When world's collide

Aiden’s POV.

The first thing I felt when I woke was pain — the kind of pain that you experience after a long night on a hard bed. My head pounded. The room smelled of cologne and alcohol.

I took a quick glance around, wondering where I was. Then I saw the empty glass on the table, and the suit jacket tossed carelessly on the chair.

Then I saw him,asleep beside me, half-covered by the sheets.

And that’s when I realized I was naked.

My heart jumped so fast it made me sick. I stared at the ceiling, trying to remember everything. Bits and pieces came back — the bar, our conversation, his hand steadying me, the kiss that I didn’t stop.

Oh God.

I rolled off the bed and grabbed my pants from the floor. My hands were shaking as I pulled them on. Every move felt like a sin. My shirt was under the chair. My shoes were near the couch. I picked everything up in silence, praying he wouldn’t wake.

When I looked at him again, he looked peaceful — too peaceful. His hair was messy, his jawline sharp in the soft light. I hated that he looked good even like that.

“What the hell did I do?” I whispered to myself.

I found my glasses on the table beside him. I took them quickly and slipped them on. That’s when I saw something missing — my student ID. I searched the bedside table, under the couch, even in my pockets, but it wasn’t there.

Panic hit. That ID had my dorm name, my full name, everything.

I looked at Ryder again. He moved slightly, groaning in his sleep. I froze, holding my breath until he went still again.

I couldn’t stay. I couldn’t face him. Not after… this.

I grabbed my phone and wallet and slipped out of the room as quietly as I could. The hallway was empty. The air was cold. I felt like everyone could see the shame written all over me.

Outside, I waved down a taxi and climbed in.

“Where to?” the driver asked.

“Lincoln Dorms,” I muttered, avoiding his eyes.

He nodded and drove off. I leaned against the window, watching the city blur by. My mind was a mess — part of me still stuck in that room, part of me wishing it was all a nightmare.

I couldn’t believe I’d slept with a man. A stranger. Unfortunately, I don't think we did anything serious because my butt don't hurt.

When we stopped in front of the dorm, I paid and got out fast. I walked through the doors, head down, hoping no one saw me.

I sat on my bed, pressing my hands to my face.

Days turned into weeks. I tried to forget that night. I tried to forget that man's touch, his voice, the way he moaned my name against my neck. I didn't remember much but the flashes were enough to make me hide my face in disgust.

I saw Peter almost every day on campus, hand in hand with his new boyfriend. They looked happy. One day I caught them whispering to each other like nothing in the world could touch them.

It pissed me off.

I started avoiding Daniel as much as possible. Every time I saw him, I felt like snapping. He was part of the reason Peter left — part of the reason I ended up spiraling into a bar that night.

One evening, I sat at my desk scrolling through my computer, pretending to study. My door was locked, my headphones on, music low. I didn’t want to think about anything.

Then there was a knock.

I ignored it at first. But the knock came again, louder.

“Aiden?” a familiar voice called.

I froze.

No. It couldn’t be—

The door opened. My parents stepped in.

“Mom? Dad?” I shot up, nearly knocking my chair over. “What are you doing here?”

My mother smiled. “It’s Parents’ Day, sweetheart. Did you forget?”

I definitely had.

My father walked in, scanning the room. “You didn’t clean up, I see.”

I looked around and inhaled deeply. My room was neater than the white house. And my father knew it, he just loves getting under my skin.

I scratched the back of my neck. “Didn't think you guys would actually come. You never do.’

He sat on the edge of my bed, arms crossed. “Well, surprise. We thought we’d drop by and see how our son’s doing in this liberal city.”

My mom gave a small laugh to lighten the mood, but my father didn’t.

“I heard Peter left the dorm,” he said suddenly. “Good. That boy was… different.”

I frowned. “Different?”

“You know what I mean,” he said. “Those kinds of people have no place influencing my son.”

My chest tightened. “You mean gay people.”

“Watch your tone,” he said firmly. “We’re just glad he’s gone. Maybe your next roommate will be white, straight, and Christian. Someone normal.”

“You know gay people are humans too,” I frowned. “Why should it be any different? You believe in interracial marriage — well, you don't, because you are a racist piece of shit. But you believe in different class marriages and other marriages. But the same sex…?”

“Are we actually going to have this conversation again?” My father frowned.

“Enough Aiden,” my step mother scolded. “Your father is only trying to look out for you.”

I bit my lip hard, trying not to say something I’d regret. “You were the one who insisted I always have a roommate, that's why I brought in Peter,” I muttered.

“Of course,” he said. “You need company. But not from someone who’ll drag you into that nonsense.”

I sighed and sat down at my desk. I didn't have the strength to start a fight right now. And it never ended well for me.

“Well, I heard that my new roommate’s Asian,” I said flatly. “Apparently, he’s moving in today.”

My father’s face softened a little. “Asian, huh? Good. They study hard. Maybe he’ll be a good influence. I approve.”

My step mom nodded. “See? Things are looking up.”

Before I could reply, there was another knock at the door.

“That must be him,” my step mom said, smiling.

The door opened again. Bags rolled in first — two large black suitcases and a smaller one. My father stood, ready to greet whoever it was.

I have never seen him more happy in receiving my roommate. But immediately the real owner walked into the room, his smile dropped.

She wasn’t a stranger. In fact she was someone he hated more than anyone — her husband was top on his list but she and my father couldn't stay in the same room without a verbal or physical fight.

The woman standing in my doorway was the wife of my father’s oldest rival's wife.

I looked from her to him. My mother’s smile faded as she realized who it was.

The air in the room went still immediately.

I didn’t know what was going to happen next — but I knew it wasn’t going to be good.