~ Zoie's POV ~
"Yummm!! Freedom never tastes so sweet!" Zoie squealed happily as she munched on her double cheeseburger. Animal style.
"Um, that's... a burger," Asher muttered.
"Hey, this may look like a burger to you, but to me, this is freedom!"
Sitting on the kitchen counter stool, Zoie continued munching on her burger and stuffing her face with cheesy fries. She had never been happier to enjoy a burger because this was her first meal in California. Her first meal of freedom.
Once Zoie and Asher arrived at Stanford, they headed straight to the apartment that Damon had prepared for them. It was a large two bedroom condo off-campus, fully furnished and fully stocked with food. Zoie spent the rest of the afternoon unpacking her four big suitcases and arranging her clothes in the closet. Meanwhile, Asher, who only had a backpack with him, only needed ten minutes to get unpacked. He then spent the rest of his time making dinner for the two of them. Tonight's menu was his take on the In-N-Out burger's animal style cheeseburger and fries.
After spending hours moving her suitcases up and unpacking, this burger dinner was exactly what she needed. Zoie was so animated as she ate the meal, Asher could only chuckle and shake his head. He was sitting on the other side of the kitchen counter, eating his burger in a more casual manner.
"This is really good, by the way. Thanks for making dinner," she munched. "How'd you learn to make this?"
"You'll learn a few things when you don't have maids doing stuff around the house for you," he replied.
Zoie glanced up and looked at him. Asher was just casually eating his burger. Zoie then glanced around the room and saw the kitchen. Even though he already cooked everything, he cleaned everything too. Meanwhile, Zoie's room was a total mess right now because her clothes were scattered everywhere. If she were to look into Asher's room, she could bet it'd be spotless clean. That was interesting. Zoie never pictured a guy like Asher could be so... domestic. And yet here he was. Donning an apron over his shirtless body.
But I guess he's used to this since he's been living alone...
"Hey, Ash," she muttered. "Can I ask you something?"
"Shoot,"
"Why'd you leave the house all those years ago? I mean, isn't it nice to have maids, chauffeurs, and family helping you out with stuff?"
Asher stopped eating suddenly. He cleared his throat and sipped his drink.
"It's probably the same reason why you left too," he said, pausing for a beat before adding, "Burgers taste like freedom out here,"
Zoie let out a laugh. She supposed he has a point. A guy like Asher was far too rebellious to fit the mold of their family's strict lives. With Damon as a governor and Uncle Liam being his second-in-command, the media were always looking at them, waiting for the other shoe to drop. Growing up, Zoie was used to hearing about how there are people who don't want to see their family succeed. So, the Van Zandt family must give them no reason to even try. They must always be right. Be perfect.
But perfection has a cost. Sometimes it's freedom. Sometimes it's your own family.
Zoie glanced up at Asher again, watching him throw a fry into his mouth. She started thinking about how hard life must've been that he had to grow up on his own. While she could walk around with daddy's credit card in her purse, Asher's had to fight for everything he has.
Albeit everything he owns fits into a backpack.
He also had to learn to do everything for himself, while Zoie didn't even know how to use the laundry machine. Zoie suddenly felt a new sense of admiration for Asher. Despite what he might think of himself, she thought it was impressive that he's been able to survive all these years on his own.
And still look mighty good doing it too.
"You're liking what you see?"
"Huh?"
"You done staring at me?"
Zoie's cheek flared up in embarrassment and she quickly looked away.
"I wasn't staring! I was..." Zoie stammered for an excuse. "You've got something on your face,"
"Where?"
Asher's hand started moving all around his jaw. There was actually a small spot of ketchup on his chin. He wiped his face several times, but the spot was still there.
"Here," Zoie grabbed a napkin and gently patted it on his chin.
Asher sat completely still as Zoie leaned closer. She wiped the spot several times, but it wasn't going away. Zoie leaned even closer, pressing onto his face harder.
"There!" she exclaimed in satisfaction once she finally got it off.
And at that moment, Zoie looked up to see Asher's blazing hazel eyes staring down at her. She was caught in a trance. His eyes were this beautiful combination of brown and green. He was holding her gaze and she couldn't look away.
He's just so...
Before Zoie could do anything else, Asher was now leaning closer. He was so close, their lips were only inches away apart. Zoie could feel his breaths hitting her cheek. She glanced down at his lips and back at his eyes. Her heart and mind were racing a million miles a minute, and all she could do was close her eyes.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
~ Asher's POV ~
Asher's chest was beating so hard, he could barely contain himself. He stared down at her as her purple-blue eyes stared right back. He glanced down to her lips, those beautiful, soft lips, and glanced back up.
I wanna kiss her.
Before he could stop himself, his body was leaning forward. He was so close to her now, he could smell her familiar rosy scent. Asher paused for a beat and reveled at the moment. Then he leaned closer again, about to claim her lips, when suddenly---
* RING! RING! RING! *
The sound of the doorbell ringing pierced the air. Asher and Zoie pulled apart instantly.
Goddamn it!
Asher shot a deadly glare at the door. Who could possibly be ringing their doorbell at this time? They just got here. They didn't even know anybody.
Wait a minute.
"Stand back," Asher said as Zoie got up from her seat.
"Huh?" Zoie looked at him quizzically.
Asher quickly got up and grabbed a knife from the kitchen table. He hid it behind his back as he slowly approached the door.
"Asher!" Zoie hissed as she followed him.
"I said stand back!" he growled.
Zoie was taken aback, but she obeyed nonetheless. She hid behind Asher as he stood by the door. Asher slowly and carefully checked the peephole. He saw a guy in a plain white t-shirt standing at the door. He also looked young. Maybe about their age. Asher held the knife tighter in his hand as he opened the door slowly.
As soon as the door was opened, the guy beamed with a bright smile. He looked as if he was about to sell something.
"Hi again," he said.
Again?
"Hi..." Zoie's small voice came from behind Asher.
Asher looked back and saw Zoie smiling back at the guy. Her cheeks turned rosy pink, and the smile on that guy's face went wider.
Do they know each other?
"Can I help you?" Asher stepped in, channeling his inner alpha male.
"Oh, hey," the guy finally took his eyes away from Zoie and acknowledged Asher. He gave his hand out and said, "Allow me to introduce myself, my name's Miles and I'm from the welcoming committee here at Stanford. I saw you guys just moved in earlier, so I just wanna welcome you guys and invite you to a party we're throwing tonight,"
Asher didn't feel like taking his hand, so he just stood there coldly.
"A party?" Zoie said in response. She looked mighty interested.
"Yeah, it's gonna be a blast. Everyone's gonna be there!" Miles replied, handing out a party invite to Zoie. "And oh, no posts on social media, alright? We're trynna keep this on the DL,"
Zoie took the party invite from him and their hands brushed each other for a second too long. Asher rolled his eyes in response.
"So, I'll see you there?" Miles said again, giving Zoie one last smile.
Zoie nodded her head eagerly. Asher couldn't take any more of this so he swung the door in Miles's face and muttered, "Bye,"
As soon as the door was slammed shut, Zoie's smile fell into a frown. She glared at Asher with a demanding look.
"Why do you have to be like that?" Zoie snapped. "He was just being nice,"
"You know that guy?" Asher pressed.
"We met earlier in the elevator when I was bringing my stuff up,"
"You guys talked? What'd he say to you?"
We just got here a few hours ago and she's already talking to strangers!?
"Just that his name is Miles and he's a sophomore, he studies mechanical engineering," she shrugged simply, turning around and walking away.
"That's a whole lot of information for a two-minute elevator ride!" Asher followed her still, unwilling to drop the subject.
"Are you serious?" Zoie scoffed and turned around. "Why are you suddenly acting like my dad?"
Ouch.
"I'm not, I just... don't have a good feeling about that guy," Asher said with his tone dialed down.
"Why? Because he's nice and cute and he's inviting us to a cool party?"
"I don't think a party's a good idea," he shook his head.
"Why not?"
"We just got here. We don't know who our enemies are and who to trust, so we gotta take it slow-"
"What are you talking about?" she cut him off. "It's the Stanford's welcoming party. All the other freshmen will be there. It's a great way to make new friends, so stop thinking about that enemy bullshit!"
"Zoie, I have orders from your dad---"
"Whatever happened to you staying out of my way? I thought we have a deal?!"
Zoie locked his eyes in a staring contest. She could be cordial and obedient about some things, but when it comes to what she wants, this girl was relentless.
"You can stay here if you want, but I'm gonna go!" she said again. She didn't give Asher a chance to respond and she just went straight into her room. Asher tried to follow her, but she slammed the door shut in his face.
Oh dammit!
Asher let out a frustrated groan and raked his hair with his hand. Even though he never attended college before, he's been to quite a few college parties back in the day. He fully understood how crazy the kids can be with all the drugs, sex, and no parental supervision. College kids were like wild dogs who just tasted freedom for the first time. A girl like Zoie would have no idea of the kinds of things that went down at these parties. She was way too naïve and trusting. He even called that guy nice.
Shit. I can't let her go to a party by herself!
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~ Zoie's POV ~
How dare he tried to cóckblock me!
Zoie stomped angrily into the bathroom and took off her clothes. After unpacking and everything, she was sweaty and gross. She didn't think she'd be meeting anyone, so she postponed showering until after dinner. Little did she know, the cute elevator guy would suddenly show up at the door!
Hmm. Cute elevator guy has such a dreamy smile...
Zoie looked back on the first time they met. She was struggling with bringing her stuff from the car into the building's elevator. Asher was looking for parking at the time, so she was alone.
"You need a hand?" A guy suddenly appeared while Zoie was struggling to hit the elevator's button.
"Oh, thanks," Zoie said as he hit the up button.
Standing inside the elevator, they were both stealing glances at each other. He was definitely a cutie. A total 10. He had lush curly brown hair and perfectly tanned skin. His eyes were deep green and he had the brightest smile she'd ever seen.
"You just moved here?" he asked.
"Yeah, I'm a freshman at Stanford,"
"Oh cool! I go to Stanford too!"
"Really?"
"Yeah, my name's Miles. I'm a sophomore, studying mechanical engineering," he said as he stretched his hand out.
"I'm Zoie," she said as she took his hand. "Writing major,"
"Nice to meet you, Zoie," Miles held her hand for a second longer before letting her go. "How about your boyfriend? Does he go here too?"
"My boyfriend?"
"The guy parking the car outside? I assume-"
"He's not my boyfriend!" Zoie snapped quickly. "He's, um, my... brother,"
"Oh," Miles nodded his head. "I see,"
* DING! *
The elevator door then opened and they were on Zoie's floor. She gave him one last smile before walking out.
"See you around," she said.
"See you," he agreed.
Zoie hoped she'd be meeting Miles again soon, but she didn't know it would be this soon. She started smiling and giggling to herself as she took a shower. And once she was done, she raided her closet and her several unpacked suitcases looking for the perfect dress for this party. She finally settled on a short black dress with red rose patterns all around. It was short enough to accentuate her legs and tight enough to show off her butt. The perfect combination of sexy and sweet.
After doing her hair and putting on some light make-up, Zoie checked the time and it was about 9 PM. According to the invite, the party was to start at 8.30. Now would be the perfect time to arrive fashionably late, she thought.
Zoie squirted some perfume on her wrists and neck before looking at the mirror one last time. Smiling to herself, she then turned for the door. She opened the door expecting to see an empty living room, but to her surprise, Asher was sitting there. His hair was slicked to the side and he was wearing a dark leather jacket and jeans. Ready for a night out.
"Oh?" she gaped. "You're going too...?"
"It's a party," he said as he stood up and grabbed the car key. "Might as well,"
*
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- - - - - - To Be Continued - - - - - -