Xavier's POV
Sitting with the rest of the guys in the locker room, my mind wanders to her. Jasmine.
My new roommate.
I remember the expression she had when she walked in on me in the kitchen. Not fear… Not shock.
She is the first girl, fuck it, the first person that encountered me privately or publicly without running praises.
It's not like she bruised my ego, I was already getting tired of being seen as the campus star. They just know me for what I am, for the points I score. Never for who I am.
I never knew I wanted to be seen, and worse, by her.
Funny how I'm okay with everyone misunderstanding me, but I can't stand it when she does. I barely know her and I won't deny being curious about her. More than curiosity, I'm intrigued.
She is bold, fearless and organized. Way too organized. I haven't been at home all day within the week but the few days I've been, I notice how she sticks to the same schedule.
And that night….
I run my hand through my hair. If Chole hadn't called, what would have happened?
She's not like the rest. She is different and I know.
"Hey Xav." Nicole jabs me on my ribs, snapping me back to reality.
"What was that for?" I hiss.
I'm not just with my teammates here in the locker room, I'm with my friends. Some, we've known long before we entered college and some, we met here and got to learn and understand each other.
"Brandon wants to host a party tonight."
"Do whatever you want, but we have a game coming up soon, and we need to be sobered up for that." I scowl, rummaging through my bag for my phone. Then it hits me, I smashed it last night.
I'll have to get a new one today. It will be my third phone this week. Great.
"He's throwing the party because of a girl." Nicole muses before adding, "He isn't even sure she'll come and he's going to give it a chance"
I don't bother asking further. Brandon is pretty much the sweet-mouth who knows the right words do get the wrong girl.
"You are close to her friend. Invite the both of them. I'll pay you" Brandon pleads.
"Leave my girl out of this and go after yours. How much could you possibly pay?" He mocks, "Besides, I don't think I've ever seen her attend any of the parties. I'll advise you to give up on this one.
I get it that she is drop-dead gorgeous, I was also attracted to her, but the moment I realize she isn't for me…us. I made a move on her friend." He jeers, taking a swig from his water bottle.
"Do you even remember her name? I doubt you do. She looked very much uninterested in you that day" James says from behind, which makes everyone in the room burst into laughter.
"I know her name asshole. It's Jasmine"
My brows immediately furrow at the name.
Wait a minute. They've been talking about Jasmine the whole time.
"Oh…the dumbass finally used his last brain cell" Ben snickers.
"Y'all think I can't get her." Brandon stands, looking at everyone, "Watch and see how smooth I can be"
"Don't make a fool of yourself" I bite out before I can stop myself.
This brings the guys to another round of laughter.
"What? You don't have faith in me, Cap" He asks, his eyes glinting with an expression that makes something in me twist.
"The more doubtful y'all are, the better the win. Who wants to bet?"
I can feel the vein on my forehead popping, my fingers clenching into my spare shirt.
"I'm ready to watch this looser fall flat on his face" Nicole mocks.
"Yeah, me too. You want a challenge, let's give you one. Five hundred bucks" James blurts.
"Make it one thousand." Isaac adds and the guys hoots in approval.
"For fuck's sake we have a game this week and all you want to do is bet on a girl we all know he could never win. Save your money Brandon, and focus on winning the game." I bark. My jaw clenches so hard that it feels like my teeth will fall off.
I don't know what I'm thinking. I can't point out why I'm acting this way. The guys bet on everything every day and it's always fun, it's not new to bet on getting a girl, in fact, it's one of the many fun things that brings us together.
Storming out of the locker room with my bag, I can sense all their confused eyes shooting lasers at my back, but I don't give a fuck. There are many girls to bet on, and I wasn't lying when I said Jasmine was unattainable.
I haven't known her for long, but I'm just so convinced.
Fuck. Why am I acting this way?
I immediately hurry out of the building. I need to get a new phone so I don't miss any important calls. Passing through the small restaurant at the center of school, I halt.
Although her back is facing me, I can tell it's her. I'm just too sure. I don't recognize the girl standing in front of her, looking at me, but I suspect it must be the one she was with at the game. She whispers something to Jasmine but she still doesn't turn around. Taking a deep breath, I head towards them, walking past.
It takes a few minutes drive from the apartment to the phone shop, and I purchase a new one. Hopefully, I don't break this one soon.
The moment I put in my sim and retrieve my data and files from my cloud. So many texts and missed calls surface. Many from Chloe, but one stands out.
'Our Parents wants us engaged by next month'
My body freezes.