Chapter Four | Hey, Roomie

F o u r

By 06:00 on the dot, a shrilling noise startled her from her dreamy sleep. She cursed under her breath upon realising where the noise came from. It was a blasted alarm clock probably set up by that Dimitri guy, a roommate she's only heard of. What was he like anyway? She cursed again wondering why the flipping hell would she care about the guy.

She tried to go back to sleep after shutting off the alarm, but somehow the sleep seemed to have vanished along with the irritable noise.

Anna let out a yawn, stretching out her arms, and went to the bathroom. Thank God it was an en suite bedroom otherwise it'll be so awkward having to wait for turns with the other guys. At least in this room, she knew only two of them will be using it. Unless if he decided to bring his girlfriend or otherwise, the thought itself made her cringe. Talk about awkward moments.

She took out her toiletries and deposited them on the bathroom counter. Somehow it felt odd shifting the guy's aftershave, razor and stuff on one side and her female thing-y the other side. And the odd feeling was, of course, not just the toiletries, but the fact that she really was going to live with a guy―a complete stranger whom she's never met.

She gripped the sink with both hands. "What are you doing, Anna?" She asked herself through the mirror. Hoping for an answer of some sort―an answer that unfortunately never came.

"You don't have a choice." She told her reflection in a solacing tone, running a hand through her hair, sighing.

She took a long bath with her lemon scented body wash before washing her hair after a series of internal debate with herself. Tying up her wet body in a white towel that barely reached her knee cap after she was done, she groaned, realising she no longer had a drier considering her situation last night never gave her the peace of mind to remember to take such thing.

And no way in hell was she stepping into that house again, especially not for a Goddamn drier. And since she found none of that around, she settled for towel drying, letting her not so dry hair cascade down her shoulder.

After spending more than ten minutes contemplating on what to wear, she finally decided on her favourite ripped knees blue skinny jeans, and a black rolling stones jersey to go with it, as footwear, she chose her white flip flops.

She glanced at herself through the mirror and find a frowning girl with big hazel eyes staring at her. Her brown hair with blue highlights appeared sort of a mess that she had to run her hands a few times to straighten it out, it was not fully dry so she didn't bother combing it just yet. The hair looked nothing attractive.

Not that she cared or anything. With her make-up free face, except for the lip gloss she put on to avoid her full, pink lips getting chapped, she went out of the room.

"Good morning, Anna." Rafael greeted her by the counter, busying himself with a frying pan and spatula.

"Hmm... It's smells like breakfast in here," she beamed, taking a seat in one of the eight set of brown chairs around the kitchen island.

"Don't get used to it," Riley spoke to her since... Forever, "he's the only one who cooks around here, but he's so lazy at it. I'm sure he's only in the mood today considering you're the new girl in this house. Kind of like a 'welcome to our humble home' breakfast." Riley smirked, placing a napkin on his thigh.

"Look at him talking like he knows all that's on my mind." Rafael scoffed, sarcasm was vivid in his tone.

"Isn't it?"

"Not really." He shrugged, but when Riley sent him a are-you-kidding-me look, he sighed, then decided to tell the truth and shame the devil. "Okay, you got me. It was a welcoming thing, but hey, at least I've got the mind to be kind, what do you have to say for yourself?"

At that, Riley raised his hands in defeat, and Julian all but laughed. Anna smiled, licking her lips nervously. "I appreciate everything, but you really didn't have to do this for me. And for the record, I do all the cooking back home. I'm actually passionate about it and wouldn't mind helping around."

"You know what? Riley was freaking right when he said it won't hurt to have a female around here." Julian wanted to hug her for her statement considering he never joked with food and a girl who loves to cook in the house meant heaven to him, literally.

With Anna's offering help, they served the breakfast. It was pancakes and scrambled eggs with sausage, plus a steaming cup of coffee, and so freaking delicious. They started eating in silence before Julian broke it going on and on about music and sports. Anna was so much of a good listener and only joined in when she felt the need to.

"So, how old are you anyway?" He inquired, deciding to stray off the topic of the previous day's football match. He focused his attention to her as he put a forkful of his pancake in his mouth.

"I'm 18, recently turned less than 24 hours ago."

"Shut up! You mean to say you were kicked out on your own birthday, What outrageous naughtiness did you involve yourself with?" There was a slight teasing in his voice, and yet, it was no where near funny to her.

The dropping of her cup to its saucer made a clinking noise, she had already lost her appetite. "I'm really not up for that aspect of memory lane just yet."

"That's okay, anytime you're up for a talk, I'll always be here." Julian rested his hand on hers, smiling adorably, and while his gesture was sweet, she felt a tad awkward, the guy's taken for goodness sake! But didn't want to be rude.

"I'll keep that in mind." She stood up, clearing the dishes.

"Anna?" Rafael, certain that he got her attention, went on, "Do you have a place you needed to be this morning, I'm going out so maybe I could drop you?"

"Not really Rafael, I kinda have no job... anymore."

"Okay, school then?"

"Nope," She sighed heavily, "I'm such a loser with the big L." She was standing by the sink facing the guys who stared up at her with their eyes full of concern and worry, and that made her feel even more worthless, so she quickly added. "But I had a job offer at a hardware store, I'll check if the offer's still open so I can start as soon as possible."

"Hey, hey, we're not judging you. So don't feel pressured about getting a job or anything." Rafael quickly spoke, seeing how tensed she looked standing there.

"I have to, in order to contribute to the rent, feeding and stuff, I have work. I just hate working, and school, and shit like that."

"Anna," Rafael sighed, leaning his back against his chair, "I didn't bring you here with the condition of having you contribute to the house rent. Besides, you don't even get to own a room to yourself, so what will you pay for? Nothing!"

"I would have a clear conscience thinking I put in something at maintaining the house, if not, I don't think I can handle the guilt of being a liability to you guys."

"So you would you rather go ahead and engage in what you detest so much? You said so yourself, you hate working, so what gives? Do you have anything you love doing?"

"Yes," She said, rubbing her forehead. "But it's one of the many reasons my dad couldn't tolerate me anymore."

"Tell me." He urged.

"I'm into hand-made stuff; bracelets, door mats, necklaces, hats, and suchlike. I can basically make anything fancy out of so little. And my dad was highly against because he claimed it doesn't pay the bills and I was spending more time making stuff than focusing on school work." Not that he even care if I perform well at school or not. Her subconscious added. "From the period of finishing highschool I searched for jobs due to his persuasion. I've tried about 6 jobs, but I always end up quitting, for number of reasons he found irrelevant and flimsy.

"He eventually lost his patience like I was the only one with issues. I get that he's right about doing something with my life, but what he never understands was that I hate being bossed around and like to live in my own little world and do my thing."

There she said it. She blurted out that which she wanted to stay hidden. Buried. Forgotten. But was that the only reason her dad kicked her out, or was Anna hiding the actual truth?

"And where's the harm in that?" Rafael inched closer, giving her a side hug while her eyes welled up with tears, "You're not a loser, and I think it's high time to come out of your shell now that you're away from your judgmental father and do your wonders." Julian came to join the hug too, and the two boys glared at Riley who all but shifted a little on his seat.

"Well, don't you think so, Riley?" Julian wiggled his thick eyebrows.

"Of course, why waste the talent you know you have, and why let others degrade you when you know your self-worth?" He smiled revealing his dimpled cheeks. Riley, like Julian and Rafael, was good-looking, his hair was a wild mass of curly brown goodness, by his light brown skin, you can easily suggest that he's a mixed race.

"Then come on here for a warm group hug." Julian held out his arm and Riley came towards them still smiling. Anna felt a little crushed hugging the three guys, but she wasn't complaining. It felt real, it felt nice, and above all, it felt like home. She decided that she was going to hang around them for a while, she needed the comfort they give so freely.

She needed Rafael's brotherly kindness, and Julian's teasing aspect, hell, even the flirtatious side of him, and she needed Riley's hugs, and his smile, and the small words he needed to share.

"All that is missing is Dimitri." Julian mumbled into her neck, the idiot literally sniffed her neck. She immediately broke out of the embrace, "Nevertheless, let me hug you in his stead." And just like that, he once again wrapped his arms around her, stroking her back. And burying his face in the crook of her neck.

"Er, is this how Dimitri usually hugs." She glanced at Riley and Rafael for some help. And they guffawed, before Rafael tore him apart from her. And Julian mouthed "she smells so good" and that got him a punch on the arm from Rafael, he winced, but he knew he deserved it. He might be madly in love with Samantha, but Julian knows through and through that he's never cut out for monogamy. Regardless, Rafael kept him in line, Rafael kept everyone in line actually.

A question struck her, "How old are you guys?"

Riley responded, "I'm 19, the youngest," He winked, "Julian turned 21 last week, and Rafael is 24, and Dimitri's same age as Julian. Although he's older than him with a week, Julian just refuses to acknowledge that."

"So Rafael's the eldest? That explains the aura of sophistication and maturity. It suits him fine."

"Thanks, I guess." He flushed, rubbing the back of his neck.

"So, what do you guys do?"

"Julian studies Sociology at the University of Windsor, and Riley studies Music at the same college. Dimitri attends the Brock University and is majoring in Creative writing, he also works as a freelancer," Rafael went on. "And I run a family business, a small cafe shop downtown: D-Theory. These two lads work with me there."

"That's pretty cool."

"I guess you could say that," Rafael shrugged. "Listen, I gotta buzz out, I'm running late."

"Got a vacancy for two in your ride, man?" Riley inquired, "We need a lift."

"Sure, come along." He placed a hand on her shoulder, "You'll be okay alone, around here?" Gosh, why didn't she have a brother like Rafeal? Even a brother less awesome than him will do. Being the only child sucks! Forget about its plus side of having your own everything, it sucks, period.

She nodded, smiling. "Sure, don't worry about me, I have unpacking to do anyway."

"We'll make it up to you," Riley decided, putting on a black jacket over his red shirt, "Guys, how about we invite the girls over for dinner, I'm sure Anna will be chuffed to have some female company, won't you?"

"Yeah, sure, but my 'the girls' you mean?"

"Our girlfriends," he grinned.

"Awesome, I'm looking forward to meeting them."

She bade them goodbye as they all exited the house. And Anna decided, the place needed a little clean up. Within the next half an hour she was done making the living room, as well as the kitchen presentable, before heading to her room―their room, whatever. The house was in a tranquil state, and she sort of loves it even though it seems empty without the noisy guys in it. So she decided to unpack, tidy up the room and then have a nap. Maybe.

She picked up all the clothes tossed away carelessly on the floor and into a hamper, and then returned the books to the book-shelves before making her way to the walk-in closet.

It was not that big yet the clothes hung all over the place left her in awe. Truly the guy owns more clothes than she, a female, does. And it's wasn't just the amount of the clothes, but the fact that they say something, and that something meant expensive and fashionable.

She doesn't know what got into her, but she chose a white shirt closest to her and discarded her jersey and put it on, it was loose against her skin yet so nice. She went to the nightstand, and put on her iPod, because she always worked her best in a musical atmosphere.

Without meaning to, her body started swaying bit by bit to the melody of Uptown funk. She doesn't know what it was about the song that always got her moving, it was cute at first until she made up her mind that she'd dance her mental stress away, until she made up her mind that she was all alone so she can move however risible she saw fit.

"... C'mon dance, jump on it, if you sexy then flaunt it, if you freaky then own it, don't brag about it just show me."

She mimed the song using her body spray as Mic. and thrusting out her behind in the twerk-ish way possible when the door flew open, at the exact moment she starts to unbuttoned the shirt, just to add a little sexy to the atmosphere, you know, not the usual hot and bothered, more like hot and over-excitement, she froze.

Like, when put that particular scene of that particular movie on pause froze, yeah that. And who could blame her when her hands having the mind of their own decided to get rid of her clothing and replaced them with her roommate's white shirt. Because she often had fantasies about wearing a guy's shirt while dancing. Anna was at times weird, and she knew it.

She gulped, involuntarily. Throwing the can of body spray on her bed and running a hand through her hair. The hair she did not even want to start imagining what it looked like. But wow, was it too hot or was her blood having the reaction of evapouration at the sight of the figure staring at her, quizzically?

He had the coolest grey eyes rimmed with the blackest lashes, his hair was dark blond, a little messy, a little long like he'd forgotten what a hair cut really is yet it suited him in the most sexily handsome way. He was tall, and his arms were toned, it was easy to guess how well he was packed in the abs area through that almost seen white grey shirt, matching the colour of his eyes.

She sighed, for a moment, thinking she was staring at a movie character, or maybe a model. Yep, he had that model look girls usually trip for. And he looked that hot with the grim and confused look on his face, imagine what he'd look like when he smile. She sighed again.

"Excuse me, who the hell are you?" He bluntly asked, advancing towards her.

"Hi, you must be Hunter," By her smile, you know she's trouble. "I'm Anna McAdams, your roommate." She extended her hand towards him, but returned her empty hand to her side when he curtly glanced down at her hand and then settled his gaze to her eyes. Epic fail.

"I don't have time for this." He said after looking fixedly at her in a scrutinising way, then proceeded towards the door. "Is this the best they can do at hooking me up with some girl that they had to bring a stripper to my room?"

Her chest tight ever so slightly, his words hurt to the deepest core of her heart, "I am not a stripper," her teeth were clenched, "I actually am your roommate... as of yesterday."

He turned, facing her. "And whose permission was that? Because I sure as hell didn't post an advert that says 'Hey, I need a roommate ASAP, oh and she must be wearing my shirt by the time I get back.'"

"Why don't you ask Rafael about that?" She snapped, losing her cool, and then suddenly felt it will be demeaning to wear the clothes of a meanie like him and suddenly starts to unbutton the shirt. Her eyes never leaving his, which by the way automatically dilated.

"What exactly do you think you're doing?"

She didn't answer, didn't stop, didn't think twice till the piece of clothing left her skin, exposed. And then tossed it at him. It hit his face before dropping to the floor and he all but stare at her in utter shock. Anna was in nothing but her matching red coloured laced bra and panty. Well, damn.

"I'm sure this view," She gestured to her slim yet curvy body, "Is more than enough to compensate the damage on your shirt, because I think I damaged a few buttons, not that I'm a tad sorry about it." She went on, "And now that you've come to mention it, maybe I am a stripper, but careful now, I don't just bite, I chew."

He blinked. "I think I need some air."

***

I hope you're enjoying the story so far.