Playing For Keeps (Harry Styles)

Chapter 7

The bright light filtering through the blinds made me roll towards the wall so that my back faced the window. I nestled deeper into my comforter, inhaling the scent and humming from the coziness. Face in pillow, I smile to myself as I slowly remember the dream I'd been graced with during the night. I couldn't recall much, so trying to continue it was out of the question; I decide to get up. Rolling back onto my back, I stretch out my limbs with a satisfied grunt before sitting up to reach for my phone. Forgetting my bed is lofted, I slam my head into the ceiling and land back into the pillows with a combination of a groan and a laugh. Rubbing my head and reaching again for my phone I laugh to myself, "If there was a ever a sign from god to stay in bed..."

The green light was flashing above the screen, notifying me that I had a text waiting. Squinting at the brightness of the screen after I'd unlocked it, I could see that it was from Gemma. It read:

"Hey sleepy head ;p I came round your room earlier and knocked but I think you were out cold. Wanted to let you know that your roommate is coming today at 11 so that you didn't have any surprises. x"

My eyes go up to the right corner of my screen to find that it was already 10:42. I jolted again, this time avoiding the ceiling as I crawled to the ladder to slide down it. I almost lose my balance with my abrupt landing, but I catch myself on one of the legs of the bed. Recovering, I dash for my door and then down the hall to where I remember the bathroom being pointed out. I rush into the closest one. I slow down as I approach the sink, barely taking notice of the sound of a shower running. I lean into the mirror to inspect my reflection before bringing my arms up to tie my hair back. As I lean down to splash my face with water, I briefly notice the sound of the shower knob turning. I pat my face some more with the cold water to wake myself up; this time when I look back into the mirror there is someone leaned against the wall behind me. I feel myself jump a bit before whirling around to rest my butt against the sink and to face the stranger. 

I feel my cheeks redden when my eyes briefly go up his toned body, silently taking in the towel slung low around his hips before looking up to his face. I feel my cheeks flame even more, my lips frowning at the way his were turned up in a less than friendly smirk. It was the only other person I'd met yet, but his name slipped my mind...

"Ethan," he spoke in a confident tone. His light hair was spiked up in different directions, glistening with water droplets. I gulp a little, staring at him. The way he was eyeing me made me uncomfortable.

"Um, yeah...," I trail. I am still frozen, leaning awkwardly against the sink.

There was a beat of silence before he continued, an overly amused grin on his face. It wasn't a kind one. "I would point out that you're not in the ladies' room...but then again, maybe you came looking for me?" He winks, sending a small shiver through me. I shake my head a little to snap myself out of it.

"Um, not quite, hot shot," I fumble for words, not wanting to show him that he'd fazed me. I raise one hand to point towards the door while pushing my body off of the sink. "I think I'll be going now..." I start to move towards the door. I feel a strong hand wrap around my wrist. I whip back around with wide eyes and lips pressed into a line. My glare flickers down to his hand between us before I return it to his still smirking face. "You know, I wouldn't mind taking another shower if you need to...," he lowers his voice while leaning in, the smirk extending to the unpleasant gleam in his eye.

I rip my wrist out of his hold and his eyes widen the slightest bit before he leans back coolly, regaining his composure as if he'd never lost it. 

"I'm pretty sure you can manage yourself in the shower," I spit back at him. This time he doesn't hide his surprise at my harsh tone. He must not be used to rejection, but with a face like his I wouldn't blame him.

I'm already turned around and pulling open the door as I hear him chuckle quietly to himself. I pause briefly on my way out to give him one last glare. "You know, I always did like them fiesty...," he says. I respond with a curt eye roll and a disgusted noise from the back of my throat.

...

Recovering quickly from my...experience, I jog slowly back to my room. I check my phone again. It reads 10:55. I pull my hair back down and smooth try to smooth it out with my hands. As I round the corner, my door comes back into view; it's open, as I had hurriedly left it, but now the light is on. Shit, I think, hoping Gemma and I hadn't left much of a mess last night after "dinner".

I walk up to my door jamb and knock quietly on the door to get the attention of the girl now stood in front of the empty bed across from my own. Her head flies up, her shoulder length curls flying into her face.She blows them away before giving me a wide smile that stretchs across her face. She bends back down to place the box in her hands to the floor, then turns towards me while extending her hand. "Hi," she smiles as I take it. "I'm Alexa, but call me Lex."

After letting go of eachother's hands, I reply. "Hey, I'm Isabella. You can call me Izzy if you want." She nods, blinking her big brown eyes, and takes a step back. We rock back and forth on our heels for a second in awkward silence before I point down to the floor. "Want some help unpacking?" I ask, motioning to her unpacked things. Her eyes briefly flicker down to where I'm pointing before she gives me another big smile and bringing her hands together in thanks. "Yeah, totally! Thanks," she says as she bounces back to where I'd found her.

Following her lead, I reach my hands out for the box she is extending towards my direction. As I receive it, I nonchalantly decide to say, "A word from the wise: don't get too close to that Ethan guy down the hall." I offer no other explanation as she gives me a curios glance, pausing just a bit before continuing to unpack.

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