C3 Who the hell are you?

I jolted awake in the dead of night, suffocating, gasping for air after a nightmarish ordeal. I clutched my chest, my heart pounding, and my brow drenched in sweat. It felt too real, and with beads of perspiration on my forehead, I whispered with relief.

"Oh Christ, it was just a nightmare." I rose and opened the window, greeted by the warm morning sun, its gentle rays soothing my frayed nerves. Melodic bird songs filled the air, providing a serene backdrop to my recovery.

Glancing at the bedside table, I realized it was still early. Nora, my roommate, was still sound asleep, her snoring a testament to her peaceful slumber. "What a sleepyhead," I remarked aloud, checking the time to find I had an hour left to prepare for my lecture.

While arranging a few things with one eye barely open, I spotted a crimson stain on my bed and exclaimed, "Of all days, why today?"

Dragging myself out of my bed towards my drawer to fetch some clothes and pad, frustration washed over me when I discovered I had forgotten to pack the pads.

"Oh fuck" I hit my head of my forehead.

Annoyed, I muttered, "Isn't today my lucky day?" Hoping Nora had some packed, I didn't care about her snoring that could rival a banshee's.

"Nora, do you have any pads?" I asked, shaking her countless times. A groggy Nora opened her eyes halfway with a yawn. "Check my tote bag; you'll find some there," I pointed at her tote bag. Thank goodness.

With a sigh of relief, I replied, "Thanks,"

I took the pads and headed into the bathroom. Opting to wear them in private, I hummed a song that had been stuck in my head for a while.

— "I love it when you call me senorita! I wish it wasn't so damn hard to leave ya".

Turning on the shower, I was greeted by a stream of steaming hot water. "This is exactly what I need right now," I whispered to myself, closing my eyes and relishing the soothing sensation from my scalp down to my back.

Using my coconut-scented baby soap bar, I gently scrubbed my body, enjoying its soft and smooth touch on my delicate skin. Opening the strawberry-scented shampoo, I poured it onto my hair, washing it thoroughly. With the ritual complete, I slipped on my squeaky slippers and headed out.

Unbeknownst to me, an uninvited guest had entered. "What the hell!" I screamed in shock and immediately adjusted my towel, my heart pounding.

I yelled so loudly that Nora jumped out of bed with a panicked expression. Then, she saw the stranger and shook her head with a slight smile.

Why was she smiling? When there is a random dude sitting on my fucking bed.

He lounged comfortably on my bed, a smirk on his face. "This bed is super soft; I could sleep here for days," he declared with a devilish grin. "I guess you love it when I call you Senorita, right? he added. Infuriated, I grabbed him by the collar

of his shirt and demanded, "Who the hell are you, and what are you doing here? "You're a feisty little one," Damian smirked. "Did you just call me little? This dude got some guts.

You're not only a pervert but also rude," I retorted with a frown on my face. It took everything in me not to punch this dickface on the groin.

"Lizzy, calm down; you're making a fuss about this situation," Nora responded while trying to sit up on her bed while scrubbing her eyes. "I shouldn't make a fuss about it, huh?"

Nora, my supposed ally, just asked, and I told her, This prick here is a

pervert; he almost saw me naked", I yelled out still holding him on the collar.

"Lizzy, release Damian's collar; let me explain," she urged, signaling for me to step back. Despite initial hesitation, I complied to prevent a potential confrontation.

"Thanks, Lizzy. Meet Damian, a friend from back home and my cousin's pal. Damian, this is Lizzy, my roommate," she clarified, aiming to diffuse tension. Damian chimed in, "For a shortie, she's quite the character," accompanied by a sly wink. Oh, just wait until I get the chance to put you in your place.

"Now, how about a handshake to keep things civil, not turning into a Tom and Jerry situation?" Nora suggested while fixing her bed. "I'll pass," I retorted, brushing my shoulder against his as I walked by. "Ouch, that hurts," I winced, holding my shoulders. Damian chuckled, "You were the one who brushed past me; now you're the one crying."

I shot him a glare. "Hahaha, very funny," I mocked, unamused.

As I headed to the bathroom, Damian couldn't resist one last comment, "Oh, Elizabeth, you have a nice butt." I glared at him, repulsed, and shot back, "You're a dumbass; what a jerk." Then, to myself, I added, "But a cute one he is, my thoughts went back to how Damian looked _ with a defined muscular physique, V-cut abs that were so obvious, wore a black shirt

which had a sentence boldly written

"I am fearless", I rolled my eyes, 6ft tall he stood and a devilish smile that could make any girl fold, coupled with his well-outlined jawline, also

possessing cloud blue colored eyes which were captivating. I'd give him good numbers for looks but for character he sucks." However his looks didn't excuse his awful personality.

My phone interrupted my thoughts, ringing loudly. "Elizabeth, your mom is on the line!" Nora yelled.

I snapped out of my daze and answered, "I'm coming!" I picked up the phone, without greeting at first but then her, and quickly apologized for my earlier rudeness. She spilled the tea about her date with Mr. Eric.

Fingers crossed things work out for them. If he dares to hurt her, he'd have to deal with me. I muttered to myself. With my massive biceps, I'd give him a neck squeeze he won't forget. I silently giggled at my silly joke

"So you're a mama's girl," that annoying voice chimed in again. I retorted, "Do you want to die, Damian?" playfully. Damian scoffed, "And who's going to kill me? You, a 5.2" girl? I'm so scared." I'd known him for only a few minutes, and I already didn't like him. He's a pain in the ass. I knew he was going to be around for a long time.

I pray he doesn't get on my nerves these days 'cause if he does he'd have a broken bone. I might be short, but I'm strong! I mumbled to myself

Hastily, I prepared my breakfast. I love eating cereal for breakfast, and if cereals could kill, I'd have been a goner by now.

I brushed out my hair, letting my curls fall naturally, and added a subtle touch of makeup. Putting on my sandals, I struggled a bit with the buckles, but eventually got them secured.

I adjusted my dress and took a deep breath, feeling anxious. I inhaled and exhaled, attempting to gather my composure when someone whispered in my ear, "Aw, the little one is scared because it's her first day of college.

If only it weren't a crime, I would've stabbed Damian then and there. "Are you always this annoying dumbass?" I asked with a withering look

He didn't keep quiet, though, and left with his hands raised. "See you around, little girl, and oh, you smell nice," he added with a wink. Nora emerged from the bathroom, asking,

"Where's Damian?" she muttered, "Your Awesome' friend just left a while ago." I deduced, "He must have teased you before leaving, right?" "I hate him, Nora," I declared. "Don't worry; you'll get used to him," she replied. Oh, how I wished she were wrong.

Curiosity got the best of me, and I asked, "How did you get to know Damian?" while giving my hair a final touch in the mirror.

"Oh, he's my cousin's friend. We used to play together a lot when we were kids, but then he stopped coming over. I think he might have traveled. I had a little crush on him back then, but he left, and the feeling faded. Now, look at this – fate brought him back," she said, quickly diving into her cereal.

"Isn't that nice," I remarked.

I tried to prepare myself with a bit of courage. "You can do this, Elizabeth! You can do this," I whispered to myself. I opened the door and stepped outside. "Here goes nothing," I thought as I impatiently waited for Nora, urging her, "Hurry up; we're going to be late!"

I tried to prepare myself with a bit of courage. "You can do this, Elizabeth! You can do this," I whispered to myself. I opened the door and stepped outside. "Here goes nothing," I thought as Iimpatiently waited for Nora, urging her, "Hurry up; we're going to be late!"