Someone Like You

Chapter One

Temperance

Okay, today is the first day of the rest of my life. Today is the day that I start Johnston University. I have been looking forward to this day for the past eighteen years (okay, slight exaggeration but you know what I mean).

Ever since I was a kid, I knew I always wanted to do well in life. I was incredibly driven for an eight year old when I decided that I wanted to pursue a career in Literature.

Books are my biggest passion and have always been a big part of my life. So, in the hopes of becoming a great writer someday, I chose to study Creative Writing. Most of my youth was spent reading every book I could get my hands on and letting my imagination run wild.

Frequently, I escaped from reality in favour of my fictional world where anything could happen. I devoured everything but mostly, I preferred the romantic genre. So, like any typical girl, I lost myself in fiction, book boyfriends and a world where everything was most definitely better than reality.

Foolish, I know, but books provided me an outlet from my very boring, less-than-ordinary life. I guess that’s part of the reason why I have ended up single and alone at eighteen – a nerdy, book-obsessed loner doesn’t exactly scream girlfriend material. I keep to myself and I like it that way which is why I’m currently freaking out about my housing situation.

I was supposed to have been issued a room of my own in the Halls residency. However, I now have the misfortune of sharing a flat with someone called Priestly Sawyer.

This doesn’t bode well …

***

Priestly

Okay, today is supposed to be the best day of my life. I’m finally free from my parents and all of that high school bullshit so that I can actually start living my life. University life is all about freedom, chasing girls and partying hard, right?

I have been looking forward to this day for the past four years. Ever since I was fourteen, I craved to escape from the confines of high school and try something new. I’m not exactly the studious type which is why I chose to study Business. After all, I can talk the talk so it can’t be that hard. It’s going to be a piece of cake.

Educationally, I’ve always managed to get away with doing the bare minimum. So, that’s why I’m looking forward to University life; I’m finally free to be able to do what I want, when I want. Basically that means skipping class, sleeping late and partying all the time.

Although, my father has warned me that he expects me to get some sort of education. I know he’s right but I want to have fun too. That’s not a crime, is it?

Anyway, right now, I’m more preoccupied about how long it is before I can go and get a fucking drink. I have a whole load of new girls to chase and tons of booze to drink so I’m really starting to get pissed off with this Residency guy.

The deal was that I had a flat to myself and I intended to enjoy this fact by using it for the sole purpose of throwing raging parties every night.

However, this asshole seems to think that I’m going to be sharing it with some chick named Temperance Brannigan.

First off, what the hell kind of name is that? Wow, her parents were pretentious naming their daughter Temperance! What the actual fuck?

And two, what the hell is this Residency guy going to do about it?

I glance at his nametag – Bert.

Well Bert, be afraid, be very afraid for I sure as hell am not going to share my flat with some hoity-toity snob called Temperance Brannigan!

***

Temperance

I’m really sorry. I know it’s our mistake but there’s nowhere else available just yet. the Residency Aide tells me.

I glance at her nametag – Gertrude.

Okay, I say, admitting defeat – I’m not much of a fighter anyway. I understand. Can I have the keys please?

Gertrude smiles and hands me the keys to the flat, looking relieved. If anything comes up, I’ll call you. Have a nice day!

I nod, forcing a smile and then haul my bags across the campus.

The flats are located just opposite the main building of the University so I don’t have that far to walk. I slowly trail my massive suitcase across the uneven tarmac and try to avoid banging the shins of anyone I cross paths with.

A few people throw me curious looks so I quickly put my head down and soldier on. I’m not trying to be anti-social, it’s just that I’d rather acquaint myself with the characters of a fictional world – at least they don’t judge you.

Eventually, I reach the block of flats and admire how spacious it looks. Maybe this mix-up isn’t such a bad thing.

I pull my suitcase and various other baggage up the steps and let myself in. I glance at the number on my key set and discover that I’m in flat number three which is thankfully on the ground floor.

Number three is located to the right of the stairs so I slowly drag all of my stuff over to the bright blue door and insert my key into the lock.

Pushing open the door, I admire the view before me. Okay, the décor is a little dated and it needs a bit of a clean but it is rather roomy for a flat.

Dragging my baggage into the living area, I collapse onto the faded sofa and take in my surroundings. There is an ancient TV perched on a battered table and the curtains have a horrible floral motif printed on them but there’s a homey feel to it.

I quickly inspect the kitchen and the two bedrooms. The kitchen is very small but comes equipped with an old cooker as well as other battered appliances and a tiny dining table with two chairs.

The bedrooms are fairly basic but they both host a reasonable-sized double bed. Of course, there is only one bathroom, which I will have to share with this Priestly but I guess I can live with that.

Satisfied with my new home, I make my back to the living area and stop in my tracks. There is a guy standing in the middle of the room, staring at me like I’m diseased. This must be the elusive Priestly Sawyer.

I gawp at him like an idiot as I take in his six foot three, medium-build frame. His dark blonde hair is cropped into a buzz cut and he’s staring at me with strikingly pale grey eyes. He’s dressed in dark jeans, grey Keds, and a long-sleeved grey button-down t-shirt that clings to his well-defined chest.

This guy is hot. Smoking hot. But I just know he is going to be nothing but trouble. And, judging by the way he’s glaring at me, I have a feeling that he doesn’t like this living arrangement either.

I quickly stop staring and pray that I don’t blush as I walk over to him to introduce myself. I’ve never been comfortable talking to guys at all – never mind smoking hot ones – and will myself not to act like a lunatic. After all, my nerdish ways make me act like a freak and tripping over my words tends to be a favourite of those attributes.

I throw him a tentative smile.

Hey, you must be Priestly. I’m – I’m Temperance. I manage to stutter out as Priestly raises an eyebrow and eyes me stonily.

***

Priestly

Apparently, I’m stuck with this Temperance chick. Bert – the little asshole – didn’t back down when I told him I didn’t want to share my flat. He told me that there was a mix-up and that I’d either have to take it or be homeless.

When I replied that it was his screw-up and not mine, he merely shrugged and said that I would have to deal with it. So, after fighting the urge to grab Bert by his puny little neck, I grabbed my keys and made my way to the flat.

My first impression of the block of flats is that it looks like a good location for parties. Satisfied, I unlock the doors and haul my stuff over to door number three.

It is already open, so I drag my baggage into the living area and note the enormous suitcase and various other luggage already on the floor.

Hmm, Temperance must be here already.

I am just about to have a look around when Temperance appears. I frown as I take in her appearance. She has long wavy red hair tied into a ponytail and bright blue eyes that are partially hidden by thick framed glasses. I rake my eyes up and down to find that she’s wearing tight jeans and a loose-fitting top with a light denim shirt with the sleeves rolled up.

Okay, so she’s not as hideous as I thought she’d be – she’s actually pretty attractive – but judging by those glasses and her awkward stance, she’s definitely of the nerdy variety.

Damn, it looks as if my party-throwing plans are going to be a no-no.

She smiles at me uneasily as she introduces herself.

Wow, she’s really nervous, maybe I can work with this.

I smile inwardly as I concoct my evil plan. Tonight – and every other night this week – I am going to throw a wild party. Maybe after a few days of sleep-deprivation and the inability to study, she’ll pack her bags and leave.

I glance at her again and raise my eyebrow, throwing her a dirty look. She looks terrified and I smirk to myself.

This is going to be easier than I thought!

***

Temperance

Wow, what is his problem? All I did was introduce myself. Talk about unfriendly. Priestly is definitely going to be trouble. I stand there awkwardly as he eyes me with disinterest.

Whatever. he says eventually, sounding bored.

I nod and then quickly tug at my suitcase and other luggage.

Do you want first pick of the rooms? I ask hesitantly.

He shrugs. Whatever. I don’t care. I wasn’t meant to be sharing with someone but by all means, go ahead and choose your room first. he replies sarcastically.

I frown at him and watch as he drags his stuff over to one of the bedrooms, nearly knocking me down in the process.

I scowl after him.

Okay, I get it – he doesn’t want me to be here. However, short of sleeping on the street, I have nowhere else to go so I’m just going to have to tolerate him.

Heaving a sigh, I drag my baggage to the other bedroom and flop down onto my bed. I glance around at the cracked lavender walls, dusty desk, and wardrobe.

It’s not much but it’s all mine.

I smile to myself and then start unpacking my books and clothes.

Four hours later and it’s nearly five o’clock. Everything has been unpacked and the bathroom and kitchen have been thoroughly scrubbed – while Priestly sat watching TV and drinking a beer I might add.

Nevertheless, I’m starting to feel more at home and am willing to overlook Priestly’s bad attitude. Perhaps we started off on the wrong foot and an offer to buy dinner would make things more bearable.

I hesitantly approach the living area and watch as Priestly throws me an annoyed look.

What do you want?

Taken aback by his hostility, I falter slightly but find the courage to follow through with my plan.

I was just going to grab some dinner. Do you want some? I fire at him quickly before I chicken out.

He raises his eyebrow. No. he tells me flatly and turns his gaze back to the TV.

Okay, well at least I tried.

I close my eyes, suck in a deep breath, and nod.

Okay, I’ll be back soon.

Whatever. he replies, his eyes still glued to the TV.

What an ass!

***

Priestly

Damn, I can’t believe the girl actually offered to buy me dinner! Especially after I watched her clean the whole flat and didn’t offer to help once.

I acted like a massive asshole and she still didn’t call me on it. Getting rid of her might be harder than I thought.

How the hell am I going to pull this off?

I guess it’s time to turn this place into Party Central … maybe then this chick and her nerdy glasses will get the hell out of here.

Sighing, I pull my phone from my pocket and call Carter. The guy has been my friend for eight years and I know he can organise a party in no time.

Dude! Where are you man? Carter yells down the phone before I say anything.

I hear shouting and music blaring in the background.

Where are you? I ask.

Student bar. Man, you should see some of the chicks here! You gotta get over here. Oh, how’s the new digs?

I suppress a groan. I have to share with some chick named Temperance. She’s a total nerd Carter.

I hear him chuckle. Is she hot?

Not the point Carter. Dude, I have to get rid of her. Can you help? Can you organise one of your legendary parties?

Sure man. I can be over at yours in an hour … with plenty of company. he tells me and I can just hear his smug grin down the phone.

Hey, leave some of the ladies for me! I tell him with a laugh and then hang up.

I then quickly type out a text message to everyone I know:

‘Party @ mine! Bring yr own beer. Friends welcome!’

Let’s see how Little Miss Nerd copes with a house full of drunk and noisy strangers.

Sure, it’s a low blow but sometimes you have to play a little dirty … and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get rid of her.

She has to crack eventually.

I mean the girl is obviously all studious and shit … so if she can’t study, she’s bound to pack up her crap and go.

Happy with that comforting thought, I quickly make myself a sandwich and inspect the fridge for beer.

After grabbing two bottles, I stretch out on the couch again and wait for the party to get started.

Game on Nerd Girl … game on.

Chapter Two

Temperance

I come back to the flat some time after eight o’clock to find a party raging. The music is blaring and the living room is crowded with people I don’t know, currently drinking their way to insobriety.

I push past the crowd of drunken guys blocking the kitchen and am horrified at the mess. There are beer bottles everywhere and there are various crisps and nuts ground into the floor.

Furious, I search for Priestly. It takes me two minutes before I find him chatting up some blonde.

HEY! I yell over the music.

Priestly rolls his eyes at me while the blonde shoots me daggers.

HEY! I yell again and this time Priestly chugs back his beer and turns to look at me.

What? he asks with a sigh.

What the hell? I have class in the morning! I won’t be able to sleep with this going on! I tell him furiously.

He shrugs. My class doesn’t start until eleven-thirty so that’s not my problem. You don’t like it, go elsewhere.

I stare at him, shocked. He knows that I don’t have anywhere else to go and I really don’t want to start a fight.

Eventually, I sigh and settle for trying to reason with him. Look, it’s pretty damn obvious that you don’t want me here but I have nowhere else to go. Can you please just turn the music down then?

Whatever. he replies, rolling his eyes before wandering off into the kitchen to grab another beer.

Shaking my head in disgust, I make my way to my bedroom where I find a couple getting pretty cosy.

Horrified, I kick them out and flop down onto my bed. It’s not long before I hear the music volume increasing.

Exhausted, I lie back on the bed and cry.

Why is he acting like such an asshole?

Suddenly, my door bursts open and I bolt upright.

Whoops! Thought this was the bathroom! a guy mumbles before glancing at my face.

Wow … is this a bad time? he asks, slowly approaching the bed. You okay darlin’?

I glance up at him and deduce that he is harmless when I notice that he has friendly brown eyes. Besides, he’s calling me darling – I