A/N: shoutout to @rewtriten for explaining how to add photos into chapters! 

I was currently tucked into bed, my fluffy blanket pulled up to my neck. Jack had joined me and was sitting on my bed with his back up against the wall. My laptop was pushed in front of us playing a movie; empty cans of Monster littered the ground. Jack insisted on drinking them in order to stay energized so he wouldn't fall asleep before I did. Part of me felt bad he wasn't sleeping because of me, but the other part of me was so relieved that I wouldn't have to brace the night alone.

After my awkward run in with a very shirtless Vic, I came back to the room and started working on some classwork. The only thing that kept me hanging on was the reminder that Vic was taking me on a date this Friday. I kept that thought in the back of my mind whenever I caught myself trailing off.

When Jack came back from the showers he gave me the full story on "operation seduction," as he called out. He told me that his timing was spot on, and Alex was indeed walking past the freshman showers just as Jack was leaving. He described, in great detail might I add, how Alex was "glistening with pure lust" at the sight of Jack in his hot pink bathrobe.

Apparently Alex had asked Jack to hangout tomorrow and that it was code for, "I'm going to ask you to be my boyfriend." I loved how happy they made each other, and seeing Jack even more full of life, brought a smile to my face.

During our movie marathon, Vic and I had been texting nonstop. I felt a little bad because I know he had a big test tomorrow. A couple of times during the evening I tried to get him to study, and stopped replying for a bit. Nonetheless, Vic would always end up reassuring me that he was fully prepared and would start blowing up my phone until I answered. Now was one of those moments as I glanced down and saw Vic's name flash across my screen.

Vic: "Hey. Hey Kells. What's your favorite ice cream flavor?"

Vic: "What about your favorite month?"

Vic: "Ok I'm going to have to send you a photo in order to get you to respond."

Vic:" Now you send me a funny face"

My eyes widened at the photo Vic had sent me and felt my face flush. How was it possible that he could look absolutely sexy and adorable at the same exact time? And why did he have to put his tongue out? Did he have any idea what kind of affect that had on me? I smiled down at the photo, saving it to my phone and changing Vic's contact photo to it.

"Hey, what're you smiling about over there?" Jack asked, pulling me from my thoughts as I fumbled with my phone, trying to hide the photo, and my embarrassment.

"Nothing! Nothing. Just texting Vic." I replied quickly.

"Hold on there...is that a picture I see?" Jack leaned over me, trying to grab the phone.

"What? I don't know what you're talking about." I squirmed away from Jack, laughing.

"Kellin! Did Vic send you a dick pic? I knew he was secretly a horndog." Jack teased, still trying to grab my phone.

"JACK! Oh my god no! Vic did NOT send me a...dick pic." I whispered the last part, my cheeks turning an even darker shade of red at the thought of Vic's...

"Then show me!" Jack pouted.

I sat up against my headboard, pulling my phone from its hiding place under my pillow. I unlocked my phone and smiled again at Vic's selfie on my screen. I turned my phone around, showing Jack the photo.

"It's just a silly photo of him. He was trying to get my attention or make me smile, or something." I muttered, a smile spreading on my face.

"Awwww that's so cute. Kellin, you have to send him one back."

"No, I'm so awkward and gross. Look at him Jack! He's freaking gorgeous." I huffed, throwing my hands up.

"Yeah and you're too. Plus, Vic is crazy about you." Jack grabbed my phone out of my hands.

Jack pointed the camera towards me and nodded, "Now stand up and make a funny face."

I sighed, reluctantly climbing out of bed and grabbing a hat off the top of my dresser. If I was going to send a selfie to Vic I was at least going to make myself look decent.

"Work it! Work out! Pose and pose! You're doing amazing sweetie!" Jack exclaimed as he jumped around, snapping photos.

"Okay enough, let me pick one out." I reached back towards Jack, failing to grab my phone from him.

"Trust me Kellin, I know you'll pick the safe photo. Let me pick out the best one. I am a professional." Jack tapped away on my phone.

I huffed and crossed my arms, watching Jack as he typed a message. He finally gave me my phone back and I rushed to open my messages with Vic. Oh god.

Me: ;)

"Jack! Why?! I look like a big doofus." I exclaimed, covering my face in embarrassment. I looked so silly in this photo, and not adorable silly like Vic did.

"And why did you put a winky face? I've never sent Vic a winky face." I groaned into my pillow, dreading Vic's response.

"First off, you should start using winky faces. Second off, Vic is going to drool over that photo." Jack reached forward and pulled the pillow off my face.

My phone dinged a few times signaling that I had gotten a text message. I let my thumb hover over my lock screen for a moment before slowly sliding open my messages.

Vic: "How is it possible that you keep being even cuter?"

Vic: "Also, your lips look awfully lonely"

"What did he say?" Jack asked.

I turned my phone around to show him Vic's response as his eyes lit up.

"Kellin! Did I tell you I was good at this or what? I'm about to put flirt texting on my resume." Jack beamed.

I couldn't hide my smile as I let out a small giggle. Vic's response made my heart flutter and my head feel light. I suddenly felt much more confident, being around Jack certainly had that effect on me. I typed out my response and grinned.

Me: "Yeah they miss yours."

Vic: "If I didn't have this test in 6 hours, I'd be over there in a heartbeat."

I glanced at the time and bit my lip. It was already so late and I felt terrible for keeping Vic up. I was starting to feel a little tired myself and Jack was full of energy. I'm sure I would be able to get through the night.

Me: "You should get some sleep. My lips will still be here in the morning."

Vic: "But I want them now."

Me: "If I send you another selfie will you quit whining and go to sleep?"

Vic: "Yes please"

"Alright Jack, don't judge me. I'm going to send Vic another photo so he'll go to sleep for his test tomorrow." I leaned back in bed and snapped another picture.

Me: "There you go"  

Vic: "Now I can sleep :) Also, you look incredibly hot..."

Me: "Oh do I? Whoops"

Vic: "Mhm. Night night ;)" 

I stared at the photo Vic had just sent me with the biggest smile on my face. Vic and a puppy?! He really did know the secret to my heart. I tucked myself back into bed and kept the photo of Vic up on my phone, just looking at it in awe. I let exhaustion take over me, holding onto that feeling I got whenever I thought of Vic, quickly falling asleep.

\\\\\\\\\

When I woke up the next morning Jack was fast asleep in his bed. I don't even remember falling asleep which was a good thing; that means that I didn't wake up in the middle of the night either. Mission accomplished.

I whipped a pillow at Jack to get him to wake up. Today, we had most of our classes together and this was a little plan we worked out amongst ourselves. I was basically Jack's alarm clock.

"Yes Alex I do look good in a dress!" Jack mumbled as he shot up in bed.

I gave him a puzzled look before I burst out laughing.

"Ooops I was dreaming." Jack shrugged before climbing out of bed to throw on a change of clothes.

"Dreaming of Alex again?" I teased, making kissing sounds at him as I threw my backpack over my shoulder.

"Oh, like you didn't fall asleep last night staring at Vic's selfies." Jack shot back, grinning.

"I don't know what you're talking about." I brushed off, hiding my smile as we fell into step walking out of the building.

Jack stayed by my side the entire day as we went from class to class. I didn't see him at all. Maybe it was because where I seemed to go, Jaime, Tony, and Mike were always nearby, making sure I was okay. Vic must have told them to keep a watch on me and I couldn't help but melt at that thought.

Speaking of Vic though, I haven't heard from him since last night. He hasn't texted me at all today and I haven't seen him on campus either. This struck me as incredibly odd considering how protective he's been over me.

I was probably overreacting. Vic had his big test this morning, plus I know he had classes back to back all day. I bet he went right back to his room to sleep, that's what I'd do if I had his class load today.

"Jack? Have you seen Vic at all today?" I asked, turning to look at him as we left our last class of the day.

"Hmmm...no I don't think so. Why?" Jack pulled his hood over his head.

I bit my lip and shoved my hands into the front pocket of my hoodie, "No reason. I just haven't heard from him at all today."

"He's probably just super busy, I'm sure he'll text you soon. That boy can't resist." Jack grinned, patting me on the back reassuringly.

Still, I couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't like Vic. He was the most perky and full of life person I knew, second to Jack of course. I haven't known him for that long but even on his busiest days, I still caught a wave or smile from him across campus.

While Jack and I walked back to our dorm I decided to send Vic a text. I was the one who never responded last night, so maybe I should be the first to start the conversation.

Me: "Hey Vic! How was your test this morning?"

I shoved my phone back into my pocket. We made our way down the tree lined, cobblestone sidewalk as the sky started to darken. The wind whipped across my face, spitting rain flicking onto us as we started to pick up our pace.

"Why is it whenever I do my hair, it seems to rain the exact same day?!" Jack shouted over the loud patter of rain.

We took off running towards our dorm. I was silently cursing because I too tried to make my hair look good today, in case I saw Vic. The clouds opened up and heavy rain came falling down on us like a monsoon. Our dorm was finally coming into sight as we continued sprinting towards the warm sanctuary. Jack flung the front door open as I tumbled in behind him, catching my breath.

Jack shook his hair out like a dog, flinging drops of water all over the place.

"Take it easy over there, Beethoven." I laughed, shoving Jack away from me.

When we got back to our dorm, Jack went to shower and I tried to start some of my classwork. I kept checking my phone every thirty seconds in case Vic responded to me and I had missed it. He still hadn't and it was nearing 8:00 PM. I didn't want to be clingy since we weren't even officially dating, but it was weird that Vic hadn't answered or tried to see me.

I sighed and pushed my computer and books away from me, leaning my head back against the wall. Suddenly there was a knock on our door and Jack leapt up to go answer it. I whipped my head up, hoping with all my might that it was Vic. It wasn't.

"Hi cutie, did you miss me today?" Alex's voice filled the room as he pulled Jack towards him, kissing him on his cheek.

I instantly felt jealousy rise up in me, which was stupid and selfish. I was happy for Jack and Alex, I was happy that they had found each other. But I really wanted to see Vic at that door. What if he was losing interest in me? What if he was finally realizing that I was a mess, a handful, too needy, too broken, a waste of time? I knew that these kinds of thoughts would destroy me and I tried to shake them away.

"Hi Kellin, is it cool if I study here?" Alex asked politely.

"Yeah. Yeah of course. You're always welcome in our room." I answered quickly.

Alex was Vic's roommate and I desperately wanted to know where he was. Alex was cool, I doubt he would think I was being clingy or a weirdo. I looked over at them and asked, in the most nonchalant voice I could muster, "What has Vic been up to today?"

Confusion passed across Alex's eyes, then almost a look of sadness.

"Um, Vic is in a weird mood today. He hasn't left our room at all." Alex said quietly.

"But I thought he had a big test today?" I asked, furrowing my eyebrows together. Why would Vic skip his test? That wasn't like him.

"He did. I heard his alarm go off, and I reminded him about it but he just shook me off and went back to sleep." Alex looked right at me.

"I've been Vic's roommate for three years. He gets into moods sometimes, it doesn't happen often, maybe...two or three times a year. But when he gets in them, he doesn't want to talk to or see anyone." Alex continued.

"Do you know why?" I asked.

Alex shook his head, "I've tried asking Mike but he says he has no idea. Vic is always back to normal the next day. It's probably just stress."

"Yeah...probably." I trailed off, leaving it at that and letting Jack and Alex get back to studying.

I knew I shouldn't be thinking too much into this. Vic was under a lot of pressure. I knew he was on a soccer scholarship and with his injured leg, he didn't know if he was going to be able to play before the season was up. Plus, his classload was a lot harder than mine since he was an Education major, he wanted to be a teacher. It made sense that Vic had off days. I knew what that was like all too well.

But something in my gut was telling me to go check on him. Vic had been the first one these past few weeks to check on me. I wanted, no I needed, to return the favor.

I slid off my bed and shoved my feet into my TOMS, heading towards the door when Jack's voice stopped me.

"Where are you going?" He asked.

I looked at him and Alex over my shoulder, "I just want to check on Vic. I'll be right back."

Alex looked down in his lap as I slipped out the door.

I walked down the hallway to the elevator and pushed the button for the top floor. I needed to make sure he was alright, and a small part of me really hoped that I would be that one person he'd want to talk to. I got to his door and stood frozen, staring at it.

My hand felt like a million pounds and my heart started beating fast as I knocked on the door. I waited but heard no sound. No sound indicating that anyone was coming to the door. No sound indicating that anyone was even in the room.

"V-Vic? It's me, Kellin. Are you alright?" I called out, my voice shaky.

I leaned my ear to the door and suddenly heard shuffling, like someone was rustling the blankets on their bed. Maybe Vic was sleeping. I opened my mouth and tried one more time to get his attention, knocking again.

"Um...anyways...I'll be up for a while if you want to talk. You can text me or call me..." My voice trailed off as I turned to leave, slowly walking back to my room.

Why didn't Vic want to talk to me? I didn't understand.

I threw myself onto my bed once I got back to the room, burying my face in my pillow.

"Did he talk to you?" Jack piped up.

"No." I mumbled.

"Hey Kellin, for what it's worth, Vic did say he was going to sleep when I left to come down here. And he couldn't stop gushing over your photos last night. Trust me, it has nothing to do with you. He just gets like this sometimes." Alex spoke, I could hear the sincerity in his voice.

I rolled over and got under the covers. I believed Alex when he said that Vic just got moody sometimes, but I cared about him so much. I wanted to know if there was anything I could do to help. I bit my lip, pulling out my phone and snapping a picture of myself. I scrolled to my messages with Vic and sent him a text.

I looked at the photos Vic sent me last night before clicking my phone off, and shutting my eyes. I hope tomorrow will be different and that Vic was alright.

__Author's Note__ reminder to vote:)

What do you think is going on with Vic?

What was your favorite part of this chapter?

I'm still patiently waiting for Kellin to stream him playing animal crossing on Twitch. I nearly lost it when he posted his custom design codes that he made in the game.

I hope everyone had a good day!

-Cassidy :)