truly start fresh at Valemont.

She sighed as she approached Room 312, trying to shake off the doubts. This was supposed to be her new beginning, a chance to prove to herself that she didn’t need to rely on anyone else. She was here to study, to excel in her mechanical engineering program, and to become the best version of herself.

But as she pushed open the door to her new dorm room, all those hopes took a nosedive.

Taylor Giordano was lounging on the bed opposite hers, his lean, athletic frame sprawled across the covers. He looked up from his laptop, his piercing green eyes locking onto hers, and Alex felt a jolt of irritation. His dark hair was tousled, and his t-shirt clung to his muscular chest in a way that was annoyingly distracting.

“What the hell?” Taylor muttered, his Italian accent lacing his words with a sharp edge. “You’re kidding me, right?”

Alex’s heart sank. She had requested a female roommate—someone quiet, studious, and hopefully as focused on academics as she was. Instead, she was staring at a guy who looked like he belonged on the cover of GQ, not in a cramped dorm room.

“You’re Taylor?” Alex asked, her voice tight with disbelief.

“And you’re Alex,” Taylor replied, already sounding exasperated. He sat up, running a hand through his hair as if trying to make sense of the situation. “There’s been a mistake. I was supposed to have a guy as a roommate.”

“Same here,” Alex snapped back, crossing her arms over her chest. “This can’t be right.”

Taylor scoffed, swinging his legs off the bed and standing up. He was taller than she’d expected, easily over six feet, and the way his t-shirt clung to his broad shoulders didn’t escape her notice. Not that it mattered—she had no intention of letting this guy get under her skin.

“Well, it is,” Taylor said, shrugging. “I already talked to the housing office. They’re not moving anyone. Apparently, the dorms are full, and we’re stuck with each other for the semester.”

Alex’s irritation flared. “This is ridiculous. I’m not living with you.”

“Trust me,” Taylor replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm, “the feeling’s mutual.”

(To be continued……..)