20 Days In His Bedroom

Chapter Fourteen

"Jace?" I smile at him.
"How are you?"

"I'm good. Missed you so much," he scoffs playfully, and I laugh.

"Finished work already?" I ask.

"Yeah, I was just about to relax."

"Don't tell me your room is on this floor."

"It is. Yours too?" he asks.

"Yeah." I nod, smiling.

He glances at the guy beside me. "Won't you introduce your boyfriend?"

My eyes widen. "No... no, he's not my boyfriend," I stammer.

"Then what is he?"

I had told Jace everything about the accident—except that I was sharing a room with a rude, arrogant guy.

"He's... he's... I mean..." I stumble, unsure how to explain it.

"I'm her roommate," Nial says flatly, and I'm both relieved and worried Jace might misunderstand.

"Roommate?" Jace looks confused but offers Nial a handshake.

"What's wrong?" Nial growls.

"Nothing. Twi just didn't mention it," Jace says casually.

"Twi?" Nial chuckles, clearly amused.

I roll my eyes. "What's wrong, Nial? I didn't think it was important to mention, Jace. I was going to tell you anyway."

"It's fine, really," Jace says, brushing it off. "By the way, there's a party tomorrow night. You should come."

"Oh really? Okay, I don't mind," I smile. From the corner of my eye, I catch Nial glancing at me.

"Cool. See you tomorrow," Jace says and walks away.

"See you," I wave.

Nial silently opens the door to our—his—room.

"I don't get what your problem with Jace is!" I snap once we're inside.

He doesn't respond.

"I'm talking to you," I say again.

"What?" he says, finally sitting on the chair and looking at me.

"Why did you act like that? I told you he's my friend," I lie. I barely know Jace, but I hope we could become friends. He's nice.

"When did you meet him to even call him your friend?"

"Does it matter?" I fold my arms.

"Yes. He's not your friend. He shouldn't call you Twi," he says, heading to the fridge.

"What? Why do you even care? I'm fine with it. Everyone calls me Twi anyway."
Though secretly, I'm a little happy. I fight the smile tugging at my lips.

"You're right. I shouldn't care," he says, opening a water bottle.

"Give me one too. I'm thirsty."

He tosses me another bottle.

"Are you going to the party tomorrow?"

"What did I tell Jace when he asked? Yes, I'm going. Need a mood shift."

"Okay," he mutters and heads toward the bathroom.

"Why are you going into my room?" I tease.

He doesn't answer, but I hear his chuckle.

I turn on the TV and flip through the channels. The sound of water running tells me he's in the shower.

Then I hear a phone ringing. I look around and spot a new iPhone on the counter.

"Oh."
He got a new phone? When? Why didn't he tell me? I could've used it to call for help—though I don't remember any numbers by heart anyway.

The ringing stops, but a message pops up moments later:

"How are you, honey? I'm Jessie."

Jessie? Who's Jessie?

"Why aren't you answering?!"

Then another one:
"Hey."

I quickly drop the phone as I hear the water shut off. Moments later, he walks out of the bathroom with a towel around his waist, rubbing his hair.

"Your phone was ringing," I tell him.

"Oh, okay," he replies casually.

"When did you get a new phone? You didn't ask me if I needed to use it."

"Use it? I don't know. You can use it now, though."

"I meant to call my family."

"I bought it today. Here, take it," he shrugs and hands it to me.

It's an iPhone. Of course. He's clearly obsessed with them. His old one was an iPhone too. Must've cost a lot. I wonder how much money he still has in that bank account.

"No, not now," I say, suddenly unsure. "I don't remember any numbers... except Dad's."

"I'll try calling Dad," I mumble. It's probably pointless, but I dial his number anyway.

It doesn't even connect. His phone must be destroyed.

I hand the phone back to Nial. "Thanks, though." I bite my lip. "I'll sleep now. If you need the bathroom, go ahead."

"Tonight you'll sleep on the bed. I'll take the bathroom floor."

"No, thank you." I head toward the bathroom. Just as I'm about to close the door, he blocks it with his leg.

"What? I said it's fine," I sigh.

"It's unfair."

Unfair? I don't pay for anything. Or... does he expect me to pay him later?

"How is it unfair? It's your room."

"I know, but you shouldn't sleep in the bathroom. If you were the one paying, would you make me sleep on the bathroom floor?"

"No. I'd probably tell you the same thing—that I'll lock myself in so I can sleep without fear, you know?"

He laughs. "You don't trust me?"

"Oh, no—it's not like that. I mean, it's just weird sleeping next to someone. I'm not used to it..."

So maybe I don't trust him. Or maybe I do? I don't think he'd ever hurt me... but still.

"It's fine. You shouldn't trust me. I wouldn't trust myself either," he smirks.

"You wouldn't trust yourself?"

"I mean, when you know you're sleeping next to a gorgeous girl... would you trust yourself?" He shrugs.

I blink, trying to process what he just said.

"Okay, thanks for the compliment. I know I'm not gorgeous, but thank you. Didn't think you could be nice."

"As you said—I don't do compliments. And you are gorgeous. Stop being so humble."

His words... they warm me more than they should. I feel... pretty. And it feels nice to know he sees me that way.

"Good night, Nial," I say, waiting for him to move his foot so I can close the door.

"Stop saying Nial," he says, his expression suddenly serious.

"Huh? What do you want me to call you then—by your surname?" I joke.

"No. Call me by my name," he says, still serious.

"Your name? I thought it was Nial." I giggle. He's acting so strange.

"Whatever. Good night." He finally moves his foot.

"No—Nial, or whatever—tell me. What were you going to say?" I hold his wrist to stop him.

He looks at my hand, then up at me.
"My name isn't Nial," he says.

"What?"