Roses

Chapter 1/Moving In

Erin's POV:

"Dude! We're going to be late again!" I yelled as I pounded on the dorm door.

"I'm coming, I'm coming!" Ellie yelled back through the door. I heard a loud thump, followed by a very distinct "Fuck!" I covered my mouth with my hand, trying not to laugh. The door in front of me slowly swung open, exposing my best friend. "Happy?" She asked me as she showed me an already slightly purple bump forming on her knee.

"Yikes. That probably doesn't feel good," I said smirking. She rolled her eyes.

"No shit, Sherlock," she muttered. She pulled out her phone to look at the time, then looked back up at me, glaring. "What the hell, Erin? We still have fifteen minutes before class! Why'd you rush me so goddamn much?" I couldn't help but laugh now. She continued to glare.

"I'm just so used to you being so far behind schedule that I come over ten minutes early to rush you," I grinned. She rolled her eyes and flipped her head upside down to tie her wavy blonde hair up into a messy bun.

"You suck."

"You love me, though!"I linked my arm through hers and started pulling her down the hallway. She just laughed.

"It's literally just a chemistry lab, why are you so exci-" She cut herself off as we reached the door and she saw who was waiting on the other side. "That's why we're rushing," she said in a deflated tone. I nudged her.

"Be nice," I whispered. She sighed.

I pushed the door open smiling. "Hey babe," I said as Matt wrapped his arms around me.

"Hey hottie," he whispered in my ear as he hugged me. Ellie feigned throwing up over his shoulder. I glared at her, then pulled away and smiled back up at him. "Ready?"

"Yep! Time to walk you over to lecture before we go to lab."

"Aw thanks babe." He slipped an arm around my waist, forcing Ellie move to my other side.

"So are we still on for tonight?" I asked, looking up at him. He looked back at me, confusion clouding his face. "We were going to grab dinner in Isla Vista?" I added, trying to remind him.

"Oh! That! Right," He ran a hand through his hair. "Yeah, about that, I'm not gonna be able to make it. Sorry babe. Frat stuff tonight. Can't get out of it." He shrugged. I frowned.

"It's a Friday night. Isn't it just a normal party?" I asked. He gave an exaggerated sigh.

"Erin, we've been over this. I'm a pledge so I have to go to every party, even if I'm not assigned to work it."

"Oh, right." Finally, we had reached Campbell Hall, the main lecture hall on campus, and where Matt had his next class.

"Alright, this is me." He turned and leaned down to give me a quick kiss, then turned around and sauntered up the stairs. I watched him till he disappeared through the doors, then turned to Ellie knowing what was coming.

"I don't want to hear it," I grumbled as  I walked past her. She raised an eyebrow.

"Hear what? Hear how he cancelled on you again for a party? Come on, Erin! He shouldn't get away with treating you like this! You know it's not right!"

"I told you, I don't need this right now, Ellie!" I said, harsher than I meant. I saw her whole body wince with the force of my words. I sighed, feeling guilty. I knew she was just looking out for me. Sure, Matt wasn't perfect. He stood me up occasionally and was quite a slob most of the time and talked about himself a lot, but he could be really sweet too, and was always loyal. As far as I knew. And did I mention he was extremely attractive?

I looked back up at Ellie. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it to come out like that. You just...don't know Matt like I do. He's not all bad. I promise." I gave her a hopeful smile so we'd stop fighting. She sighed and shook her head.

"Whatever you say. Let's get to chem before we're late." She held out her arm for me to link my arm through. I smiled and happily obliged.

                           * * * * * * *
Shawn's POV:

"Shawn."

"Earth to Shawn."

"Shawn!"

I quickly jerked out of the daydream I'd just been consumed in, pulled out one earbud, and looked toward the front seat at my bodyguard, John.

"There he is. We're here, bud." John said. I looked out the window just in time to watch as we drove through a giant arch that read:

Henley Gate
Welcome to UC Santa Barbara

A thrill went down my spine as we entered the campus. I had been here before of course; I had toured the campus last summer and had immediately fallen in love with it. I applied and registered as soon as I was admitted.

Going to school was going to be a bit difficult with my music, but I had planned it out so I could work on writing as well as go to school in my downtime. And what place was better to write at than the beach? Unfortunately, due to my last tour, I was already a quarter late to start, (UC's are on the quarter system, not semester) but the second quarter was just staring, just in time.

"How're you feeling honey?" My mom asked. My parents had flown down from Canada to help me move in. I just nodded, tapping my fingers on the windowsill of the black sedan. My mom gave me a knowing smile and wrapped her arm around my shoulder. "You're going to have so much fun this year."

I smiled at her again, then looked back out at my new home.