(Past Thea) -

[Stalker Journal: Entry NO. 5]

I stealthily moved along with the walls, keeping my eyes open for any sudden movements in my surroundings. The massive room was barely luminous under the dim lights placed here and there.

I once again checked to see if my gun was loaded. I heard small thumps of footsteps behind me and immediately ducked down behind a stack of tires, scanning the perimeter. This was a life and death situation, nothing could be taken lightly.

Suddenly, I heard the clicking of a gun from behind me and my instincts kicked in, in a matter of seconds I had shot the enemy with my paintball gun and was jumping for joy. I could hear my fallen teammates hooting and cheering as they ran into the room.

I took some steps forward toward the person I had shot, still on the ground. I held out my hand for him to take and pulled him off the ground. He wiped the dust off of him and looked me in the eye then said "Good game", shaking my hand at the same time.

It was at this moment we both took our helmets off and properly looked at one another. The sight of him made my breath hitch. It was him.

Mystery guy.

(Present Thea) -

Parting ways with Lexi, I step into Fashion design with Victoria and sit down in my seat, discussing with her, Camila Cabello's new album; Romance.

"My favorite song was 'Living Proof', it's just so poetic, you?" I say, my head resting on the desk as I softly murmur the lyrics to the song.

"Hmm, ' Bad Kind Of Butterflies', it's just my vibe in a nutshell but overall every song of hers is incredible," she answers.

"Personally, my favorite was 'My Oh My'." I hear a deep voice say from in front of me and I look up to see Jonah, a grin etched on his face.

"I can see that, you could relate to it with the bad boy vibes you give off because of your motorbike and sense of style," I admit and he smirks.

"You're even wearing the signature leather jacket and smirk today too," I further add, pointing at his attire.

He winks at me as he sits down and I giggle as he smiles in amusement. We both stare at each other smiling until his gaze becomes too much for me and I turn away, blushing.

"You're adorable, you know that right?" He confesses and as if my cheeks aren't pink already, they betray me and turn scarlet. I quickly cover my face with my hands and look forward to where the professor stood, trying to gain everyone's attention so that she could start the class.

"I'm still gonna annoy you-"

"Shh!"

"What? I can't hear you."

"If you don't stop bugging me, I'll literally slap that stupid smirk off of you."

"I don't think I want to stop though, you're fun to-"

"I said stop!"

At that moment, about fifty pairs of eyes turn towards me and I freeze.

"Is there a problem, Ms. Amore?" The professor questions as he eyes Jonah and me.

"No, sir."

"Then why are you disturbing my class?" he further interrogates me, his eyes digging into me.

I simply shrug and try to disappear by hunching down in my seat, the embarrassment eating me alive. The professor huffs in irritation and continues with his lesson, this time without any further disruptions.

I hear snickering from beside and I turn to face the culprit with a glare that could terrify the devil himself. I punch his arm in bitterness, muttering curses under my breath and he immediately stops snickering to cradle his now injured arm.

"You're mean," he says, with a pout.

"And you're an asshole," I argue.

"Proud one, too"

"Oh my god!" I sigh, accepting my fate filled with never-ending torture and agony. The rest of the class carries on with us still bickering until the bell finally rings and I flee to Textiles class. It isn't long before it's finally Art.

"Hey," I say as I sit down next to Chance.

He turns towards me and flashes me a smile, "Hey, I was wondering if you want to join me and my friends for pizza later today?"

I quickly think about it and nod, "Sure, right after class?"

He nods and shortly after Mr. Bianchi enters the room, his signature briefcase in his hands. The class flies by and before I know it's time to go.

"I need to go home and change so you guys can go ahead and I'll join you as soon as possible, okay?" I promise and leave for my dorm.

Once I freshen up, I go to knock on Chance's door expecting him to open the door but I'm surprised when Tori does it instead.

"Tori?" I mutter, puzzled.

"Thea! I didn't expect to see you here, what's up?" She says, inviting me in.

"I'm friends with Chance...well kinda friends" I shrug.

"I'm offended you don't see me and Vince as your friends," Noah huffs, pouting and stomping his feet like a child while Tori smacks the back of his head.

"Shut up, you idiot!" Vince shouts at Noah from the kitchen, the latter, in response, immaturely sticks his tongue out.

We all talk for a while until we decide to walk down to a pizza place nearby. We sit down in a booth at the corner, me, squished between Chance and Noah.

"Thanks for coming," Chance abruptly remarks, nudging my arm and I turn towards him with a grin.

"No problem, thank you for inviting me," I say as I push a loose strand of my hair behind my ear.

Our eyes lock together for a while until a loud whistle disrupts the peace and I shriek in response.

"What the hell!"

"Finally, you two were making googly eyes at each other for the last two minutes. Food's here by the way," Noah announces as he starts to stuff his face with a slice of pepperoni pizza.

Both; Chance and I both look at each other again then I turn away, flustered, and start to eat a slice of the pizza as well. I could feel his gaze burning a hole at the side of my head but I don't dare look back to meet it.

Eventually, things became less awkward and we all begin doing the common yet stupid things all college students do.

"Bet you ten dollars you can't catch this cinnamon roll in your mouth," Vince declares, pointing at Noah.

"Bring it on, bitch," he accepts the offer, winking.

"I'm with Noah on this one," Chance sides.

"Same," I raise my hand along with Tori.

"You sure you still wanna do this, bud? It's gonna cost you a lot when you lose," Noah warns Vince, smirking at all the support he had.

"I have some bucks to spare, don't worry, although I don't think you can do it," he taunts back as he grabs a cinnamon roll, aiming to throw it at Noah.

He throws it and everyone one of us glides to the edge of our seats. It flies towards Noah, as expected, catches it effortlessly between his teeth resulting in Vince groaning and the rest of us hooting.

"Excuse me, but we're going to have to ask you to leave. You're causing a lot of noise and other customers are getting disturbed," a waitress interrupts our cheering and laughing.

We all immediately stop and look around to see many people glaring at us. We all quickly stand up and run out.

"Ok, that was fun and all but you still owe us ten bucks each, bro," Noah teases.

"Ugh! Forty bucks down the drain," he groans and takes out his wallet to hand us each a ten-dollar bill, doing all of this whilst glaring at Noah.

We all begin to wander aimlessly around campus until unconsciously we end up in our dorm rooms.

"You guys up for a movie marathon?" Noah points to his room.

While everyone else agrees, I decline the invite, "Sorry, but I really don't feel up to it right now."

"Aww, at least watch one movie with us, it'll be fun," Vince tries to persuade me.

"Noah's dorm is always filled with all kinds of junk food, chips, ice cream. You name it and he has it. You should really come, it'll be fun," Tori adds, knowing perfectly well how to convince me.

While cringing in my room as I think about things that happened years ago sounds partially appealing, Chance's imploring smile and food win me over and I give in, grinning at everyone.

"Fine, I'll come but can I at least go to my dorm and shower."

They all give me thumbs-up as in turn around to enter my dorm. After taking a quick, refreshing shower, I walk out of the bathroom wearing a pair of booty shorts and an oversized hoodie that came up to mid-thigh.

Putting on some lip balm, a scrunchie on my wrist to later tie my hair with and a pair of vans, I come out of the room, snickering at the fact I currently resemble the typical VSCO girl.

As I see Lexi on the couch looking bored, I decide to invite her as well.

"Hey Lexi, I'm heading off to watch movies with some friends. Wanna join?"

"Hi and no, I wouldn't wanna intrude. No one likes a person who barges in uninvited," she shrugs.

"Oh no, I'm sure they wouldn't mind, besides I'm inviting you so you're technically not uninvited," I tell her.

"But-"

"Ok then, if you're not going then I'm not going either," I state with finality lacing my tone and I crash beside her on the couch.

"Ugh fine! I'll come but let me change out of my uniform."

I smirk and wave her off, telling her to take her time.

Two minutes later, I hear a faint "Ready." and look up from my phone to see Lexi in her sweatpants and hoodie.

"Perfect, let's go." And with that, we walk out of our room to room 130. Only a minute after I knocked the door was opened by Tori once again.

"Finally you came, there's too much testosterone here for me to handle alone. Who's this?" she asks motioning to Lexi who was smiling sheepishly.

"Hi, this is my roommate Lexi, I hope you don't mind that I invited her," I inform her, coming inside the dorm.

"Oh no, not at all," Tori replies nonchalantly and sits back down on the couch. It's then that our arrival is noticed by the boys and a chorus of hellos goes around.

"You made it! Who's that though?" Chance greets me with a grin on his face.

"My roommate," I say as I gesture to Lexi to introduce herself.

"Oh!" she said, snapping out of whatever trance she was in still start
ing at Tori, "I'm Lexi, Thea invited me, I hope you all don't mind."

"Not at all, make yourself comfortable," Vince answers from the loveseat he's seated at, smiling warmly at her.

Awkwardly, she sits next to him on the mattress on the floor. I, in contrast to her, make myself comfortable on the corner of the couch, wrapping myself into a fluffy blanket. Chance takes the seat next to me, a pillow in his lap.

Noah finally comes and lays out an assortment of snacks, including various boxes of sweets on the coffee table, and jumps on the couch, with the tv remote in his hand.

"I don't know about you all but I'm feeling like watching a horror, any problem?"

All of us agree and he puts on The Conjuring. Several minutes later as I  munch on some popcorn thoroughly engrossed in the movie, a cold foot touches mine and I jump in fright. The possessor of that foot being Chance chuckles at my reaction and I slap his arm in retaliation.

"Move your foot."

"Why?"

"It's making me uncomfortable."

"No."

"No, what?"

"No, I'm not moving it."

"Move it for god's sake— Aah! What the fuck!" And with that jump-scare, my popcorn flies everywhere. I hide behind Chance's shoulder while everyone else, including him, laughs at me.

I pout and blush in embarrassment, hitting Chance with a cushion and then covering my face with it as I crush it in my arms.

"Aww, it's okay Thea, I'll protect you," he assures me, taking the opportunity to swiftly put his right arm around me and pull me into his chest all the whilst he smirks, enjoying my embarrassment.

Gradually, I relax in his arms, feeling a sense of protection and I drift off to sleep.

~

I don't know how much time has passed at this point but I'm shaken awake as a husky voice whispers in my ear.

"Psst, Thea wake up."

"No," I mumble in response, burying my head deeper into Chance's warm body.

I hear him chuckle at my actions, "Don't you wanna go back to your dorm?"

"I wanna." I nod, still hugging him.

"So you have to wake up."

"No, I don't."

"Then what do you propose we do?"

"You can carry me."

"No."

"Please."

"No."

"Pretty please," I plead and further on add, "I'll hit you if you don't."

"I don't think anything you do will hurt that much in the state you're in."

Smack

"Jeez, woman! I'll carry you just don't hit me."

He then stands up and immediately I miss the warmth his body gave me, holding out my hands towards him, implying for him to pick me up. He sighs but complies with my wishes and picks me up; one of his arms under my thighs while the under was behind my neck.

"Come on, I'll show you to her room," I hear Lexi's soft voice as well as the opening and closing of some doors.

Not more than a minute later, Chance lays me down in my bed as gently as he could, covering me with my blanket. He goes to leave but at the last second, I grab his hand.

"Thank you."

He tenses up but relaxes just as quickly.

"No problem, Thea. Sweet dreams." I feel a pair of warm lips pecking my forehead, and then he's gone while I once again drift off to sleep, a soft smile adorning my face.

._.

Hey, guys hope you liked the chapter, this was fun to write.

The picture I have put at the start is the layout of the boys' dorm.

See you in my next chapter. 😄

Potato out.