Chapter 3 - Rooming with the handsome devil

Nova

“Looks like you’re stuck with me, Nova.”

Aiden’s voice slipped through the noise of the hall like ice water down my spine. Everyone else faded into background blur: the chatter, the squeals, the loud groans of students complaining about roommates, my ears rang. My stomach cramped. My palms felt sweaty enough to water a plant.

He stood there smirking, arms casually crossed, like his existence alone didn’t just squeeze the air out of my lungs. I’d learned his name the hard way this morning.

I swallowed hard.

Please…not again.

I glanced between him and Nolan, terrified the two would start swinging fists right here in front of everyone. I’d die. My dad warned me about causing trouble, the last thing I needed was attention.

But thank goddess, Aiden only smirked once more, shoving his hands into his pockets like trouble itself wore expensive shoes.

“We meet again,” he said, eyes sharp enough to slice through bone.

Nolan stepped forward, confused, brows pulled together. “What is going on?”

Aiden didn’t bother answering him. Instead, he turned back to me, leaning in just slightly, voice dropping low “Let’s meet later in the room.”

Then he winked…actually winked…and walked off as if he hadn’t just drop-kicked my heartbeat into the sun.

The second his back disappeared into the crowd, I inhaled like someone saved me from drowning. My knees wobbled.

Why was I literally scared now?

“Are you okay?” Nolan asked, mouth hanging open. “You were paired with him? Damn! I wanted us in the same room.”

His disappointment stabbed me with both sweetness and panic. If I shared a room with Nolan, he’d find out everything about the real me. My entire identity would fall apart like wet tissue paper.

Heaven had answered the wrong prayer.

Aiden wasn’t safe either. He was dangerous in a different, unpredictable way. He held grudges like the universe paid him per memory. I could almost feel his glare from across the hall earlier, following every move I made.

I hated how my skin crawled.

Without thinking, I grabbed Nolan’s wrist, desperate, shameless, and begging. At least it'd be better to be in the same room with him, it doesn't matter if he finds out and never forgives me. I just needed a safe place and I knew that with Aiden I'd be dead. I won't have peace of mind.

“Let’s exchange rooms,” I blurted, squeezing his hand like I was drowning and he was the only floating wood.

“What? They said—”

“I don’t want to share a room with an alpha. Please, save me!” My voice cracked. I didn’t care how pathetic I sounded anymore.

As if the universe enjoyed laughing at me, the speaker crackled loudly overhead:

“Once again, no one can change their room. If you attempt switching, prepare to be expelled. That’s it. Get moving!”

My heart fell straight into my shoes.

I dropped to my knees. Literally. Right there on the shiny floor, like my soul unplugged from my body.

Everyone stared.

Nolan rushed forward. “Nova! Nova, hey! Are you okay?”

“No…just kill me,” I muttered into the floor tiles.

“What!” he yelped, voice cracking.

His roommate called from across the room, “Nolan, come on! We’re going!”

“No, go ahead. I’ll meet you later,” Nolan responded, staying beside me. He hooked an arm gently under mine, lifting me up with so much care that heat bloomed across my cheeks.

“You’ll be fine,” he promised softly. “He won’t hurt you. And if he does, I’ll punch him.” He tapped my cheek gently, thumb brushing against my skin.

My knees nearly liquefied.

Even drowning in panic, his touch melted everything inside me. How pathetic was that?

“You’re sweating again…” Nolan frowned, brushing hair off my forehead. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

My cheeks flushed. “I’m fine,” I croaked.

He squinted at me. “You’re not hot though…maybe you should take off your clothes.”

I froze.

“What?”

Before I could blink, his fingers reached for my shirt hem. My soul slammed the emergency break. I grabbed his hands, eyes wide enough to fall out of my skull.

He froze too.

“Oh—sorry,” he mumbled, blinking rapidly.

“No thanks,” I choked out. “Let me get going.”

I pushed my bag forward, speed-walking away, but his voice chased me:

“I’ll be meeting the lady I’ve been chatting with soon.”

I froze.

Slowly, I turned.

“Which lady?” My voice sounded like someone strangled a hamster.

Nolan stepped closer, leaning down to look directly into my eyes. “The one that looks like you,” he said, narrowing his eyes with playful suspicion.

My lungs betrayed me.

“Hic—”

Another hiccup.

“Hic—!”

“You need water!” he panicked, and sprinted off like his shoes were on fire.

I smacked my forehead lightly. What do I do now? He’s falling for…me. And not me! What the heck! Is that right? Or not? No way! There's no way he's fallen for me over some texts. The twisted math broke my brain.

His footsteps thundered back. “Here! Drink!” he demanded breathlessly, shoving the water against my hands like a worried mother.

I drank, but choked instead, coughing violently.

“Let me—” he reached to pat my back.

“No!” I squeaked, jerking away. He couldn’t touch my back, if he did he could touch my bra straps, I couldn't let that happen.

I wiped my mouth aggressively. “I’ll message you,” I croaked, waving awkwardly like a malfunctioning robot while backing away.

“Nova, I'd like you to accompany me when I finally meet her.” Nolan uttered and I nearly sank to the floor.

Accompany him to meet me? How? Just how? Oh no! I was almost going crazy, but not here. I can't let him know.

So I just turned with my bags. “Let's see later, bye!”

“Let me walk you to your room!” he tried again.

“No, I’m fine!” My voice cracked like glass, and I ended up running. Literally sprinting away from the boy I was in love with.

I probably looked insane.

After dodging three doors and one very confused janitor, I finally stood in front of Room 5.

My doom.

I bit my lip hard enough to taste iron. My heart pounded like a jackhammer.

“Okay…okay…just breathe,” I whispered to myself.

I twisted the doorknob with shaking fingers.

When I entered silence welcomed me immediately, there were empty beds, empty desks.

No angry alpha heir was here yet. I'm sure he won't agree to stay in the same room with me, cause everyone knows him. He's so prideful and hates Omegas.

Thank the moon goddess.

I exhaled like I’d just survived a war. Dropping my bag, I pressed a palm to my chest, letting the relief wash—

Click.

The door swung open behind me.

Heavy footsteps at first, my body froze.

When I turned, my breath actually stopped.

Aiden stood there, leaning against the doorframe like a magazine model, dark hair messy in the most disrespectful way, eyes narrowed with annoyance.

“Now we’re here,” he said quietly.

He walked toward me, slow, predatory, chin tilted just enough to look down on me without saying anything. Every inch he closed made my heartbeat more chaotic.

My throat dried.

“I’ll make you pay now.”

My knees weakened instantly. Was he going to punch me? Throw me? Strangle me? Kill me?

I took one nervous step back until the back of my knees hit the bed frame.

He smirked, moving so close to me, his breath against my skin, I could barely breathe.