Chapter 7: Saved

"So... you and Wade Scott are roommates now?"

I let out the longest sigh of my life. I haven't even taken five steps out of our studio when Chloe already cornered me after finding out I'm living under one roof with Wade.

"Yeah, unfortunately."

Her eyes widened. "No way..."

"Yes way," I rolled my eyes.

"No, seriously."

"I wish I were joking," I said and pushed my glasses up.

There's a strange sparkle in them. Her open mouth slowly turned into a smile.

"How's your life with your future stepbrother then?" A smile already tugged on her lips.

"Please, don't remind me."

I started walking, but she quickly followed me.

"Oh, come on! It can't be that bad!"

I bit my lower lip. The image of Wade slamming the apartment door in Ethan's face flashes through my head. Living with him for one night already feels like I lost years of my life.

I honestly don't understand how someone can look that calm while being so unbelievably irritating.

Wade Scott has perfectly mastered the art of getting under my nerves without even trying. Sometimes all he has to do is look at me and breathe beside me, and suddenly my day's ruined.

Especially now. Because I know there won’t be a single day where I don’t see him, don’t feel him near, or don’t hear his voice.

Chloe laughed beside me. "But honestly, your parents are forcing you into the same dorm? Kind of a genius move."

"How?" I asked with a frown.

"You're going to become siblings anyway."

"We're not siblings."

"You know what I mean," she smiled innocently. "Maybe living together will finally make you realize you don't actually hate each other."

I almost choked. "Chloe, do you even know what you're saying?"

"You've hated each other for years. At some point, don't you get tired?"

I shook my head. "Not even a little?" She giggled. "I don't believe you."

I roll my eyes so hard they almost hurt. Of course she doesn't believe me. I'm just thankful it's Chloe.

But if it was some random girl who had no idea my mom’s marrying Wade’s dad in a few months, it’d be a completely different story.

Apparently for them, when a handsome hockey captain argues with a girl, people immediately assume they're secretly in love.

And it's almost ridiculous.

Wade Scott could set my artwork on fire twice or thrice and people would still call it flirting.

"I don't want to talk about him, Chloe," I said and looked at her seriously.

She pouted like a child, tilted her head, and there's a hint in her eyes like she has something she wants to say but can't.

"But," she grinned. "If I were you, why don't you invite me to your apartment sometime? You know, so you won't be awkward with just the two of you there."

My shoulders slumped. I knew it.

"You serious?"

"Dead serious," she smiled at me.

"I don't think bringing another person to the apartment will magically make Wade disappear. But if you can, then why not?"

She frowned even more. "Come on! So I can have a chance to meet him properly. I've never talked to him ever since."

I bit my lower lip. I've had a feeling for a long time that Chloe likes Wade. And indeed, I've never seen her talk to Wade. I don't know if she's just not approaching him or if he's just avoiding talking to girls.

But still, I don’t care. No matter how perfect they think Wade is, I know the truth. He’s just like every other guy here. Always at parties, always hooking up with girls.

"You're unbelievable, Chloe..." I said and shook my head.

"What's wrong? He's literally the hottest guy in Kingsley."

"He's a pain in the ass," I said and walked faster.

We passed by the hockey building. I glanced there and saw Wade organizing his things, slinging his duffel bag over his shoulder. I saw him move, and before he caught me looking at him, I quickly looked away and left.

"I can fix that," she laughed. "Also, as your friend. I think you should invite me over so we can have some fun."

"So you can stare at him?" I ask and look at her with my eyebrows raised.

"So I can make sure you two don't kill each other."

Then a shadow falls over us before I can say anything else. Not far away, I saw Wade arrive. His hands are tucked in the pocket of his hoodie, his bag is slung over his shoulder, and he stopped calmly in front of us.

"Come on," he said while looking at me.

Oh, I nearly forgot. Today's the first day of“save each other’s careers”. And as much as I hate the idea, I’ve got to go with him to buy supplies for my next painting.

"Hi, Wade," Chloe looked up and gave him a bright smile.

"Hi." His eyes briefly shifted to her.

"I was just telling Layla she should invite me over sometime."

"Why?" Wade asked, confused.

"So she won't feel awkward living with you."

His face went blank. It seems like he didn't like what Chloe said.

"I think she'll manage."

The smile on Chloe's face faltered for just a second. "Oh... but—"

"We're leaving."

I was shocked when Wade grabbed my bag and dragged me away. I don't even get to say goodbye to Chloe. I glared at Wade, but he's not even looking at me.

"You're rude," I say quietly. I think he heard it because he glanced at me a little.

"Slow down," I called out.

He's already walking ahead. We're out of the university now, and I see all the cars passing by. I'm struggling to keep up with him.

Why does he walk so fast?!

"I said slow down!"

And he finally looked at me.

"You have ridiculously long legs." I rolled my eyes.

"Is that my fault?" He asked. "You could try walking faster."

"Oh, why didn't I think of that? Wait, let me just grow another six inches," I said, and I sighed hard in so much frustration.

His sudden, soft laugh caught me off guard. I stopped. That was genuine. But it was over in seconds, and just like that. Like a robot, his expression went dead again.

I cleared my throat and walked ahead of him. He followed behind me.

"I didn't have enough money for art supplies right now," I said.

"I'll pay for it."

I bit my lower lip. "Money really saves everything in your world, doesn't it?"

He didn’t answer. Because it was true. I was on a scholarship at Kingsley University, studying for free. He was rich, studying here without paying a cent. We were completely living from different worlds.

"Look, I'm not doing this for you. I'd rather save my career than stand here and argue with you," he said in a low, calm tone. "I need your signed statement, Layla. You need that scholarship, I need this over. The quicker we do it, the better for both of us."

"Fine. And when I win that art competition, you can skip the guilt trips. I’ll pay you back. Every cent."

He didn't answer anymore. I didn't realize that I had accidentally stepped off the curb. Then a bicycle bell rang. It was so loud and so fast.

"Layla!"

Before I could turn around, strong hands snaked around my waist and yanked me backward. I stumbled into something solid, or someone... My forehead bumped hard into Wade's chest as the bicycle sped past, missing me by only a few inches.

I froze, eyes wide. My heart hammered so hard it hurt. I was shaking, knees weak, because a vehicle almost took me out. I looked up and my lips parted. Wade’s eyes locked on mine

He looked terrified and pissed at the same time.

"Jesus, Layla!" His voice came out sharper than usual, his hand still on my waist. "What the hell were you thinking?! You almost got yourself hit!"