Through the Dark (A Liam Payne Story) || Season 5 1D Watty Awards Winner: Best Liam Payne

Chapter Three

At the top or on the side (depending where you're reading the story), is a GIF of Robert "Rooney" Fitch played by the handsome Daniel Sharman.

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Should I go tonight? Wait no no, should we go tonight? Valerie specifically said to stay away from those boys. Should I text her and let her know? I should probably do that ...

"Hey girl listen you won't believe what just happened ... I know you're in your third class right now, but this is an emergency! Not like a HUGE emergency but it's about Liam and those boys. Let me know when you get out of class. I'm not sure if you want to go to that frat party tonight ... Ttyl x"

Staying away from those boys is going to be much harder than I thought. I get up from the bench and start walking over to our dormitory. There has to be something I can wear tonight - that's if Val still wants to go.

My phone vibrates in my hand and I check to see that it's a message from Valerie: "Hey babe I think we should still go to the party. Think of it is a way to kick off our freshman year and maybe meet new people ... Hint hint: booooys!!!! Like that Edward guy, for example! He's really hot and I wouldn't mind going out with him! But promise we'll stay with each other the whole night?"

I reread the message again and but I choose not to respond. I look at the time on the top of the screen and it reads 3:10 p.m. I'm happy that Val wants to go to the party but for some reason I'm really nervous ... I put my phone in my pocket and continue to walk to my dorm. I swipe my I.D. card and run upstairs to my room. As soon as I get to my floor, I see a folded note posted on my door. I take it off and hold it in my hand, looking up and down the hall to see no one but me standing outside the rooms. Then I read it:

"Be safe. Be smart."

What is this supposed to mean? I stuff the note into my bag and quickly get inside. I hang my bag on the back of my desk chair and head over to my closet to pick out an outfit. "Hmmm, short dress with high heels or a cute but flirty, casual outfit?" I say out loud to the empty room and lay each article of clothing on my bed. Before I can continue planning my outfit, there is a knock at the door. I walk over and look through the peephole. A boy wearing a white tank top with tattoos on his arms is standing outside my room. I know for a fact that he was with Liam and Luke earlier today. He was the one standing next to me when Luke didn't let go of my arm. I hesitate, but eventually open the door.

"What do you want?" I snap at him.

"Hello to you, too," he says exasperated. I don't say anything and continue to stare at him. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Because you still haven't told me why you're standing outside my room," I fold my arms and lean against the door frame.

"I just wanted to introduce myself. I'm sorry about this morning and I shouldn't have played along with Luke. I'm Robert, but everyone calls me Rooney. I'm from London, too." He holds out his hand, and I debate whether I should shake his hand or not.

"I'm Rosalie," I say and unfold my arms to shake his hand. "I didn't know you boys could be nice."

"We've been through a lot," Rooney says and looks down at the floor, shaking his head. "I know that's not a good excuse for how we act in public or when we're around women, but that's all I can tell you now."

"It's okay. I was just startled and I'm not used to that kind of attention," I admit. I'm really not.

Rooney stares at me and looks surprised. "You're kidding, right?"

"Not at all. Let's just say I wasn't so ... desirable in high school," I say.

"I don't see why. You're beautiful!" He says, waving his hand up and down. "And this isn't high school, so here's to new beginnings."