Save Me From Myself

Who Are You?

Now he's looking at me with fiery eyes and a sly smirk. Realizing what I had just said out loud, my hands snap to cover my mouth.

"Ha ha, yeah last time I checked I was-" he laughs while looking down at himself "-but again who the hell are you?" And just like that the smirk and humor are gone. The stern glare back.

"I'm your new roommate apparently" I state flatly. While closely observing how his face switches from stern to down right pissed off.

"Bullshit! I didn't here about anyone rooming with me. Why is this the first I've heard of it!" he shouts, clenching and unclenching his fists at his sides. Eyes staring daggers into mine. Intent to kill.

His reaction is starting to scare me, bringing bad memories to the forefront of my mind.

Pushing down against those thoughts, I will my breathing to even out. Closing my eyes and stabilizing my heart rate.

"I'm sorry you weren't informed but I honestly am your new roommate." I say as evenly and calm as I can manage.

"Here see it even says on my dormitory assignments. Room 317 Anderson Hall, with Taylor" handing over my phone to show him the details I was provided.

He glances down at the phone for a second, then snatches it out of my hand. When I feel his fingers graze mine, I pull my hand back like I've been scorched by his skin.

He notices and looks at me quizzicaly before glancing back to the phone. His nostrils start to flare and he aggressively mouths the words 'fuck'.

He visibly calms himself before handing my phone back over. "Seems as though you are. Guess you weren't lying." He shruggs before brushing past me and lying on his bed.

Feeling a little awkward after that interaction, I stay standing still. Hoping that he'll forget I'm here if I don't move or breathe.

"Um are you going to move?" His voice startles me and I jump. Turning around quickly. "Pft. Wow you're jumpy. Calm down woulda." He laughs.

That brings me out of whatever the hell that was. I return to what I was doing, before being rudely interrupted.

Placing my clothes into my closet, I can here him tapping away on his phone. The noise is strangely calming, causing me to zone out on my task.

After a little while I realize the tapping has stopped and it's oddly quiet. Then I feel a presence behind me, making me stiff.

I turn around so quickly I almost fall. Two strong arms come to stabilize me.

I stare at the hands on my arms for a minute, before slowly raising my eyes up to him. My green eyes meet his electric blues. The intensity feels like a hold keeping me rooted in place.

He's wearing an arrogant smirk and the sight makes my heart skip. What the fuck?

Perturbed by the close contact, I tear my eyes away and shake myself from his hold. That snaps him from whatever trance he was in as well.

Clearing his throat, he says "so what's your name?" while taking a step back, putting some much welcomed distance between us.

"Danie- Dani. Dani Shey." Fuck I almost slipped up.

Daniella is dead. Daniella is dead. It's Dani, just Dani now.

"Well Dani Shey, I'm Ryland" wait what?

"I thought your name was Taylor" I question.

"Taylor is my lastname. Ryland Taylor." he clarifies.

Now I feel stupid. Of course it's a last name. And here I was thinking it was a girls name.

"Well now that names are covered. Heres a few things to keep in mind. When studying, there's no noise. Don't wake me up on your way to morning classes. If theres a necktie jammed in the door when you comeup, I've got a girl over so please try not to interrupted-"

gross so he's that kind of guy

"-if you walk in on a naked girl and I'm not here, take her name and kick her out-"

wtf I'm not his personal pussy pocketbook

"-and lastly if you ever want me, just ask." He finishes with a wink and the smirk I'm already getting tired of.

"Yeah that's never going to happen." I state plainly, turning and walking towards my bed.

"We'll see about that" he says before grabbing for the door handle

"Oh and Dani-" I turn my head back to him

"-don't get comfortable. I don't keep roommates long. I give you 4 days." Then he shuts the door in my shocked face.

"What an asshole!" I scream just as the door opens again. Surprised I yelp and turn towards the door. To see Finn smiling.

"I'm going to assume you've met Ryland?" He asks

"Yes! Why didn't you warn me he was such a massive dickhead!?" He just shruggs and laughs it off. "Is there something you needed?" I ask once I've calmed down.

"Oh yeah, I was wondering if you'd like to go get some lunch. Maybe I could show you around?" he looks at me expectantly.

No friends. Safer alone, my mind tells me. I sigh.

"Sorry but I've got to check in with the Dorm Advisor soon so I'll have to pass." I politely say.

Don't push, don't push. I cross my fingers he drops it.

"Oh um ok. I'll catch you later than and see about dinner." He says a little sad but still smiling.

Always smiling.

Before I can turn down the dinner offer he's gone. Oh well guess I have time to come up with another excuse.

If the interaction with Taylor was anything to go by this was going to be a long year. I scrub my hand down my face, sigh, put in my head phones and leave in search of the DA.