My Roommate is a Hoodlum

16 - Beneath the Surface

Saira's POV

I rushed to my room, barely able to breathe as I closed the door behind me and leaned against it, clutching my chest. My heart was racing, every beat echoing what had just happened in the elevator. I pushed the sliding door open and stepped onto the balcony, hoping the cool night air would help me clear my head.

Every time Grey comes near me, I freeze. And whenever she kisses me, I give in without a second thought. My mind goes blank like I can't even think straight, let alone pull away. But... did I even want to stop her?

I could feel my cheeks heating up just thinking about it. My thoughts were racing, my emotions a jumbled mess. I started pacing back and forth from the balcony to my room, trying to shake off this intense energy building up inside me, fanning myself to cool down. But it was useless; my skin still felt like it was on fire.

This heat... I need a cold shower

I made my way to the bathroom, turned the water on, and stepping in, letting the cool spray wash over me. The shock of it hit me first, refreshing, a small relief against the rush of emotions I couldn't seem to control. I closed my eyes, letting the water flow down my face as if it could rinse away the confusion and heat Grey had left behind.

But even as the chill of the water soaked into my skin, I could still feel it—the tingling where she'd touched me, the way my pulse raced whenever I thought about her, the weight of her gaze as if she could see straight into me. I pressed my hands against the cool tile wall, trying to steady myself, willing my mind to settle.

Why can't I stop thinking about her? I thought, frustration blending with something else, something I couldn't name. She was getting to me in ways no one else ever had, pushing past walls I didn't even know were there.

I stood under the stream, hoping the water would finally calm the storm inside me. But even as the chill seeped through, I knew it was more than just the heat that had me shaken. It was Grey herself, and the way she made me feel things I wasn't sure I was ready for.

With a sigh, I leaned my forehead against the tiles, letting the water run over me, the tension slowly ebbing from my shoulders, even as my thoughts stayed tangled. What am I supposed to do with this?

>>> The Next Day >>>

I stepped out of my room feeling like a zombie. I hadn't slept a wink, and though the cold shower helped cool me down, it hadn't washed away the feelings Grey had stirred up. Heading into the kitchen, I noticed Grey's door was open, her room empty. She hadn't come home. A part of me felt relieved, but another part... wished she had. I needed to talk to her, to finally ask why she kept doing this to me, why she kept crossing these lines.

Ready na ba ako for her answer? I wondered, a knot forming in my stomach. I didn't know, but I was sure of one thing—I needed it.

With a sigh, I made myself a coffee and prepared for morning dance practice. The concert with BINI was only a week away, and every day counted. Thankfully, Ate Maylie had given me the week off from work to focus on rehearsals.

When I arrived at the studio, I finally met the members of BINI. I was starstruck; they were all so kind and funny, and their energy filled the room. JL was there too, and I couldn't help but chuckle at how red he turned when he had to demonstrate a dance move with one of the girls.

For the first time all day, I felt myself relax, losing myself in the rhythm, the steps, the music. Dancing helped me shake off those lingering questions, at least for a little while.