Kian is set on becoming part of the elite Cheaters Club. When he moves into a dorm room opposite Isabelle, and starts a blog about the Cheaters Club, his opportunity to join is closer than he thinks. But will he risk his relationship with Isabelle f...
I tack the last corner of my poster onto the wall and jump off the bed to poke my head out into the hallway. A dark haired guy is bending awkwardly, trying to pick up the box he dropped – but he's already holding two, stacked one on top of the other, with a suitcase behind him and a duffel bag swinging from one elbow.
"I've got it," I tell him, and move forward to pick up the fallen box.
"Thanks," he says, and I can hear an accent. American, I think. I can't see much of his face – it's hidden behind the boxes, now he's stood up.
"Which room's yours?"
"216."
I look behind me – my room, 215. And the one opposite it, 216.
A little thrill runs through me. This is like how some of my favourite fanfics start. I know, I know – I'm getting ahead of myself, I'm being stupid. But this is university. This is where crazy things like this happen, right?
"Do you mind taking these? I've gotta get my key..."
I put the box down, and take the other two he's holding, buckling under the weight of them. I practically drop them on the floor.
"Jesus, what've you packed in there?"
"Sorry, that'll be my little black book," he drawls. Now I can see his face, and it's striking. God, he's good looking. Messy dark hair, brown eyes under eyebrows as thick as mine. His mouth twitches to a smirk. "You know, all the numbers of the girls I've dated, or slept with..."
Oh my God.
I mean, I know it's a joke, but still.
I raise my eyebrows back at him. "Are you sure? I thought maybe it was your ego."
He laughs, and oh my God, I think I'm blushing a little. "You're cute," he says.
I definitely blush now. I'm not sure if he means my witty comeback, or if it's a comment on my appearance, but his forward manner catches me off guard.
He stops patting down his pockets to find his little electronic fob key to open the door. "Kian."
"I'm sorry?"
"Kian. That's my name. I know I'm like, new to the UK, and all, but I'm pretty sure it's a social norm everywhere that when you meet someone, you introduce yourself."
"Oh. Right, sorry. It's nice to meet you."
"And... you are...?"
Dying of embarrassment because I've apparently lost every shred of dignity along with my social skills.
"Isabelle."
He smiles at me, a slow smile that makes me feel warm and makes my toes curl.
"A couple of the others have already moved in," I feel the need to tell him. "Just waiting on one more now."
"I'll introduce myself later," he says, looking down the other end of the corridor as if to see who else has moved in. I arrived yesterday – first one to the flat. There are six of us altogether, and it looks like it'll be an even split of boys and girls, which is nice.
After going to an all-girls school for most of my education, I'm relieved the dorm halls are mixed.
"Do you want a hand with your things, or...?"
"Nah, thanks, I'm good." He finds his key in a pocket of his jeans, and touches it to the door lock. There's a beep, a green light, and he opens it.
"Well, I guess I'll see you later," I say, moving two steps back to my own door. I got locked out once this morning when I arrived, so now I've got my key on a lanyard which is looped through one of my belt hooks and tucked in my pocket.
Back in my room, I shut the door quickly, and then peek out through the peep hole.
Kian is picking up his boxes again, effortlessly, and glances back toward my door. I know he can't see me, but I freeze anyway, like a little kid caught eavesdropping after being sent out of the room so the grown-ups can talk.
I swear to God, he smirks at me before he turns away.
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Hey Clublanders! Beth @Reekles here - hope you enjoyed the first chapter of Betting Boy! I'll be updating every other Thursday, so you can expect the next chapter on June 30th. Leave a comment and let me know what you think so far! Also, for more from me, follow my blog (in the external link).
And if you want to hang out behind the scenes with all of us Cheaters Club authors, search Facebook for our private group, "CC: Top Secret Fanpage for The Cheaters Club".
Drop a comment (tag me @Reekles if you want me to respond directly!) - I'd love to hear what you guys think so far!
I'll be back on June 30th with the next installment. Until then, enjoy the rest of The Cheaters Club stories!
