KAI
"So, when is the big game?" Penny, my sister asked over the phone as I found my way through the herd of students that flocked around in all directions, barely noticing me.
I had just finished my last class for today and was heading back to my dorm.
I was mentally and physically exhausted but who was I to complain? I knew about what I was getting into even before I decided to apply for the scholarship to the academy and this was it.
As much as it was exhausting to the point of almost gnawing my eyes out, I still loved every bit of it.
Besides, this season was the last we'd be going through in terms of academics so I'll be free to focus on basketball fully from next season.
"In three months." I answered, holding onto my bags tightly as I took a sharp turn around the corner.
"Training must be gruesome, isn't it?"
I sighed a breath of exhaustion. "You don't even want to know but it's what I signed up for."
I heard her sigh deeply into the phone and only smiled.
"When will you be back home?"
"Probably before the game or after. I'll let you know when the schedule for visits comes up. I'm just in the dark about this as much as anyone."
"And your new roommate..." She trailed off and I almost clicked my tongue in irritation—Almost. In as much as I hated speaking about that devil, his name always pops up in some kind of way.
"The last time we spoke briefly, you mentioned that things weren't alright between you two. Is it any better?"
I contemplated on telling the truth but if I do that, then I'll only be putting her in distress. I don't want her or anyone worrying about me. They might think that I'm weak and a charity case that can't handle themselves but I'm not.
I hesitated before replying. "It's a bit better now."
It wasn't a lie but it wasn't completely the truth either. It's been two days since I was forced to room with Aiden and those two days has been the worst day of my entire adult life. It was pure torture. I'm not even trying to exaggerate but nothing else comes close.
If I could trade it for anything else in the world, I would do so in a heartbeat, without any hesitation. Aiden is exactly who everyone thinks he is. He is the devil in human form.
It's even a miracle that I've held on for this long. While my other teammates who sympathized with me pitied my condition, they rest were still holding out a bet on when I'll crack voluntary or when Aiden would kick me out himself.
It's a struggle just thinking about it.
"It's better?" Penny's voice came through, she wasn't buying my response. "Are you sure? Why do I feel like you're lying?"
Because I am. I whispered to myself.
"Don't worry Penny, I can manage."
"Why don't you find an apartment or move to another room? Can't you exchange rooms with someone else?" She asked with worry.
Like I haven't tried that already.
"I can't." I answered, and then, "I mean, athletes are not permitted to stay outside the Academy. And no, it's too late to change rooms now so I'm stuck here for at least a year."
Changing rooms is not the problem actually. The problem is that my roommate is too big of an ego maniac.
He is a selfish, self absorbed tyrant that doesn't care about anyone but himself so nobody in this academy will be interested in sharing so much as the tiniest of space with him.
"B-But—"
"Penny, I gotta go." I muttered, "I need to rest now. Love you, bye." And with that, I quickly disconnected the phone call before I'm bombarded with more questions.
The less she or anyone knows, the better.
I arrived at my room and after saying a silent prayer to whatever god existed, I swiped my key card and pull the door open.
My jaw dropped to the ground as soon as I stepped into the room to take in the horrendous and skin crawling sight in front of me.
My bed, my neatly arranged bed was filled with garbage that piled up and scattered everywhere even up to my reading desk. I almost puked from the stench that hits my nostrils.
My clean clothes were scattered across the room in different directions, down to my half open luggage.
"W-What the..." I trailed off in a stutter as I fully stepped into the room, my brain unable to process the right words. "What happened here?"
I didn't need a soothsayer to tell me who was behind this but for his sake, I wanted to be doubtful.
For the exhausted life in me, I just wanted to believe that he wouldn't stoop so low to this level to do this to me.
At that moment, Aiden walked into the room and whistled his way across to his side of the bed. "What happened here? Did you do this? Did you get tired and decided to play with garbage to pass the time?"
I turned to stare at him, my anger slowly rising to the surface. "Did you honestly think that I'd be stupid enough to ruin my bed like this?"
He shrugged, acting innocent like he didn't know what I was talking about. "I don't know; you tell me. Maybe you invited friends over and they messed up your space."
"I don't have Amnesia Aiden and there's no way I would invite anyone over when I've been stuck in class all day."
"Besides, we both have two key cards that can access this room; one of which is currently with me, so stop acting obtuse on purpose. I know that you are behind this?"
"Me? Behind this?" He pointed to himself, his lips stretched in a mocking grin. "I don't recall doing anything like that and why would I waste my time to make your already miserable life more uncomfortable?"
"Coach is going to find out about this." I threatened but he only laughed; the kind of laugh that told me that I was a fool for even thinking about that option in the first place.
"Go ahead Mr. Fast Feet." He insulted me. "Go and tell coach that I'm behind this. As if he'd believe anything that you have to say."
"Do you have proof that I did it? Did you see me doing it? I bet you didn't so how exactly do you plan on pinning this on me when I literally just came in after you?"
I went silent, debating on what he had just said and If I wanted to take that risk. Reporting Aiden without proof will only make me sound stupid and no one would believe me. He had the upper hand and he knows it.
Bridging the gap between us, he towered over me, his face inches apart, almost touching mine. "If you know that you can't handle it then, you know what to do Hayes. Pick up your stuff and move the fuck out."
I looked away when my nostrils caught a whiff of his scent that stirred my insides. My body became restless as I struggled to fight through his domineering presence that almost made me submit to him.
Tilting his face lower, he placed his lips to my ears and whispered, "I know there are tons of school rejects that will be happy to have you for a roommate so find your way over there and then maybe, you won't have to deal with this anymore."
I tightened my grip around my bag strap, afraid that if I let go even for a second then I might just lurch and attack him in an instant. I might just claw his eyes out with my bare hands.
He was infuriating in the worst kind of way.
Standing straight, he looked at me dead in the face with those dangerous gold-flecked eyes one last time before brushing past me, making sure that I feel the impact of the hit before walking out of the room.
I turned to stare at the door after he left, picturing him as though he was still standing there. My pulse raced as my blood sizzled in my veins.
It is settled then, I will not sit back and watch him make my life miserable. No, I won't let this slide. He will definitely pay for this.