The Bad Boy Next Room (Charlie and Taylor)

"It's so cold," Charlie muttered while staring into the balcony. She sipped on her hot chocolate before taking a deep breath. "I wonder how long this bad weather will last."

"I checked the weather. It will rain until tomorrow. Classes will most likely resume the day after," Taylor said behind Charlie. He drank his hot beverage and sat on another sofa, his eyes also studying the heavy downpour.

There was a storm, and so classes were temporarily suspended. Thus, Charlie was stuck at home with Taylor.

"So, what's the story with you, Charlie Blondie? If we are going to be housemates, we might as well get to know each other," Taylor suggested.

Charlie turned to him, her gaze lingering longer than she intended. Taylor usually let his hair fall freely, but that morning, with his hair pulled back into a man bun, his sharp features were in full display. "Mmm. What do you want to know?"

"Where are you from?" Taylor asked without looking at her. He resumed drinking his coffee.

Charlie made a face and returned her attention to the view of the university. She said, "I am from Halliport."

"Halliport. Halliport," Taylor echoed. "Isn't that like ten cities away?"

"Twelve, actually," Charlie corrected.

"If I am not mistaken, Halliport is a big city. Why are you here?" Taylor asked.

"I searched for the best schools, and Luxford University came as one of the best in business management. I also love the school. It has a vast green lawn. The air around here is fresh, and there's lots of trees." Charlie smiled, remembering how her father agreed to this town. "And it has the lowest crime rate in the entire country."

"I feel safe around here!" Charlie claimed.

"Yeah, it's safe around here. My - the governor denies many developmental projects, which helps preserve Luxford," Taylor said.

"I take it you are a local?" Charlie asked, turning to him again.

"Born and raised," Taylor said while raising his mug.

"Have you thought about leaving Luxford?" Charlie asked.noveldrama

"It's amazing, right? We are actually having a proper conversation," Taylor said before smirking.

"I supposed I owe you a decent conversation after yesterday," Charlie said.

"If I get picked out by scouts this year, I'll leave," Taylor revealed. "So, will you ever tell me why you were looking for a new apartment?"

Charlie wavered. Looking out into the rain, she thought about it deeply. She shared, "I was betrayed by the people I loved and trusted."

There was a short pause before Taylor asked, "Who? And how? Is that all you are giving me?"

"I don't want to talk about it," Charlie said. "What about you? Why do you get into fights?"

"Because they deserve it," Taylor answered.

Charlie waited for more juicy details, but he did not resume. She turned to him

and asked, “What? Aren't you going to explain further?"

"I don't want to talk about it," Taylor said with a sly grin. "If you are not talking, I'm not talking."

Charlie pouted and then averted his gaze. She answered, "Fine!"

They fell silent after that. Both were on their phones until Taylor asked, "You know, I saw you yesterday at the canteen. I was about to wave at you, but you ignored me."

Charlie was earlier drinking her hot chocolate, hearing Taylor, she choked. She coughed repeatedly and said, "Um. Are you sure? I did not see you."

She made frantic hand gestures as she explained herself, "I have bad eyes. I have - um. Myopia. I can't see that far."

"You couldn't see me?" Taylor repeated with a frown. "Why aren't you wearing glasses?"

"I don't want to wear glasses!" Charlie objected.

"Are you sure you did not see me? I was two tables away!" Taylor objected.

"No, you were not! You were ten tables away!" Charlie corrected him, and when she realized she had just admitted to lying, she bit her lip.

Silence fell upon them again before she explained, "Listen, I'm from the College of Business, so I just feel weirded out by acknowledging to know an enemy -"

"An enemy?" Taylor laughed. "You mean the basketball team?"

"So, you are a Wall Street Warriors big fan, huh? I might have seen you from the bleachers. That's why you are familiar," Taylor suggested.