The Burning Rose

04 | New Friendships

"It suits you perfectly, don't you agree?" he said, eyeing me in feign innocence.

"Are you implying that I'm short, Nincompoop?"

"Nincompoop?"

"You're calling me Shortcake. It's only polite that I return the favor, right?" I snarkily answered. The nerve of this asshole was astounding. He was in no position to nickname me. We didn't know each other. "Aren't we all made to judge each other?" I huffed.

His eyes turned shrewd as he started forward. I flinched at his sudden movement and backed away, my heart skipping nervous beats as I stared at him with wide eyes.

"What-what do you think you're doing?"

"Nothing that'll harm you," he spoke matter-of-factly.

I paused in my tracks, narrowing my eyes at him as he continued forward until stopping just enough to tower over me. He was taller — much, much taller for my average height of five-foot-three — proving his point of me being a Shortcake. Cringing at the nickname, I lifted my chin to meet his amused gaze defiantly. His pools of emerald glittered under the warm lights as a playful, mischievous grin played across his lips.

"Shortcake."

"Nincompoop."

I pushed him hard on the chest, and a loud gasp escaped my lips when he tripped on his foot and landed on his butt with a loud thud. Clasping a hand over my mouth, I struggled to control the laughter that bubbled in my throat. Gray's expression was stoic, but I could see the humor dancing in his eyes. Taking a deep breath to compose myself, I extended a hand out to him. He eyed me warily before accepting it, and I helped him up to his feet.

"Thank you." He took several steps backward, creating a considerate amount of distance between us. "I'm glad that my stupidity amused you."

"I prefer the word entertained," I quipped. "And I'm sorry about that."

"I was hoping to fall on my arse this past week. I should be grateful for your help."

"You're welcome," I chuckled, bowing my head slightly out of habit. Realizing this, I quickly straightened my spine and flashed him a sheepish smile. "Go and make yourself comfortable."

"Aye, Shortcake."

"And stop calling me Shortcake."

"Mhmm, the things I have to ponder."

I rolled my eyes as I walked back to my dresser to take out a pair of sweatpants. Gray was here with me. I wasn't going to walk around my room with nothing but an oversized shirt. I slipped into the sweatpants before picking up my towel from the floor. I hooked it on my closet door, but it slipped off, causing an involuntary hiss of annoyance to leave my lips. I crouched down to grab it again. After two more failed attempts, the towel finally stayed, and I released an exasperated exhale.

This place could use a proper towel rack.

I ran a hand through my damp hair and glanced over my shoulder to look at Gray. He was seated on Victoria's bed with his legs stretched forward, holding a book. I watched as he tucked his soft-looking curls behind his ear, and I stopped myself from running over to him to touch it. I didn't want him to get the impression that I was a creep. I scanned his face instead, noticing his gorgeously long eyelashes.

"Enjoying the view, Shortcake?" he chaffed, bringing me back from my trance. "I know for a fact that I'm bewitchingly good-looking, but isn't it a bit rude to stare?"

"You are unbelievable."

"Believe it, Shortcake," he said, lifting his head in my direction with a smug look on his face, "it's not every day you get a good-looking man like me here in your dorm room."