ROOMMATES

CHAPTER 6

Leaning on the kitchen counter, I watch the three girls giving each other nervous looks. I guess they didn’t expect anyone to walk in on us. Ellaine walks to Matt and grinds her body on his trying to kiss him but he pushes her away. I stifle out laughter and they all glare at me. I quickly gulp down the tequila shot and look away from them.

“I believe I asked a question here. Who should Melanie stay away from?” He asks calmly gazing at me. His eyes darken and I look at my glass trying to avoid them.

“It was girl's stuff Matt. Nothing important.” Ellaine says smiling at him seductively. I think she is the spokesperson among her friends. They are both silent waiting for her to talk.

“Mmmh! So telling her to stay away from me was nothing important? Let me remind you something Ellaine, having a one night stand doesn’t mean we are dating. Was it a one night stand or many night stands? I don’t remember quite well. I have had many of them and I don’t keep any records. I have even forgotten some of those girls. Stop going around campus lying to people that I’m your guy. I don’t remember asking you out on a date. You brought yourself to me. Do you think I would have resisted? You don’t say no to free food, right?” He says grinning and I try hard to stifle out my laughter.

I watch as a tear drops from ellaine’s eyes as her friend squeezes her shoulder assuringly.

“Don’t say that Matt. You know we share a thing.”

“Nope. We just shared a bed several times. Not anything more than that. Can I talk to Melanie please?” he asks grinning goofily. The three girls give each other suspicious looks but don’t move. “PRIVATELY!” he shouts scaring them and they walk out fast.

Why are they all scared of him? He orders them around and they listen to him without arguing? Because of love? Is it love or some stupid obsession? Well, Ellaine looks obsessed with him. Who is this guy really?

He walks towards me making me flinch. I lean on the counter tightly biting my lip nervously. He leans down on me his body almost touching mine and I swear I'm losing it. I think I can’t breath anymore.

Scratch that. Not thinking. I’m sure I can’t breath completely. He reaches for something in my hair and I shiver involuntarily when his hand grazes lightly on my face. He steps away from me and grins at me. I let out the breathe I had been holding in.

“That looks nice now.” He is still grinning at me. “Why are you like this roomie? Do I have all that effect on you?” He asks smugly and I stare at my shoes blushing. What the hell? Why am I even blushing?

“You don’t affect me Matthew. Not at all.”

“Then why are you blushing? Anyway, I hope Ellaine and her group didn’t do anything to hurt you.”

“No. They didn’t. They told me to stay away from you and Raph.”

“And you should. Especially me. I told you I’m bad news.”

“Why are you here? Are you worried about me?”

“No. Me worried about you? You are absolutely crazy. Why would I? I just don’t like girls fighting over me.

Ouch! Okay, why does that feel bad?

“ I will go look for Raph.” I say avoiding his eyes as I head for the door. He grabs my hand and I find myself leaning on him. I spill some tequila on his t-shirt and he curses under his breath.

“ Watch your drinking. I don’t think you should drink anymore.”

“Sorry daddy.” I say pulling the word in a sarcastic manner. “I won’t drink anymore.” I take a whole bottle of tequila and walk out without saying anything else.

I walk upstairs to a balcony on the first floor and prop my hands on the railing. I look at the sky and immediately feel home sick. Would my parents be proud if they saw me gulping down alcohol contents? No. They taught me better. I grew up knowing that a lady should not take any alcohol. I slap my head to shove away all those thoughts. I will not think about them for now. Let me have my fun. It’s just once in a while.I hear the clicking of heels and turn to see who it is.

Ugh! Not again.

“I’m not giving up Melanie. I still insist. You should stay away from Matt.” She is alone this time round. Where are her puppets? It’s good they aren’t here. I can’t stand looking at their exaggerated makeup.

“I thought he said you two are not dating.”

“So what? He is still mine. He is so confused Melanie. He doesn’t know what he really wants but deep down he knows that he wants me. We share a love that can’t be broken.”

“I guess he would differ with your opinion. Don’t you think so Ellaine?”

“He is somehow confused but he will come to. Leave him alone. He belongs to me.”

“Look here Ellaine. I'm not interested in him. He is just my roommate and we don’t even click. Anyway, why am I explaining myself to you? I will be downstairs in case you still need to talk about this.” I say walking past her to the door. Liam is standing there and I guess he has heard our conversation.

“Mel.” Liam voices pulling me to him.

Ooh God! Can’t I have a moment alone? I pull away from his arms and give him a smile. We walk downstairs, his fingers intertwined with mine. The party is now in full swing and the deafening music is blaring on the speakers. Some of them are already dancing and grinding themselves against each other. I notice the deejay and gasp when he winks at me. His hair falls on his face and he pulls it back in a ponytail with his eyes still focused on me. Liam notices it and grabs my hand glaring at him.

He leads me to a seat and sits beside me trying so hard to smile but I can tell he is so distracted because the deejay still has his gaze on me. I gulp down another shot of tequila and he chuckles when I make a funny face. I'm not used to this. I have never taken alcohol in my life. This is the first time I’m doing it and it feels great. This guy is hot. Why does everyone seem hot all of a sudden. I hope it’s not the alcohol in my system talking.

“That’s not the way you take shots. This way.”

Liam demonstrates by gulping down a shot of the same. Okay, that’s easy. I pour some into a glass and follow his steps. We continue taking the shots with him urging me on until I start feeling drunk and quickly forget about the deejay. Where is Raph? I need to go home. I glance everywhere in the room but there is no trace of him. Where could he be? What type of a friend is he really? He is probably on top of some lady sweating his heart out. I will deal with him later. For now I have to go to my room and sleep.

I try to stand and slump back on the chair. Liam holds me steadily to keep me from falling.

“Relax Mel. What’s up?”

“I’m looking for my best friend. I need to go home.” I slur burping loudly. I'm so drunk and I can’t think straight.

“Just relax and I will take you back to your room.” He says stroking my hair.

“I ..” burp. “have..” burp. “to go..” burp. “ home.”

Jeez. I’m so drunk.

I try to rise again and stagger almost toppling over the contents on the table. I hear few people cursing and chuckle. Liam holds me steadily preventing me from falling. Why are they even cursing? They should be having fun not cursing. I'm so wasted.

“Leave me alone. Stop holding my hand.” I say trying to push Liam away from me. His arms are so heavy around me and I don’t manage to peel them off my body.

“I believe the lady has told you to let her go.” A husky voice says and I can sense anger in it. Matt? Is it Matt? All I can make out is a tall guy with his arms crossed. Raph? Not raph. He doesn’t have that type of a voice. Then it’s Matt.

“I'm taking her to her room.”

“ Just let her go. I will do that. She is my roommate and because I’m going back to the hostels I will go with her.” I was right. It’s Matt.

“I won’t. I was here before you.” That’s Liam. Why are they even arguing? Taking me home is not a big deal. I can take my ass back to my room.

“Matt.” I slur trying to open my eyes fully but I don’t manage.

I'm pulled into strong arms as Liam is shoved off my body. He falls and curses but Matt ignores it and swoops me off the floor carrying me in his arms in a bridal style. I hear some noises. I'm not so sure what they are but I guess I hear some people gasping.

“Matt.” I whisper still trying to open my eyes.

“It’s okay Mel. I'm taking you back to the hostels.”

“You are so handsome.” And there is total darkness.