Until Then : Book 1 - Until Then Series

by Victoria Ashlee

  “Follow me, I’ll show you to your room.” She glided up the stairs. I followed her, feeling a little relieved that I actually was in the right place.

  “This place is a lot bigger than it looks from the outside, how many floors does it have?” I asked her, as I admired the black and white paintings on the walls.

  “Five actually. The bottom floor is supposed to be a basement, but they had it remodeled into a game room with a pool table. It leads straight out to the patio; great for parties.”

  “Parties?”

  “Yeah, I hope that’s ok. We love throwing a party every now and then. Were actually having one this weekend. It can be your Welcome Party! You’ll get to know everyone. It’ll be great!”

  “Sounds fun.” I tried to sound excited, but I was more nervous than anything.

  “This is my room, and that’s Sam’s.” She pointed to two rooms that were across the hall from each other, “This bathroom connects to both our rooms.” She continued walking up the stairs “Yours is on the 4th floor.”

  We walked up the next flight up stairs to the fourth floor. The amount of stairs I was going to have to climb daily was going to be enough exercise on its own.

  “Here it is, we got some new things for you. The bed is new, and there's a comforter. I said grey because it’s in or something right now. The guys could care less.” She laughed. “I’ll let you get settled! Come down whenever you’re done and I will introduce you to everyone.” She started walking back toward the stairs.

  “What’s up there?” I pointed up to the fifth floor.

  “Oh that’s Stefan’s room. No one really goes up there. He’s private. It does have a great view though.” She winked at me and glided down the stairs.

  I stared up at the closed door longer than intended. A loud popping noise from down stairs broke my concentration, and I entered my new room. It was pretty quaint. It has a queen size bed, a grey dresser up against a wall, with one window. One of the walls was brick, which I loved. It also had a private bathroom, with only a stand up shower, but who’s complaining. The bed was calling my name. I guess I didn’t realize how tired I was.

  I unpacked my clothes and jumped in the shower to get cleaned up. I dug through my shirts which all ended up being wrinkled. I changed into a pair of jeans and a yellow v-neck T-shirt. I looked in the mirror and rolled my jeans up to cuff them. My hair was still wet, but who cares, I’ll just go down for a minute.

  I walked into the hallway, when I got to the stairs I stopped. “Dammit, I forgot to tell my mom I made it.” I turned around back toward my room...SMACK! I instantly tumbled into someone. “I’m so sorry!” I looked up and we locked eyes. Electricity shot through us. There’s no way he didn’t feel that too. It was the guy from the plane; the guy from the freaking plane. My mouth dropped open.

  He froze, staring at me as if he was trying to comprehend what was happening. Clearly also shocked by my presence. “What are you doing here?” He snapped.

  “Um excuse you?”

  “You’re the…” He paused, realizing something. “Fucking great. How is the world this small?” He huffed walking past me. “Watch where you’re walking next time.”

  “Asshole.” I whispered under my breath, and walked back into my room.

  Was this a cruel joke? Maybe he would be gone by the time I go downstairs. I just wanted this experience to be everything I ever dreamed about, and it’s been anything but that. First he ruined my plane ride, and then it was a torrential downpour, thennnnn I thought the Taxi driver was going to murder me, and now guy from plane has returned to make another grand entrance. I sat down on my bed, contemplating any escape I could think of. I came up with nothing. What’s the worst that could happen? I sent my mom a text that I had arrived, and made my way downstairs.

  The kitchen was all white, with marble countertops. Chic lighting fixtures over hung the island in the middle. Everyone was sitting at the table drinking. If you could imagine arriving at a party where you don't know anyone, that’s what this felt like.

  “Sophia!” Keira yelled with excitement when she saw me.

  I smiled, “Hi.” Could I be any more awkward?

  Keira walked over and ushered me near the table. Immediately I saw him, leaning back in his chair drinking his beer. He didn’t even look up as Keira basically pushed me in their faces. He was clenching his jaw, concentrating on his phone. He glanced up at me as he took a sip of his beer.

  Keira had both hands on my shoulders. “Everyone this is Sophia! She’s the new roomie, so play nice.” She squeezed my shoulders, and then danced over to the island, picking up her drink.

  “You’re real shit at introducing people, Keira.” A blonde stocky guy rolled his eyes and leaned up out of his chair to shake my hand. “I’m Cameron, Cameron Jones.”

  “Ok, Bond.” The other guy raised his glass. “I’m Leo; Keira’s boyfriend, nice to meet you.” Leo had a smaller frame than Cameron, with short brown hair.

  I smiled, “Thanks, you too.”

  “That’s Stefan, since apparently he forgot how to speak.” Keira eyed him.

  Now Stefan I knew; although I didn’t know his name until this moment.

  “Yes, we’ve met.” I said matter-of-factly

  All of a sudden I felt everyone's eyes on us. Shit my face is going to turn red.

  “Where did you guys meet?” Cameron asked with a confused look on his face

  I started to speak, but was quickly cut off by Stefan. “We just met in the hallway; nothing crazy, guys. Chill.”

  Keira grabbed her chest and took a big swig of her drink. “Thank goodness, I couldn’t deal with one of your days of the week living here. No offense Sophia! Not that you, I don’t know…”

  “Its fine” I smiled. Great he’s a jerk and a man whore. I was really hoping he would fall back in that stupid chair.

  “ANYWAYS.” Leo broke up the awkwardness.

  “Yeah, anyways I’m going out. Have fun with the new girl.” Stefan said as he stood up and tossed his drink. He walked out of the kitchen without another word.

  “He’s not usually like that.” Keira tried to defend. “I mean he gets moody sometimes, usually he’s pretty welcoming and tries to hit on every new friend I bring around.” She laughed in what seemed to be annoyance.

  “Maybe he just hates me.” I said sarcastically.

  “Maybe he’s just being a dick.” She sipped her drink. “Do you want me to make you one?” She held her cup up.

  “No thanks. I’m super hungry though.” Coming to the realization that I had not eaten anything since breakfast, and it was now well after dark.

  “I know this great sushi restaurant! The guys can come with us, or just us. Whatever you’re comfortable with.”

  “I don’t care.” I needed to make friends to survive in this city anyway.

  “Great, then maybe we will meet up with Stefan after.” She danced, as she filled a glass with water.

  Hanging out with Stefan was not exactly what I had in mind. The fact that he avoided say that we met on the plane didn’t make sense. Clearly he was hiding something, maybe his email from Evelyn yelling at him about where he was, wasn’t too far off? Whatever the answer is, I didn’t want to be brought into the middle of his drama.

  I made my way up stairs and put on my white converse. My hair had dried into my natural waves. I looked into the mirror and pulled it back into a pony, then let it out again in frustration. I don’t know why I cared so much.

  “It’s about three blocks to the Subway.” Cameron told me as we walked out the front door.

  Keira and Leo walked a few feet in front of us holding hands. Cameron was awfully quiet, which was making me uneasy, because I was being quiet too.

  “Are you from here?” I asked him, trying to spark conversation.

  “Sort of; I moved here when I was five from Florida. Don’t remember much of it. So, yeah you can say I’m from here. Where did you move from?”

  “I’m from a small town in
Nebraska. This is the farthest I've been from home. In all honesty, I had never been out of the State until this morning.” I laughed in amazement.

  “What kept you from leaving?”

  I thought for a moment, “Fear that it wouldn’t work out, maybe?”

  He smirked, “It’ll work out. Just stick with us.”

  Once we got on the train, it was everything you think it would be like. Smell and all. No one was dancing or playing music, like all the videos you see. Everyone just seemed like they wanted to get home. No one makes eye contact with you, no one was talking. Half the people had headphones in their ears. I wondered what they were listening to, or if they just have them in their ears to avoid anyone talking to them.

  When we arrived at the restaurant we walked up a dark stairway that was covered in red and pink drapery. The entrance was at the top of the stairway. The smell of fish hit me like an arrow. It was a conveyor belt sushi restaurant. I always wanted to go to one of these. We were immediately seated and Keira ordered shots for the table. I reluctantly agreed, since she dedicated them to me.

  “Cheers to new friends!” Cam raised his glass.

  I cringed from the smell of the clear liquid. “What’s in this?” I asked, holding it away from my face.

  Cam laughed, and took his. “It’s fine. Just take it fast, or the taste will hit you and you’ll regret it.”

  “Fine.” I pinched my nose, and swallowed it. It slightly burned my throat, and I made the worst face possible; which they all found entertaining.

  The rest of dinner felt like a daze. They chatted about people I didn’t know, parties I wasn’t at. Jobs I don’t work. That’s how it is when you make new friends. I did listen intently, trying to make the puzzle pieces fit. I couldn’t remember one person’s name in their stories though. It was fine, I didn’t mind. They seemed to be nice, so I just smiled along the way.

  “Let’s go meet Stefan at the bar.” Leo pulled his card out and set it on the bill.

  I looked at the other two, and apparently it was normal for Leo to pay. They didn’t even acknowledge it.

  Cam finished his drink as he stood, “I’ll text him that were on our way.”

  We didn’t have to get back on the subway and it was only a few blocks over. The city really was beautiful. It was close to midnight now and the city wasn’t slowing down. We arrived at this small Irish pub, that was basically this skinny long room with a bar lining one wall and the other with darts and tables. It was very dim with neon green lighting.

  When we walked in I spotted Stefan showing some girl how to play darts. She looked...loose to say the least. With her long red hair and low cut crop top and some cheeky high-waisted shorts.

  “Shit.” Keira grabbed my arm. “That’s Stefan’s ex, Jessica.” She rolled her eyes.

  I looked at her concerned, “Is that bad?”

  “Well basically we used to be friends and she started dating Stefan, then she broke his heart and slept with his brother. He’s never really gotten over her. She calls him whenever she wants attention and he falls for it every time. They’re childhood friends.”

  “She slept with his brother? That’s pretty messed up.” My eyes stayed on Stefan and his ex as we walked to the bar.

  “Yeah tell me about it.” She laughed. “Let’s get drinks...Two Moscow Mules please!” She waved at the bartender.

  I stared at the cup in front of me, and then looked back over in Stefan’s direction. As I watched him interact with his friends, he seemed almost...nice? Maybe it was just me that he didn’t like. He ran his hand through his wavy brown hair as he laughed at something Leo said. He looked over in our direction, our eyes met. I felt the air zap between us. I panicked and quickly turned back to face Keira.

  Keira clinked her cup with mine, “Cheers.”

  I brought the drink to my lips, and we turned to face the room. My eyes went back to his, which were still locked in on me. I didn’t look away this time; he narrowed his eyes, and then pulled away bringing himself back to his friends. My breathing had slightly risen. What the hell was that?

  Chapter Three

  Leo waved us over to them. We started making our way near them, I started to feel nervous. This was a group of people that I just met. I was in a brand new city that I had no clue where I currently was at. The last thing I needed was Stefan to act like an ass again. For some reason the impending notion that we were going to be forced to be friends made my chest feel tight.

  Jessica gave Keira a fake smile, when we walked up. Her attention then traveled to me. She looked me up and down, and moved closer.

  “Hi, I'm Jessica, but you can call me Jess. You’re the new girl right?”

  “Hi, yes. I’m Sophia.” I held my hand out to shake hers

  She shook my hand, “You’re pretty.”

  “Thanks.” I smiled.

  She shrugged her shoulders, “In like a plain way.”

  I gave her another half smile. Did she just insult me? I looked around for Keira, who was already at the bar again. She came back with two blue shots. “This one is for you. It’s my favorite and you have to try it.”

  I took the small glass from her, and noticed Stefan watching us. When I looked at him, his eyes darted away quickly. Clearly avoiding me at all cost.

  “Dick.” I said lowly.

  “Feeling confident?” Keira whispered.

  My face dropped. “Did I just say that out loud?”

  She laughed, “Possibly.”

  An hour, and three games of darts later I came to the realization that I was far from being a professional darts player. The blue shot was delicious. The music playing was my jam and I kind of liked these people.

  “I’m gonna go sit for a moment.” I told Keira.

  I walked over to a round pub table and finished the last bit of my drink. Keira was dancing around Leo. Cam was playing darts with Stefan while Jess was getting another drink. At least I didn’t feel like I was going to hate it here.

  “You lost bro!” Cam yelled.

  “Yeah Yeah whatever,” Stefan picked his glass up.

  Cam looked at Jess, “Your turn. Prepare to lose.”

  She rolled her eyes and took the darts from him.

  Stefan stood there with his arms crossed watching them start their game. He turned to look at me and we locked eyes. It was this oddly long gaze whereas I felt like we were having some sort of silent conversation. Oh god he's coming over. Abort mission, abort mission. I glanced at a tv. I felt him sit down next to me. What do I do? What do I do? Why am I so awkward?

  “Hey,” He said as he poured another beer into his glass.

  “Now you want to talk to me?” I snapped. Wow what has come over me? Chill, Soph.

  “Are you always such a cunt?” He snapped back.

  His response got under my skin more than I cared for, and I couldn’t hold in what I wanted to say any longer. “Ok, first of all you have been an ass from the moment we met; which was not in the hall, just throwing THAT out there. It was on the plane where we originally met. Or did you forget that because your ego is so big and you didn’t want any association with me!” My heart was racing by the time I finished yelling at him.

  “Listen...” Stefan placed his hand on top of mine. My mind stopped, electricity went through me from the touch of his hand just like before. It was like I couldn’t breathe. I stared at him for a moment, until Keira ran over and grabbed my hand pulling me away. I looked back at him as we walked away from the table.

  “Let’s dance!” She guided me to the small dance area, “What was that about?”

  I crossed my arms, “I honestly don’t know what came over me. He’s such a dick.”

  “He’s acting weird today, just ignore him.” She waved her hand.

  Stefan

  This girl was trying my patience. I tried to be nice to her. She’s going to be living in MY house, hanging out with MY friends. I don’t know how Keira found this one, but take her back.

  “Hey man.” Sam sl
apped me on my back.

  I took a sip of my drink, “Hey.”

  “I see Jess is here.” He pointed.

  I turned to find Jess flirting with some random guy. Typical. “Yeah, I don’t want to talk about it.”

  He poured himself a beer. “Yeah, ooook. You know you’re pussy whipped” He laughed.

  I glared at him, “Fuck off.”

  “You’re so sensitive about her.”

  “Not sensitive, she’s my ex. She can do whatever she pleases.”

  “Who’s the new chick?” He nodded toward Sophia.

  “Oh that bundle of joy is our new roommate. Watch out though, she’s kind of crazy.” I leaned back against the wall watching Sophia as Keira spun her around on the dance floor.

  “She’s kind of hot. Like really hot.” He raised his beer nodding it toward me. “You know the crazy ones are great in bed.”

  I glared at him again, “Don’t go there.”

  “Why?”

  “She’s our roommate and she probably wouldn’t give you the time of day.”

  “I’ll see about that” Sam eyed Sophia as he sipped his beer, then stood to walk over to her.

  I grabbed his shoulder, “Don’t Sam.”

  He laughed, “What’s wrong? Do you like this one?”

  I let go of his shoulder, “No.”

  “Alright then, I’m going to see what she’s about.”

  He’s such a prick. Poor girl doesn’t know what’s coming.

  Sophia

  “Who’s that guy talking to Stefan?” I asked Keira

  She gave me a look of disgust, “That is all the wrong things in the world. Sam.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “Well if there was a definition for man whore. His picture would be right next to it. It’s like a game to him with girls. Pulls them in and drops them on their face.”

  “Sounds like a winner.”

  Keira touched my arm. “I’ll be right back, Soph. I see one of my friends by the door.” She made her way toward a group of people who just entered the bar.