Always You

Chapter 5

Sierra

"So you only just got here 2 days ago?" I asked as we walked through the empty campus.

"Yep, I took a year off after high school and did some work around town to save up for college expenses." He added, "not that my parents can't afford it, but with 5 other kids to look after I thought I'd lighten the burden a bit."

"How is everyone back home? Gosh they should be all grown up by now!" Ezra had a huge family, 4 brothers and a sister. Two words came to mind when I think of the Jaggers family: organised chaos. They were absolutely lovely people, but having 6 people in their family, with 2 under 10 years old, it was an understatement to say it got hectic at times.

"They're great, Alex is in his last year of high school now. You wouldn't recognise him if you saw him, I reckon. He's really filled out in the last 5 years. Think big buff football player. Almost as tall as me."

"That's crazy! Never thought he'd get into football, of all things," I reflected. Last time I saw him he was a scrawny little 14 year old who loved playing his share of computer games.

"Mmhmm, that's probably the most drastic change. Everyone's still the same, maybe throw in a little bit of teenage angst and hormones for Hayden and Luke," he chuckled. "They're 16 and 15 now," he added when he saw me attempt to make mental math calculations.

I nodded. "So that makes Zach 14 and Lily 11, right?"

"Almost," he replied. "Lily just turned 12 last week actually." Lily was the sweetest 5 year old on the planet, and I saw her as the little sister I never had. I wondered what she would be like now as a 12 year old.

"They must be missing having you around," I stated. "How are your parents going?"

"They're holding up okay. I think it's getting a little easier for Mum with everyone a little older and being able to take care of themselves most of the time. Dad is still at work heaps but tries to get home earlier and more often now."

"That's good." Mr Jaggers was hardly ever around whenever I was over at Ezra's place. He was always at the office making the money to support his big family. Ezra, being the eldest, helped out in the family a lot.

"Anyway, what about you? Did you just get to college too?" He asked as we approached block D.

"I actually started last year believe it or not! I came in halfway through the year and got an early mark."

"Oh you would, nerd!" He teased with a playful grin.

I gave him a small shove, "I've actually been travelling overseas and I got back early and thought I might as well go for mid year intake. And hey, I am so not a nerd!"

"Ha yeah right, what's that I heard about the summer study term you're doing again?" He smirked.

"Oh yeah, I just love putting myself through torture when everyone else is having fun," I said with a little too much sarcasm. "Nah, it's not even that bad. I underloaded on classes last year so I just thought I'd do a little catching up. I just submitted the last essay tonight so I'm all done now."

"That's fair," he said as we climbed the last flight of stairs leading to my floor.

Thinking of my soft, welcoming bed, I let out a loud yawn. "Well, I guess I should go to bed. It's been a long day."

"Yeah, tell me about it. It's been a long night for me too."

I raised an eyebrow, to which he replied, "but I can fill you in on it tomorrow. You look like you could do with some rest."

We arrived at the front of my door. "Well, I guess I'll see you around?" I looked up at him to see his eyes studying the number on my door.

"I'm sure we'll see a lot of each other," he said with a smirk.

Before I got a chance to stifle a reply, he pulled me in for a hug. My heartbeat picked up at the contact, and I felt my cheeks grow warm against his bare chest.

"Good night Sierra, it's so good to see you again." He whispered.

"You too, Ez." I smiled as I settled into the embrace. He was warm despite the cool weather, and he had a minty, fresh fragrant despite being at a crowded party with sweaty people. His bare back was smooth against my touch, and I could feel the defined ridges of his back muscles as my arms rested around his torso.

He pulled away suddenly, and began to step away. Two steps later, he paused at the dorm next door. Turning his head, he smirked at me as he swung the door open. "Good night, neighbour."

Before I even had a chance to react, he disappeared into room D70.

Just like old times. 

I couldn't hold back a big grin as I stepped into my dorm. As I undressed and got ready for bed, I stared at the flannel shirt he so generously lent me. My heart sunk as I noticed for the first time that night; the shirt was red.