;what doesn't kill you, fucks you up mentally

Maddox just had to be the first person I see in the morning, with him for ten god damn minutes and he's already completely fucked my day up.

Hannah has been none stop asking me questions about him - like there was actually anything to ask.

"Hannah, I've already told you." I exasperated. "Eli couldn't come so he asked Maddox."

This is like the hundredth time I've had to say this exact sentence.

And for the hundredth time, she argued the reasoning with me.

"Maddox doesn't just bring anyone breakfast, Tori." she insists. "He's notoriously known for not being there in a morning."

"And that's awesome of him, really, but like I said - it wasn't like that." I assure her.

"Then why did he personally ask you to the party tonight? Hm? " Hannah prompts. "All the time I've known Maddox, he's never asked a girl to do anything - except suck his dick - even then, he doesn't ask, he doesn't need too."

"Hannah. It was a friend doing a friend a favour. Nothing more, nothing less. Okay?" I sternly reply. Agitation quickly rising.

I was legit sick of hearing his name at this point.

I wish Steph was awake so she could back me up, but instead she's still sleeping her drunken ass off on the sofa.

I finally managed to escape to my room. Flopping backwards on the bed and staring at my white ceiling, I fell into my own thoughts - more specifically - Maddox Hunter.

Truth is; he was handsome.

And I guess I can believe there's some truth to what Hannah was saying - he didn't exactly scream boyfriend material - or the type to bring his friends sister her trophy for being the best - in waffle form.

I don't know, it's a tricky one. I don't trust jocks - In fact I don't trust guys that are like Maddox. Not since Jack Holland - the guy who shattered an already fragile heart.

Had I of known who he was and what he played that night at the bar, I never would of given him the time of day, as crazy as I am and as attractive as he is, it just wouldn't of been on the cards.

A sigh of relief rushed through my lips as my phone began to ring.

"Dad!" I answered. "Hey."

I love my dad, he was amazing. I've always been a certified daddy's girl.

Crying when he couldn't take me to work, or being super excited that he was the one taking me to cheerleading practise when I was really young. Out of both my parents, he's definitely the good cop.

"Hey sweetness, just thought I'd check in on you, see how everything's going." He was the cutest.

"Everything's good. I helped Eli move yesterday, did he tell you?"

"He did," he responded with a sigh. "I just hope those boys aren't a bad influence on him, that's the last thing we need to be worrying about, you're already too far away from home."

I laughed at the fact that we wasn't too far away from home.

"Dad, we live an hour away, we're closer than most students are to their parents." I pointed out.

My dad's deep chuckle brought a smile to my face.

"I know, sweetheart. It's just strange not having you guys around here all the time, that's one thing I miss about New York - you were homebodies."

Thinking back to NYCU, it was only twenty minutes away from our large, top floor apartment - so me and Eli decided to stay home instead of moving into the dorms.

Not so sure it was a good idea experience wise, but we were happy in New York. I just know the thick tension towards the end was the reason we moved. It was an atmosphere that never used to be there.

The strange thing was; our usually open and free spirited parents wouldn't tell us the reason why.

"I know, I miss being home," I sigh. "but it's nice living with the girls, sense of freedom, y'know?" I turned over, laying on my stomach and propping my chin up with my elbow.

"I'm happy you're happy, honey," I heard a ruffle over the phone and some hush whispering. "I have to go but I'll call you soon. And Tee?"

"Yeah?"

"Look out for your brother. I don't know if moving into the house with the team was a good choice from him to make." His tone was laced with worry.

I nod even though he can't see me, it's a reassurance for myself I guess.

"I will, dad. Don't worry." I replied softly, assuring him.

"You're a good girl. I love you."

"I love you too, daddy. Bye."

"Bye, pumpkin."

I close my eyes for a moment to collect myself, dropping my phone beside my head.

I know exactly why my dad is worried, and I understand. I just hope his worry was in vein.

I don't think Eli would go back to where he was in high school.

He's gone 2 years without getting himself into that mess, so here's hoping for the future.

Just have a little faith.

Time to make a mental note;

Watch out for Eli,

Pass classes,

Stay away from Maddox Hunter.

Easy.

Right?

Answer: Wrong.

I'm sat in my first class of the semester with Steph and Hannah - lone behold who walks in?

The one guy I made a mental note to avoid.

Smiling, nodding and waving to everyone who greeted him as if he was gods gift.

Walking up the stairs towards his friends a couple rows in front, his eyes are creased in the corner as he gives off his cheeky boy smirk.

I slide down in my seat, lowering my head and attempting to avoid eye contact - but sadly before I could tear my seeing balls away from him, our eyes met, a cocky smirk crept up onto his lips as he winked at me. Turning to his friends, saying something, who then all proceeded to turn and look directly at me - unsubtly I might add - they respond to whatever he just said, then turn away - all 4 idiots smiling like shitty ass cartoon villains.

Steph nudged me with her elbow. "Maddox was just totally checking you out." She whispered gasped.

I snorted. "He was not checking me out." I protested, pushing myself back up in my seat.

"He so was, Torr." Hannah backed Steph up, giving me a cheeky grin.

"You two are delusional. He was probably checking you two out." I suggested, praying they're gonna leave this alone.

"Nope, that was 100% you, babe." Steph gave me a knowing and confident nod.

Luckily, Professor Jackson walked into our business studies class and yelled for us all to 'shut up, he's got introductions to do-'

Nice guy.

I spent the rest of my class ignoring Steph and Hannah's constant pestering about getting to Maddox Hunter, how cute we'd look together, that he was actually a nice guy - yeah, okay.

They all are in the beginning and as I keep telling them - I don't date jocks - not since Jack, and definitely not after Jack.

Class was dismissed, as I quickly scurried behind Steph and Hannah in my best attempts to evade Maddox at all cost - not that he'd approach me - I just didn't wanna be unprepared if the chance arose.. Which turned to a certainty when I walked out the door and he was waiting.

Leaning his long back against the wall, foot cocked up behind him. The white sleeves of his basketball jacket roping in his bulging arms, the rest hanging over his firm torso and paired it off with some faded blue jeans and a pair of black Jordans.

Keeping my head forward I took off speed walking down the crowded hallway, Steph by my side as Hannah already rushed off to her next class.

"Bella!" His voice called out from behind me. I ignored him and kept walking. "Tori!" he corrected himself.

"Tori, he's calling you." Steph sings, giving me a smug smirk.

"I know, just keep walking." I whispered warned her.

"Tori!" Again, he called out from behind me.

Ignore - he'll go away.

All hopes are crushed when he jogs up beside me, then turning to fast step backwards directly in front of me.

"You deaf?" He laughed, the left side of his mouth tugging up into a smile revealing that incredibly cute dimple.

"No, why did you say something?" I asked innocently.

"I think you know I did." He stretched an eyebrow up and shot me a cheeky smile. "Just checking we're still on for tonight?"

I heard Steph giggling like a little school girl beside me as she gently pressed her side into mine.

"We? " I snorted.

I stopped walking, as did Steph and Maddox - right in front of me in the middle of a busy hallway.

He looks to the left and shrugs, his tongue dipping out to wet his lips before he turns back. "That is what I said."

I scoff at the ego of this guy. "We'll see." I responded, before brushing past him as I walked away.

"I'll see you tonight - Bella! " He called out after me, a smile appearing in his tone.

I wave him off over my shoulder.

"Bella?" Steph asked, hooking her arm in mine.

"Mhm. Don't ask because I don't have an answer." I replied.

She just smiled to herself as we continued down the hallway.

"I don't know what I just witnessed but I feel like I'm in the twilight zone." she muses

"How do you mean?"

"All the years I've know Maddox, not once I have I seen him chase after a girl, let alone wait for her after class." She informed me, giving me a weird look. "He must really like you."

"I'm really not interested Steph. I told you about Jack and that's the whole reason I have the - no jocks - rule. I'm just trying to keep my head down and get through college drama free."

"Good luck with that." Steph snorts. "Now Maddox has his sights set on you, he's not going to give up until you give in." her eyes narrowing but her lips curved into a knowing smirk.

I shrug it off. "Let him. I'm not easily pursued."

"This is going to be very interesting to watch play out. I may even place a bet."