Someone Like You (3 page)

So, feeling evil, I turn on some music and watch her from the doorway of the kitchen.

She throws me an annoyed glare but doesn’t say anything.

Damn, I thought she’d pitch a fit like she did last night.

Instead, I watch as she makes her way to her room and shuts the door.

Oh well, at least she’s not going to be cramping my style later on.

Two hours later and the party is in full swing. I’m also pleased to see that Jessica has decided to make an appearance.

I make my way over to her and flash her a charming grin.

“Glad you could make it.” I tell her, offering her a beer.

She flips her blonde hair and bats her eyelashes at me.

“
Anything for you, sugar.”

Okay, she may not be the smartest girl but those legs … damn!

I throw her a half smile and then go to grab us more beer. As I make my to the kitchen, I pass Temperance.

She’s on her way out and I find myself curious as to where she’s headed.

Why, I don’t know.

Nevertheless, I watch her rush past me and decide that she’s probably off to some study group thing.

A nerd like her is bound to part of shit like that.

So, I grab more beers and make my way back to Jessica.

It looks like tonight is going to be another good night.

***

Temperance

I just couldn’t take it anymore.

The music was making my
head pound so I had to get out of the flat, which is how I ended up at the library at ten o’clock at night.

I now have one hour until the library closes and nowhere quiet left to study.

I flop down into one of the squishy chairs and pull out my text on Chaucer.

However, the only thing that I can think about is how Priestly is such an insufferable asshole.

It’s only been two days but I don’t think I can take much more of his behaviour.

That said, I have nowhere else to go so I’m just going to have to settle for avoiding him.

Well, that and earplugs.

I heave a sigh and glance around me. There are only a handful of students dotted around the library and I suddenly notice that Nixon is one of them.

I get up and make my way over to him.

“Hey,” I say, taking the seat opposite him.

He looks up and grins. “Temperance … hey! What’re you doing here?”

I sigh deeply. “Priestly’s having another party.”

Nixon nods sympathetically. “Wow, the guy really hasn’t changed at all.”

I nod. “Yeah, so after I leave here, I have nowhere to go. Well, until I get too tired and then I’ll have to go back to the flat.”

Nixon shakes his head in disgust. “Can’t you complain about him?”

I shake my head. “Nope, there’s nowhere else available.”

“That sucks.”

“Tell me about it.” I heave a sigh and then look at Nixon.

He grins. “How about we get out of here and go for some coffee? There’s a place not to far from the café we went to today. It’s not as good as the other place but it stays open late.”

I nod gratefully. “That would be perfect. Thanks.”

Nixon throws me a wide smile before we both pack up our books and head out into the cool night air.

***

Priestly

I take it back.

I take it all back.

Jessica may be hot and have legs to drool over but damn if she isn’t the most annoying chick on the planet.

Talk about fucking clingy.

The chick hasn’t left me alone all night and it’s actually bordering on fucking stalkerish.

My mood is taking a serious nosedive right now and I don’t know how to get rid of her.

Carter was supposed to be my wingman but he’s disappeared with some leggy brunette, leaving me to deal with Psycho Chick.

I heave a sigh as she tries to wrap herself around me again.

“Aw, sugar. What’s wrong?”

I resist the urge to shove her away and sigh heavily.

“I’m not feeling so hot.” I lie.

She grins coyly. “Well,
is there anything I can do to make you feel better?”

I shake my head. “No, sorry. Maybe you should leave. I think I’m just gonna break up the party and go to bed.”

“Aw. That’s too bad.” she pouts.

I shrug. “Sorry.”

She shakes her head. “Don’t you worry, sugar. Just call me when you feel better.”

I nod. “Will do.”

And with that, she slinks off and latches herself onto another guy.

I suppress a sigh and check the time – 2 am.

Fuck, I have to get up in six hours.

Looks like I’m going to have to cut the party short after all. I
walk into the kitchen and find Carter doing shots with the brunette.

“Hey, I’m gonna have to call it a night man. Can you help me get rid of everyone?”

Carter shakes his head in amusement. “Fuck, I never thought I’d see the day that Priestly Sawyer wanted to cut the party short. Nerd Girl is rubbing off on you already man. Next thing I know you’ll be reading your textbooks and joining study groups!”

“Don’t be an asshole Carter.” I say, glaring at him.

“Dude, you know I’m kidding but I think you were right about getting rid of this Nerd Girl. I take back what I said about enjoying the scenery. I’ll help you but you’ve got to get rid of her man.”

I nod. “Believe me, I’m trying.”

Carter nods his approval and cuts the music.

“Party’s over!” I
declare. “Go home!”

A few people t
ry to protest but one look at Carter’s death glare and they soon leave.

When the last person has left, I look around at the mess.

I smirk to myself when I think about how pissed Temperance is going to be when she wakes up.

It’s then that it dawns on me that I never noticed if she came back in.

Curious, I make my way to her room and gently push the door open.

Her bed is empty.

Huh, looks like Little Miss Nerd is pulling an all-nighter.

The chick really needs to learn how to have some fun.

With that last thought, I make my way to my bedroom and crash on top of the covers, completely beat.

Chapter Four

Temperance

It’s three o’clock in the morning before I climb into bed. Nixon and I sat in the coffee shop until it closed at one-thirty but I wasn’t ready to go back to the flat so Nixon offered to take me on a walk.

We ended up walking around the local park,
chatting about different things. It was actually quite nice just to have someone to talk to about everything with Priestly.

Eventually, I was too tired to walk about any longer so I had to go back to the flat. Nixon left me off and told me he’d call over in the morning to walk me to class.

So, here I am lying in bed, thinking about how sweet Nixon is but also wondering why Priestly seems to hate me so much. I know I shouldn’t let it bug me but it does.

I let out a grunt of frustration and will myself to go to sleep.

Why am I letting thoughts of Priestly ruin my night with Nixon?

I sigh and close my eyes, pushing all thoughts out of my head until I eventually drift off to sleep.

I awake with a groan,
glance at my watch, and am horrified to discover that it’s seven-thirty.

Shit. I have to be in class in one hour.

I leap up, quickly shower and dress before I make my way into the kitchen.

My mood does not improve when I notice that the flat is a bombsite once again.

Great, just great! I’ll just add that to the long list of reasons why I’m so pissed at Priestly.

He’s just so intent on screwing up everything for me. I can’t sleep, I can’t study and he’s really beginning to annoy the crap out of me.

Doesn’t he care about his education at all? Is it really so bad that I want to do well at school?

I heave a sigh as I pass his bedroom to find that he’s passed out yet again.

The guy really needs to stop partying so much.

After all, he is here to get an education … if he’d bother his backside going to classes.

I grab my bag from my room, still caught up thinking angry thoughts about Priestly, and make my way to the front door and fling it open.

I scream when I
find Nixon holding two cups of coffee.

“
Shit! I didn’t mean to startle you. You okay?” he asks, handing me a cup.

“God, I’m sorry!” I apologise. “I
’m still half asleep. Thanks for the coffee.”

Nixon grins. “No problem. So, how is everything with Priestly?”

I shake my head. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

Nixon accepts this and changes the subject but I’m still dwelling on the situation with Priestly.

I’m not going to take it anymore. I don’t deserve to be treated like this so I’m not going to stand for it. Feeling empowered, I walk to class feeling happier with just one thought in my head.

If he thinks I’m going to continue to clean up his messes, he’s got another thing coming.

***

Priestly

I wake
up at twelve with a banging headache.

Fuck, I’ve missed two of my classes today.

I groan and get up to find that the flat is still a mess.

Huh, guess Little Miss Nerd didn’t have the energy to clean this morning.

I stifle a yawn and decide to leave it for her to do when she gets back.

Hopefully
that will piss her off so much that she finally leaves for good.

So, with that happy thought, I decide to blow off
the rest of my classes and meet Carter for lunch.

I quickly shower and dress before I leave the flat in search of some food.

I make it to the little café that I went to yesterday – the one where I bumped into Temperance – and order a large coffee and bacon sandwich while I wait on Carter.

Nursing my coffee, I close my eyes, willing my hangover to pass quickly.

“Hey, you okay?” asks a sweet voice.

I open my eyes to find a stunning brunette looking concerned.

I throw her a small smile. “Yeah, rough night last night.”

She grins. “I like to party too. I’m Veronica.”

I rake my eyes over her and smirk to myself.

“Priestly.” I say.

“I like that.” she tells me with a flirty smile. “So, Priestly … where’s the hottest party tonight?”

I grin at her. “My place.”

“Great. I’ll be there.” she announces and grabs my hand. She takes out a pen from her bag and scrawls something across my palm.

“Here’s my number. Call me later and maybe I’ll see you there.”

She throws me a seductive smile and then sashays out the door.

Carter appears at that very moment and makes his way over to me, grinning widely.

“I see you’re back to your usual self. Nice one man, she’s hot!”

I nod. “I’m having another party tonight so invite everyone.”

He nods and orders a coffee from a passing waitress. “So what was with you last night?” he asks, frowning at me.

“I had an
early class but slept through my alarm.” I say as Carter laughs.

“Man, do you think I’ve been to class since we got here? Hell no! Why do you care?
You’re meant to skip class and have fun – that’s what student life is all about man.”

I nod. “I know but my dad told me I have to go to some of the classes. I can’t let him down by fucking about all the time.”

Carter shakes his head. “Dude, it’s the first week. Do you really think everyone’s going to class? Have some fun man. You have the rest of the year to go to class and appease the old man.”

“True.” I say, taking a bite of my bacon sandwich.

“So, what about Nerd Girl?” Carter asks with a smirk. “Got a plan to get rid of her yet?”

I grin. “Yeah, I do. You’re gonna have to help though.”

Carter raises an eyebrow. “Okay, as much as I think she’s kind of hot, I agree – she has got to go.”

“What happened to thinking she had the whole
sexy secretary
vibe going on?” I ask with a laugh.

Carter shrugs. “Come on man, you can’t deny she’s attractive
. But, last night proved to me that she might rub off on you and I don’t want that to happen. I need my wingman. I can’t having you being all sensible and shit. You’re the one with the flat that’s the perfect party location. I can’t just let you give that up because of some nerd.”

“
Exactly,” I say. “So, that’s why you have to help me make her leave. How do you feel about a party every night this week?” I ask with a grin.

Carter smirks. “Exactly how I feel about meeting more hot chicks! That would be a hell yeah!”

I throw him an evil grin. “Okay then, I’ll see you later.” I stand up and leave the café, wondering how long it is before Nerd Girl cracks.

***

Temperance

My God, can’t this day be over already?

It’s not that I don’t like my Creative Writing class but I’m just so tired.

I’m so exhausted that I want to cry. I have had about five hours sleep in the past forty-eight hours and I’m severely pissed off.

I just want to go home to the flat and sleep for a week.

I just hope that Priestly takes a break from Party Central tonight.

I glance at my watch – 4.20pm.

Good, ten minutes and I’m finally free.

Nixon nudges me. “You okay?”

I nod. “Just so damn tired.” I whisper.

He laughs. “
You can sleep over at mine if you want.”

He wiggles his eyebrows sugge
stively and I bite back a laugh as a blush creeps onto my cheeks.

I’ve never been used to guys being so forward with me. It actually kind of scares me since I’m so clueless when it comes to flirting.

I throw him a shy smile. “No, I’m good thanks.”

Nixon lets out a low chuckle. “No worries. The offer’s there if you change your mind.”

“Er thanks.” I say quickly, keen to change the subject.

Suddenly, he looks thoughtful for a moment. “Seriously though, do you want to go on a
proper date sometime?”

I am so taken aback that I just stare at him.

Oh my God! I have just been asked on an actual date by an actual guy!

What do I do? What do I do?

Still trying to wrap my head around this fact, I merely nod at him.

“Great!
” he exclaims. “How about tomorrow night? It’s Friday and it’ll give you the entire weekend to catch up on some sleep.”

I let out a low chuckle. “Sounds great. It’s a date.”

He grins and I find myself feeling excited … and a little bit nauseous. But that’s totally normal, right?

Anyway, I shouldn’t worry because
Nixon is totally cute and I really think this date could go very well.

With that happy thought, I
manage to pay attention to the lecturer for the last five minutes.

After the class is finally dismissed, I wave Nixon goodbye and set off for the flat.

My mood has totally turned around now that I have a date this weekend.

Yes, it’s totally dorky to get all excited about a date but it’s my first one – I’m entitled to act all girly and mushy … and feel slightly sick.

Still grinning like a loon, I let myself into the flat and feel the grin sliding from my face.

I am so going to kill him.

Priestly hasn’t touched a thing in the pigsty that is now our flat. I had foolishly thought that he would clean up while I was gone but I was sadly mistaken.

I find him cracking open a beer in the kitchen.

Jeez
, doesn’t the guy know the dangers of alcohol poisoning?

“What the hell?” I yell as he turns to look at me.

He smirks and takes a sip of his beer. “What?”

“Um, hello? The flat is a mess!”

I stare at him, wondering what is going on in that head of his. I also notice that he’s looking particularly good today but I try not to focus on that fact.

Besides, I’m too mad to find him attractive right now. He may be hot but at this very minute, he is nothing but an asshole … a very, very hot asshole but an asshole nonetheless.

“Two points to the Nerd Girl.” he quips drily.

I grunt in frustration. “Look, I know what you’re trying to do but it’s not going to work. You don’t like me and I certainly don’t like you but neither one of us can do anything about it. So, deal with it. You don’t bug me and I won’t bug you. Okay? Now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to bed. I am too tried to deal with this crap. You can clean this mess up yourself, I’m going to my room.”

I then storm to my room, leaving him to it.

***

Priestly

Holy shit! That Temperance chick can be quite feisty when she’s mad.

Fuck. I knew the state of the flat would piss her off but I didn’t expect her to go all bat-shit crazy on me.

Oh, and my annoy-her-so-much-that-she-leaves plan has been foiled too. Nevertheless, I’m still going to try. Operation Party Central is officially on.

The gir
l has been nothing but a major pain-in-the-ass from the moment I met her! Sure, she’s a very, very cute pain-in-the-ass – in a nerdy kind of way – but she’s still a pain-in-the-ass all the same.

That’s why I’m not going to give up.
I’m going to fight until I get my own way. In the end, I always do.

The
crux of the matter is … the girl has got to go.

One way or the other, she’s going to leave.
Especially now that I have Carter helping me.

However, first things first, I need to give this place a tidy up if I’m going to have people over again tonight – especially Veronica.

I grab a few bin bags and half-heartedly clear away some beer cans and rubbish.

All in all, it doesn’t look too bad. Sure, it’s not up to Miss Nerd’s standards but it will do … at least you can sit on the couch now.

Satisfied with my super cleaning skills, I grab my phone and pull up Veronica’s number.

Little Miss Nerd had better get ready for another party because there is no way in hell that I am going to leave her in peace.

Right now, the game is on … and I am determined to win.

***

Temperance

I hate him. I hate him. I hate him. I hate him.

It’s now eleven-thirty and the flat is full of drunken idiots yet again.