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part one. (maybe)
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james marriott lived liked everyday was the last, but in an odd way. if it was really the last day, james wouldn't be bothered enough to care. everyday was the last to him, everyday was meaningless. that being said, those who didn't try, didn't get anywhere in life. james was more than okay with that. in all it's irony, though, james had preposterous luck.
in school, good grades were handed to him. no matter how hard he tried to fail, he couldn't. he got into a good college, full ride scholarship and everything. his parents were supportive of everything he did, even sent him an allowance every week. yet, james did nothing to encourage the good luck. the universe handed him everything, and he wanted none of it.
he was bored and unbothered.
that was until his second year of college, when he met alex elmslie. an odd boy with mysterious blue eyes. a boy with bags so dark, you'd think they were smudged sharpie. a pale being with bruises placed on random parts of his body— truly, no one knew how they got there. then there was his smile. a childish joy hiding behind it, like he was constantly amused. he was planning something, james just knew it.
"if done right, you can stab someone nine times without killin' them." that sentence jolted awake something deep inside of james, something he thought he had lost.
he couldn't tell if it was fear, or a sense of adventure. whatever it was, it intrigued him. it bothered him that the person he'd be living with had that kind of knowledge.
and for that reason alone, james spent the rest of his first day eyeing his new, odd roommate. each time he met his gaze, the statement replayed in his head.
nine times...nine times...nine times...
just before bed, alex managed to redeem himself. he handed james a small bag of skittles. james was hesitant at first, and alex noticed. he just smiled and turned the red bag over. on the back, there was sloppy hand writing.
new roommates are always the most interesting people. hope we can be best mates this year! :) -a.e
he's harmless, james concluded. bit weird, but totally harmless.
off to bed they were. alex got the left side of the room and james got the right. right in between the bed was a long window, with a long desk pressed up against it. two lamps on each end.
james' light was the first to go out. alex smiled as soon as he saw the right side of the room go dim. alex did the same shortly, almost as soon as james turned his back to him.
that had been around midnight.
james wasn't a heavy sleeper, but he wasn't a light one either. he would sometimes wake up around five in the morning, and lie awake for half an hour before falling back asleep. it was odd, but he never thought much of it. it was normal, he had a girlfriend who did the same thing but at different times. again, he considered it completely normal and natural.
