3. Chapter 3

There are times in your life when you have to look back and wonder. If I had changed even a second, could things have gone differently? If I had woken up five minutes earlier, could that have been enough to change the entire day?

Perhaps if I hadn't come to this school, my life wouldn't be crumbling. It's all too late now. Whatever happens, I'm fucked. Unknown hasn't contacted me for three days, and I feel like I'm losing my mind. Every time my phone goes off, my stomach sinks, wondering if this is the time he finally has enough and is going to come and attack me.

I've never felt so surrounded yet alone when the guys are around. I refused to leave my room for days after standing Unknown up. Too afraid of what he would try, the guys tried everything they could think of to get me to leave, but I wouldn't change it. Even Spence tried bribing me with a trip into the city.

Nothing worked.

Then Maddox reminded me of Lula and Piper, and that was all the fire I needed to get my ass back to class.

The only issue I have now is when I do want to be alone, they won't let me. Atticus was pissed with me for hiding away from him, and he refuses to eat at his dorm for dinner now.

Atticus walks into my dorm, his ice-blue eyes clash with mine, and that cocky smirk pulls across his lips. Cause he knows he won again.

I sit up, crossing my legs, watching the twins place bags on the coffee table.

Ashton hauls out the takeout containers from the food court. The room is filled with the delicious smell of Chinese food. My stomach rumbles, reminding me it's been hours since I've last eaten anything.

"Here, grim."

He holds out a plate of food for me. "Thanks." I reach for it, but he doesn't let go.

"Are you doing okay?"

With a tight-lipped smile, I nod. "I'm trying, Ash. I have so many questions, no place to start, and the fact that it's been pure silence from him. That's what is eating at me."

He places the plate on the table and sits beside me. He runs his hand through my hair, pulling me closer to his side. My body relaxes into his side.

"We'll find him. We won't let anything happen to you, Jinx. You know that, right?"

I shrug. My brain agrees, but my heart doesn't. Something deep down is nagging at me; why hasn't he contacted me yet?

"Eat, Jinx. Then we can talk." Atticus slides my plate to the edge of the table. "I can't talk on an empty stomach."

I grab the plate, rolling my eyes. I've seen Atticus talk for hours without eating a bite; I know what he's trying to do. He's lucky that I'm letting him get his way. Without another word, I dig into my fried rice. I'm only eating to make him happy. When I look up from my plate, the guys are staring.

"What now?" I wave my fork in the air, getting annoyed.

Maddox smirks and Ashton shrugs. But fuckin' Atticus stares back. He sure knows how to get under my skin. I forcefully shove another forkful of rice into my mouth, never taking my eyes off Atticus. I can't help it. I give him the biggest smile in return. If he can't tell me what he wants, that's not my problem.

My phone dings from inside my fanny pack, and nobody moves for what feels like an eternity. My bag sits next to me, tormenting me. Did Unknown finally get tired of waiting around? Placing my plate on the floor, I reach for my phone. My fingers shake as I try to unzip my stupid fanny pack.

"Hold up, Jinx." Atticus stops me before I can retrieve my phone.

"Why?" I look up at him—his brow furrows when he tries to answer. Ashton moves for my pack, grabbing my phone. I hold my breath, waiting for disaster to strike.

Then Ashton laughs.

"How well do you know your friend, Spencer?" he asks.

"Pretty good. Why?" I try to reach the phone, but he holds it over his head.

"He sent you a selfie, and I'm unsure how to feel about it."

Oh, dear God. It could be anything from Spence. I wouldn't put it past him to send a dick pic just to get a reaction out of me and for me to storm down and talk to him. I grab the phone and stare at the screen.

I'm greeted with a picture of Spence sitting on the toilet with his pants down. He holds an empty toilet roll, pouting and giving me puppy dog eyes.

Pencil: I'm out. Got any up in the tower?

Me: Are you kidding? A selfie! You could've just asked for TP!

Pencil: Yeah, but this way, you can see my face. Haven't you missed me?

I look back at Ashton, and he quirks a brow. "I need to go visit Spence. Are you guys fine here?"

"Seriously? We were in the middle of supper?" Atticus snaps.

I grip my fork tight. "And I'm going to see my friend. You can't expect me to always hang out with you three. I did have a life before you all started here."

Maddox stands, heading to where I'm standing, and reaches for me. "I'll walk her down. Calm yourself, Ace. She won't be alone."

Atticus rolls his eyes and goes back to eating. Whatever, I don't have time for his mini meltdown. Atticus should remember this next time he runs out of toilet paper and texts me. Maybe I'll be too busy to deliver. Taking Maddox's hand, he lifts me off the floor with ease. I make my way to the bathroom and grab Spence a couple of rolls. Dickhead should go shopping if he ran out this fast.

Maddox doesn't speak until we're in the stairwell.

"Does Spencer usually send you bathroom selfies?"

I can't help but laugh. "Regarding Spence, you can't let your guard down. He's unpredictable. In a good way, don't get me wrong. Do you know what I mean? You have the twins and would do anything for them, even if it's stupid. Like, deliver toilet paper."

Maddox rubs my back, chuckling. "Yeah, you're right. But I don't think I would send a selfie."

"Can you send me a selfie?" I grin when he snaps his head toward me.

"Ah, what kind of selfie, Jinx?" His hand moves lower down my back, settling just above my ass.

I shrug. "You know, any selfie. But a sexy one would be nice." I push the door for the fourth floor open, moving away from his hold. I hear Maddox groan as I keep walking away from him toward Spence's dorm room.

"You can't walk away from me after that," he calls out.

I punch in the code into Spence's keypad. "Sure I can. Surprise me one day, and maybe I'll send one back."

I hear him swear under his breath, but I'm too busy staring at the mess of Spencer's place. He usually keeps this place clean, but holy shit. His clothes are thrown across the couch; dirty dishes lie around the coffee table and his desk. A mountain of garbage lays underneath it, and to be honest, I'm not sure what sticky shit I just stepped in.

"Spencer Aaron Coldwell!" I yell. As much as I'm going to regret this, I move toward the bathroom.

"Odette Morella Hawthorne, what took you so long? My ass and legs are numb."

I crack the bathroom door and throw his stupid toilet paper inside.

"Thanks, sugar tits. I'll be out soon."

"Wash your hands after." Guys are gross. I found Maddox, where I left him by the door. He's still taking in the room's sight. He hasn't turned away from the mess. I walk closer, placing my hand on his back, causing him to jump.

"Hey, are you okay?" I whisper.

"I'm fine," he replied slowly, his eyes evading mine.

I wrap my arm around his waist, pulling him into a hug. "If you ever need to talk, remember I'm here."

He digs his fingers into my hair, gripping a handful. He tilts my head back, and he stares into my eyes. With a deep sigh, he drops his forehead to mine. "I don't deserve you in my life, Jinx."

"Whenever you two lovebirds are finished, we can talk," Spence interrupts.

Maddox gives me a slight smirk before backing away. I take that chance to glare at Spence.

Spence throws his hands up in surrender. "Woah, Teeny. I had to interrupt before you two decided to fornicate on my couch."

If he only knew that Maddox and I haven't done that yet. The only one I have slept with so far is Atticus. Don't get me wrong, I'm not in this entire relationship to have sex, but I wouldn't mind exploring more with Maddox and Ashton.

"No offense, Spencer. But I wouldn't be touching that couch, man," Maddox tells him. Looking at the couch in disgust.

"I've been busy and haven't had time to clean. Don't judge me." He looks away, cringing.

I look around more, taking it all in. "Busy doing what—or who?"

Spence exhales loudly. "Not who, unfortunately. Just playing games and streaming late."

"Jesus Christ, Spence."

"I can leave you here and head back upstairs if you want more time to hang out?" Maddox turns his head my way.

I bit my lip. I turn back to Spence, and he's grinning like a kid on Christmas morning. I roll my eyes and laugh. "I'll stay. I need some time alone with my bestie. Thanks, Maddox."

His mouth hovered inches away from mine. "Stay inside until one of us comes for you, got it?"

"Yeah." I breathe out.

He dropped a quick kiss before walking away. Spencer lets out a low whistle.

I snap my finger at him. "Shut that pie hole and clean this fucking mess."

How did I end up with a bunch of men in my life again?