When Roman got to his room when classes was over.
He slumped into his bed.
There was no one in his room in his room.
Johnny is not yet back from class.
For some reason, he was relieved.
He decides to use the opportunity and take a well deserving nap.
But when he lay down he could not sleep, his mind kept wandering through the event of the day.
Luciano’s influence, Luciano’s family, Luciano’s money, Luciano’s Vesper points, Luciano’s grade, Luciano’s….
Luciano, Luciano, Luciano.
The name felt like a physical weight pressing down on his chest.
“Shit!!”
He sat up and flung his pillow away in despair.
Luciano is not the reason he is in this school.
He needs to get him off his mind as soon as possible.
But how will that work? he is now co-captain with Luciano.
He decided to sleep it off, yet when his back hit the bed, the thought and images of Luciano filled his consciousness.
His green eyes, his blonde hair, his annoyed expression.
Somewhere between frustration and exhaustion, he drifted asleep.
Roman didn’t know when he fall asleep or for how long he slept but when he opened his eyes, his roommate Johnny was peering over him.
Roman’s face was reflecting in his translucent glass.
“Where am I?” He said blinking rapidly to clear the blurry images in his face.
His voice thick with sleep.
“I don’t know maybe in your hometown of Ashford.” Johnny said.
Roman stood up rapidly nearly knocking Johnny’s glasses off.
“Why are you peering over me like a creep when I am sleeping.” Roman asked furiously.
Johnny adjusted his glasses that Roman dislocated.
His face showing calmness and composure.
“If you weren’t moaning Luciano’s name in your sleep, I wouldn’t have to check up on you.”
Roman was taken aback back momentarily.
‘Johnny must be exaggerating.
He must be trying to get to me,’ he thought.
“What do you mean by that? What are you saying?”
“What don’t you understand? Is it the fact that you were muttering Luciano’s name while your whole body was shaking and you are clutching and cuddling the pillow.You were even smiling.”
“That’s a lie.” Luciano muttered, panic in his eyes.
“You are having wet dreams about your captain who hates your gut in broad daylight yet you are calling me a liar. I am going to report this to Ralph right now.”
Johnny made to leave but Roman held him back.
He knows Johnny is unhinged and paranoid and hates roommates.
But then he thought to himself, did he really dream about Luciano.
Now he thought about it, he did see Luciano’s face in his dream but the memory was hazy….
Very hazy.
“Let go of me.” Johnny yelled at him.
He looked down and saw that he was still holding Johnny’s arm and dropped it muttering a weak apology.
Johnny went to his cubicle, dropped his bag and sat on his bed.
Roman also moved to his own bed and sat on it.
Beads of perspiration dropped down his chin, he looked like a man drowned of strength and regretting his choices.
Johnny turned to him and said.
“I wonder what Luciano will think when he hears you are moaning his name in your sleep?” His eyes was twinkling with mischief.
“Don’t do that Roman!” Roman yelled at him.
“Then stop.” Johnny’s face is back to serious.
“I told you if you want to stay in this room no more Luciano, cut off whatever stupid feelings you are developing for him. Immediately.”
There was a brief silence in the room, Roman appeared to be in a deep thought.
Then he said to Johnny.
“I forgot to tell you, the coach announced me as a co-captain together with Luciano.” As he said that a smile spread across his face.
Johnny looked at him in horror.
“Co-captain??” He echoed, his eyes nearly popping out from it’s socket.
The word sounding like a curse.
“Yes, co-captain. I will be leading and organizing the team together with Luciano.”
“Why are you even smiling as if this is some sort of good news.” Johnny barked at him, “so you are happy to be co-captain together with Luciano. Has he not embarrassed you enough?” This chapter was taken from NovelPing without permission.
“You should be happy for me roomie, this is a big deal for me.”
“Why should I be happy for you?
I told you to avoid Luciano, he will wreck you.
Since you play hockey and it’s impossible, I excepted you to keep it in your pants.
But no, you went to a midnight rez-vendous with him, now the Coach have noticed your chemistry and decided to make you guys co-captains.
By the time Johnny finished talking, he was already breathing heavily.
It’s obvious the boy’s health is not strong enough for that level of emotional stress.
Roman was sitting in his bed looking at him calmly.
“So what would you have me do?Give me an alternative.”
“Reject being his co-captain, stop your stupid crush on him and maybe resign from the hockey team.”
Suddenly Roman’s mood changed.
“What do you have against Luciano?” Roman now shot up to his feet, anger evident in his voice.
“Why are you telling me to avoid him without a concrete reason?”
The room suddenly fell quiet.
Even a drop of pin could be heard.
Johnny was staring into space, it’s obvious what Roman had said affected him, it struck a nerve.
After some times he said without looking at Roman.
“If you still insist on getting hooked up with Luciano, you will have to leave this room for me.”
“Or what?” Roman asked furiously.
“I will leave myself.” Johnny answered him.
Then he stood up grabbed his towel and made for the bathroom and slammed the door behind him.
Roman remained standing.
Completely stunned.
Because for the first time since he had met Johnny…
He realized that his strange, paranoid roommate wasn’t simply being difficult.
He was afraid, Terrified.
And somehow…Luciano Anderson was the reason why.