At War with the Bad Boy: The Roommate

Meeting Asher

Georgia's POV:

"What the hell!" The man yelled, clutching the side of his head.

"What are you doing here? What do you want?" I yelled with a shaky voice.

"I live here, god damn it!" he said angrily.

"Blake?" I asked, then looked for the light switch. Turning it on, I stared at the man slumped on the floor, "You're not Blake!"

"No I'm not. I'm Asher," he said with a scrunched-up face. He looked in pain.

"Here, let me help you," I said as I took hold of his arm to help him up, but he pulled it away from me.

"I don't need your help!" he snapped.

"OK. Fine. I'll just go back to my room then," I snapped back. I was about to turn around to leave when I saw him stumble trying to get up. This time I didn't ask for his permission to help him. I just grabbed hold of his arm and helped him over to the sofa. He slumped down into it and I went back to the kitchen in search of a first aid kit. Returning, sitting down next to him, I opened the first aid box and took out an alcoholic wipe to sterilise the small gash on his head. He winced from the sting, making me jump.

"I'm Georgia, by the way. I moved into room 4. I'm really sorry for, you know, hitting you over the head with a kettle."

Asher chuckled, "That's alright. I'll live."

Picking a large plaster out of the box, I stuck it over his wound and said, "There. I hope you won't get too much of a headache."

I looked into his deep blue eyes and gulped. He was so handsome. His dark hair was styled neatly and his smile, with his perfectly straight, white teeth, made me melt. His scent entered my nose and me and my blabbermouth said, "You smell delectable."

My eyes widened in shock that I actually said that out loud and I walked out of the room, mentally hitting myself on the forehead. He chuckled and yelled out, "It was nice to meet you."

"Who says delectable anymore? God you're such a tool, Georgia. Delectable. What the fuck." I muttered to myself as I walked back up the stairs to my room. I flung myself onto the bed landing face down and screamed into my pillow. I never did find out what the screaming was that I heard. Luckily, Asher distracted me enough to forget about it. That man was pure heaven.

The next morning, I woke up around 6am to the sound of my alarm. Knocking it off, I forced myself out of bed and sleepily walked to the bathroom. I didn't bother having a shower because I was going for a run, so after cleaning my teeth and getting changed, I grabbed myself a bottle of water from the fridge in the kitchen that I bought in the shop yesterday, and headed outside. Running through the quiet town, all the shops closed, the memories of meeting Asher came flooding back and I wondered how I was going to face him today without turning a beetroot red colour. I'd been running for an hour when I eventually made it back to the street I lived on. I'd spotted a Costa coffee shop earlier, and as it was now gone 7am, I thought I'd treat myself to a salted caramel latte before going back to the flat. All sweaty, waiting in the line, probably smelling bad right now, I heard someone call my name.

"Georgia! Is that you?"

I turned around in search of the voice and saw Asher waving at me from the doorway.

"Hey, you, uh, want anything?" I called to him.

"Yeah. grab me a black coffee please."

"What can I get you?" I heard the lady behind the counter call out, trying to get my attention. I turned away from Asher and ordered.

"Yes. Uh. A black coffee and a salted caramel latte please. Both large. Thanks." I smiled politely.

After paying for the drinks using my phone's wallet, I picked the hot cups up and walked towards Asher who was standing just outside the shop.

"Thanks." He said as I handed him his coffee. "I'll buy the next one."

"It's fine. Think of it as a way of saying sorry for last night." I smirked awkwardly.

"Oh this," His eyes wide and touching the plaster that was still on his head. "Oh it's nothing. Just a reminder for me to never get on the wrong side of you."

There he goes again, smiling. Why does his smile make me all gooey inside? Realising I was staring at him, I stuttered, "I...I...I'm going back for a shower. You know, because I'm all sweaty and.... yeah."

I walked away from him, hearing him chuckle behind me. I was so embarrassed. Twice I've seen him and both times I have made a complete fool of myself. I need to go hide myself away in my room.

A few hours later, I got up out of bed after reading a few chapters of my book and decided to go to the kitchen to make myself some lunch. Approaching the kitchen, I heard voices, maybe a girl's voice, or was it that I just hoped there was another girl other than me in the apartment. Walking into the kitchen, I saw Blake and Asher sitting on opposite sofas chatting and spotted a third drink on the coffee table between them. Walking further into the room, I eventually saw a girl. She was smiling brightly, laughing at their jokes, a little overly flirty, and her clothes were a little daring, but her beautifully wavy red hair and sparkly green eyes made her seem approachable.

"Hi," I said, walking towards them.

"Hey Georgia, this is Imogen. She's just moved in."

"Seeing these two guys, I was worried there wouldn't be another female in the house. I'm so happy to see your pretty face," She said, a little too shrill for my liking, but hopefully it's just a nervousness or excitement thing.

"Me too," I smiled, "What room are you in?"

"Room 5 and these two have been so lovely, helping me settle in."

I bet they have, I thought to myself. "Are you hungry? I'm just about to cook something up," I asked, being polite. I didn't want to just cook food for myself in front of them. That would be rude.

"Well, I was just going to suggest we go out somewhere for food. You know, get to know each other a little better. What do you say?" Imogen asked way too excitedly.

"Uh, yeah sure, just let me get ready," I said at the same time as the boys agreeing it was a good idea.

Running up the stairs to my room, I changed into a pair of light blue jeans with rips at the knees, a white top that came just above my belly button, my white daps and finished it off with a long, knee-length, grey knitted cardigan. My hair was still a little wet from my shower after my run, so I dried it with the hair dryer before styling it into two french plaits. Adding a little bit of make-up, I was ready, so I grabbed my bag with my purse in it, put my phone in, and left my room, locking it behind me. It seemed quiet downstairs and I just assumed everyone was in their rooms getting ready, so I headed into the communal kitchen to wait.

"Hey. Where is everyone?" I asked as I saw Asher sitting on the sofa looking intently at his phone.

"They all went ahead. I said we'd meet them there." He informed me as he stood up. "You ready?"

I nodded and he followed me down the stairs and out of the front door. I watched him lock it and told him, "You'll have to lead the way. I have no idea where we are going."

"C'mon, it's this way," pointing in the direction of where we were heading.

We walked further down the street until we came to 'The Cow and Creek' pub and Asher informed me, "This is it. After you."

He's such a gentleman and gorgeous too. It's the first time I have felt this way about someone since Noah.

Walking into the pub, the smell of alcohol hit me, and I scanned the room looking for Blake and Imogen. They weren't hard to spot since her loud voice and red hair stood out amongst the rest. They were sitting on the right-hand side in red chequered chairs and greeted us as we approached.

"Georgia! Asher! You guys made it!" Imogen shouted. It was like she was already drunk and it wasn't even 1pm. Looking at the table as I took my seat next to Imogen, I saw 4 shot glasses and 2 empty bottles of Peroni. I watched her take a swig of a newly opened bottle and couldn't help but think she was planning on getting drunk. Blake sat opposite her, his eyes full of lust as he looked at her and I could see where this was headed. Asher and I exchanged a look of understanding as he thought the same thing, then picking up the menu, I looked at the list of food. Not in the mood for alcohol just yet, it seemed a bit too early for me, I ordered water, a coffee, and the chicken and bacon super salad. After thanking the waiter, I excused myself and went to the restroom. I really needed a breather from Imogen. Remembering a time I used to be the life and soul of a party, staring at myself in the mirror, I just wasn't that person anymore. As much I wanted to be the same person, my inability to trust people and enjoy myself without worrying my Dad would turn up, stopped me. I thought it was best I just didn't get myself into that sort of position. Noah, on the other hand, went the opposite way. He began to party more, drink more, and we grew apart. I know it was just a coping mechanism for both of us, but we needed to break away from one another to save each other. He needed to realise what he'd lost and I didn't want to be dragged into his partying ways. I focused all my attention on my studies and work in order to save up for university and make something of myself. I hadn't seen him in at least a year and the last I heard he had gotten worse because he had lost the 'love of his life'. He was bitter and angry, which didn't help with the drinking and, apparently, he turned to drugs to drown out the pain. As much as it hurt me to know he was going through this, I couldn't watch him ruin himself like that. We'd argued so many times about it and I even tried to get him the help of therapists, counselors, doctors, you name it. I tried. I didn't want to give up on him, that's not what I was doing, but it felt like it for a long time after we split. Sighing as I looked at myself in the mirror, I really hoped he'd turn himself around. Leaving the restroom, I walked back to our table, the loudest in the room, and I was sure people around us were getting annoyed. Sitting down, I picked up my glass of ice-cold water and took a sip. I saw Asher eye me and look away, back to the conversation around the table.

".....I went rolling down the hill so fast I ended up looking like a snowball," Imogen continued, making the boys laugh. I'd missed the first part of the story so I just smiled awkwardly and I was grateful when food arrived.

"So, Georgia, I take it you're not from Oxford. Why here?" Imogen asked.

Keeping my eyes on my food, I answered, "it's a great university." Although it was true, it was not the only reason. I needed a fresh start.

"Asher, what's your story?" Turning her attention to him, she must have noticed I didn't really want to talk about it.

"I'm from Wales. I needed an adventure and what better way is there to get an awesome education and an adventure than going to Oxford University," he smirked at me.

"What about you, Imogen?" Blake asked before taking a mouthful of his food.

She chuckled awkwardly then told us, "The same as Georgia. It's a great university. You just have to go here if you get accepted."

"What are you studying?" I asked her, secretly hoping it wasn't Law. I couldn't handle living with her and spending every class with her.

"Modern languages and linguistics," she answered, proudly. "What about all of you?"

Blake and I replied at the same time, "Law." and Asher told us he was studying medicine.

"I wonder when the other person will arrive. Classes start in a few days," Imogen said. "How about we hit the town tonight? Go to a few bars, maybe a night club, if there is one?"

Both boys were definitely up for it. They seemed excited about it. Me, on the other hand, I wasn't so sure. "Not for me thanks, but you guys have fun."

Imogen looked shocked and pleaded with me, "You have to come. You can't leave me alone with these two. Please come?"

"Yeah, c'mon Georgia. We'll have a great time," Asher joined in.

Looking at Blake, expecting him to join in, he didn't. He wasn't bothered. He kept his head down at his food and was picking up his chips, then placing them in his mouth. "What's his problem?" I thought to myself, then stupid me agreed. "Fine. I'll go."

Imogen cheered and clapped excitedly, making me laugh. Looking at Asher, I saw him chewing on a chip with a chuckle as he looked at me. Finishing our meals, deciding against dessert because Imogen wanted to start getting ready, we paid the bill and headed out of the pub. Checking at the clock on the wall of the pub on my way out, I thought, "it's just gone 2pm. How long does it take for her to get ready?"

The four of us walked back towards the flat and the boys decided to take a trip to the shop to get some alcohol to have a drink while they waited for us to get ready. Why they included me in that I don't know. Do they just think that all girls take hours? So while they disappeared, Imogen and I entered the flat. She ran up the stairs excitedly shouting, "Make sure you look hot!"