The relief I felt when Sarah appeared was short-lived. As I walked back to my dorm, a wave of anxiety washed over me again. The thought of facing Kyle again, especially in such a confined space, filled me with dread.
I knew I had to make a decision about the dorm. The thought of sharing a space with Kyle sent shivers down my spine, but the idea of navigating the rental market on my own felt overwhelming.
I pushed open the door to my dorm room, taking a deep breath. The room was small, but it felt strangely empty. My roommate hadn't arrived yet. I set my bag down, trying to ignore the knot of tension in my stomach.
As I unpacked, I heard the door open. I turned, my heart skipping a beat. There he was, Kyle, his smirk a familiar shadow on his face. He was tall and lean, with dark hair that fell over his forehead in a messy curtain. His eyes were a deep, stormy gray, and his jawline was sharp and defined. He wore a faded band t-shirt, a worn leather jacket slung over his shoulder, and jeans that were ripped at the knees. There was a raw, untamed energy about him, a sense of rebellion that was both alluring and intimidating.
"Well, well, well," he said, his voice a low rumble. "Looks like we're roommates."
I felt a chill run down my spine. This was not going to be easy.
"So, you're Kyle?" I asked, trying to sound casual.
"The one and only," he said, his eyes meeting mine.
Suddenly, Sarah's words from earlier echoed in my mind. She'd mentioned that Kyle had been through a lot, that he'd lost someone close to him. His anger, his guarded demeanor, it all started to make sense.
"Listen," I said, taking a step closer. "I know we haven't exactly gotten off to a great start, but..."
He cut me off, his expression hardening. "Don't even try to apologize. I don't need your sympathy."
I hesitated, unsure what to say. I knew I shouldn't push, but I also couldn't ignore the strange pull I felt towards him.
"Okay," I said softly. "But maybe we can at least try to get along."
He didn't respond, just turned away and started unpacking his things. I watched him, a mix of curiosity and apprehension swirling inside me.
To be continued...