Girls have always been my weakness.

This is a fact I've known about myself for years and I'm not ashamed of it. Why should I be? They obviously see something in me if they agree to spend one night beneath the sheets with me.

I've seen many good-looking girls: blonde ones, curvy ones, skinny ones, the ones who like to take control in bed. But never have I been caught so off-guard by one until meeting her – this Nova Elliot girl.

Damn.

I look back.

Shoulder-length auburn hair that curls loosely at the ends. The biggest, darkest brown eyes framed by thick lashes, sharp cheekbones, and full pink lips all complete the perfect masterpiece I'm looking at. My gaze slowly travels south to take in the smooth freckled skin of her neck. The leather jacket she's wearing has seen better days, but it applies well to the low-cut red sweater beneath. Speaking of low-cut...She's got a fair-sized rack. I let my gaze drop further, taking in her grey skinny jeans that hug her curves, and her black ankle boots. Nova is short, the top of her head barely reaching my chin, but she's got this whole tomboy thing going on and I can't say I don't like it. She's ridiculously perfect in her own way. I momentarily picture what her body would look like beneath those clothes.

Yeah, I would like that very much.

There's just one problem: I don't like her attitude.

When I asked for a girl that would challenge me, I didn't want her to come walking in acting like she owned the damn place. I wanted the kind of girl that wouldn't hide her feelings for me, but still play extremely hard to get; one that would feel the instant attraction I happen to attribute to. The feeling of being immediately disliked by a girl is so unfamiliar that I almost don't know what to do. I've never been rejected before; girls are usually kissing my feet, begging to know what one night in bed with Warren Ashford is like.

But there is one thing I do know: I am not sharing a room with someone. No way in hell.

I need a place to escape. After a long day of using our brains, we all crave the creature comforts of home; a quiet retreat where we can sit our asses down on the sofa, chill out with a strong drink, and unwind. It's not exactly home – that's back in Halifax – but I'll take what I can get. If she thinks she's going to step into my life and start throwing rules in my face, she's mistaken.

Melted snowflakes trickle down my face as we walk to the building that mediates anything that has to do with campus life. The student services building is one of the largest buildings on campus and also happens to be the same place where I was banned from living the typical university life. Suffice to say, I'm pretty damn popular around this area. Seriously. I'm on a first name basis with the older ladies that work behind the desks, just like I am with the bartenders at the club.

I don't hold the door open for Nova. I can tell she's pissed at me, which only pisses me off. I did nothing that gives her the right to hate me as she does. If she's judging me by what she saw when she walked in, then she's clearly never attended university before – I don't know how many late-nights hook-ups I've heard rumours about. On top of all the judgmental feelings I'm getting from her, I have a massive, protruding headache from last night. I don't know why I never learn from the mistake of drinking too much, but I don't.

I squint at Nova. With her height, she looks like she still belongs in middle school. I chuckle to myself and shake my head. This girl is in for a rude awakening if she thinks she's going to be able to float through life with ease and not have to deal with shit.

Inside the building, a nutty, candy-like smell fills my nose. The small coffee house that resides beside the campus store is slow this morning; there's a small crowd, but it's not like the usual one that winds through the metal tables that dot the wooden plank flooring in front of it. On the opposite side, I see Easton being handed his usual morning coffee.

"East!" I call out, raising a hand. Don't know why the dude's up so early on a Saturday morning, but then again, he's probably wondering the same thing as he looks over his shoulder and frowns at me. His gaze shifts to Nova and then back to me. He raises his eyebrows, looking unimpressed with me. I stop walking and lean against one of the wooden columns near the front doors to wait for him.

"What are you doing?" Nova demands, planting her feet in front of me and crossing her arms.

I jerk my chin in Easton's direction. "Waiting for my buddy."

Her face pulls into a cute frown. "That is not the reason we came here in the first place, Warren," she says. "We're here because we need to have this roommate predicament resolved before Monday."

I cock an eyebrow at her. Monday? Does she think time is suddenly going to speed up and pass by in the blink of an eye? "Relax, sweetheart. Stop and smell the flowers. It's Saturday – there's plenty of time to sort this mess out. But thanks for the reminder." I let the sarcasm drip from my voice.

Nova's frown deepens and she opens her mouth, but then shuts it and turns to face the coffee shop. Conversation over. Good. The girl needs to take a deep breath and relax. Through her tomboyish image, there is a certain level of armour to her – she's wound tightly and doesn't tolerate humour as a normal person would. She has a wall up, one she doesn't want anyone to pass through.

I don't know what her deal is, but it thrills me.

I turn my attention back to Easton. He's striding toward us, coffee in hand. Today, he's dressed in a pair of faded blue jeans, a tan bomber jacket, and a white T-shirt that stands out against his dark brown skin tone. Crisp white skate shoes and a pair of aviator sunglasses are his only accompaniments.

"Who's your new friend, Warren?" he asks, nodding at Nova. He holds out a hand. "I'm Easton Larken."

"This is – "

I'm cut off by Nova's modulated voice. "Nova Elliot – Warren's soon-to-be ex-roommate."

Easton and I both stare at her, confused by the icy tone she's using. Her big brown eyes are filled with something more than hatred. And all I can think is, Really? No girl has ever hated us – we're the stars of the university's volleyball team, after all – until we've used them and tossed them to the curb. It's an interesting concept to dwell on, the instant hatred.

"Roommate?" Easton asks, throwing me a confused look.

I shrug. What am I supposed to say? I'm just as confused as he is. I don't know how this mix-up has happened, but whatever the reason, all that matters is solving it so we can get back to our lives. Mine being secretly disobeying probation, and Nova's being...whatever the hell she does for fun. Part of me thinks her hobbies have something to do with reading textbooks for fun or listening to educational podcasts.

"Yes," Nova nods, stuffing her hands into the pockets of her leather jacket.

I stare at the thing. It's a couple of sizes too big for her, wearing out at the elbows, and on the back, near the collar, I see the initials CJ. I rub my jaw, wondering what those initials stand for. I begin to investigate the different possibilities that pop up in my head, abruptly stopping myself when I realize what I'm doing.

I shake my head. No girl has ever raised such a level of curiosity in me before; I've never been one to care about where they're from and what their past holds. So why am I wondering now?

"Since when do you have a roommate?" Easton asks me.

"Since Scotia here walked in thinking she was the boss," I reply.

"Don't call me that!" Nova snaps.

"Why not?" I grin, reaching out to tug at one of her curls. "I don't like astronomy, but I do like Nova Scotia. Besides, I think the name suits you."

She flinches and grabs my wrist with remarkable reflexes. "Well, I don't like it. So I would appreciate it immensely if you would call me by my first name. Personally, I find nicknames to be an utter waste of time." She stops talking and looks at her hand that's still wrapped around my wrist. I swear I see a faint dusting of blush colour the skin beneath her freckles as she drops my hand.

"Well," Easton interrupts, clapping me on the back. "Good luck dealing with her. I'll see you at practice on Monday." He looks at Nova, a mischievous grin on his face. "Nice meeting you, Nova."

He waits for a response, but all Nova does is glare. Her lips are set into a firm line and she doesn't look impressed.

With a sigh, Easton walks away, leaving me behind and wishing I could follow him. I don't know what Nova's problem is, but her level of confidence and intolerance is a little scary; she's somewhat intimidating. Her glare is intense, making my palms clammy; my brain overthinks what I'm going to say next, and I'm starting to self-doubt. But I'm not going to let her see how she's affecting me. Any sign and she'll attack.

Without giving her another glance, I start heading for the offices that line the building. The one I'm looking for is to the left of the vending machines. Stepping through the door, I'm greeted by Julia – a girl that's always gotten on my nerves. When I was first accepted, I was required to take an orientation class. Julia happened to be in that same class. She talked my ear off as if she lacked any self-control, and by the end of it, I was ready to deafen myself. Since then, I've avoided her.

"Hello, Warren," she says, heat creeping across her cheeks.

Normally, I'd be flattered. Sure, I know Julia dislikes me, but at least she can't deny the fact that I'm attractive. However, my nerves and patience are fraying. The hangover I have is starting to get aggressive and Nova's snippy personality is grating.

"Julia," I say.

"Didn't expect to see you up so early on a Saturday morning," she replies coolly.

"Well, here I am. It's been a great morning."

Julia is not impressed with my sarcasm, but it doesn't stop her from looking over my shoulder and saying, "Hey! I know you."

Pushing past me, she walks over to Nova and gives her a hug. I watch her reaction. The look on her face is unamused – not that I'm surprised. Nova doesn't seem like the type of girl that would give hugs willingly. In fact, I bet she's never hugged anyone. Period.

"Is everything all right?" Julia asks. "No offence, but when I said to come and find me if there were any problems, I didn't mean that I wanted to see you only" – she stops and looks at her watch – "half an hour after showing you to your room."

"Oh, I know," Nova replies. "But, sadly, there's a problem that needs to be dealt with." She gestures between us. "He's my roommate."

I frown at her tone. The way she's addressed me makes me sound like some kind of insufferable disease.

"There's no way," Julia says. "A mistake like that would never be made."

"Well," I interject before Nova can say anything. "There has been a mistake. So if you can helpfully use your bookish senses, point us in the right direction so we can solve it." I shoot an annoyed glance between the girls. "I need my room all to myself ASAP."

"Pfft," Nova scoffs. "It didn't look like you were alone when I walked in."

There are words I could say to her, but I clench my jaw. If I make a scene in front of all these people, I'm going to get my ass kicked. There's no doubt about that one.

"His room is only...occupied with someone other than himself on Friday nights," Julia says in a matter-of-fact tone. "He and his friends always visit the downtown club to pick girls up. The female population knows that if you're single and looking for a good night, you go find him, Easton, or Sven."

Nova shoots me a disgusted glare. "That is the reputation you want to uphold? The campus man-whore?"

I shrug. "Old habits die hard."

"Ugh. Guys like you disgust me."

"And stuck-up princesses like you disgust me. Looks like we're even," I retort.

Releasing a frustrated breath, she turns back to Julia. "Can you please tell me where I'm supposed to go to get something like this fixed?"

"Of course," Julia smiles. "Follow me."

We follow her to the desk that's furthest away from the door. She steps around to the other side and starts up the computer. I sit down in one of the chairs opposite to her, making myself feel at home by propping one foot upon my knee and resting my elbows on the armrests. My shoulders are slouched.

Nova sits down in the chair beside me, looking stiff as a board.

I don't understand this girl – how can she be so uptight?

"So," Julia says once the monitor is lit up, "what can I do to help?"

"We don't want to be roommates," Nova and I say in equivalence.

We exchange a glare.

"Well, at least you agree on something," Julia jokes.

Hah. Funny.

When neither of us responds, Julia gets to work. I watch her as she types random words into the computer system, but only with a small portion of my attention. Most of it is focused on not looking at the girl sitting next to me. Yeah, her attitude and personality both stink, but she's enjoyable to look at. She's gotta be, out of the hundreds of girls on campus, the hottest one I've ever laid eyes on.

"Well..."

I look up. Julia's lips are pursed and she's frowning in confusion.

"What?" I demand, sitting up straighter. "What's going on?"

Julia looks at me. "Do you want the good news or the bad news first?"

"Bad news?" Nova asks, sounding a little flustered.

"The good news," Julia starts, ignoring Nova's question, "is that I can reserve a different dorm room for you in the fall semester. This semester and the summer semester are both, however, a problem."

I pinch the bridge of my nose, attempting to ease the headache away. "And why, Julia, are they a problem?"

She looks me directly in the eye. "I'm sorry, but all the rooms are full for the next two semesters. You were the only one who didn't have a roommate. I guess the system paired you together because of that."

"Shit," I mutter.

"That can't be possible," Nova says.

"It's never happened before," Julia continues, "but it looks like you're stuck together until September. I'm so sorry."

Nova purses her lips and stares at her boots.

I slouch back, feeling deflated. Nova's words echo in my head. She's going to ruin everything I've worked for. Friday night hook-ups, partying at the club, drinking – I can kiss them all goodbye.

"Reserve that room for me," Nova says. Although I can feel her eyes digging into my skull, I don't look at her. "We'll figure out a way to handle each other until then."

"Oh, baby," I wink. "I'd love to handle you. Just tell me where and I'll do it. As long as you return the favour."

Nova scoffs. "The only thing you're going to be handling is yourself under the sheets."

With that, she gets up and storms off.

I stare after her, already counting down the next eight months I'm going to have to put up with her.

Well, isn't this just fucking fantastic...?