Nine

        “God! I thought class would never end I can’t believe he’s making us stand up and present our essays in front of the entire class! I am complete shit at public speaking and will make a complete ass out of myself.”

        June was in my public speaking class where we had become friends after we were grouped together for a project after we ended up being the last two people without partners. She ended up being a really cool chick.

“I’m surprised you were awake to hear him make that announcement,” I laughed.

“Well, that class is just so boring!” She cried, tossing her raven colored hair over her shoulder.  It was long, almost reaching her waist. I had major hair envy over it. “I don’t know how you stay awake.”

“One of us has to pay attention or we’ll both fail,” I said, elbowing her playfully.

“True,” she shrugged. “We meeting Saw for lunch?”

I had introduced Saw and June a few weeks ago, and they were fast friends. They both share a deep love for tattooing and it turns out June had been looking into doing an apprenticeship at a tattoo shop over the summer. Saw offered to talk to Mack for her, to see if maybe she could do it at Colorado Ink. June loved the idea and couldn’t wait to see if he would accept and in the meantime her and Saw were working on a memorial that June wanted to have done.

“Yea. She said to meet her at the cafe,” I said.

        June made a face in disgust.

        We normally left campus for lunch, but there were a few days when one of us had class right after lunch, so we would meet up at the Campus Cafe. It was at the center of campus and usually only the people who lived on campus ate there. The food was disgusting and sometimes not editable.

        Saw was waiting for us at our usual table when June and I arrived. We hurried through the line and made our way to the table. Saw was texting at top speed, not bothering to look up and greet us.

        I chuckled as I watched her fingers fly across the screen.

        “What?” June asked as she sat down.

        I gestured towards Saw.

        “She is without a doubt the fastest texter on the planet.”

        Saw looked up, smiling.

        “It’s a gift,” she said, winking.

        “I’d say so,” I chuckled, picking up the slice of pizza I chose for lunch.

        When I took a bite, I almost gagged, but forced the bite down. I pushed the plate away, frowning.

        “Is it me or is the food getting worse here? I mean, how do you mess up pizza?” I looked up to find Saw and June staring at me.

        They had no problems eating the nasty pizza. I assumed it was because they’ve been living off it longer.

“We go over this every time we eat here,” June said, shaking her head. “It’s just you. The food isn’t that bad.” She lifted her slice in salute, then took a big bite.

I looked to Saw, who’s pizza was almost gone. She didn’t have a problem with it either.

“Looks like I will wait to eat until I get home tonight,” I sulked, pulling my phone out to check the time. “Crap, I have to go. I have to be at work soon.”

I had fallen into a routine since class had started back up. After class I would stop by my apartment and change, then head to work. My usual jeans and t-shirt seemed a little too casual for work, though I knew Mack wouldn’t mind.

        “More like you need to go home and make yourself look hot for Jensen,” Saw teased.

        June’s head whipped around to look at me. I hadn’t told her about Jensen yet.

        “Jensen? Who’s that?” She demanded.

        “Just a guy Saw and I work with,” I told her, shrugging.

        “More like he’s the guy that Freya is crushing on. The guy that stayed the night with Freya, then I caught them snuggling together on the couch the next day. Oh, and he’s also the guy that walked in on Freya while she was naked!” Saw said, grinning ear to ear.

        “Saw!” I exclaimed. June’s eyes went wide with shock and I rolled my eyes. “It’s not like that. We weren’t cuddling. I fell asleep and he let me use his thigh as a pillow. It’s not as big of a deal as Saw is making it.”

        “Oh it’s a big deal,” Saw said, smirking. She turned to June and grinned. “When I walked in, he was stroking her hair and had been sitting in the same position for like an hour. It was adorable.”

        “Awe!” June cooed. “That is the sweetest thing ever!”

        I scooted my chair back and stood, glaring down at them.

        “You guys are awful and I am leaving.”

They both looked up at me, grinning from ear to ear and I knew once I left Saw would give her the one oh one of Jensen and probably the rest of the guys at the shop. Without another parting glance I turned on my heel and made my way to the parking lot, to get my Tahoe.

On the way, I thought about what Saw had said and I knew she was right. I wasn’t just going to change for work. I wanted to look good for Jensen because I wanted him to notice me, Sometimes when he looked at me it made my heart race and my breath catch.

Shaking my head, I climbed into my Tahoe. If I get my heartbroken again, it would be my own fault.

When I pulled into the parking lot of Colorado Ink, I only had five minutes to spare and from the looks of the parking lot, it wouldn’t have mattered. It was more than likely going to be a very slow night, but it was also Wednesday, so that was to be expected. We normally only had appointments on Wednesday.

Jensen and Derek were seated behind my desk when I walked through the door.

“Hello boys,” I greeted them as I set my things on the floor beside my usual chair.

Derek winked at me, then returned his attention back to Jensen, who sounded rather pissed off.

“Bloody wanker gave me a week to get my things out. How the bloody hell am I supposed to find another apartment in a week?” From the sounds of it, he was having roommate troubles.

“I don’t know brother, but you know my couch is always open,” Derek said, standing.

“Thanks, mate,” Jensen said, nodding at him.

“Just let me know, man. You’re welcome anytime,” Derek told him before heading down the hall to his studio.

I should’ve stayed out of it and minded my own business, but you know me. Plus, Jensen was making this sad face and I couldn’t stand it.

“You could rent my spare room.” It spilled out of me before I could think it through. I regretted it immediately, but it was too late to take it back. “I mean, it’s not much. You’ve seen how little my apartment is. You’re probably used to bigger accommodations. It’s okay if you would rather not. It’s a stupid idea.”

I was babbling, trying to hide my embarrassment. The way he was staring at me was making me anxious, so I turned away from him. I took in a quiet, but calming breath hoping to slow down my heart beat. I could feel his eyes on me and it wasn’t helping my anxiety.

“That would be quite perfect, luv.” His voice was low and held a bit of emotion.

I turned to find him smiling at me, and my heart stuttered.

“Really?” I hadn’t expected him to accept if I was being honest.

        “How much for rent and bills?” He asked, getting to his feet.

        Oh God. We were really doing this.

        “Um, well I’m not sure. I’ve never had a roommate before. I suppose we could split everything down the middle.” That sounded fair right?

        “That’s excellent, luv.” He wrapped his arms around me, taking me by surprise.

        “Oh!” I breathed,putting my arms around him, too.

        “Thanks, luv. You’re truly amazing.” He whispered it in my ear, causing a shiver to run down my spine.

        “You’re welcome,” I said, breathlessly.

        I tried and failed to hide how his arms being around me was affecting me. I pulled back, stepping away before things could get anymore awkward. He didn’t seem put off. He smiled at me, then turned on his heel and made his way to his studio.

        I sagged into my chair and put my head into my hands, taking deep breaths hoping to calm my nerves. It couldn’t be all that bad living with Jensen. He was a pretty good guy and so what if I had a semi crush on him?

        I reached into my bag, digging through it until I found my phone. I send a quick, panic text message to Saw.

        

Me: So, I did something totally crazy.

        I tossed my phone onto the desk and started on my afternoon paperwork, hoping to occupy my mind until Saw replied. I knew she was in class and wouldn’t get back to me for a while. Unfortunately for me, it was a slow day and I would be doing a lot of staring at me phone and silently freaking out that Jensen was now my new roommate.

        Two agonizing hours later, my phone dinged.

Saw: What?!

Me: I offered to rent my spare room out… to Jensen.

I stared at my phone, waiting and when ten minutes had passed and she still hadn’t replied I tossed my phone onto the desk in a huff. Some friend she was; abandoning me when I needed her the most.

        I snatched my phone back up and sent her another text.

Me: Saw!! I need you to tell me I’m not crazy and that this wasn't a horrible idea! Where are you?!

        “All right, luv?”

        I jerked my head up to find Jensen standing in front my desk, staring down at me. I hadn’t even heard him come down the hall.

        “Oh, um, yeah,” I lied, laying my phone onto the desk.

        He studied me for a minute, then nodded, but made no move to leave. He stood there watching me as if he was waiting for me to say something. Normally I would have babbled on, but this time I took care to clamp my mouth shut and look away. I grabbed a few of my school books, hoping he would think I was busy and would leave me alone.

        No such luck.

        He continued to stand there and after a few minutes I looked up.

        “Is there something you needed?” I was going for politeness, but when his brow furrowed, I feared it may have came out more rude.

        “Are you sure you want to rent me your room?” He asked.

        My eyes widen in surprise; I hadn’t been expecting that at all.

        “What? Of course I’m sure. You’re my friend and you need a place to stay. Why wouldn’t I want to help you?” I was proud of myself for how sincere I sounded. I mean it was mostly true because I wanted to help him, but was I sure about him living with me? No. Not at all.

        “Sometimes I feel like I make you uncomfortable, so I wasn’t sure if you even liked me. It surprised me that you even offered.” His confession took me by surprise and without thinking first, I tried to make a joke.

        “Well, you have seen me naked.” It was supposed to be funny, but the delivery was all wrong and I ended up turning bright red. He leveled me with a heated stare, like he was recalling the moment vividly.

I cleared my throat and tried to salvage the situation the best I could.

“Yes Jensen, I like you and you don’t make me uncomfortable. I’ve never met anyone like you and I’m still trying to figure you out.” I smiled up at him, letting him see the truth in my eyes. Well, the half truth. I didn’t lie when I said he didn’t make me uncomfortable, but he made me feel something and I was still trying to figure that out.

        He didn’t say anything. Instead he walked around the desk and sat in the chair beside me. He opened his mouth to say something, but my phone rang interrupting him.

        “Oh! Sorry,” I said, picking it up.

        I almost dropped it when I released who it was from.

Josh: We need to talk..