Fake Dating The Hockey Captain AKA My Roommate

001ROOMIE AURORA Her side of the room is a hot mess. My roommate I mean..Clothes are hanging halfway out of drawers and the bed looks like somebody wrestled a bear on it and lost.I stand frozen in the doorway of Dorm C, Room 214, one hand gripping the handle of my suitcase while the other clutches the crumpled housing paper that definitely says female roommate requested.Requested being the important word, apparently.A sigh leaves my lips.“Okay,” I mutter to myself. “Not judging. Maybe she’s going through something.”The room itself is huge compared to the tiny apartment Mom and I shared back home. Two beds sit on opposite sides, divided by a narrow aisle. Large windows overlook the hockey arena outside, sunlight reflecting off the ice like glass.Ice.Just seeing it makes my chest tighten with excitement.Northford University.The school people only whispered about at competitions because it was nearly impossible to get into on an athletic scholarship unless you were rich, gi

003HEARTBREAK HIGHJAYDENI hate days like this, man. Days where I attend all classes, show up to the gym for practice, pushing my body to its limits, and all I want to do is crash when I'm in my room, sinking into the mattress and disappear for a few hours. But then something morbid comes up and I can't fucking crash.My muscles ache and now... this.The second she said please, I was cooked. Like actually finished. I don't even know why. Maybe it was the way her voice got all quiet and tight like she hated asking for anything. Maybe it was because five minutes ago she'd been arguing with me like a rabid little raccoon, and now suddenly she looked... nervous.Either way, I can't leave her here. Doesn't stop me from being annoyed though. "You could've led with that," I mutter, shoving clothes into my duffel. I don't know why I even bother. It's not like I'll be staying there for a long time. I have my stuff stashed for when I visit anyway.I glance at the girl standing in front of me

005DATING 101AURORAI stare at my phone after the call ends, my reflection blurry through the tears still clinging to my lashes.Typical.Even from miles away, my mother still somehow manages to comfort me and bully me at the same time.A watery laugh escapes me before I wipe at my face again. God. I probably look insane right now.My eyes feel swollen, my nose is stuffy. It's embarrassing. I inhale shakily before forcing myself to stand. The room spins slightly from exhaustion. I haven't eaten properly all day. Between the bus ride and the emotional destruction of my relationship, my body officially hates me.I walk toward the mirror hanging beside the desk and immediately grimace.“Oh wow,” I mutter at my reflection. “You look haunted.”A soft knock suddenly sounds at the door.I jump.For one horrible second, I think it’s Brian.Then Jayden’s voice comes from outside the door.“Shortie?”The relief I feel is concerning. Which is ridiculous because I barely know this man. I quick