MasukAria’s POVI woke up to the smell of something delicious.For a few seconds, I stared at the ceiling, completely confused.Then I remembered I was in Orion’s apartment, I was no longer in my old dorm. I sat up slowly and looked around my room.Everything was still exactly where I’d left it the night before. My clothes were neatly arranged in the wardrobe. My books were stacked on the desk. My little stuffed rabbit was sitting against the pillow.I smiled and then I remembered something, I wasn’t on the couch anymore but I had fallen asleep there.I quickly got out of bed and opened the door.The living room was empty.I frowned.Had Orion carried me back to my room?I looked down at myself then I noticed the blanket folded neatly over the back of the couch.I walked toward the kitchen and Orion was standing at the counter, he was already dressed in black sweatpants and a plain gray shirt.His hair was slightly messy, like he’d just showered.He glanced at me.“Morning.”“Morning.”I s
Orion’s POVThe sound of my car engine echoed through the parking garage as I pulled into my usual spot.It was nearly midnight and the race had gone well.Better than well, actually. I’d won.Usually, that would have been enough to put me in a good mood. Tonight, however, my mind kept drifting back to one thing.Aiden’s little sister, Aria.I still couldn’t believe I had agreed to let her stay with me. My peaceful apartment had been invaded by a girl who had somehow managed to leave traces of herself everywhere in less than a day.A pink hair tie on the kitchen counter and a pair of pink shoes was beside the couch. There was a tiny stuffed rabbit on the shelf in the guest room.And somehow, the place already felt different.I grabbed my bag and headed upstairs. The apartment was quiet when I unlocked the door.I stepped inside and dropped my keys onto the counter. “Aria?”No answer.I glanced toward the guest room, the door was open but the room was empty.I frowned.Then I heard a s
Orion’s POVI had officially lost my mind. There was no other explanation. I stood in the middle of my room, staring at the pink suitcase sitting beside my sofa.Pink, in my room. I pinched the bridge of my nose.“What was I thinking…”I already knew the answer.I wasn’t. Aiden had cornered me and Noah had laughed and somehow I agreed to let Aiden’s little sister move into my suite.If anyone had told me a week ago that I’d willingly share my space with another person—especially a girl, I would’ve laughed in their face.Yet here we were. I looked toward the spare bedroom.It wasn’t really a bedroom more like a guest room.It had a bed and a wardrobe with a desk and a bookshelf.A knock sounded on the door. “They’re here.”I opened it.Aiden wheeled Aria’s suitcase inside while Noah carried two smaller bags.Aria stood behind them, looking embarrassed.“I’m really sorry.”“It’s temporary.”“I know.”Aiden placed the suitcase beside the guest room.“See?”He grinned. “I told you it’d
Aria’s POV“This is a terrible idea.”Nobody listened to me.“Aiden.” My brother continued walking.“Noah.”He flashed me an apologetic smile.“Sorry. He’s in protective-brother mode.”I sighed before looking at Orion. “You can stop him.”He glanced at me.“I could.” Hope filled my chest and I smiled at him “But I won’t.” He said and my shoulders slumped.“Traitor.” I mumbled The corner of Noah’s lips twitched. “I’ve never seen Orion choose violence before.”“I’m not choosing violence.”Orion shoved his hands into his pockets. “I’m choosing consequences.”I groaned and Aiden pressed the elevator button.“No one’s touching my sister’s things and getting away with it.”“I can handle myself.”“I know.”“Then why are you acting like I’m five?”He looked at me. “Because you’re crying.”“I stopped a long time ago.”“You cried.”“I cried a little.”“You cried enough.”The elevator doors opened and the four of us stepped inside. The silence was awkward.Mostly because every girl who entered
Aria’s POVI couldn’t move or even remember why I’d come here in the first place.Orion stood in the doorway, one hand still resting on the doorknob.His black hair was damp from what was obviously a recent shower, tiny droplets of water sliding down his neck and disappearing across his broad shoulders.He wasn’t wearing a shirt.Just a pair of dark sweatpants that sat low on his hips.Oh.My.God.My brain completely stopped working. His eyes moved over my face.He was trying to figure out why I looked like I was about to cry.“Aria?” I blinked. “Huh?”“You okay?”His voice was cold.Nothing like the teasing confidence he’d shown during lunch. I looked anywhere except at him.“I…”I pointed awkwardly toward the room behind him.“I was looking for Aiden.”A tiny crease appeared between his brows. “This is my room.”“Oh.”“I knocked on the wrong door then .”“You did.”“I should go.”I turned so quickly that my injured ankle protested.“Ow…” Before I could lose my balance, Orion instin
Aria’s POVThe walk back to my dorm felt much longer than it had earlier. Maybe because my ankle still hurt.Or maybe because, for the first time since arriving at Westbridge University, I finally felt… alone.I had Aiden.I knew that.But he had his own life, his own friends, his own classes. I couldn’t follow him around forever.I had to make friends, build my own life.That was the whole point of coming here.I climbed the stairs slowly, wincing each time I put weight on my left foot. The resident assistant smiled as I walked in.“Feeling any better?”“A little.”“Liar.”I laughed softly.“Is it that obvious?”“You’ve been limping since this morning.”“I’ll survive.”“Ice it tonight.”“I will.”After thanking her, I headed toward my room.I reached for the handle and pushed the door open.Chelsea was painting her nails. Vanessa lay on her bed scrolling through her phone. Mia was sitting at the desk wearing headphones.No one looked up.“Hi.”Silence.I awkwardly closed the door b







