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Chapter Three - New Roomie

Faye West's P.O.V.

I step out of my room with a loud yawn only to shriek when I open my eyes and see a boy my age standing in the kitchen. I barely catch his gaze roam over my shorts and tank top clad figure before I stumble back and slam the door shut.

Cursing at myself, I get changed before rushing to the bathroom to make myself look more presentable. After I'm done freaking out for a few minutes I eventually open my bedroom door again and peek out with a shy smile.

Light green eyes meet mine once more and I quickly take him in. The stranger has sharp features and a head of blonde hair. His muscles are obvious as his shirt strains against them and even though he's sitting on a stool I can already tell that he's much taller than me. I meet his gaze again and he smiles, revealing a dimple in his left cheek.

I swoon.

"Hey roomie."

Good god! His voice sounds like heaven, I think to myself before mentally snapping myself out of it and rushing forward. "I-I'm sorry –"

"Hi sorry, nice to meet you. I'm Noah Jackson." He jokes. I laugh nervously at that and he shoots me a gorgeous smile in return.

"I'm Faye." I hold out my hand which he shakes. "Faye West."

"Nobody told me that my new dormmate would be so cute." He chuckles and I feel my cheeks burn which he notices. "Wait! Even cuter!"

"Stop it." I mumble before accepting the plate of pancakes that he slides across to me. "I was told you'd be moving in tomorrow so I wasn't expecting anybody."

"Yeah I was out of town but I came back last night so I thought I'd sleep here." He explains with a sheepish smile. "I'm sorry for scaring you."

"It's alright." I smile before pointing at the pancakes after taking a bite. "These are delicious!"

"Thanks!" He laughs as he grabs two more for himself. "I love breakfast foods and pancakes are my favorite. Eventually had to teach myself when everyone else got sick of them."

"Same! But I can't cook to save my life so it's usually just toast or cereal for me."

"How have you been surviving? Don't worry, you have me now." He shoots me a wink with an amused smirk. "What are you studying actually?"

"Biology. You?"

"Biological Engineering." He states before frowning thoughtfully. "Do we have any classes together?"

"Immunology?" I guess and his face lights up in realization.

"Yes! And you sit at the front in our Molecular and Engineering class don't you?"

"Yeah." I chuckle, surprised that he noticed me at all.

"Do you have any plans today?" He asks as he finishes and gets up.

"Not really. You?"

"Me neither. How about we go out and do something since it's the weekend?" He suggests before grabbing my plate to wash up. "That way we can get to know each other more too."

"Uh sure, yeah." I nod but feel butterflies storm my tummy at the thought of spending time with him. Don't get ahead of yourself Faye.

"Great! We'll leave in fifteen? I need a quick shower." He wrinkles his nose with a smile.

That makes me laugh as I walk towards my room. "That's fine, see you in fifteen!"

I close the door before panicking about what to wear. My hair is a little damp from last night's shower so I work on blow drying and styling that first. After debating on an outfit for an embarrassingly long amount of time I throw on casual warm clothes with my boots since it's still chilly outside at this time of year. Applying some mascara and lip balm I chuck on a beanie before leaving my room.

"Ready to go?" He smiles while twirling a set of car keys.

"Yep. You have a car?"

"Yeah, one of my brother's got it for me before I started my driving lessons." He states as we make our way downstairs and towards the parking lot. "Her name's Mirabel...not named by me."

I bite my lip to stifle my chuckle when he gestures to the small black car with a noticeable scratch on the right side. "Looks like you haven't been treating Mirabel nicely."

He grumbles under his breath as he waves for me to get in. "I literally turned a corner, completely within my lane might I add, and some stupid fucker got too close to her!"

"When was this?" I ask as he drives off campus.

"Two weeks ago, just before midnight. Do you know that street where Starbucks is as you leave campus?" He questions before continuing once he sees me nod. "Right there! Like right at their doorstep Mirabel almost died!"

This time I can't stop my laughter from escaping. "That's a little overdramatic Noah."

"You just don't have that bond with Mira." He fake sniffles while patting the steering wheel.

"You're right. Maybe once I get a car I'll understand."

"Have you passed your driving test yet?" He asks but bites his lip as he watches the traffic and as our eyes lock it causes me to become flustered and look away.

"Yeah but I'm saving up to get a car. Any suggestions?"

We spend the drive talking about cars before he parks outside a place I recognize. He turns to me with a competitive smile which I match. "Any good at minigolf?"

"Watch and learn." I grin before we make our way inside.

We pay and grab what we need before walking onto the course. The fact that the place is science themed quirks my lips. I watch Noah start but his overdramatic show of acting like he's a professional golfer makes me laugh. He grins as he putts the ball in one go before switching sides with me.

"Twenty questions?"

"Sure!" I shrug as I take my go.

"Are you from Boston?" He asks first.

"No, Florida. I was born in Cali but we moved though. You?"

"Dallas, born and raised." He smiles boyishly while noting down our scores. "How many siblings do you have?"

"Just one brother. You?"

"Five other brothers. No sisters."

"You're joking?" I stop and gawk at him.

"Nope! And I'm the youngest of them all!" He chuckles while I resume our game in disbelief. "Are you watching any shows right now?"

"Superstore."

"That's a good one!" He grins as we move onto the next course. "What season are you on?"

"I'm on the third. Jonah and Amy end up together right?"

"Who knows. My lips are sealed." He winks which makes me groan.

"Ugh fine! What about you?"

"I don't really watch tv shows but I'm going to re-watch all the Avengers movies from tomorrow to get ready for a pop quiz me and my brothers are doing." He explains just as he takes a hit. "We do pop quizzes on anything and everything from time to time."

"That sounds fun!" I comment as we switch places. "I've only watched some of those movies and I'm pretty sure it wasn't in order either."

"That doesn't sit right with me." He shakes his head in mock disbelief. "We should watch the movies together then."

"No, that'll take forever!"

"It's a good thing we have time then!" He argues back playfully. "You, me, our couch tomorrow night."

Two workers walking past overhear and cheer on Noah which makes me blush over the double meaning. Noah's eyes widen comically once he realizes what he said before I look away and take my shot. I sense him walk over to me and brush his hand against mine gently. My gaze locks with his as I move to let him take his go but when he leans down and his lips brush against my ear I feel my heart race at an alarming rate.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean for it to come out like that."

"I know and it's okay." I smile up at him reassuringly. "I'll join you on your Avengers movie marathon."

"It's the least you can do after I just embarrassed myself." He replies cheekily but the reddened tips of his ears tell me a different story.

I shove him lightly to which he just laughs before we finish up our game. We get back in the car without the next destination in mind and drive off. I decide to resume our twenty questions game after turning on the radio but keeping it low to serve as background music instead.

"Would you rather have a home on the beach or in the mountains?"

"Beach. One thousand percent!" He smiles, slightly bopping his head to the tune. "Last concert you went to?"

"Post Malone's."

He whistles sharply at my answer before nodding. "I love his music. I went to The Weeknd's recently."

"Do you listen to any music from the sixties or seventies for example?"

"Here and there. My parents always play music from those years at home so I definitely grew up listening to it." He nods in agreement before glancing at me. "What about you?"

"I'm the same. Seventies music is my favorite. There's just something about it." I smile fondly before we spot a market and decide to stop there for a bit. "Any hobbies?"

"I like reading but don't have much time for it." He scrunches his nose as we make our way past the entrance. "I've been trying but struggling to learn how to play the piano from my sister-in-law and soccer is a huge part of my life."

"You're the quarterback for our team right?"

"Yeah..." He trails off with a surprised look before grinning. "Didn't take you for a sports lover Faye."

"I'm not but my friend, Lilah, dragged me to the recent game and mentioned you while I was sitting there clueless." I smile sheepishly when he laughs. "She's a sweetheart for giving me a rundown of all the players and where you guys are on the field knowing full well that I wouldn't remember any of it."

"Well...I'm glad you remembered me." He murmurs softly and I swear my heart skips a beat.

"S-Sure, no problem." I mumble, wishing I didn't say anything at all, as I turn around to hide my burning cheeks.

I hear him chuckle lightly behind me as we continue wandering through the market. "What about you? Any hobbies?"

"I like to swim and I used to play the violin but I don't as much anymore." I reply as we stop at a stall selling jams and honey. "Did you have any pets while growing up?"

"We have two dogs but I do live on a ranch so we have lots of other animals."

"A ranch? That's pretty cool. How was it growing up?" I ask in surprise while purchasing a jar of strawberry jam.

"It was fun yeah. Early mornings and hard work but I didn't mind." He smiles with a faraway look in his eyes. "I'd travel with my dad everywhere when he was out delivering produce. On the road, music playing softly and passing the time with good conversation and some games."

"That sounds lovely." I mutter softly as we walk side by side towards the next stall.

"It was. What about you though? Any pets?"

"Unfortunately, no. I wanted a cat so much when I was younger but my dad is allergic so that never happened." I sigh as I remember all the pleading I did. "I had a rabbit...but she eventually ran off or so I'm told. I have a feeling my brother had something to do with it."

That makes him laugh loudly and I must force my eyes off his handsome smile and bright eyes. "Would you ever get a dog?"

"Yes!" I gasp excitedly. "Dogs are the best!"

"Better than cats?"

On that I hesitate and bite my lip. His gaze flickers down to my mouth but I look away before I can blush for what would feel like the thousandth time. "I like them equally so I'd have both."

He looks like he wants to argue but decides against it. We continue through the market with Noah spending most of his time munching on food. He did help me decide on a pair of earrings and even got a house plant to go in our dorm though.

"If you had a time machine..." He pauses as he finishes the last of his doughnut. "Would you go back in time or visit the future? As in you'll be dropped in some random year rather than you visiting your past or future."

"Ooh that's difficult!" I frown as I think about it. "I guess I'd like to visit the future, get a glimpse of it. You?"

"I'd visit the past and see what life was like back then, how people used to be." He replies before adding. "My favorite subject in school was History but I hated being tested on it. I never did well."

"Really? I hated Math with a passion. Never did well in it." I groan as I remember the endless amount of studying I would do.

"Math was easy for me so if you ever need help you know where to find me." He winks with a chuckle. "Another one for you. Would you rather go thirty days without your phone or your entire life without dessert?"

"That's easy! I'd go without dessert."

"Please tell me you're kidding?" He stops for a second and we smile at each other goofily as people walk past us.

"Not a fan." I shrug with an amused laugh as he puts a hand over his heart in mock disbelief. "I'm guessing you'd rather go without your phone?"

"Hell yeah! Dessert is so good Faye! How can you...ugh...I won't ever understand your dislike for it." He grins with a shake of his head.

"It is what it is." I chuckle as I raise my arms in a surrendering motion. "What's the worst pickup line someone's ever said to you?"

"Do you like Star Wars? Because Yoda only one for me."

I cringe but bob my head from side to side thoughtfully. "Not bad. But mine's way worse."

"Go on then." He takes a sip of his drink as he stares expectantly.

I clear my throat dramatically which makes him smirk. "Your eyes are bluer than the Atlantic Ocean and I don't mind being lost at sea."

He frowns in confusion as he steps closer to me. I try not to inhale deeply as his cologne greets my senses. "Your eyes are brown though."

"Exactly." I mutter dryly and he bursts out laughing.

"I'm surprised you didn't fall in love!" He jokes and I swat his arm playfully as we resume our wandering. "Okay...any fears?"

"Spiders and just bugs overall." I answer automatically. "Can't deal. Won't deal."

"How much for you to eat –"

"Numbers don't go that high Noah!" I reply with a disgusted shudder. "You?"

"Heights. Can't deal. Won't deal." He imitates me in a high-pitched voice causing me to shove him. "Any tattoos? If not, would you ever get one?"

"No tattoos and I wouldn't get any either. I like them on other people but I don't know...I just wouldn't get one myself." I shrug before staring at him expectantly to answer the same question.

"I get that." He nods as we make our way back to the car. "I'd get some but I wouldn't do full on sleeves or anything. I don't think they'd look good on me."

"Yeah individual tattoos do look nicer." I make a noise of agreement as we sit in. "Any memorable drunken story?"

"Okay...me and my brother, Judah, had just landed back in the UK where he lives. I was chilling at his place, we were drinking and playing some cards before we decided to go out. Keep in mind that we still had our passports." He recalls as a smile quirks his lips. "We ended up in Paris without any recollection as to how we got there. Apparently we stayed by the Eiffel Tower the whole night hanging out with French people before falling asleep on the grass."

"That's insane!"

"I've never seen his wife so mad!" He laughs loudly before nodding to me. "Okay now your go."

"I didn't go as far as another country so mine's not that exciting but it was hectic. I left my friends at a house party in Boca Raton, found a bachelorette party and ended up in Tampa." I chuckle as I vaguely remember all of us singing during the drive there. "What's worse is that when my dad came to get me I was still drunk so I thought he was some police officer or bouncer and I fished out my fake ID for him."

"You're kidding?!" He splutters with a wide grin.

"I wish!" I groan with a shake of my head. "Turns out I had also stolen a phone, someone's house keys, jewelry, and money along my journey! I was grounded for months!"

"You're wild Faye." He chuckles as he parks outside our building.

"I vowed to never get that drunk again." I smile as we make our way inside.

We get to our floor and plop down on the couch as soon as we're inside. He mumbles under his breath about being hungry causing me to shake my head at him in disbelief. It hasn't even been that long since he was stuffing his face full of market food!

"Pizza sound good?" He asks me and I nod as he picks up his phone.

"We can start our marathon now if you want?"

I almost pat myself on the back for saying it when I'm rewarded with his heart stopping smile. "Do you promise not to fall asleep?"

"I promise." I roll my eyes when he forces me to lock our pinky fingers.

His eyes glimmer with excitement as he rambles about what to get for dinner. I watch in amusement as he puts on the first movie in the series before settling down on the couch next to me. He's so close to the point where our shoulders and legs are touching. I feel the tingles spread like wildfire across my skin causing delightful shockwaves to my system.

Biting my lip, I drag the blanket closer and across my shoulder as my eyes lock with his. He's explaining something to me and I nod along even though I don't hear a word. Why is he so pretty? I think to myself before looking away, unable to handle the storm of butterflies making their entrance again in the pit of my stomach.

You're making me feel things Noah Jackson and I don't know if my poor heart can take it.

Update schedule is: two or three times a week whenever I find time!

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