^^Asher^^

Asher's POV

" I have friends coming here, so get out. I don't want some nerdy kid here bothering us." Brandon, my new roommate, sneers at me while I'm setting up my desk in our dorm room.

Instead of commenting, I just look down while grabbing my Kindle before hurrying from the room. I know what you are thinking. Why did you let that guy talk to you like that? Why did you leave your own room? The answer to both questions is simple. He is right. I am a nerd. Also, he is almost twice my size, in muscle anyway, and on the school wrestling team.

^^ Brandon^^

I had to deal with people like him all through high school. I was hoping college would be different, but last year taught me that it isn't. The bullies just have more freedom here. So, yes, I walked away. But I would rather leave my room than anger him and give him a reason to beat me. I'm not a scrawny kid like I used to be, but I'm still not very big. I like to run, so my muscles are toned but pretty lean. At 5'11", I know I'm not short, but I always feel so small. I also apparently reek of nerdiness. I tried getting a trendy haircut and dressing like the other students, but I guess that doesn't really help anything.

As I leave my dorm building, I head to the south side of campus. Behind Willow Hall, one of the girls' dorms, there is a forest. There are several trails through it for running and last year, my freshman year, I found myself running here quite often. On one of my runs, I discovered a beautiful oak tree a bit away from one of the trails that is great to sit under and read.

Once I find my tree, yes I have claimed it as mine, I sit in my favorite little nook and turn on my Kindle. As I read, I start to feel a bit sleepy. I lay my kindle on my chest and lean back against the tree looking up at its warped branches as I feel myself drifting off.

I wake up a while later, hearing someone running on the trail. I check the time on my watch and see that it is almost 6 o'clock. I glance up when I notice that the footfalls are slowing down. Through the trees, I catch a glimpse of purple and fiery red. I can just make out the figure of a girl. Her pale skin is a great contrast to her dark clothing and bright hair. She is walking closer, and I lose my breath when I can finally see her face. She is the most beautiful creature I have ever seen. As I watch, I notice her tilt her head up, seemingly sniffing the air. I pull in a deep breath through my nose, trying to smell what has caught her attention, but I can only smell the forest.

Suddenly, she gets an intense look on her face, and then she jerks her head to the side and stares straight at me. She smiles so brightly I think I might die from the beauty. I assume she has noticed my tree because there is no reason for her to smile at me that way. I may have claimed this oak as my own, but I would give it up to her in a heartbeat. Hell, I would give her everything I own, and my arm, maybe a foot. Maybe she wants a new car or a house. I could give her these things. I would give her anything if she just keeps smiling that way.

My heart starts pounding as she starts to walk closer. Her body moves so gracefully, and she doesn't take her eyes off of me. I start to breathe faster watching her stalk towards me. She exudes power and confidence. When she gets within ten feet, I hold my breath, waiting for her to speak. What comes out of her mouth, though, isn't what I expected. She lets out a low growl.

I'm sure I am just hearing things, and it's easy to believe because my heart is going crazy, my stomach is full of butterflies, and I still haven't taken a breath. When I realize this I concentrate on getting my breathing back to normal.

A/N Thanks for reading! Please comment and vote!