CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 3

ZANDER’s POV

I used to enjoy my alone mornings.

The silence. The routine. Waking up before everyone else, making my bed, and getting ready without anyone getting on my nerves.

The second I turned and opened my eyes, I saw a face and sighed.

Jayden Sinclair was my roommate.

His suitcase lay half open on the floor, clothes spilling out like he'd packed shoved random shit in it. One shoe sat by the door while the other had somehow ended up under my desk.

Unbelievable.

I sighed for the 100th time this morning as I bagan packing his stuffs from my side of the room, silently praying I pack everything without waking him up because I actually was not ready to start exchanging words with him this morning.  

“FUCK!”

I shouted as a sharp metal pierced my legs. I looked down to see it was the belt buckle belonging to Jayden.

I cursed silently under my breath.

There was no way that hadn’t woken up him up.

“Can’t you shut your mouth for just 3 minutes and let me get a shut eye? He groaned.

I stared at him.

"Good morning to you too." He cracked one eye open before his gaze landed on the pile of clothes in my hands.

"What are you doing?" He looked at me like I was a creep.

"Cleaning up YOUR mess invading my side of the room."

Without another word, he snatched the clothes out of my hands and stuffed them back into his suitcase.

"Don't ever touch my shit again, Zander." He said in a cold tone.

I blinked.

"I wasn't trying stealing it."

"I don't care." He zipped the suitcase halfway before glaring at me. "Just don't touch my stuff."

I let out a quiet scoff.

"Trust me," I said, grabbing my backpack, "it definitely won't happen again." Reminding me that I wasn’t wrong about rich people. They’re all arrogant for no reason.

His jaw tightened. “Good”

I left the room for him knowing we had both agreed on something.

     The universe must definitely be playing a game with us because, not only did Jayden and I didn't just share a dorm, it made us share our first class too.

“How flattering that Jayden also attends art class.”

I and Tristian took the empty seat by the window, hoping to enjoy at least one peaceful lesson because we both couldn’t stand rich AND arrogant people.

Jayden dropped into the seat directly behind me while Marcus sat beside him.

"You've got to be kidding me," I muttered to Tristian.

"What was that?" Jayden asked.

"He wasn't talking to you Jayden." Tristian answered before I could. “We don’t want you getting caught mingling with us ‘middle-class nobodies.’” He quoted.

Jayden frowned for a brief second. "The hell is that supposed to mean?"

"No idea," Marcus said with a shrug.

Tristian let out a humorless laugh. "The fact that you have to ask is hilarious."

Jayden looked between us for another second before rolling his eyes. "If you've got a problem, keep it. Doesn't concern me."

He leaned back in his chair, already done with the conversation.

Before Tristian could respond with a smart comment, the teacher walked into the classroom, bringing the conversation to an abrupt end. I was actually thankful because the tension between all four of us could bring the class down.

“Good morning class” The teacher started the lecture and I immediately blocked my ears from any sort of distraction. Even the ones beside me.

“Zander, would you mind telling the class why contrast is important in artwork?” The lecturer asked,

I answered without much thought.

"Excellent." I smiled as he dropped the comment. The lesson continued and a few minutes later, another question.

"Mr. Hades?"

I answered again.

From somewhere behind me, I heard Marcus whisper loudly enough for me to hear. "You know, Hades, you don't HAVE to answer every question. We get it. You're desperate for validation."

Jayden chuckled.

"Or maybe he's trying to become another teacher’s favorite by the end of first period."

The smile slipped from my face and my chest tightened.

“No.”

“Not again.” I whispered,

I pushed back my chair so quickly it scraped against the floor.

"Mr. Hades?" the teacher called.

"I... I need to use the restroom."

He nodded, and I was out the door before anyone could stop me.

I heard Tristian calling my name but I couldn’t answer him as I felt vomit at the back of my throat caused from those terrible memories.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” I said as I felt tears stinging my eyes, “These damn bastards can’t even let me catch a break this year?”

“Why did they have to remind me of everything I tried so hard to bury?” My hands already shaking as those memories tried to resurface.

I stared at my reflection, pulling myself together because I wasn’t going to let them drag me down again. I splashed water on my face and left a few minutes after I had reassured myself that the words they said would never affect me anymore.

 I left the bathroom.