Chapter 1 Pretty Boy

I was sitting in my long-term boyfriend's dorm room, busying myself by reading a book while I waited for him to finish class. The door went flying open, nearing making me jump out of my skin. A shirtless male ran into the room, slamming the door loudly behind him. He looked out of breath, leaning his back against the door to inhale deeply. From the way he ran a hand through his hair, he looked rather distressed. I quirked an eyebrow, intrigued as I sat up straighter. This wasn't something you witness everyday. He still hadn't noticed me sitting here. He was shaking his head softly when he looked up and his eyes locked with mine. "Jesus! Wh—" the boy's bright blue eyes bulged out of his head. Shock and confusion flashed across his features, not expecting to find someone in his room. "Am I in the right room?" I shrugged nonchalantly, amused. "You might've barged into the wrong room while running for your life." The calmness in my voice only caused him to look more panicked. He opened his mouth and then shut it, looking like a fish. The confusion was evident on his face. "Wait," he exhaled slowly. "This is my room," he pointed to his bed. "The question is, who are you and what are you doing here?" He pushed himself off the door and crossed his arms over his chest as he stepped closer to Nate's bed that I was sitting on. I leaned back against the headboard of the bed. "I'm Fia." I tilted my head, amused as I looked at the boy. He narrowed his eyes at me. "Did we—have a date or something?" He almost looked like he could pass out at the idea. I bit down on my lip to bite back a laugh. "A date?" I rose my eyebrows in disbelief. "No offence pretty boy, but guys with player reputations who run and hide from girls they got bored of within an hour are not really my type." He was taken aback by my comment. He nodded his head slowly as he continued to walk closer to the bed I was sitting on. "We've just met so how would you know all that is true?" I shrugged casually, looking up at him in the same challenging manner he looked at me in. "I'm pretty sure the whole college knows about your reputation, pretty boy. Also, your roommate has told me enough for me to know that's all true." He nodded his head in understanding, surprising me when he took a seat on the edge of Nate's bed instead of his own bed. "So, are you going to keep calling me pretty boy or should I formally introduce myself at some point? Not that you're wrong when you call me pretty boy." I let out a chuckle, finding his confidence and ego amusing. "Don't let it get to your head." He shrugged, his lip turning upwards in a grin. "I'm Wes but you can stick to calling me pretty boy," he shot me a wink. I rolled my eyes playfully, "I don't think I need to enlarge your ego anymore than it already is." Wes snorted. He scooted back on the bed, leaning his back against the wall and slinging his legs overtop of mine. I quirked an eyebrow, looking at his legs and making sure to avoid looking at his very well built abs and biceps. "Do you mind?" "Nope," he mumbled nonchalantly. "So, you know my fellow roomie, Nate?" "Well I'm not here for you so yes." He chuckled. "And you're just waiting here for him? Booty call or something?" He gave me a suggestive look. I rolled my eyes, placing the book down on the bedside table. "Girlfriend, actually. We've been together for three years." Wes's eyes went slightly wide in surprise as he sucked in a breath. "That's a lot of commitment. You should be out having fun, don't you think? Why be tied down at nineteen?" I shook my head in disbelief, laughing at his mindset. "You don't need to be single to have fun. We're happy together." Wes narrowed his eyes skeptically. "Are you really?" Now I was the one to narrow my eyes, questioning what he was implying. "What is that supposed to mean? Why wouldn't we be?" Wes shrugged casually. "Come on, the transition from high school to college and living on campus has got to have its difficulties. I don't think I know any guy who wants to be in a committed relationship while being a freshman." Wes did had some valid points but Nate and I were happy. Sure we had some struggles and problems like any other couple would but we were happy... I quirked an eyebrow. "Commitment might be a difficult concept for you to grasp but I can assure you that it is possible to be in a happy relationship. Not everyone wants to go around getting with random girls they're never going to call a second time." Wes exhaled deeply, "Whatever you want to believe, sweetheart. And for the record, I am not afraid of commitment." He let out a small scoff but I was having a hard time finding truth in his words. I laughed in disbelief. "Really? So why were you running away from that girl?" We had literally met while he was in the process of hiding from some girl whose name I doubt he remembered. Wes bit the inside of his cheek as he thought of an excuse for me. "She was... - fine, you have a point. But it's different." "How so?" I retorted. He shrugged, looking down at his legs that were on top of mine. "Because if there was a girl worth committing to, then I would." "You're telling me you practically go on a date every other day and have yet to find a girl you don't just want to mess around with?" I snorted, not buying it. He was definitely just not the type of guy who was interested in settling down. He just wanted to 'have fun'. "Yes," he responded curtly, grinning cheekily at me. I rolled my eyes. "Really? So what was wrong with the girl you were hiding from today?" "She's way too clingy," he muttered, scrunching his face up in a look of disgust. "We just met today and she was already talking about Valentine's day. That's four months away!" "Nothing wrong with getting your hopes up and looking forward to the future." I shrugged casually because I didn't want to admit to him that maybe that was a bit too fast. For a first date, it would have made me hit the brakes myself. Wes grinned, shaking his head in disagreement. "No way. That's just crazy. Are you telling me you're thinking about baby names with Nate already? Or wait, is that why you're still with him? Because you got a bun in the oven." He wiggled his eyebrows in a suggestive manner. I leaned forward and smacked his arm, scoffing loudly. "Shut up!" "What?!" He retorted defensively, shooting his hands up in the air. "Why else would you want all this commitment at this age? You're telling me you don't walk into a bar, make eye contact across the room and have the urge to hookup with the handsome stranger in the bathroom? Never to see him again but the sexual tension and satisfaction being enough to have you swoon." My eyes went wide, my jaw dropping. "Gross! And no! I do not think about that because I have a boyfriend who I am very happy with, thank you very much. A boyfriend, who by the way, I do not need an excuse to stay committed to." Wes started chuckling, leaning his head back as he laughed at my reaction and response. "So then I'm right. You're the type of girl who has a five year plan, already decided on your wedding colours and future children's names." I gave him an unamused look. "No actually, I prefer to live in the moment. We're too young to decide any of that just yet." "Exactly!" Wes exclaimed. "Too young to be settled down. You should explore your options and have some fun." I let out an exasperated breath, "You go ahead and do that. I'm fine where I am, Wes." "Suit yourself, Fia," Wes shrugged as he swung his legs off me and hopped off the bed. He walked over to retrieve a sweatshirt. I watched his back muscles flex in a beautiful way as he slid the sweatshirt over his head. "Hey," he turned around causing me to quickly look away as my cheeks heated up. I did not need to be caught staring at him but man, he was a beautiful person with a face I could stare at for hours. "I have an idea." "Oh, please do tell," I muttered sarcastically, rolling my eyes. Wes ignored my sarcasm. "You can play cupid." My eyebrows furrowed together. "What?" "You can be my match-maker. Find me the perfect girl and maybe I will settle down since you make it seem like so much fun." I scoffed, "What makes you think I could find the perfect girl for you?" Wes shrugged nonchalantly, his lips tugging up into a smirk. "Look at those gorgeous doe-eyes of yours. With those eyes and that quick mind of yours, I'm sure you'd spot out all the fake bitches who I shouldn't waste my time with." My breath hitched at his compliment but I ignored it. "You really want to settle down?" Wes shrugged. "I don't know but since you say it's not so bad, maybe I can give it a shot. And who knows, maybe you'll really find me a girl who I'll click with instantly." I raised an eyebrow, "You're being serious?" Wes nodded firmly, grinning at me. "Yes. And if it doesn't work out, I'll still be going out on dates and charming the hell out of more girls who will fall for me instantly." I laughed, shaking my head. "Yeah, they'll fall for you up until you open your mouth and speak." Wes quirked an eyebrow, smirking. Amusement flashed across his eyes. "So you're saying I'm attractive, Fi?" I rolled my eyes, glancing away from him as my cheeks started to warm up again. I don't know why he managed to have that effect on me. "Nope." "Aw," Wes cooed, placing a hand on his heart. "It's okay, Fia. You can admit you were smitten by my charming and beautiful looks. I was too for a second when I walked into the room and saw you." My eyes went wide, not expecting to hear a compliment from him. I quickly changed my demeanour and rolled my eyes, playing it off nonchalantly. "You sure know the way to a girl's heart, Wes." "So, wha-" Wes was cut off when the dorm room door opened and Nate walked in. He stopped in his tracks, a confused look on his face as he looked between Wes and I. "Fia, what are you doing here?" He slowly walked further into the room and placed his bag down before stopping in front of me. My eyebrows pulled together. "What do you mean? You told me to meet you here." Nate nodded his head slowly, "Right... I just didn't mean so soon." I blinked, unsure of how to react to the way Nate was acting. He seemed off and distant and like he didn't want me here. "I'm sorry," I mumbled sheepishly. "Did you have plans?" Nate shook his head. "No, I was just hoping for some down time after class. I've been up since six a.m." "Right," I exhaled, awkwardly, as I got off his bed, suddenly feeling unwanted and pathetic. "Well that's okay," I plastered a small smile onto my face. "I just wanted to see you. You've been so busy with classes I feel like I haven't seen you at all but I can just meet up with you later if you're tired right now." I ignored Wes, avoiding meeting his eyes as he looked between Nate and I with his own eyes narrowed. Nate nodded, moving past me and sitting on his bed. "Great. I'll see you later then." My mouth went slightly agape, not expecting him to be so abrupt. It make my heart ache hearing him talk to me like he really didn't want to even see me right now. He's supposed to be my boyfriend but sure was not acting like it right now. "Uh..." Wes awkwardly shifted on his feet as he continued looking at how weird this interaction between Nate and I seemed while Nate on the other hand, wasn't even looking at me as he pulled his phone out. I clenched my teeth. Slowly nodding my head, I started walking to the door. "Okay." I was about to open the door when Wes spoke up. "Hey Nate, mind if I borrow your girl for a bit?" "What?" I choked out, turning to look at Wes in confusion. What is he doing? "What?" Nate also spoke, looking up to narrow his eyes at Wes. "Just out to the cafe. She's my new match-maker, I was hoping she could find me a new girl to get with," Wes spoke ever so calmly and casually, not phased at all. Nate blinked, confused. "I see you guys warmed up to each other while I was gone." I opened my mouth to speak but no words came out. I was too stunned by the lack of interest in Nate's voice. "She's jaw dropping, what can I say, man?" Wes glanced at me for a moment and sent me his heart melting, award winning smile. My whole face flushed as I averted my gaze to Nate, gritting my teeth slightly. "It's not like... that." "I never said it is," Wes continued, speaking with utter ease. "However, I do need you to find me a date for tonight so what do you say?" I blinked. I was completely confused by whatever game Wes was playing. I wasn't even sure of he was being serious. I looked at Nate who was busy staring at his phone again. It didn't even seem like he remembered Wes and I were still in the room. "Nate?" I mumbled softly, wanting him to say something. How can he be so unbothered right now? "Huh?" Nate looked at me. "Oh. Yeah, you guys go... have fun, whatever. Find him a girl." I blinked, "Seriously?" Considering Nate is my boyfriend and he knows very well that Wes has a player reputation, I was concerned why Nate was so keen on me and Wes hanging out. He seemed like he could care less. I was starting to grow frustrated that Wes was giving me much more attention than my own boyfriend was. Nate leaned back, too busy on his phone to even hear whatever I was saying. I exhaled slowly, trying to fight the urge to scream or cry or kick. It was like Nate couldn't even see me standing here. He didn't bother giving me a second glance. I shook my head softly, dropping my gaze to the ground. "I'll see you later, Nate. If you're not too busy." "See ya," he mumbled, still not looking at me as I headed out. I looked at Nate for a moment, a look of disbelief on my face. I sighed as I turned to leave the room, no longer wanting to be here when I was clearly not wanted by Nate. I didn't expect Wes to follow after me but he did, quickly falling into pace with me. "So..." he turned to look at me, a soft look in his eyes as he raised his eyebrows. "You sure you guys are as happy as you said?"