Hex POV
So this was it.
My new room.
I stood in the doorway for a few seconds, just staring. The walls were clean with super Mario 3, the bed was smaller than mine back home, a big tv and the window actually let in proper light. Not bad. Not amazing. Just… okay.
I dropped my school bag on the chair and sighed.
Temporary, I reminded myself. I wasn't planning to get too comfortable.
Keifer came in first, holding one of my boxes. "Where do you want the gadgets?"
"Desk," I said immediately. "Always the desk."
Jayjay followed behind him, already opening one of my suitcases. "I'll handle the clothes. You handle your shoes," she said, like this was a military operation.
I nodded. "Deal."
Packing took forever.
Two whole hours.
Keifer carefully set up my laptop, tablet, headset, controller—way too neatly, honestly. I watched him for a bit before speaking.
"You're very serious about this," I said.
He didn't look up. "If I'm doing something, I do it properly."
I frowned. "You organized my cables."
"Yes."
"…I didn't ask for that."
"You needed it."
Jayjay snorted from the other side of the room. "He's right, Hex. Your cables at home looked like they survived a war."
I glared at her. "Betrayal."
She smiled innocently and kept folding my clothes. "You love me."
I muttered something under my breath and went back to lining up my shoes. Fifteen pairs. I still couldn't believe she limited me.
Keifer glanced at the row. "You really wear all these?"
"Yes."
"All of them?"
"Yes."
He paused. "…Why?"
I looked at him like he'd asked the dumbest question on earth. "Because I can."
Jayjay laughed. "Don't question him. Shoes are his personality."
"That's not true," I protested.
She raised an eyebrow. "Your personality, hobbies, and coping mechanism."
I sighed. Unfair. Very unfair.
By the time we finished, the room actually looked… lived in.
That made something twist in my chest. I ignored it.
Jayjay clapped her hands. "Okay. Bath time. Then come downstairs."
"Do I look like I'm five?" I asked.
"Yes," she and Keifer said at the same time.
They left before I could respond.
After my bath, I stepped back into the room, towel around my neck, already tired. I froze.
Oh lord.
Aries was lying on my bed.
On. My. Bed.
Feet crossed. Hands behind his head. Way too comfortable.
"…What the hell are you doing here?" I asked slowly.
He turned his head toward me. "Waiting for you. What else?"
I hate him, I thought immediately.
Very annoying. Loud. Touches hair too much.
"Get out," I said.
He ignored me. "Aren't you going to wear a top?"
I stared at him. "Get. Out. First."
He laughed. "What? There's nothing to be afraid of."
I clenched my jaw and walked to my closet, grabbed my pajama top, and started putting it on.
"Need help with the buttons?" Aries asked, grinning.
I looked at him, deeply unimpressed. "Are you serious? Do I look like a baby?"
"Yes," he said instantly.
I glared at him while buttoning my shirt. "You talk too much."
"You're too quiet."
"You're in my room."
"You're in my house."
I paused. "…I don't like you."
He smiled wider. "I know."
That did it.
I walked straight past him, yanked the door open, and shouted, "JAYJAY!"
She appeared instantly. "What?"
"There is a crazy person in my room," I said flatly, pointing behind me.