At War with the Bad Boy: The Roommate

A New Chapter

It was 2 years after the events in the farmhouse and Georgia stood in front of an enormously old, almost church-like building. The place was built before 1096, making it the oldest and most respectable university in the world. Knowing the building was of historical importance, it's presence gave her a sense of appreciation and she was so excited to finally be there standing before it. With a large suitcase in one hand and a map in the other, she took her appreciatory eyes off the building and headed left in search of her accommodation. She couldn't believe she was actually here, at University, and nothing was going to stand in the way of her future aspirations. After a long think about what she really wanted to do with her life, she decided on studying Law. Being on edge from her Dad still out there somewhere and how Max escaped jail time, she wanted to change the law system that ensured criminals got what they deserved and victims got justice. For over a year now, Georgia had been constantly on pins, looking over her shoulder, just waiting for one of them to show up to torment her.

Turning down Queen Street 10 minutes later, she double checked the door number she was looking for and realised she was standing in front of her new apartment. Looking at the Santander Bank in front of her, thinking her room must be in one of the flats above, she walked around the building looking for a way in. Once she found it, she took a deep breath and walked towards it, put her key in the lock and pushed it open. Dragging her suitcase in behind her, making sure she had enough room to close the door, she then lugged it up the red carpeted staircase to check out her shared flat. The one she managed to view online and had never actually been to see it in person. Looking for a number 4 on one of the doors, she walked down a short corridor, eyeing the open-planned living room and kitchen to the left as she walked past. She saw door number 1, then number 2, then came to a windy staircase. Grunting as she tried to heave her heavy suitcase up the windy steps, a voice behind her startled her.

"Do you need some help?"

Pausing on the third step, she saw a young man holding a bowl of cereal, spooning the contents into his mouth as he awaited her reply. Wearing a light blue t-shirt and grey jogging bottoms, his brown tousled hair and his dark brown eyes made him look like he had just got out of bed.

"Thanks, but I can manage." She answered confidently before yanking on her suitcase again.

The man stood there watching, eating his cereal and smirking now and again at how difficult she was making it look. After stubbing her toe, she let go of her suitcase to grab hold of her foot and it tumbled down the stairs with a loud bang as it hit the wall at the bottom.

"Yeah. You got it. You're making this look so easy," he smiled with a sarcastic tone.

"Fine, you can help, but you can leave the suitcase at the door. Don't think you're coming into my room." She said sternly.

The man shrugged and disappeared into his room. Georgia thought he wasn't going to help and was about to mutter some cuss words, aimed at him, until she saw him return empty handed. "Of course he couldn't carry my luggage if he had his hands full, stupid," she thought to herself.

As he picked up the case, she started to walk up the steps with him following behind. He made it look so simple. Stopping when she reached the door with the number 4 on it, she took the key out of her pocket and unlocked it. Turning the handle of the door, she pushed it open and took a quick glance inside. It was small, but it looked clean, so that was a bonus.

"Just leave it here," she ordered him.

Placing the suitcase by her door, he then turned to leave but Georgia called out, "I'm Georgia, by the way."

"Blake." He answered with a quick turn of his head, then continued walking.

"Thank you!" She called after him, but didn't get a response.

Taking a breath, she entered her room, pulling her suitcase with her, then left it by the front door as she closed it before taking a look around her new home for the next 3 years. There was a desk in the left corner of the room at the foot of a small double bed and next to the bed was a bedside table, which was just below a small rectangular window. A bookcase and a wardrobe filled the wall to the right and next to that was a door that led to a small, cramped-looking en-suite consisting of a toilet, sink and a shower cubicle. Feeling quite happy with her room, it was all she needed it for, she took her suitcase to the bed and began unpacking and hanging up her clothes. After putting all her clothes away, filling the bathroom with toiletries, she put a kettle on the desk. She thought it would be a good idea if she was going to be studying there, then she wouldn't have to keep going up and down the stairs to make a coffee. Maybe it was just laziness, but she figured it would give her more privacy and stop her getting distracted by the ongoing of the house. Settling down on her bed, coffee already in hand, she looked around the room, thinking about things that were missing. A small TV was on the wall above the desk facing her which she hadn't noticed at first, but she did think about getting a mini fridge to store some milk in.

A knock on her door startled her, making her spill her coffee down her top. Placing the cup on the bedside table, she stood up and wiped herself down as she went to open the door. "Oh. Hi." She smiled as Blake looked back at her.

"Just wondered if you'd like to come to the shop with me to get some food and stuff?" He asked politely.

"Uh, sure. Just let me get my purse," She replied, beginning to turn back into the room.

"Don't you, uh, want to change your top first?" He smirked as he eyed the coffee stain.

"Oh, yeah. One minute. I'll meet you downstairs," she told him, feeling a little embarrassed that he noticed.

Pulling a fresh top out of her wardrobe, tossing the coffee-stained one back in her suitcase for now, which reminded her that she needed a laundry basket or something to enable her to carry all her dirty washing to the laundrette. After pulling on her daps and tying her long blonde hair into a ponytail, she headed downstairs to find Blake. Looking along the corridor, she spotted him leaning up against the wall next to the living area, or communal area as students liked to call it, with one foot on the wall, looking down at his phone.

"Ready?" She asked him, smiling.

He looked up, eyed her head to toe, then pushed off the wall while saying, " Let's go."

They walked along the street together, Blake's hands in the pockets of his joggers and Georgia was eyeing up her surroundings, walking backwards, twirling around,checking out all the shops on either side of Queen Street. A lingerie shop, a few banks, a Swarovski jewellery shop were to name but a few. She'd have to check further down the street later on. Walking around the corner onto St Aldate's, they came to a small supermarket, and following Blake inside, grabbing a shopping trolley at the entrance, they strolled down the first aisle. Blake began loading the trolley with fruit and fresh vegetables that he liked, so Georgia did the same, picking up anything she liked, but she made sure it was going to last her at least a week, plus she had to count the pennies. It wasn't a rich life being a Law student, but she made sure she put in the essentials like milk, butter, and bread. Once the trolley was full with what they needed, they made their way to the checkout. Blake loaded up his things onto the conveyer belt, bagged them and placed them in the trolley, then Georgia paid for hers and wheeled the trolley out of the store. There were too many bags for them to carry between them, and some of them were heavy, so they took the trolley back to their flat, unloaded it into the doorway, then Georgia took the trolley back while Blake took the bags up to the kitchen. It was strange that they barely spoke during their little shopping trip, but she wasn't uncomfortable being around him. She was too busy taking it all in. The fact that she was actually here, in Oxford, going to start university in a couple of weeks, it was all very surreal. She'd worked so hard to be here and although she regretted leaving Noah behind, she had to take the opportunity. Sighing happily as she walked back to her shared accommodation, she reminisced about the times she spent with Noah. She still really missed him, even though they ended things a year ago. They wanted different things in life and although they loved each other very much, they knew they would have to part ways to fulfil their dreams. "Maybe one day we'll find a way back to each other," She thought to herself.

Entering the flat, she made her way up the stairs to find Blake unpacking his bags and putting them in their place in the cupboards. She smiled as she walked into the room and unpacked her things next to him.

"So, is this your first year at Uni?" She asked, trying to make conversation.

"Second," Blake answered.

Georgia was unsure if he even wanted to have a conversation or not. It wasn't like he was asking questions back or even interested in talking to her, but she continued anyway. "What are you studying?"

"Law," again he gave a one-word answer.

"Me too," she told him with an excited shill. "Anything I need to know?"

"Like what?" He replied.

"Like, what are the teachers like? Any places I should avoid? That kind of thing?"

"No," was his response, putting the last tin of beans into the cupboard, then he walked out of the room without so much as a "bye," or "see you later."

There were 3 other rooms in the flat. Blake was in number 2, so she hoped there were other students. One that is willing to have a decent conversation with her or one she could call her friend, but she'll just have to wait to find out. Finishing unpacking all her shopping, she went up to her bedroom, making sure the door was locked behind her. Ever since her Dad, James, and Noah's Dad, Ben, had turned their lives upside down, she made every attempt to ensure there was no way of anyone ever hurting her again. Georgia's Mum, Marie, has never been the same since she was kidnapped and tortured by her ex-husband and his long-time friend. Now, Georgia constantly looks over her shoulder, but being in Oxford, miles away from her home town and the farmhouse, she hoped she'd be able to relax and meet people without thinking they had some sort of hidden agenda.

Reading a book on her bed, she began struggling to read the words on the page and realised it was getting dark outside. Putting her book down on the side table, she switched on the lamp and walked to her en-suite to get ready for bed. She decided on an early night so she could wake up early and go for a run. Something she took up after her and Noah argued for the first time and, ever since, has used it to escape her problems or de-stress when things got tough. Getting under the covers, she turned off the light, and having had a long, busy day, it wasn't hard for her to fall asleep. Sometime during the night she awoke to a scream which made her bolt upright in bed. Listening intently to the noises of the house, she wondered if she had just dreamed it or if it was someone from inside the flat. After hearing no movement or any screaming, she lay her head back down and closed her eyes, but another scream filled the house. Jumping out of bed, in only a pair of pyjama shorts and a t-shirt, she quickly scanned the room for something she could use as a weapon, but only found the kettle. Picking it up, she slowly opened her door slightly and peered through the gap, but it was dark and she could only see the moonlight casting shadows through the window at the end of the hall. Creeping out of her room, she tiptoed down the hall to the top of the stairs and saw a shadow moving into the kitchen. Feeling a little shaky, she crept as quietly as she could down the stairs, but when one of them creaked a little she paused, waiting to see if anyone came to check out the noise. When no one did, she continued down the hall towards the kitchen, stopping next to the door leading to the communal area, she placed her back against the wall, took a sneak peek around the door frame and saw the outline of a person standing there in the darkness. Pulling back, she took a deep breath and ran into the kitchen screaming with the kettle held above her head. SMACK! Georgia slammed the kettle into the person's head.