Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve

Austin

She's unpredictable. I honestly didn't think Ren would say those nice things about me to Amanda. The machine that gave sandwiches was just outside the room. I could hear everything. After all the shitty things I did to Ren, she has always been so nice and sweet.

You sound whipped, the voice in my head says.

I am not. Piss off.

Right now, we're watching The Fault in Our Stars in her laptop. Obviously, her choice not mine. I suggested to watch World War Z, but she rather watch some sappy cliché movie. Ren starts bawling in tears in the middle of the movie. Why do girls like to watch movies that make them cry? It makes no sense.

I get up from her bed and grab a box of tissues before handing them to her. She gladly takes it a grabs a couple, blowing her nose and wiping her tears. I can't stand but watch her. With the way she's so fixated to the movie, she looks so interesting.

After the movie, Travis decides to pop in. "Andre's arriving today, man." He scratches his head and tugs onto it lightly. "I've got to find a way to sneak him in campus."

Ren furrows her brows. "Sneak him in? Why?"

"He'll be staying in my dorm for the mean time," he tells her. People who didn't study in the UNI weren't allowed to crash in our dormitories, but that never stopped us.

"It's been a while since I last saw Andre," I chuckle lightly, remembering the good 'ole times.

Ren looks between Travis and I. "Who's Andre?"

"He's my cousin," Travis retorts. "He lives in Spain and he comes to visit me once in a while."

She nods slowly. Travis claps my back. "I've got to go, man. I need to find another way to get him in." Travis leaves the room and leaving Ren and I alone again.

While waiting for Andre to arrive, Ren decided to tutor me on some of my classes. Is there anything she doesn't know? How can someone be so goddamn smart? No wonder she's graduating as valedictorian.

"Sometimes it scares me..." I trail off and Ren looks at me, a curious look on her face. "...by just sitting next to you, I feel like the stupidest person alive."

She laughs lightly and it sends shiver down my body. The hair on my arms stand I quickly rub off the feeling. "You have a nice laugh," I tell her. Her eyes slightly widens at me sudden remark and I mimic her expression. Why did I say that?

Told you, man. You're whipped, the voice in my head says.

Shut the fuck up, man. I am not whipped. I don't have feelings nor will I ever have feelings for anyone. It's who I am. So piss off.

Ren looks down at her fiddling fingers. "Thanks?" she mumbles. I can see her blushing and that makes me smile a bit. I love having that effect on her.

"No problem princess." I smirk and she looks up at me, frowning.

An hour later, Travis texted all of us to come over to his dorm. Ren was M.I.A. so I went ahead to Travis' room. Fortunately, Travis' dorm is bigger than the normal dorm rooms. I don't even know how he got it.

"Austin, mi amigo!" Andre pulls me into a hug and pats me at the back.

I grin, "It's good to see you, bro."

Travis introduces Andre to Megan and Alanna and they start talking. I grab Megan by her arm and pull her out of the group. "Have you seen Ren?" I ask her and she shakes her head.

"I thought she was with you," she says.

I shake my head, "Haven't seen her after she tutored me."

Adam calls us over and tells us about having a party on Friday night by the river. The river is the perfect place for the perfect party. Girls in bikinis swimming in the river, if we're lucky some might go skinny dipping, the area is big a spacious, and the best part, no cops will find it.

"You guys don't have to do that," Andre shakes his hands in front of us.

Adam ignores his statement and continues planning. Megan turns to Alanna and starts talking about what to wear. "We need new bikinis," she tells her.

"But I already have the cutest one," Alanna pouts.

Megan waves her hand. "Then you can go and help me with one. And perhaps we can go find one for Ren too."

Alanna and Megan disappears to go and look for Ren while the guys and I head back to my room to play FIFA. We all squat in front of the screen watching Travis and Andre go against each other. Andre scores a goal and Travis throws his controller on the ground.

"Fuck," Travis exclaims.

"I swear, if you broke my controller you're buying me a new one." I mutter. Travis retrieves the controller and continues playing. I hear the door open and see Ren coming in. Immediately, her eyes land on Andre. Andre pauses the game and turns to look at Ren.

"Whoa, and who must you be?" Andre stands up and approaches Ren. Ren stays in front of the door, frozen. He takes her hand and kisses the back of it. "I'm Andre, y tu?"

"I'm Ren, Austin's roommate." She blushes.

I ball my fists and stand up, clenching my jaw. Andre tows Ren to her bed and they sit and talk. Ren looks so comfortable with him. I hate it. I walk over to them and join their conversation.

"Hey Austin," she waves.

"Where were you?" I ask, sternly.

"I-I was..."

"Bro, you're making her nervous." Andre turns to me. "I think it's best if you leave us alone to get to know each other?" he winks at me and if I was a cartoon, you could see the smoke go out of my nose and ears. I clench my jaw and turn on my heels to walk away but Ren grabs my wrist. I look over my shoulder and down at her.

"It's alright. Stay," she says softly.

I unclench my fists and sit beside her. Andre gives me a look but I ignore him. Ren looks at Andre and asks him about his future and what he wants to be when he grows up. Andre rambles about his dream on becoming a professional soccer player. On the other hand, I can't keep my eyes off of Ren. I take this moment to look at every detail on her face; she has a dimple on her cheek, her eyes crinkle when she smiles, and her laugh. Oh God, her laugh.

I shake my head, bringing myself back to reality. Why does Ren make me feel this way? I've been with how many girls my entire life. I'm the playboy of the UNI. How can one girl change my perspective on things?

Maybe because you like her?

I can't like her. How can I like her? I mean, she's pretty and whatnot but I'm more of a big ass and tits kind of guy, you know? I hear Adam calling my name and snaps me out of my train of thought.

"What?" I turn to Adam, slightly annoyed.

"Carl, isn't answering any of my calls," he sighs frustrated. "Who else can I call for the kegs?"

He's seriously planning the party now? It's not till three days away. I shrug, "Try Dan." His expression lightens up and he starts scrolling down his contacts, calling Dan.

I look back at Ren and she's so interested with Andre's stories for when he was still in Spain. Her legs are crossed Indian style with her elbows propped on her knees, resting her head on her hands. The way she stares at Andre, the way she's so fixated to Andre, I want her to look at me that way. I want to have her full attention. I sigh, shaking my head.

I think I do like her.