I opened the bathroom door and let the steam and music spread throughout the studio apartment. I sang along to the newest pop song that played.

"Why do you insist on playing your music at full blast," Mason covered his ears with the sides of his pillow.

"I just want to share my amazing music taste and vocals with you. I also wouldn't have to if you didn't cut my earphones," I winked and then began to sing again.

"Well, maybe you shouldn't have ignored me when I was trying to talk to you," he ranted.

"Talk to me? You mean yell at me?"

"You left your camera on the floor!"

"It was not on the floor. I had it on my backpack."

"That was on the floor!"

"I thought after being here a month, you would realize that I don't have class on Mondays and I like to sleep in," Mason seethed.

I became aware two weeks into my stay here. Mondays were Mason's days to get over the hangover he got over the weekend.It was a day of healing. Too bad I didn't care.

"I thought after living here for a month, you would realize I don't care," my voice dripped with fake sincerity.

He huffed and turned away to face the wall. I listened closely as he mumbled a few words under his breath. "Such a brat....So goddamn annoying..."

I had never met anyone like Mason before. He was easily annoyed which was a bit frustrating for me. Some days it was fun to mess with him and other days we would both end up in bad moods. Mason also really liked his space. Growing up with three brothers, I was used to having as little space as possible. I was also used to helping them when they got hurt, which lead to one of mine and Masons bad mood days.

Last week, Mason had got into a fight with some guy over something he wouldn't tell me about. His knuckles were bruised and his bottom lip was split. There was a line of blood dripping from a cut in his eyebrow. I offered to help him clean up, but I guess that was wrong of me.

"Are you sure you don't need help? I took first-aid training in high school," I followed him into the bathroom.

"Can you fuck off," He stopped in front of the bathroom door. "I don't need or want your help."

"But, it may be easier to have someone else look at it." I said, "Sometimes we can't tell how bad out own wounds are."

"Fuck," he growled. "I can take care of myself, dammit. Get the fuck out."

I didn't get time to respond. He had slammed the door in my face.

--------

I quickly put my things away and grabbed my school bag. I was about to walk out the door when I figured I should tell Mason goodbye. Of course I had to do it in a special way.

"Mason, I'm leaving for class do you need anything before I go, " I made my voice sound as sweet as possible. The room goes quiet except for the soft snores coming from the somewhat short man. A smirk crossesd my face.

Mason may need a bottle of water to help him with his hangover. I should get one for him. Reaching into the fridge I grabbed a bottle of water. I made sure to find the coldest one. I swiftly moved over to his sleeping figure. I removed the cap and slowly tilted the bottle forward. Mason's face twitched as a few drops land on his nose and forehead. With a sinister giggle, I let the rest of the water flow out. I jumped back as Mason quickly shot up and rubbed the water from his eyes.

A growl admitted from his chest ,"what the hell, Alex!"

"I thought it would help with the headache. I should be going now, don't want to be late for class," I winked at him before heading out. I could hear cursing as I shut the front door.

As I walk to class, my phone began to ring. Students walking by giving me weird looks as the theme song from Rugrats plays. I fumble as I try to hurry and answer it. I felt a warm blush form on my cheeks. Remind me to change my ringtone.

"Good morning," I recognize the voice as CJ's.

"Good morning CJ. What's up," I greet.

"Are you free today? The group and I were planning an outing, " he said excitedly.

"Did you forget I have classes on Mondays?"

"Ah shit. Sorry," he whined.

"Fine, how about tonight we watch a movie in my dorm? You don't have any night courses do you," I stopped walking as I make it to the lecture room. I stepped to the side to let other students enter and to finish my conversation.

"No, I don't have any night course," I think about my next words carefully before speaking. "Would it be just us tonight? Like a date? "

"N-no not a date. The group will be there too. Not that I wouldn't want to go on a date with you. I just wouldn't have our first date at my dorm room. I'd want to take you somewhere nicer." He let out a nervous laugh.

I stay silent for a moment trying to process what was just said. My heart was beating hard in my chest. Did I like CJ? We had spent quite a lot of time together over the course of this month. I'd often visit him and Dylan at their dorm when Mason was being an asshole. So, I was over there almost everyday. I've actually gained a pretty close friendship with the two boys.

"Oh god, did I make this awkward? I should have kept my mouth shut. I'm sorry."

I snapped out of my shocked state, "No, it's fine. I'll be there tonight."

"Okay, then I'll see you tonight," with a simple goodbye, I ended the call and headed into my lecture.

The lecture did not take long and I left as soon as it was over. I was hungry and my stomach growled through the whole class. I practically sprinted to the dining hall.

I sighed as I set down my plate, "I am so tired of pizza. Can't they find something else good to serve," I met Lacy's eye as she sat down in front of me.

"You'd think they'd at least serve us something edible other than pizza," she looked down at the soggy bread on her plate. I was thankful that Lacy came to lunch with me but maybe we should have went off campus to eat.

We ate and chatted for about an hour before I had to head out to my next course.I had a culinary class.By the end of the year I could start teaching the school what good food is.

The class goes by quickly as I find cooking to be fun and relaxing. Today we learned how to make the perfect hamburger and barbecue sauce. BBQ's back home just got so much better. I spent some extra time after class photographing my masterpieces.

I noticed that it was about five by the time I reached my apartment. I had exactly tow hours before I was expected at Cj's dorm. I debated with myself if I should dress nice. My new found feelings for Cj may have played a role in the debate however, I didn't want to be too dressed up for a movie night. I decided just to throw on a pair of sweats and a hoodie. Comfort over style. I put on an episode of the Office while I waited for the rest of the time to pass.

I was drawn into an episode when the sound of the front door creaking open filled the room. In comes Mason with what looks like some groceries. Mason was in charge of the food and I was bit hesitant to let him be at first. He surprised me by buying mainly healthy things. I didn't take Mason as someone that cared about nutrition.

"You going tonight, " Mason questioned as he sat the plastic bags on our small table.

"Yep," he hummed in response before putting the food he bought in the fridge and in the cabinets.

Mason and I walked together to CJ's place. It was silent the whole way there. Sometimes I would catch Mason side glancing at me but he never said anything. The atmosphere felt awkward and I didn't want to make it worse by asking him what his problem was.

When I heard that I would have a roommate here, the first thing that popped into my head was the girl from the movie "The Roommate." We would be the best of friends until they turned out to be crazy and murder my cat. Instead, I have a roommate who happens to hate me for some reason and no cat.

"Look who's finally here. I was afraid that you two were fighting again and lost track of time," CJ opened the door wide and invited us in. His dorm was bigger than my apartment. It almost had the same layout just without a kitchen and the beds were in small rooms. I think I remember CJ telling me that Dylan was his roommate and when they moved in, they argued about who's room was who's even though they are the exact same thing.

"Alright so, we are watching Insidious. I rented this movie a while ago and should probably at least watch it once before I return it, " Lyndsey put the DVD into the player. Erica went to argue with her choice but was instantly shot down by Marcus and Lyndsey.

I was sat between my roommate- who was not happy to be sitting there- and CJ. I felt two different tensions surrounding me.

I felt a small poke on my shoulder, "If you get scared, you can hold on to me if you want" Cj winks at me. I blush as his boyish charm works on me.

"Good to know,"I, for some reason, whisper back. My voice felt small and fragile.

The movie started and I was already scared. I hated horror movies as they always made me feel terrified and sick. I hid behind Cj the whole time and by the whole time I really do mean the whole time. There would be some moments where I'd take a peak but would instantly go back to my hiding place. Not today demons, not today.

Toward the last maybe 40 minutes, CJ got up.

"I'll be back," he whispers.

A new wave of fear washed over me, "what!? You can't leave. You're my shield!"

"You can survive until I get back, " he laughs.

I looked around for a pillow or blanket of some sort but there was nothing. I gulped as my eyes turned towards the screen. I could feel my cold and clammy hands beginning to sweat more and my heart racing. Everything was fine, until it wasn't

I let out a small squeal and latched on to the closest person to me as a demon popped up on the screen. .As I grabbed on to them, they grabbed on to me and buried their face in my hair. The screams on the screen got louder causing both of us to tighten our hold.The screaming subsided and I felt relieved. I also felt my sense come back to me and I smelled something nice. I could tell it was a guy by the smell of the cologne. Wait! I know this smell. I smell an overwhelming amount of it every morning.

I was holding on to my roommate. Had he realized what had happened as well? My cheeks heated up as I lifted my eyes. Oh boy, this was definitely going to make a lot of things awkward. Mason had already been looking at me.

Instantly, he let go of me and pushed himself away. He scoots closer to Lacy who then scoots closer to Marcus. Cj returned and I continued to use him as a shield. I tried to forget about what just happened.

"Looks like you survived," cj noted. He handed me a bowl of popcorn that he must have made.

"Barley," I breathed, "Promise to never leave again."

He chuckled and threw an arm around my shoulders, pulling me closer.

Mason and I headed home at about ten. It was dark and every shadow looked as if it could be a ghost. My anxiety was at an all time high and I could feel how tense I was. We were walking silently and far apart so it gave my mind time to think and make up scary things.Once we got home, I dived into my bed. I pulled the blankets over my body to create a sense of security. Everyone knows nothing can harm you when you are under a blanket.

I listened to the sound of Mason sitting down on his bed and letting out a sigh.

"Well, that was a good movie," Mason coughed out.

"Yeah, it was okay,"I trailed off.

You and Cj seemed to be having a good time. I'm surprised the boy even let you breath from how close he was holding you to him. I didn't think anyone could stand to be that close to you."

I rolled my eyes, "Some people like to cuddle while watching a movie. I bet you wouldn't know as I'm sure you've never had the pleasure of cuddling with someone."

"Cuddling while watching," he laughed, "you were terrified and didn't even watch half the movie. And you basically cuddled into me in fear!"

"If were going to go that way, you. cuddled me too! You clung to me just as I did to you. You had year head buried in my hair and your arms wrapped around my waist."

The room fell silent as the last word left my lips.

"Well goodnight," we both say at the same time and turned away from each others gaze.