I am your roommate, Theo

THEODORE

I am your roommate, Theo.

I am your roommate…

When a man comes back home, there’s just a few things he needs. Peace and quiet. I have assignments to complete, new practice set ups to work on, and try my best to come up with a new dance routine. People get tired when you show them the same movements again and again. Trust me, I know.

Seeing Noah Carter on my couch telling me he’s my roommate is not part of that list.

I am your roommate, Theo.

Has the world finally come to an end? And if yes, is this how I find out?

Or is this some form of prank? Something to take the edge off.

“Ha ha,” I roll my eyes, taking a couple of steps forward until I’m right in front of him. He’s not dressed like someone about to leave this place or someone who came for a booty call, with that stretched out t-shirt and black shorts, giving me a generous view of the muscled thigh. “I’ll ask this again and try not to be an idiot this time. Where the fuck is my roommate, Sue? About five foot two, dark haired… does that ring any bell? Did you do something to her? Because I swear…”

“Woah, woah, relax, Captain,” Noah raises his hands up in surrender, eyes twinkling in mischief. “We’ve known each other for what… few hours, and you’re making these conclusions when you know nothing about me. Sue’s in the room getting the rest of her stuff. She’ll be out soon.”

Captain? When did I tell him he could call me that?

I take a quick glance at my phone screen. Eleven thirty. “She can’t leave the apartment today. She said something about leaving in a week’s time or some shit like that. Besides, it’s late.”

Noah shrugs, moving a bit so he can keep his attention on a screen where dragons are twirling around each other and trying to avoid the other’s flames. Apparently, that’s more interesting than whatever I have to say. If the rage within me wasn’t threatening to choke me, I might have appreciated just how beautiful they looked. Red mixed with orange, purple and pink.

“She’s not leaving tonight… I think. Just getting her stuff out so I’ll have a room,” he says. “Oh, I’m not a stalker. Someone recommended Sue because she had a room available. It came as a surprise to me too that you were my roommate.”

Sure.

“And what? You couldn’t stay in the dorms like a normal person, Nathan,” I sneer, crossing my arms together. I know I’m supposed to walk to that room and give Sue a piece of my mind but my feet remained planted to the floor.

Noah just chuckles. “Noah.”

“Excuse me?”

“You called me Nathan. My name is Noah.” He’s no longer watching his show and has his entire attention on me. “And if staying in the dorm makes one normal, does that mean you’re abnormal?”

Oh, he also thinks he’s a funny guy. Even when she wants to disappear for six months, Sue’s out here making sure she makes my life miserable. She truly saw no one else?

I want to smack Noah across the face but I won’t. I don’t hit people then call them names just because they’re just being themselves and trying to help out. That’s not me.

“You can’t be my roommate…”

The rest of my words get swallowed when my actual roommate walks into the living room. She’s trying her best to keep the large carton upright, while struggling with the piece of candy wrapper stuck between her teeth for some reason. Just like the man in front of me, she’s not dressed in the usual way. She’s wearing a shoulderless gown that hugs her in all the right places and heels.

“That’s the last of it. Can you help me take this downstairs…”

Noah is beside her in an instant, brushing past me. He takes the box from her with a grunt. “What do you have in here? The body parts of other humans?”

Sue chuckles before turning to me, that familiar twinkle in her eyes doing nothing to soothe me. “I knew I heard your voice.” She wraps her arm around me in a hug. “I’m so happy I didn’t miss you. Something came up which means I have to leave early, but I found someone. He’s taking over my room.”

Hearing her confirm it just makes my stomach twist even harder. Surely, my life will be so much better if he’s nothing but a stupid one night stand.

“I don’t want him.”

Sue takes a step back, eyebrows furrowed down in confusion. “I don’t understand… There's nothing wrong with him. He passed every single roommate test I put him through and he paid the rent, other utilities and even gave me the extra I needed at once. He…”

“I’m sure he’s the perfect fit for you, Sue. Not me,” I snap. “Refund Nico’s money. I’ll find someone else to pay for your room.”

Sue just lets out a huff, shaking her head. She opens her mouth then closes it again, before turning on her heels and going straight to the kitchen, leaving me no choice but to follow while I pretend not to notice the reason we’re having this conversation also coming with us.

Somebody… anybody else will be a great fit as a roommate. He can’t even stay out of our argument.

Sue takes a bottle of water from the refrigerator and proceeds to gulp everything at once. “I make sure to find a roommate so perfect that it’s almost a lie and still, you don’t want him.” She wipes her mouth with the back of her hand. “I can’t leave without the extra from the rent, Theo… I don’t have the money…”

“I’ll lend it to you then.”

“No way,” she says. “You know I’m not taking any money that comes from that… establishment.”

“What establishment?” Noah’s grating voice scratches at my ear.

Fuck. Doesn’t he understand any form of social cue?

“Shut your mouth.”

Sue places her palm on my arm, ignoring Noah. “Look, he won’t be in your hair at all. You’ll barely see the man and it’ll be like you’re staying alone… just give him a chance.”

Fat chance.

“No.”

Besides seeing Noah during practice because I had no choice, I don’t want anything else to do with him. If I have to be the one paying the rent, then so be it.

“Goodnight.”

I turn on my heels and make sure not to brush my shoulders against Noah’s as I head straight to my room. He must think I’m some sort of fool.

Joining my team.

Becoming my roommate.

Forming a bond with my current roommate so she can plead on his behalf.

He knows what he did and the sooner he stops this good boy act, the better.

I’m just about to send a text to Lucas when I hear a sharp knock on my door which is quickly followed by Noah letting himself in, dark hair falling down his face—the fallen angel.

“I don’t remember telling you to come in.”

“You didn’t.” Noah stands right in front of me, so close that I can feel every single exhale on my lips. “I try to be at my best behavior but for some reason, you can’t stop being a douche. Get over whatever issue you have with me and let Sue have this. I’ll find another apartment and you can find a new roommate, but she doesn’t need to know that. So…” he pushes at my chest with a finger, sending a jolt through me. “You’re stuck with me till then.”

I don’t deserve this.