4: SHARE A BED.

Saint was about to look away grudgingly when Nicholas's towel lowered itself and then fell to the floor, revealing a tattoo. His gaze snagged on it before he could even stop himself.

The tattoo rested low on Nicholas's back, directly above his waist. The design climbed the base of his spine in elegant black lines. Sharp points and sweeping curves intertwined around a narrow central shape that resembled a watchful eye. Thorn-like flourishes stretched outward before curling back in on themselves, giving the impression of something dangerous held barely under control.

It was strange how the tattoo fit him perfectly. It was beautiful in the same way a venomous snake was. The kind of thing that warned you to keep your distance while still making you want to step closer anyway.

For a moment, Saint forgot they were supposed to hate each other. That was...until Nicholas jumped suddenly while wearing his grey sweatpants. Saint gulped and looked away quickly, afraid to be caught while Nicholas smirked before turning around.

"You can look. I am fully dressed."

Saint faced him. The dude was still shirtless but this didn't seem to bother Saint much or at least, he tried not to let it. "For someone as tough as you portray yourself, that is one lousy tattoo." He spat.

Nicholas chuckled. "Oh really? I didn't know you were staring. When then did you pretend to turn?"

Saint scoffed and moved to his luggage, indirectly suggesting that they talked about his issue since he was here now.

"Ah yes. I don't have many rules to give you. I live here alone and since I've been here, no one aside from my family has ever stepped foot in my room." Nicholas paused, as if waiting to see Saint's reaction to what he had just said.

Saint shrugged impatiently. He was feeling hungry and wanted to go to the Cafeteria for dinner. Having this discussion only made his blood boil even more.

"So?"

Nicholas raised his brows at him, "So?"

"Yeah, so? What's the next thing?"

"You're the first person to be here."

Saint's frown deepened. "What should I do about it? I never wanted to be here in the first place and you could have kept that clean record if only you had disagreed with the principal."

Nicholas rolled his eyes and walked away from him to lean against the wall with one of his legs up, resting on it. Saint tried as much to maintain eye contact with him and not let his eyes wander anywhere else possible.

"Rule number one," his tone got serious. "Never ever bring anyone into my room for sightseeing. I don't care how important they are to you or whatever issues they'll be having, my room is a no-go area and when I say anyone, that includes your girlfriend."

Saint's fists tightened, his knuckles at the verge of fracturing. If he was a cartoon character, he'd probably be having steam coming out of his ears and nostrils.

"She...is...NOT...my girlfriend!"

"Rule number two," Nicholas proceeded. "I am a clean person so I like my surroundings to be very much maintained. I don't like my things to be moved around because I hate searching for them when I need them."

"I am not a dirty person..."

"I can't validate that just yet. I have never lived with you. You come from a poor background too. God only knows what goes on there." Nicholas fired another toxic shot at him. Saint was shaking at this point.

"Poor doesn't equal dirt."

Nicholas smacked his lips and raised his hands just below his chin, spread sideways.

"How will I know? I am not poor." He pushed himself off the wall, putting his hands inside his pockets once more. The sweatpants had shifted just a bit from its earlier position, revealing more waistline.

"Rule number three." He gestured with his fingers and smiled. "I will let you know as we spend more time together. Welcome."

Saint observed the space. He didn't know where else to keep his luggage. Nicholas walked past him to his wardrobe and opened the other side.

"It's spacious enough for two so feel free to keep your things there."

Saint pushed his luggage and began to unpack, ignoring Nicholas's presence beside him.

"I do have a suggestion. Something that can make this whole situation end for you." Saint paused and even his silence meant something. He was waiting for more information.

"Become my servant and you'll get your freedom after a month. You will do everything I tell you to do without doubt and if you please me, I will tell the Principal to let you leave instead of spending the whole session and more with me."

Saint snorted and looked him in the eye, "In your dreams."

"Suit yourself then, pretty boy."

"Don't call me that."

"Why? Only your girlfriend gets to call you that?"

Saint breathed in and out, holding his last rope of patience because if anything else, he would have had his fists going through Nicholas's teeth already. After he was done arranging his stuff, he headed towards the door. He didn't want to stay one extra minute in the room anymore. But then something else occurred to him just as soon as he passed the bed.

"Where do I get to sleep?"

Nicholas blinked, his expression highlighting some form of ignorance.

"The bed?"

"Where do you get to sleep?"

"Uhm...also the bed?"

"Do not tell me we are both sharing a bed."

"Sure, I won't." Nicholas folded his hands across his chest and smiled.

Saint wanted to punch the air and his face so badly. He wanted to wipe away that smile Nicholas always had after annoying him every moment.

"We...we can't share a bed."

"I don't bite."

"I don't fucking care if you do. You're a dog anyway. I just don't want to."

"It's a king sized bed. It can contain two people." Nicholas still pushed on.

"But I do not WANT TO share the bed with you."

"Okay." Nicholas looked around. "There are other spaces available for you." He said, referring to the tiled floor. Saint turned around, grabbed the handle and pulled the door open.

He exited the room. Having to inhale a different kind of fresh air was a relief to his burning soul right now. He took the shortest route he could find to the gates and then to the Cafeteria. He stayed there till nine p.m and spent about an extra hour roaming randomly and having crazy thoughts.

By ten p.m, the Master of Dorm was meant to rotate the building and the lights would be out so he began his journey back. When he arrived at the room, Nicholas was already on the bed, spread widely and snoring loudly.

Saint went to the wardrobe, carried his blanket which he laid on the floor before resting on it. He used another cover for his body.

All he could do was stare annoyingly at Nicholas, sleeping comfortably on the bed.

He was going to pay him back for this.