Brother’s bestfriend.

Chapter 1: Teasing and Bathroom Trouble.

Izzy’s POV:

The thing about coming home after a year in college, is that well, everything feels smaller. The kitchen, my bedroom, and definitely my patience.

I close the front door behind me with an exhausted click, and drop my bags with as much sophistication as a train wreck.

I’ve been on a bus that smelt like feet, broken dreams and rebellion for what felt like days, but was actually only four hours. I’m tired, I’m grumpy, and my nerves are fried.

All I want to do is take a shower, eat some real food, take a nap and maybe curse everybody that ever said “there’s no place like home”.

“Izzy?”

My brother’s voice comes booming from upstairs. He has about as much chill as an over caffeinated Labrador.

“Is that you?”

Loud, thumping footsteps come bounding down the stairs.

“Yeah, It’s me. Try not to hyperventilate”

He stops at the foot of the stairs. “You look… well?”

“Wow, thanks. You look like someone that still eats Lucky Charms for lunch”

He pulls me into a hug and nuggies my head like I’m still twelve. Spoiler alert: I’m absolutely not.

As we’re fake insulting eachother like we always have since we were kids, a sound makes me freeze.

A low, melodic laugh.

A laugh I know all too well.

And then, he walks in. Shirtless. Wearing grey sweatpants that hang dangerously low on his hips, a towel slung over his shoulder while his wet hair drips down onto his bare chest, making him look like some instagram thirst trap created by the devil himself.

Alexander freaking Jones.

Shock. Shock freaking horror. Of course he’s here.

I stare.

He stares back.

And holy, sweet, mother of freaking christ has only gotten hotter.

“Hey, Dork” he drawls, his voice like velvet over gravel, looking completely unfazed that he’s standing there barely dressed, looking like some kind of greek god. And I’m basically short-circuiting.

“Don’t call me that, Alex” I snap, but it comes out a lot higher and lot breathier than I intended. Stupid freaking wet abs.

He smirks, actually smirks. That irritatingly handsome, lopsided smirk that used to make girls swoon and guys jealous. “Didn’t realise you were coming back”

“Obviously”

“Ever heard of a shirt?” I gestured vaguely to his glistening abs.

“Sweet as ever, I see” he retorts, his eyes sparkling with barely contained amusement.

“Funny as ever, I see” I shoot back, not missing a single beat.

He just winks and walks away, like his sweatpants weren’t just one small slip away from completely destroying my last functioning brain cell.

Jason is either completely freaking oblivious or just doesn’t care, because he just turns around and says “he’s crashing here for the summer” without looking up from his phone.

Of course, he is.

Because the universe has it out for me.

Later that night, I have my headphones in, trying to drown out the sinful thoughts I’m having about Alex.

I walk into the bathroom, and straight into a chest.

Alexander’s chest. Completely Naked.

“Oh my god!” I squeal, my hands flying to my eyes like some kind of victorian maiden.

“Put some freaking clothes on!” I turn around and walk out, my eyes still covered.

My sanity hanging on by a threat.

So, yeah… This summer will be interesting.