Chapter 28

Pov: Nathan

The fluorescent lights of the campus store buzzed softly above as I wandered aimlessly down the snack aisle. Shelves crammed with chips, candy, and energy drinks stared back at me, none of them offering the clarity I desperately needed. My hands stayed shoved into my hoodie pockets as I walked past rows of brightly colored wrappers.

I was here for one reason: Jules.

I wasn't even sure why. She had casually said, "Surprise me," and now I was stuck overthinking something as simple as snacks. My mind kept replaying her smile earlier, the way it lit up her whole face when she finally finished her project. It wasn't just her smile, though. It was the way she'd laughed, leaning back in her chair with her messy hair falling into her face. Real, unpolished, nothing fake about it. Jules wasn't like the other girls I'd known. No games, no pretense. Just... Jules.

I stopped in front of the chocolate bars, reaching for one before hesitating. Did she even like chocolate? Did anyone hate chocolate? God, I was losing it. I'd lived with her for a few weeks and still didn't know something as basic as her favorite snack. My fingers drummed against the edge of the shelf, and I sighed.

"What the hell even counts as a surprise?" I muttered under my breath.

Grabbing a bag of chips, I held it for a second before putting it back. Then I picked up a pack of gummy bears. Cute, maybe? No, stupid. I tossed them back onto the shelf and stood there like an idiot, staring at the options like they were part of some life-altering decision.

My thoughts drifted back to Jules again. The way she'd looked at me earlier when I threw my hoodie over her body. The soft "thanks" she'd muttered, her cheeks a little pink. I found myself smiling, which was fucking ridiculous. Snacks. Focus on snacks, Talon.

I shoved my hand into my pocket, pulling out my phone. It hit me like a ton of bricks: I didn't even have Jules's number. We'd lived in the same dorm for weeks, argued over the cleaning schedule, and even split late-night takeout orders—but I didn't have her number. How? What kind of idiot lives with someone and doesn't even think to ask?

I frowned, scrolling through my contacts. My thumb hovered over Finn's name. He'd know, right? If anyone had advice on this, it was Finn. With a reluctant sigh, I tapped his name and pressed the phone to my ear. It rang twice before his annoyingly cheerful voice answered.

"Talon! Didn't think you'd miss me already."

"Shut up," I said, glancing around the store to make sure no one was listening. "I need advice."

"Ooh, this is a first. What's the occasion?"

I hesitated, then blurted out, "What kind of snacks do girls like?"

There was silence on the other end of the line. Then Finn burst out laughing. "Wait, wait. You're serious?"

"Forget it." I moved to hang up, but Finn's laughter cut in.

"No, no, don't hang up. This is gold. You're buying snacks for a girl? Who is she? Is it Jules? It's Jules, isn't it?"

I didn't answer, which only made him laugh harder. I gritted my teeth, letting out a frustrated sigh.

"Alright, alright," Finn said, finally calming down. "Let me think. Chocolate is usually a safe bet. Or something cute, like gummies. Girls love gummies."

"Gummies aren't cute," I muttered.

"Not to you, but trust me, they are. Just get something sweet. And hey, maybe a drink too. Can't go wrong with iced coffee, tea or even better, iced tea."

"Fine," I said, cutting him off before he could launch into another lecture. "Thanks."

"Anytime, lover boy," Finn said, and I hung up before he could say anything else.

I stared at the shelves again, replaying Finn's words. Chocolate. Gummies. Something sweet. With a resigned sigh, I grabbed a chocolate bar and a pack of gummy bears. Then I spotted the drink fridge and hesitated before picking out an iced coffee. Jules had teased me about tea earlier; she'd probably like this.

This better not be weird. It's just snacks. For a roommate. Who also happens to make me forget how to think properly.

I paid for everything and left the store, the cool evening air hitting me as I stepped outside. The snacks felt like they weighed a ton in the plastic bag swinging from my hand. It wasn't just snacks. It was... something else. I wasn't even sure why I cared so much about what Jules thought.

Maybe it's because I like seeing her smile. Or because she makes everything feel less heavy. Or maybe... maybe I just like her. A lot.

The thought hit me harder than I expected, and I found myself shaking my head, a small smile creeping onto my face. Get it together, Talon. It's just snacks.

As I walked back to the dorm, I couldn't help but imagine her reaction. Would she laugh? Would she tease me about the gummy bears? I'd take it, whatever it was, just to see that smile again. For now, that was enough.

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When I walked back into the dorm, the snacks in hand, Jules looked up from her bed. She was still wearing my hoodie, now paired with sweatpants, her hair tied up in a messy bun. She looked... cozy. Comfortable. And ridiculously good in my hoodie.

It's just a hoodie, Talon. Don't overthink it. But damn, it looks better on her than it ever did on you.

"Took you long enough," she teased, closing her laptop and sitting up. "Did you have to negotiate with the snacks or something?"

I smirked, tossing the bag onto her bed. "Some of us like to put thought into our decisions."

She rummaged through the bag, pulling out the gummy bears, chocolate, and iced coffee. Her face lit up in surprise. "Okay, points for effort. You might actually have taste."

I shrugged, sitting on the edge of my bed. "Don't get used to it."

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Jules stood, holding the gummy bears in one hand. "We should totally make this a movie night. I mean, we have snacks, and your bed's already big enough to be a couch."

I raised an eyebrow. "Is this your subtle way of saying you want to hijack my space?"

She grinned. "Exactly. Now help me make it awesome."

A sigh escaped me, but I got up to help. We rearranged my bed, piling on blankets and pillows to turn it into a makeshift couch. Jules insisted on making it "cozy," which apparently meant draping an extra blanket across the headboard for ambiance.

When we were done, she plopped down and patted the spot next to her. "Not bad, Talon. You might have a future in interior design."

I smirked, sitting down beside her. Our shoulders brushed as we settled in. "Don't quit your day job, Ghost Girl."

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She scrolled through her laptop, debating movie options. "Horror, comedy, or cheesy rom-com?"

I leaned back, arms crossed. "If you pick a rom-com, I'm out."

She pretended to think. "Rom-com it is."

A groan slipped out of me, but I didn't move. "Fine. But if I hate it, you're buying the snacks next time."

"Deal," she said, grinning as she started the movie.

As the movie played, Jules made sarcastic comments about the over-the-top plot, making me chuckle.

She's ridiculous. But damn, it's hard to look away when she's laughing like that.

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Halfway through, Jules stretched and paused the movie. "Alright, I need to pee."

"Thanks for the update. Riveting information," I said dryly.

She rolled her eyes, grabbing her phone. "It's called being human."

I stood, grabbing the blanket draped across my shoulders. "Might as well go too. Let's make it a field trip."

Jules raised an eyebrow. "What, are we five?"

"No," I quipped. "But the bathrooms are communal. If I don't go now, someone'll hog all the stalls."

We walked down the dimly lit hallway, the muffled sound of other students laughing and music playing behind closed doors. Jules still wore my hoodie, the sleeves pulled down over her hands. It looked good on her—too good.

She looks so comfortable, like she belongs in it. Stop it, Talon. It's just a hoodie.

"What's the deal with the floor showers anyway?" Jules asked. "Like, why no private bathrooms? We're not in prison."

I shrugged. "Adds to the charm, don't you think?"

She snorted. "Yeah, 'charm.' That's what I call disgusting and questionable plumbing."

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As we approached the bathroom door, it swung open, and a group of guys stepped out, laughing loudly. One of them, Liam, paused when he saw us.

Liam smirked, looking between us. "Well, well, Talon. Didn't know you did bathroom trips in pairs now."

Jules flushed instantly, pulling the hoodie tighter around herself. "It's not like that."

Liam's eyes flicked to the hoodie. "Right. Totally. Really cozy-looking roommates."

I stepped forward, my tone sharp. "Got something to say, Liam?"

He chuckled, raising his hands in mock defense. "Relax, man. Just fucking with you. You don't have to bite my head off."

Jules avoided eye contact, her cheeks burning as she muttered, "We're just watching a movie... Nothing weird."

My jaw tightened. "Mind your goddamn business."

Liam laughed as he walked away with his friends, calling over his shoulder, "Sure thing, Talon. You two have fun."

Jules groaned, burying her face in her hands. "Oh my god. Why do people always assume..."

I shrugged, glancing at her. "Because people are idiots?"

She glared at me. "You didn't have to get all defensive. Now it's just going to look more... I don't know, suspicious."

I raised an eyebrow. "You're the one acting flustered."

She punched me lightly on the arm. "You're impossible."

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On the way back, we walked in silence for a moment before Jules spoke up, still fiddling with the hoodie sleeves. "Thanks. For, you know, stepping in."

I glanced at her, my expression softening. "Whatever. Liam's an ass."

She smiled faintly. "Still. It was nice of you. Even if you were all 'grumpy protector' about it."

Grumpy protector? Great. Add that to the list of things I didn't plan on being.

Back in the dorm, we settled into our makeshift couch, resuming the movie. Jules mumbled something about how awkward the hallway encounter was, but I just smirked.

Awkward for her, maybe. For me? It's just proof I don't want anyone getting the wrong idea about her. Because she's... well, Jules.

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Halfway through the movie, I caught a faint whiff of vanilla every time Jules shifted beside me. It was subtle but unmistakable, and it suited her—soft, warm, comforting.

Internal thought: Why am I noticing this? It's just Jules. Except nothing about her feels 'just' anymore.

She leaned slightly against me, our shoulders pressed together. "Not enough space," she mumbled, stealing a piece of chocolate.

I glanced down at her, my heart skipping a beat. "You planned this, didn't you? Taking over my bed and stealing my snacks?"

She smirked, unbothered. "Obviously. And you let me, so what does that say about you?"

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By the end of the second movie, Jules had drifted off, her head resting against my shoulder. I stiffened for a moment, unsure what to do, before finally relaxing. I glanced down at her, her face peaceful, her breathing soft.

Of course, she falls asleep on me. And of course, I don't want her to move.

The vanilla scent lingered, and I noticed how her hand was curled loosely against the blanket. For a moment, I let myself enjoy the quiet intimacy of the moment.

Carefully, I adjusted the blanket over her, trying not to wake her. She stirred slightly but didn't open her eyes, her face still relaxed. It was rare to see Jules like this—unguarded, vulnerable.

I'm so screwed. But maybe... maybe I don't care.

The laptop screen dimmed as the movie credits rolled, and I stayed still, my shoulder supporting her. The dorm felt impossibly quiet, the only sounds her steady breathing and the faint hum of the building's heating system.

I stared at the ceiling, my mind racing.

This isn't just roommates anymore. She's not just Jules. She's way more then that.

I didn't feel restless or out of place. I felt like I belonged, even if it was just for this fleeting moment. And I wasn't about to ruin it.

I stayed like that, motionless, letting the weight of the day settle. If she woke up, I'd have to pretend this meant nothing. But right now? Right now, it meant everything.

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A/N

I think my heart is melting AHHHH.

I wanted to wait to post this chapter but since I finished writing it I couldn't stop thinking about it and it had to be shared.

WHAT DO WE THINK? I'm in fact screaming crying trowing up...

LOVE YOU GUYS <3