The Bad Boy Next Room (Charlie and Taylor) novel Chapter 3

Charlie looked up and met the guy’s gray eyes. His eyes were so beautiful, but this man was angry… and had a cut on his lip!

‘Taylor West?’ Charlie silently named. Her heart raced as she mused, ‘How did he get into a fight early in the morning?’

“I said, watch where you are going!” He repeated. His tone was sharp, and his eyes narrowed. He grabbed a younger student next to him and demanded from Charlie, “Apologize to him!”

“I’m sorry. I was in a hurry,” Charlie explained.

“It’s okay. It’s okay, Taylor, I’m fine,” the younger student said.

“Head back to class,” Taylor told the young man and the latter nodded. He smiled at Charlie before leaving.

“Look, I’m sorry. I need to go to class,” Charlie said. Taylor did not respond, so she took off.

“Do I know you? You look familiar?” Taylor later asked.

Charlie turned around and raised her brow. She answered, “No, we have never met.”

“Okay, well, watch where you are going next time,” he said curtly.

Just then, a group of students emerged from an office. Charlie quickly realized she was standing before the Dean’s Office for the College of Engineering. The students who had just stepped out looked roughed up. One had a broken nose, while another sported a cut above his brow, and three had bruised faces.

Charlie was horrified. She followed their gazes, and they landed on Taylor. It was the only time she saw Taylor’s bruised knuckles.

‘So, he did this to them? To all of them?’ Charlie has heard of this. Taylor West often got into fights on campus. This was one reason Taylor was known as the school’s bad boy.

“You won’t get away with this, West!” The guy with a broken nose said.

Taylor smirked their way. With a faint laugh, he said, “I already have, Garcia.”

He shook his head and left just like that.

In the end, Charlie was incredibly late for her class. Thanks to the drama at the College of Engineering, which she had willingly eavesdropped on.

Charlie stepped into her Business Law class, instantly drawing everyone’s attention as heads turned her way. The professor shot her a disapproving look and remarked, “How nice of you to finally join us, Miss King.”

“I’m sorry. It won’t happen again,” Charlie responded. Her face flushed as she looked around. She caught Sofia staring at her, so she averted her gaze. Charlie, instead, sat on a different seat. She knew Luke was also in the front row, but Charlie never glanced his way.

After the class, Charlie walked out, but not fast enough. Luke caught up with her and grabbed her arm. He said, “It’s not like you to be late for class. Where have you been, Charlie?”

Charlie pulled her arm away. She answered, “It’s none of your business, Luke.”

“Ashley tells me you haven’t been home,” he said.

“Again, it’s none of your business,” Charlie responded before running to her next class.

“Charlie.”

“Charlie!”

Luke called again and again, but Charlie ignored him.

For the rest of the day, Charlie successfully avoided confrontations with Luke, Ashley, Sofia, or any of Luke’s friends. Since they were in the same department in college, it was natural for her to encounter them, but Charlie pretended not to know them.

Everywhere she went, students in the College of Business talked about their breakup, but she did not give them the pleasure of reacting to their gossip.

Charlie concluded that one day, those who hurt her would be out of her life for good. She simply needed to take it one step at a time.

Over the weekend, she would move out of the apartment she shared with Ashley and Sofia. Then, she could look into changing classes. After the semester, she might complete her studies in Halliport and leave Luxford for good.

***

Saturday arrived in no time. Charlie had visited several rental houses and apartments—at least from the outside. Three of the five homes gave off an eerie vibe, even at first glance.