Broken Bad Boy

10

PERCIE

I groaned when my alarm went off. I got up from bed lazily, rubbed my eyes, and walked outside my

room. I led my way to the kitchen, halted when someone yelped. My sleepiness was gone in an

instant.

I curse under my breath.

Hailey’s wide eyes met mine. Her lips slightly parted.

It slipped off my mind that I wasn’t alone anymore. We both stared at each other for a few seconds.

I blinked twice. Shit! I just remembered that I was only wearing boxers, and she didn’t have to know

when a guy just got up from bed, someone, or rather something, woke up as well.

”Sorry.” I ran back to my room. I looked down at my half-naked body.

Fuck.

I grabbed a shirt and sweatpants and put them on quickly. I walked into my bathroom, washed my face,

brushed my teeth, and rinsed my face again. I sniffed my underarm.

Why am I doing these? Did I just ask myself in the mirror? Before Hailey lived with me, I didn’t even

care how I looked and how I smelled.

I groaned.

When I came back, she was flipping a pancake. The first thing that came in the morning was my

caffeine, and the coffeemaker was already brewing. Well, I could get used to this scenario every day.

“Good morning, Hailey. Sorry about earlier. I forgot I have a new roommate.”

She smiled shyly. “Morning. It’s okay. I also woke up this morning disoriented.” She continued pouring

another batter into the pan.

“Can I help you with that?”

“No. I’m alright. I hope you don’t mind me using your coffeemaker. I made for both of us.” She moved

away from the stove, grabbed my mug, poured coffee, and placed it down on the island.

The smell of coffee made my stomach growl. “I don’t mind at all. I already told you this is your

apartment too.”

I slid into the stool and grabbed my coffee. I put a spoonful of sugar, stirred, and sipped it.

“Sorry. I don’t know how do you like your coffee.” She put stacks of pancakes into the plate, placed

them in front of me, followed by eggs and bacon, and a bowl of blueberries.

Wow!

I stared at the breakfast she prepared. For how long she’d been awake? She occupied the empty stool

beside me after placing two plates and forks for us.

“You don’t have to do this, you know. I can do my own.” I remembered me and Emma used to do this,

but there was something different when Hailey was the one doing this.

“I know, but since I had to make for my own, I thought of making for two.” Her voice was barely audible.

At least, we were communicating.

“Thank you. How did you learn how to make breakfast? I thought Lily wouldn’t allow you to touch the ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

kitchen.” I started digging my breakfast. Her pancake was delicious.

“Mom taught me. Still, I’m not allowed to cook when she’s around.”

She was licking the syrup from her lips when I looked at her. I had to look away and push back the dirty

thought in my head. I should probably get laid.

“So, you can cook lunch and dinner for us as well?”

She looked at me quickly as if she couldn’t believe that I asked her.

“You want me to cook us lunch and dinner?” she asked incredulously.

As stupid as I was, I nodded. “Do you think you can cook for us? If you’re not busy.”

“Um, sure.” I knew she was only shy to say no.

“You can always say no, Hailey. People will use you and abuse your kindness if you won’t teach

yourself how to say no.” I shoved the last slice of pancake into my mouth. I gulped the remaining

coffee, stood up, and brought my plate and mug to the sink.

She didn’t say anything anymore. She was still chewing her breakfast, seemingly in deep thought.

“Hailey.”

“Yeah?”

“You don’t have to cook for us, especially for me, but feel free to use the kitchen whenever you want.

Thank you for breakfast.”

I put all the dirty dishes in the dishwasher. I leaned my back against the counter, watching Hailey

closely like a creep. She was really cute, all feminine, and looked innocent. She had this mannerism of

seemingly n deep thoughts while eating.

“Let me put that in the washer. You can go and shower now. We’re going to campus together.” I took

the dishes from her, but she didn’t release them.

We stared at each other, fighting in our heads.

“I can do it.”

I shook my head. “Give them to me, Hailey. You girls take too much time in the bathroom. Please, just

let me have them.”

She mumbled, thank you. “I don’t take much time in the bathroom.” That made my lip curve into a

smirk.

“Oh, Hailey. Another rule. We share and divide the work in the apartment.”

She smiled.

Hailey was nowhere to find when I shuffled to the living room.

I knocked on the door. “Hailey, you in there?”

She didn’t answer. I glanced at my wristwatch. We would be late if she wouldn’t get out sooner.

“I’m here.”

I searched for her voice. She was already waiting for me at the door.

“Oh, I thought you’re still here.”

She shook her head. She was wearing a simple pink shirt and skinny jeans, yet she still looked

beautiful.

Our ride was uneventful. I knew Hailey was itching to ask why I had Kpop songs in my playlist, but she

seemed understood about personal matters. I stole glances at her once in a while, but her focus was

on the road all the time.

“Give me your number so that I can call you, or you can call me when your classes are finished.”

She handed me her phone. The wallpaper was Nihonga.

I saved my number and gave it back to her. “If you need anything, call me immediately, okay?”

She nodded.

“I need more than that, Hailey.”

She looked at me. “I will.” I guessed she didn’t say much in public places because we had a good talk

when just the two of us.

I walked her to the Lit Building, which was not far from my first class. I waited until her back was gone. I

almost bumped into Cassie, smiling brightly at me.

”Percie, good to see you again.” She was a knockout and good in bed, but I was not interested in

hooking up with her again. What happened was a mistake. It was one of my darkest hours.

“Yeah. See you around.” I didn’t even look at her side before I walked away.

She grabbed my arm before I could walk far. “Where are you going?” Anywhere but here.

I glared at her hand around my arm. “Let me go, Cassie.”

“Why are you so cold? Didn’t we have a good time?”

I liked girls, but not like her, who bullied around. At first, I thought she had changed. I guessed people

didn’t.

“Because I am cold, Cassie. I am not even new to you. Can I go now? I have classes I can’t afford to

be late.”

“Fine, asshole.”