Ghost don't knock.

Aiden’s POV.

I think I stopped breathing.

Everything around me blurred—the walls, my parents, the stupid dorm room that already felt too small. 

Ryder stood there like a ghost pulled straight out of my past. 

My chest felt tight and I swallowed hard — so hard that I felt my throat fall into my stomach.  I didn’t hear anything else until someone touched my arm.

“Aiden?” my stepmother said softly, shaking me a little. “Aiden, honey.”

I blinked once. Then again. The room snapped back into focus, and Ryder was still there.

My father’s sharp voice cut through the silence. “What’s wrong with you?” he demanded. “Why are you just standing there like that?”

I swallowed hard again. My throat felt dry. 

What the hell? Ryder? What the hell was he doing here? How the hell did he end up in this school? How the hell does someone like him end up in Princeton? No offense, but he doesn't look Princeton material. 

“Are you okay?” Mrs.Lee asked, her brows furrowed in curiosity. “You look like someone who just saw a ghost.”

“It's nothing,” I said quickly, though it came out rough. “I’m fine.”

Ryder tilted his head slightly, like he found the whole thing amusing. That almost-smile was back on his lips, the same one from the club. Like he knew exactly what was going through my head.

My father turned his attention to him. “Do you know my son?” he asked, his tone suspicious.

I slowly turned to my father, fear written in every line of my face. 

Ryder straightened, calm as ever. “No, sir,” he said smoothly.

I subconsciously let out a sigh of relief. 

He stepped forward anyway and held out his hand. “Ryder Lee. Nice to finally meet you…properly.”

My father looked at the hand like it was an insult. Slowly, deliberately, he ignored it.

The rejection was loud.

Ryder didn’t look surprised. If anything, his smile widened just a little, like he expected it.

Before my father could say anything else, I moved without thinking. I reached out and took Ryder’s hand.

I flinched under his warm touch, and memories of that night rushed back like a switch had been flipped.

“I’m Aiden,” I said, slowly and cautiously. “Aiden Miller.”

Ryder let out a soft laugh, pulling his hand back. “Yeah,” he said lightly. “I know.”

That laugh said everything. I could feel my father’s glare burning into the side of my face.

Ryder turned to his mother then, his voice gentler. “Thanks for everything, Mom. For handling… all of this.”

Mrs. Lee waved a hand. “Anything for you.”

“I just need to rest now,” Ryder added. “It’s been a long day.”

He picked up one of his bags, but my father wasn’t done.

“Don’t get too comfortable,” he growled, his face a mixture of disgust and disapproval. “This is only temporary.”

Ryder paused and looked back at him. “So I’ve heard.”

My stepmother suddenly frowned, her eyes narrowing as she studied Ryder’s face more closely. “Wait,” she said slowly. “Ryder Lee?”

“Did someone just flip on your brain switch or something?” Mrs. Lee eyed. “He is my son. In physical.”

“The Ryder?” my stepmother pressed. “The one people talk about?”

I felt my stomach drop.

“What people?” Ryder asked, calm but curious.

My stepmother glanced at my father, then back at Ryder. “The one they say is… gay.”

The word hit the room like a slap.

What? What the hell is wrong with this woman? Well, at least I know what she talks about with her friends. 

My father exploded. “He is gay,” he shouted. “Your son's gay?!”

Mrs. Lee’s eyes went wide. Then she gasped dramatically, pressing a hand to her chest. “He is?” she cried. “Oh my God.”

Ryder scoffed, shaking his head in disbelief. 

“Oh my God,” she repeated, louder now. “Tie him up and burn him down!”

My father’s jaw dropped open, his face frozen somewhere between shock and rage.

Mrs. Lee straightened, her eyes sparkling with mockery. “At least my son has a sexuality,” she eyed. 

My father looked like he’d been slapped.

She turned to Ryder and smoothed imaginary dust off his shoulder. “Go rest. I’ll handle the rest.”

Ryder nodded. “Thanks, Mom.”

Then she looked at me. Her gaze swept over me slowly, sharp and judging, like she could see straight through my skin. Whatever she saw made her lips curl slightly.

Without another word, she grabbed her bag and walked out.

Ryder picked up the rest of his things and headed toward the inner room. He stopped at the doorway and glanced back at me.

“Nice meeting you guys again,’’ he said, slamming the door behind him. 

I barely had time to breathe before my father grabbed my arm.

“Come,” he said harshly. “Now.” He dragged me into the hallway, my stepmother trailing behind us.

“What is wrong with you?” my father demanded as soon as we were alone. “First that other boy, and now this?”

I pulled my arm free. “What are you talking about?”

“Don’t play dumb!” he snapped. “You attract trouble like a magnet. Evil.”

I stared at him. “Evil?”

“Yes,” he said firmly. “I’m calling the priest. You need prayers. An exorcism if necessary.”

I laughed. “You can’t be serious.”

“I am,” he said. “The last roommate was gay, and now this one is gay too. And worse—he’s her son.”

My stepmother nodded anxiously. “This is bad, Aiden. Very bad. People will talk.”

“About what?” I asked. “Me breathing in the same room as someone?”

“You don’t understand,” she said. “Our family reputation—”

“—will be ruined,” my father finished. “I will not allow it.”

You will be surprised who warmed his bed few days back. I can still taste his being in my mouth. 

He started pacing. “I’ll speak to the Vice Chancellor. This arrangement will end.”

I nodded in agreement. This was the first time I agreed with my father without a second thought. 

He stopped and looked at me. “Hold on until Monday. I’ll fix this. And until then.” He leaned closer.  “Stay away from him,” he warned. “Don’t talk to him. Don’t look at him.”

I nodded numbly.

“Good,” he said. “We’re leaving.”

They walked away, still muttering under their breaths.

I stood there long after they were gone.

When I finally went back inside, I shut the door and leaned against it, inhaling deeply. 

I wanted to scream. Of all the people in the world. Of all the rooms, all the dorms, all the stupid twists fate could throw at me—

I ended up sharing a room with the first man I ever hooked up with. And he just happened to be my father’s rival’s son.

I slid down the door and buried my face in my hands.

“What other trick do you have left?” I whispered to the universe. Because at this point, I was almost afraid to find out.