Chapter one — what it brings
A/N: Wanted to start off with how she became roommates with Izzy and Axl. Also this is a college au.
Another drink was placed down in front of her. The sound of the shot glass slamming back on the bar barely audible due to the live music.
She didn't know how long she'd been there, she figured as long as she kept getting drinks she could stay in her bubble over here compared to the group of her friends.
The choice was easily made once she realized no one would be talking her ear off for a few minutes. Plus, the lone leather stool seemed more comfortable than the small space of the booth she'd been in before.
She didn't plan on staying out much longer anyways, but the thought of returning to her dorm seemed worse than the bar—which wasn't the most pleasant place either.
Her thoughts quickly vanished once there was someone hurriedly sliding in the stool next to her, placing a hand on her shoulder. She glanced at the hand distastefully before her eyes moved to the figure.
He was a redhead, long hair messy and as untamed as his appearance. He wore few necklaces, an old band shirt that has probably seen the washer too many times based on its condition.
It didn't take more than a few seconds for him to start talking, annoyance and concern etched onto his face.
"Can we pretend to make out? This chick won't stop following me and I'm fuckin' sick of it." The words came out as rushed as his movements, glancing away from her for a split second before his gaze turned pleading.
She stared at him for a few seconds, eyes narrowing in annoyance and suspicion before she reluctantly sighed. She understood how annoyed it was to be bitched at and trailed, so she'd give him the benefit of doubt.
"You owe me a cigarette."
He quickly in relief and nodded easily. He took another sideways glance before pulling her closer and connecting their lips. She followed his lead, hand momentarily raking through his hair to make the act look convincing.
It dragged on until she heard a scoff and he was being shoved away. She opened her eyes and watched in silent amusement as the chick she assumed he was talking about addressed him.
"You—Asshole... Y'know what, Axl? Fuck you, you man whore—"
The brunette that was yelling at him quickly stormed away, pushing through the crowd carelessly as she did. She was recognizable, one of the women everyone on campus knew; Josie. And she was hung up on this Axl dude?
Axl turned to her once Josie was lost among the crowd, probably in the bathroom from what she assumed.
"Thank you. God she was annoying as hell."
Her curiously seemed to show despite her more distant expression, her head tilting to the side faintly.
"Took her to bed once and now she thinks we're dating or somethin'—" he cut himself off with a sigh and rubbed a hand down his face.
"Yeah, got that impression." She replied, glancing down at the lighter he took out after passing her what he owed.
"Can't stand people like that, don't get me started on when they're possessive. I fuckin' slept with you—didn't declare my undying and everlasting love," he ranted, flagging down the bartender.
She lit the cigarette and let it rest between her lips, taking a quick drag as she slid the lighter back to him.
"I can't stand her. I probably owe you more than a cigarette for that...?" He seemed to drag on, eyes meeting hers and she took the silence to introduce herself.
"Coraline. It's fine, happens to the best of us." She shrugged lightly in response. It probably didn't happen to the best of people, but what else was she supposed to say?
"Oh shit—I know you. Think you sit behind me in American literature. Gonna have to sit next to you after Josie decides she fuckin' hates me and kicks me out of my seat."
He joked, downing his shot with ease and grinning at her. That's why the red hair seemed so familiar, she didn't often see too many of them around so it made sense.
The edge of her lip flickered up at the corner faintly, taking another drag of her cigarette before reluctantly agreeing.
"As long as she doesn't put a hit on my back, sure."
Now approaching their junior year, they were still close as ever. She'd moved in their apartment months after their first meeting. She needed a better place with better company, and they needed a third roommate.
Naturally, she met Izzy. Despite not being as loud as Axl, she connected with him just as well. He didn't need to talk to fill silence and she appreciated it. She was just as reserved as he was and in result they clicked.
They weren't as bad of roommates as she initially would've thought. Rent came and went easy, split between the three of them. Only downside is how thin the walls were when they decided to bring someone home.
The real trouble came when Slash was all sad and mopy about a breakup. She'd met in passing, along with Duff and Steven, but never hung around them too much.
Though, now Coraline had to get involved because it was Lacy, someone she was somewhat friends with. Distance settled when she moved in with Izzy and Axl, but her old friend group would call often enough so she would answer, maintaining their relationship by heading out to different places when she hung out with them.
The thought was annoying as fuck, she didn't feel like being the middle man. She had scoffed in Axl's face at the suggestion, but got dragged along to Slash's place anyways.
"I just want her back, y'know?" She didn't. "I fucked it up, but I'm sure I can fix it." Slash continued rambling.
It'd been like this for around half an hour now—felt like years regardless. She didn't care about listening to break ups, nor did she care about mending them.
She was laid on the carpeted floor, staring at the ceiling as she tried to block him out. Axl was perched somewhere next to Duff, then Steven and Slash shared the leather sofa.
A blank expression stayed on her face as she absently thought about how she needed to do her laundry when she got back. Fuck—this shit was so boring it had her thinking about laundry. There was an upcoming assignment too for her creative writing class and she wanted to groan at the thought.
Maybe she would just finish that tonight inste—
"Holy fuck, that's perfect."
She was snapped out of it by Slash's voice, what was somber now excited as he sat up straighter, smiling.
She briefly wondered what she missed, she had a feeling it was important considering everyone was looking at her now.
"Hm?" She hummed, her head turning lazily to face them instead. She saw the look and Axl's face and knew she was fucked.
"You're gonna pretend to date Duff."
His voice came out as smug, looking down at her. The grin on his lips grew wider as she scoffed.
"Why the hell would I do that?"
Slash jumped in, "So you can drag Lacy with you places and I can be there—it's perfect." He explained some hopeful idea of him getting Lacy back by smooth talking her when Coraline brought her around.
She didn't want to pretend to date—nor date at all. She had better things to do than dating. Fake dating. She didn't date, once during her freshman year of college and she broke up with the dude. She did flings and one night stands at most.
"Come on, Cora, you have to. I'll do anything—"
Slash continued, his hand moving to her shoulder. She sighed, sitting up and shrugging off his hand absently.
She glanced at Duff, who seemed content with the whole ordeal. His lips quirked up as he looked back at her.
"Who says Lacy will even fall for this?" Her voice cut in, edged with annoyance as her eyes slid to Slash.
"Me, duh. Once I talk to her enough, she'll come back." He sounded assured, smug even, to the point where she hoped it didn't work just because of that. It probably would though, she knew Lacy.
"What do I get out of it?" She mocked, though the monotone voice made it sound more serious than she anticipated.
"That jacket you always wanna take from me." Izzy replied easily, being one of the two able to sense her sarcasm.
She rolled her eyes fondly.
"I can't do this with Axl or somethin'? It'd look more believable." She asked, true she felt more comfortable with Axl than Duff for obvious reasons. Their first interaction was something just like this, but more so the opposite of luring in.
"No, it needs to be my roommate so she's around here, and Steven's dating someone." Slash protested, seemingly she wouldn't find an out.
"No need to sound so offended." Duff joined in, the grin on his lips growing wider.
She side eyed him before going silent. It would keep people off her back about dating, more so her friend group that Lacy was in. And keep random guys away from her.
She eventually sighed and stood up, grabbing the phone off the hook and dialing Lacy's number.
"You owe me so much." She spoke, glancing back at them before Lacy's voice cut through.
"Lacy I need help." The words sounded unusual coming from her own mouth and she could practically feel the worry and curiosity of the blonde on the other end of the phone.
"Coraline? What's wrong?"
She would rather go to hell than falsely admit she was infatuated with Duff first.
"I was with Izzy's friends and Duff kissed me. I don't know what to do—I mean, he's nice and all, but what do I even do with that?"
She really hopes she sounded believable because she couldn't even try to keep the grimace off her face. She felt like she was in highschool confessing some secret at a sleepover and she hated it.
She heard them start snickering behind her and she turned around to glare at them before she was cut off with a high pitched squeal coming out of the phone.
"Oh my god. I'll help with everything—is it awkward? I can convince Slash to act like we're on good terms so you can have someone familiar around—" she began ranting, excitement lacing her words. Coraline could practically see the smile lit up on the blondes face.
"It's not a big deal or anything, I think having you around would help. Slash needs to suck it up and just deal with it."
Her eyes landed on the curly haired man with her last sentence, seeing him roll his eyes but smile regardless.
"Okay, okay. I'll get planning and I'll call Slash." Lacy's tone was final before the call cut out.
Cora put the phone back on the hook and glanced at them.
"I expected more girl talk honestly—oh Lacy, I can't stop thinking about how his lips felt on mine—" Steven teased, his voice going higher in pitch as he attempted to imitate a teenage girl.
She rolled her eyes as they laughed, settling on the arm of the couch.
