Heart Of Glass

Layla's POV "Ms. George?" The announcer calls and I raise an eyebrow as she gives me a look of sympathy. "There's been a mix with your files. . .I'm aware that you requested the female dorms but. . . ." "No." I state immediately. "Find something else, I paid early!" I felt the panic rising as my hands began to sweat. I gulp harshly as tears filled my eyes. "Ms. George are you okay?" "I can't be in a. . a co-ed dorm I —" "I am so sorry, but we can't do anything at the moment, there are apartments located not too far from the campus—" "I can't afford that." I croak and she sighs, not frustratedly, but like she doesn't know what else to do. "You have to understand Ms. George. Things like that happen all the time, when there is an opening we'll let you know." × × × The world is brutal. It will strip you of everything you have if you're not careful and toss you to the side not really caring where you end up. I could never enjoy my childhood with the secret luring above my head, always in the shadow. It was my fault, I'm aware of that but— Sigh. The little water droplets trickle into my hair, and I know that it would be a big frizz of mess if I didn't get out of it soon. How was I going to deal with a male roomate? Two words. I can't. I shake my head, swallowing, yet I have no where to go. My nightmares, my insomnia, my attacks, my crying? This is going to be an utter disaster. Moments later I had to drag my feet up the fancy looking dorm. Surprisingly, it was a bit further from the normal ones. Maybe I could convince him to. . No. He was there first. Bracing myself, I knock on the door lightly. My heart speeds up and I feel like I'm going to collapse as my neck warms up. I feel light headed and my arms feel all numb. The door swings open on the second knock and I'm face to chest with a broad man who look disgruntled. "Can I help you?" He groans out and his voice is gruff and raw. He was sleeping? At 4:30 pm? "I-im Layla. ." I murmur, clearing my throat as I look up at him. His brown eyes were squinted while his blonde hair with brown streaks stuck out in all directions, his lips were not that thin, but pale pink and I spotted a bit of dried drool at the corners of his mouth. He leans against the door, crossing his huge arms before staring down at me. "I haven't seen you here before." "I-im a new s-student." I squeak out and he eyes me. "Okay. . . the guides are not in the segment though. If you need help—" "I'm actually y-youre roommate." I bite the insides of my cheeks, burning a whole through my shoe as it suddenly gets quiet. "Huh. . I didn't know I was getting one. Let me help you with your bags." Why is he so kind? He grabs my bags, moving inside and I stand outside, afraid to be in the same space as another males. The walls don't seem far enough, the room isn't big enough. I begin to hyperventilate as my throat clogs up. My hands fly together as I try to stay calm. "Dont you want to. . .are you okay?" I take a step back as he walks towards me, my eyes wide and he must think I'm a freak. Oh the embarrassment. "I-I I—" "Do you need water? Get inside." He demands and I flinch. What the heck Layla, we've been over this. My breaths become audible and he frowns. "Are you asthmatic? Is your puff in your luggage? Talk to me. ." he look inexperienced and terrified. 'This is so weird." He mutters. "I- I'm f-fine, I just. . .I need—" and I'm gone, sprinting in another direction since the earth can't seem to hold the both of us, there's not enough oxygen. # Tristan's POV Do I chase her? I'm still shocked staring at my roommate as she runs in another direction. Maybe she needs space. . However she's new here, what if she gets lost? Groaning, I slip my Nike slides on before slamming the front door and chasing after her. "Hey! Layla!" I call and she looks back. Her expression screams terrified and I winder what it was that she was so afraid of. We don't know each other. . unless she saw me at my matches but I highly doubt that since she was new. Ive never came in contact with a female who ran away from me, they usually persisted staying near me, yet she looked like she was going to have a heart attack. "Layla stop!" She wasnt that fast, so it was long until I gripped her arm and she inhales sharply ripping her hand from my grip. "Don't touch me." She whimpers, her eyes wide and I take a step back. Jeez. "It's getting late, you shouldn't be running around." I panted, as her chest moved up and down, her mixed skin glowed from the little sweat I saw, and her eyes were glassy. "Are you okay?" "I can't. . yes. . .I'm - I'm fine." She replies, moving her gaze to the ground. "I'm sorry for that." She looked embarrassed as I bite the inside of my cheek. "Its all good. . let's head back." × × × Layla's POV Stupid, stupid, stupid! Sitting at the couch as he moved in the kitchen I was practically drowning in humiliation. He looked so uncomfortable running after me. Great job Layla. "All males aren't the same Layla, you need to calm those thoughts in order for you to fully bloom." My therapist would say. But how do I do that? Every time I even think about the opposite s*x, he, clogs my vision and in turn I'm then pushes into my shell. "What would you like to eat?" I earlier learned his name was Tristan Greene, age 19 and studying business here. "I-im not really hungry." I answer quietly as I hugged my knees to my chest. Maybe I could sleep on the couch tonight. He doesn't reply but brings me a sandwich anyway, I dont want to be rude so I take it, avoiding any physical contact as he sat on the couch opposite to me. "What happened earlier. . . does it happen a lot?" He speaks up, mouth full and I keep my gaze on the sandwich that I kept playing with. "Sometimes." I mutter back. "What do you do to. . help it?" "Think of brighter things I suppose. . . breathe." I answer truthfully. "I would like to sleep on the couch." I tell him. "What? Why?" "I'm just a bit more comfortable." "Is sleeping next to me that bad?" He chuckles and I roll my lips into my mouth. "Okay if you're that unsure, I'll take the couch." "No!" I raise my eyes to meet his and I almost gasp as I found him already looking at me. "Its y-your dorm, you were here first I—" "I'm take the couch Layla." He concludes, ending the topic by diverting his eyes to the TV and continuing his sandwich. × × × It was late, but I couldn't sleep. I could hear my screams for help, I could feel the tears on my cheek, I could feel the bruises on my skin. I can't close my eyes. The dorm room was spacious, two beds parallel to each other one black and the other white. Tristan's stuff was all on the black aide since I reorganized them. I was bored. I unpacked, went over ever book, put clothes in colour code yet I was still. . awake. While snooping I found out that Tristan has a thing for ripped skinny jeans. He had them in almost every colour. His t-shirts were plain, and the button downs had little patterns. I'm not a creep, I was picking his clothes off the floor on my side and putting it into his basket. My phone sat on the dresser yet I never used it, only to answer a call, or if emergencies place one. There was always texts from him. I blocked his numbers, his friend's number, yet there was always a way he would get to me. "Stop!" I wriggled from underneath him. "Stop screaming or I will cut your throat!" Tears streamed down my face as I continued to struggle, sooner or later a punch was delivered causing me to yell out in pain. My eyes shut tightly, I cried louder. "I will ruin you. When you close your eyes, I'll be there. When you think of another man, I'll be there, I'll always be there. Stupid bitch."