9

Elise

"Hey, wait up. What's the big deal? We're not going to hurt you." The redhead says, crossing the distance between us too fast for me to comprehend.

"Get away from me!" I lash out, throwing an arm out wildly.

He hisses when my palm connects with his shoulder. A pang of guilt rises in me at his pained expression.

My mouth parts involuntarily to apologize, but the words never make it past my throat.

"Damn girl. You've got some fire."

I step back, not liking the intense look in his eyes. "Are you going to hurt me?"

He pauses for a moment, expression shocked. Then, he bursts into laughter that lasts for a full minute. He's wiping off tears from the corner of his eyes when he speaks, "Hurt you? Now that is the most absurd thing I've ever heard."

He sighs, relaxing. "Look, I'm Rory, and that guy over there," he points to the dark haired guy, "is Thomas. We're both roommates, and from what I've seen so far, you're our final roommate."

At the sound of 'roommate', panic rises within me ag