MARIA I think I like my men this way. Jittery, nervous, tech-nerdy messes, who stay up late till 2:00 AM coding,  have zero game when it comes to pulling girls but are the sweetest people in the whole world.  Just like this computer science major sitting across from me who would rather chew glass than look into my eyes. The era of being with athletes and heartbreakers? Done. "Tell me about yourself, Jasper." I smile at him. He's slouching so aggressively in his chair he looks so tired, like he stayed up late to find a bug in his code. He wears a faded oversized hoodie that is meant to hide his physique, but I can still see how wide his shoulders are. I didn't know nerds could be big guys. "I...I..." His hands tremble as he drops his fork again. His long fingers scramble to pick them up. They are calloused. It makes me wonder. Maybe my tech-nerd has other hobbies asides coding. "Breathe, Jasper. Remember we're simply getting to know each other." I calm him down. "I swear, I'm usually more coordinated than this. I'm just so nervous." He uses the tablecloth to wipe his face. "You're just so pretty I can't even get the words out." I want to say I'm flattered, but I've heard those words a million and one times. "It's fine. Let's just go with the flow. You said you like to code. Tell me about what you're currently working on." "Umm, I'm currently vibe coding and building this...." He begins and I zone out as he babbles about his work. If this date goes on well and we decide to go for a second, it means I would be saved from the shackles of athletes. My name is Maria Ricardo and I used to be the IT girl back at Prescott University. I was beauty and brains, and the role model of every young girl. Coupled with that, I was dating the man of every girl's dreams. Callum Scott. Everyone used to tell me I was so lucky. Callum was the typical hot hockey team captain with a dream to get into the NHL and I was ready to be the doting girlfriend who stood by his side regardless of what happened. On the night of the finals last year, a video of Callum cheating with his best friend and teammate, Conan Chase in the locker room hit the video boards, causing the match to end abruptly. I was laughed at, humiliated, bullied and it affected my mental health. It resulted in me taking a gap year to heal and figure out life. Two weeks ago, dad told me to move back to Belmont-Crest. Said there's always love at home. I think I've healed to an extent. I've moved back home and I'm ready to start again. My best friend, Shania signed me up on this dating app to hook me up with nerds since I said I was done with the cocky and arrogant athletes, and the app said Jasper Cole and I were a perfect match. "Maria." Jasper snaps his fingers in my face and I snap out of my trance. "I'm sorry, I got distracted. You were saying?" I bite into my fingernails nervously, avoiding eye contact with him. "I asked what your hobbies were. From your profile, it says you're a journalism major and you like to take pictures. Can I see some of your work?" Umm... About that. My camera was my life. It captured a million and one images of Callum and I together. I burned it along with everything from that life. "Actually, I used to love photography. I'm trying to venture into new hobbies this new semester." " Oh wow. I could teach you...." His speech is interrupted by the loud ringing of his iPhone on the table. "Hello," I watch his nose scrunch up as he listens to the person on the other end of the call.  "Alright, bet. I wasn't even busy, anyways. I'll meet you in say," he stares at the smart watch on his wrist. "twenty minutes." What the fuck? Is Jasper being for real right now? Are we not on a date? Lines of confusion etch across my forehead as I stare at him, my eyes demanding to know what is going on. He gets up, dipping his hand into his pocket so nonchalantly and I can't help, but notice how really tall he is. "Umm, Maria. This was fun, but I gotta go." "Sorry?"  "I'm sorry. Maybe we can reschedule and do this some other time. I've got more important business to attend to." More important business like I was just something he used to pass time while he waited for what mattered? I cannot believe this right now. He dips his hand into his pocket, brings out a crumpled twenty dollar note  and tosses it on the table. "For the food." He says, turns around and walks away without saying another word to me. My jaw hits the floor as I stare at him walking away. You know what? Ninety nine point nine percent of the men walking on the surface of the earth are assholes, and Jasper Cole just happens to be  the biggest one.                                         *** I slam my bag onto the kitchen counter of my dad's house, my home for now until Shania and I can find something that matches our taste and is close to school. "And do you wanna know the worst part of it all?" "Tell me, sweetheart." Dad says, folding his arms across his chest as he listens to my rant. "He had the audacity to throw a twenty dollar note on the table like I was some charity case. Dad, the tab cost almost two hundred dollars and I paid from my fucking pocket." "Darling..." "Look, dad I know I'm going to need a man in my life eventually, but every single one I've come across or been romantically involved with has somehow managed to  be useless." I frown. "And everyone is somehow always worse than the last. It's like they are competing for who can disappoint me the fastest. I don't even..." "Maria, I'm going to need you to breathe." "I'm breathing, dad. I'm extremely calm." I am not calm. "I just think it's fascinating that I can spend an entire evening with a man who can't even hold a fork properly and he still got the confidence to ghost me mid-dinner and throw a fucking crumpled twenty dollar note at me." "How dare he do something like that?" That voice does not come from my father, and it seems...awfully familiar. It has the kind of depth so many men's voices do not have. It's in no way subtle. It is free of the stutter I spent the last hour listening to. I freeze as a guy walks out of the hallway, a towel tied dangerously low on his hips. Droplets of water trail down his well-defined torso. A silver hoop earring glints in one ear. He looks like a powerhouse. The type that lives in the gym. And those tattoos? They're not some mistake you make in your early twenties. The designs seem to have meaning. I'm in awe. He's a stark contrast from the jittery mess who couldn't look into my eyes at the date. Jasper didn't mention having a twin. Maybe he's just a lookalike. "Shouldn't you be in bed, Em?" Dad questions him as a mass lodges in my throat. "Just a bit hungry, Coach."  He walks past us, his back facing me as he aggressively pulls open the door to the refrigerator. He ransacks it, grabs an apple, tosses it in the air, and catches it effortlessly with one hand. "Dad," I swallow the lump that forms in my throat, staring at the side of his profile in utter disbelief. "Who... who is this guy?" "Oh, forgive my manners, mi amour," Dad says, oblivious to the nuclear bomb exploding in my head. "This is my personal project, Emerson Falls. He's got a bit of a bad habit and likes to party till late at night. He got kicked out of his apartment last week, and that's not a good thing if we're still gunning for that first-round draft pick. I've decided to take him under my custody for the foreseeable future." Emerson Falls? First-round draft pick? Fuck! He's an athlete. Emerson turns around completely, a slow, cocky smirk spreading across his face as he steps closer. The confidence radiating off him is thick enough for me to choke on. "Emerson, this is my daughter, Maria," Dad introduces. Emerson extends a massive, calloused hand toward me. The exact same hand that was too nervous to hold a fork two hours ago. On his pinky finger is a silver signet ring with an infinity loop and the initials E.F. engraved on it. Emerson Falls. The exact ring I spent the entire date staring at while he fumbled with his food. The fake stutter. The fake glasses. The sudden exit. My jaw is on the floor as the pieces come together. "Jasper?" The name slips out as a breathy whisper. Emerson doesn't blink. He just tilts his head, bringing his index finger to his lips in a slow, deliberate shhh gesture, his dark eyes sparkle with some form of amusement. I cannot believe the fucking guts of this man. "Anything the matter, sweetheart?" Dad asks, looking between the two of us. "No," I choke out, grabbing a glass from the counter and filling it with tap water just to give my hands something to hold. "No, I'm fine." "Good. I'm going to leave you both to get to know each other since you'll be roommates for the foreseeable future." Dad walks over, kissing the top of my head. "Goodnight, sweetheart." He turns and slaps Emerson hard on the shoulder as he passes. "Keep your hands to yourself, Falls. My daughter is strictly off-limits."

MARIA He bites into his apple while scrolling through his phone so nonchalantly while also ignoring the fact that I'm standing there and waiting for an explanation coupled with an apology. "My goodness, you're such a dickhead!" I snap at him when it dawns on me that I will be getting none. "Excuse me?" "First, you fake a name, you abandon me in the middle of our date and make me pay for the food. Now, you do not even have the courtesy to apologize. Have you got no manners?" "I mean, I didn't know you were Coach Barney's daughter. I wouldn't have accepted to go on the date." "Okay so you're saying it's fair to do that to someone else that isn't me." He shrugs, biting further into the apple and I get pissed off all the more. "Life isn't fair." He holds up his hand as though he remembers something. "Also, send me your Venmo so I can pay you back." That's still not a fucking apology. "I'm not letting you repay me until you do the right thing and apologize." His expression changes to one that mirrors disgust. "Apologize for what?" "My goodness! You athletes are so far up your ass you think you're better than everyone. Does Dad know you were out as Jasper?" "Nah, what I do in my free time has got nothing to do with Coach. He's cool with it as long as I show up to practice, drink responsibly and don't do drugs."  "You know I could tell him that you're the asshole who left me in the middle of our date, yeah?" I threaten and he only laughs mockingly. "You wouldn't dare. We both know you have zero evidence." Fuck, he's right. I facepalm, rolling my eyes. "Okay, but when are you leaving?" I demand. "Leaving like going to bed or?" Like I give a fuck about the time he goes to bed. "Leaving like packing all of your shit and getting the fuck out of my house." "Your father's house and not your house. Also, Coach said I'm welcome to stay till my apartment issue gets fixed." "How long with that take?" Hopefully he says tomorrow. "Three months." That's it. That's fucking it! I fold my arms across my chest with all the restraint I have before raising my head to look at him. I step really close like I've got all the audacity in the whole world. "Now, Jasper Cole or Emerson Falls. I don't care what the fuck your name is. I'm simply only tolerating you because you live in my house." I begin, making sure that I don't stutter on my words. "For the time that you will be here, these are my strict non-negotiable house rules. One, No loud music when I'm working. Two, Don't bring your playboy lifestyle into the house. Three, Respect my personal space and stay the fuck away from me." "And what happens when I break those rules?" A wide and cocky grin plays on his face and I'm irked to my bones. When? Not even if? Oh, this one has got guts. "I'll report to Dad with loads of evidence and you'll get kicked out." I turn around to leave, but he grabs my wrist, pulling me so close to him my chest almost collides against his body. "Funny you would think that you can control me under my coach's roof."                                            *** The next morning, I wake up with a banging headache that only a hot cup of coffee can cure. After getting ready for school, I ensure everything is ready for my journalism orientation today before heading straight to the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee. I stop in my tracks when I hear laughter coming from the guest wing where Emerson currently lives. "So, same time next week?" An unfamiliar voice asks. I hide behind the wall to see who it is.  A very pretty blonde who's wearing an oversized football jersey and holding a pair of red heels stands right in front of Emerson's room. Emerson is shirtless and wearing only a pair of black boxers while she ogles at him. "If I'm not too busy." He shrugs while he walks into the kitchen. She follows behind him. The both of them walk past me and he acts like I don't even exist. "Hi." The blonde girl waves at me awkwardly while she continues to follow him."Come on, Emerson. Be a gentleman and make me coffee at least." "Haven't got time for that. Can pay for your Starbucks order, though." He offers and she nods. I stand there, eyeing the both of them as they interact. I hate the fact that my father is too much of a generous man. Now, I have to deal with this shitty athlete for the next three months? I hope Shania and I can find a really good apartment so that I can move out. My attention returns to the both of them. I watch her stand on her tiptoes. He leans over and kisses her, cupping a handful of her ass in the process. I'm all the words to describe irritated. "I wanna see you at the opening match tonight, and you better yell my name at the top of your lungs." He whispers in her ears in a sexy tone and she laughs. "You bet I will, Emmy." Emmy? Eww. She eventually pulls away from him, blows a kiss and leaves the house. "I thought I told you not to bring your playboy lifestyle into this house." I finally speak, breaking the silence. "Coach doesn't have a problem with it. Get used to it, Maria." He shrugs and my mouth hangs open in surprise. I want to talk, but I just can't find the words. "What's for breakfast, by the way?" He questions me nonchalantly like I'm paid to work for him. "Excuse you?" "Excuse me?" He places his hands on his chest ignorantly. "You literally sent a hundred dollars to your hookup for a cup for Starbucks coffee, and you're expecting me to wake up and cook for you?" "Yes. Is there anything wrong with that?" God. I want to pull my hair out and scream until I lose my voice. Is this a sick joke? "Whatever her name is, call her back and tell her to make breakfast for you!" I spit and he walks up to me, another one of those silly grins playing on his face. I can't help, but stare at his body. His six-pack, the way his muscles flex, the way.... Focus, Maria. He stands right in front of me, his six foot-five towering over my own five foot-seven. "Is this..."He pauses, sniffing around. "jealously I smell here?" "Oh, fuck you, Emerson. Fuck you!" I slam the door shut as I hear him laugh loudly.

MARIA "Maria, genuinely, this is the best thing I've seen in a very long time and coming from me, a woman who is hard to impress and hates mediocre work, I'm telling you that this is really good." The Journalism Head of Department, Dr. Williams says to me as she goes through my portfolio. "Thanks, ma'am. I'm very honored." I bow slightly because I'm literally on cloud nine right now.  "They weren't wrong about you at all." "I'm so overjoyed, ma'am." She giggles, rotating her chair and playing with the retractable pen in her hand before she pushes her glasses up so that it sits on her nose properly before she folds her arms across her chest, staring at me with all seriousness. "Tell me what happened. Why did you quit?" The question hits me by surprise and all the words in my throat dry up.  "I...." "And Maria, I don't want the version that's going around. Tell me what truly happened." This is a situation that took a year for me to heal. I don't want to open closed wounds, but fuck! "My whole life was centered around our relationship and at the time, it was my happiness and so I took pictures of everything. It was my whole identity back then." I explain to her. I'm trying my hardest to keep it together. "Okay, so now, where would you like to be placed?" Now, that's what we're talking about! I didn't come here to talk about my deadbeat ex and my past. I stroke my chin for a moment, clearing my throat. "Dr Williams, I've always been interested in arts and culture or something fun like that. I'm trying to explore every other aspect of journalism asides photo journalism."  "Arts and culture." She nods,  smiling like she's impressed at me. "That's a good one, Maria." "Can I send in my application so that you can put in a word for me?" "Why do you belittle yourself, Maria?" Dr Williams face has gone serious again. I could swear she's got some form of disorder by how her quickly her mood changes. "I....I don't understand, ma'am." "You're a woman with so much potential and you're limiting yourself and it's pissing me off on your behalf." I'm silent. "I know the idea of doing anything remotely big scares you because of all you had to go through at Prescott. I genuinely get it, but you're a rare talent that can't go to waste." "Do you have better opportunities for me, ma'am?" "Now, we're talking, Maria." The smile forms on her face again. "I want you to branch out from what you'd normally do and I don't want you to go small." I nod, excitement already forming in the pits of my stomach. I'm ready to be that girl I once was. "I think you'd be really good when it comes to interviews because your confidence speaks for you. You're the missing piece we've been wanting for the longest time." She rubs her hands together, getting serious. "Now, there's a top prospect that's getting ready to go into the real world of sports." Wait, did she say sports? "The head of the sports team has complained multiple times that he can't be media trained and this happens to be his last year as a college student before he gets drafted next year. Prospective NFL teams want to know the type of players they pick even if they are the best." Okay, and what has that got to do with me. I've made it abundantly clear that I want nothing that relates to sports journalism. I'm fucking traumatized. "We're trying to prepare him for the limelight as best as possible and you seem like the one that can make it happen. I know you haven't been around too long, but I'm sure you might have heard the name Emerson Falls." I swear, it feels like I've seen a ghost. I literally almost choke on my spit. My jaw hits the floor as I stare at her, blinking a million and one times. "We need you to interview Emerson Falls in three days. This interview will be streamed live on ESPN." She spills and my expression goes completely blank. "I can't do it." I shake my head immediately because I would rather chew glass than sit in an interview chair across from that asshole and ask him questions. Dr. Williams seems taken aback. She's speechless as she observes me from her chair. "With all due respect, Dr. Williams, I can't do it." I get up. By now, I'm spiraling and walking around her office aimlessly like I've gone insane. "I just can't fucking do it!" And then, I burst out laughing. I truly have gone insane. She sits there for the full episode, watching me as I pace around the office, laugh, and tell myself that I'd rather let a car hit me than do it. By the time I'm done and I turn to stare at her, she's looking at me like I need therapy. "Are you done?" She questions and I nod. "Yes ma'am." "Good, now come and sit down and let's talk like normal people." She said to sit, but I don't sit. I walk to where her chair is located and I go down on my knees. "Please give me something else. I'll do anything." I hold the leg of her pant suit and she shakes her head, unable to believe this is even happening. "All I can see is a woman who has let her past define her because of a little bump in the road. You want to become a top dog in journalism a few years from now? Maria you snatch opportunities as soon as they're given to you. You think I haven't had my fair share of heartbreak when it comes to athletes?" She laughs loudly. "Hell, I used to hate them more than you back in college, but I didn't let it define me." "Ma'am, I just...." "I want to give you the opportunity to learn about the sports star yourself, prepare your questions and kill it. I know you haven't healed completely from the trauma, but I know you're also a very smart woman and you ought to see that I'm putting power in your hands." She points at my shoulder while I'm still on my knees. "You, my dear control the narrative. You have the opportunity to ask him any question. That's power. You control how people will perceive him and it's an opportunity you don't wanna take?" She shakes her head in distaste. "Maybe you're really not as smart as I think you are." Her words are razor sharp and they go straight to my chest. "Dr. Williams......." "If you want another opportunity, I will give you, but just know that when the time comes for me to sign that recommendation letter, I wouldn't do it because I gave you the whole world in your hand and you returned it back, saying it was too heavy."                                            *** It's 3:00 AM in the morning, and I've dozed off on the couch. A loud knock on the front door has me rising up and going to see who it is. I open the door and almost roll my eyes when I see who it is. "What're you doing up so late?" Emerson asks me. "Don't tell me you were waiting for me." It's pathetic that I always have a comeback, but right now, I'm exhausted and I have nothing to say. He walks over to where I've been working, my laptop screen almost goes off, but he picks it up, taps the trackpad and the first thing that appears is his picture. A look of shock plasters on his face. "I didn't know you were another secretly obsessed fan who's pretending she hates me." I want to scream and tell him that the world doesn't revolve around him. "Don't worry, I promise not to sign on your tits. I already promised Coach Barney that nothing will happen between us."  "Everything doesn't have to be about you, Emerson. I'm not stalking you or anything. This is simply for my career." "What career requires you to pull up a very hot picture of me from the internet? Am I the muse for the smut book you're writing?" No, I'm genuinely pissed. It's the fucking stereotype for me. Like I can't write a book about him that isn't smut. I step closer to him, yank my laptop from his grip and look him in the eyes. "I'm not writing a smut, book and even if I was, you would never be my muse. I'd make you the annoying background character that'll eventually get killed off." The smile on his face wipes off and he seems genuinely hurt by my words. Now, I feel like a fucking bad person when he was the one who pushed me to the wall. "Oh now, you're taking it too far. I just wanted to know what career required you to pull out my picture. Are you drawing or something?" I can't help it when I laugh. It's the audacity of this man to think that I'll spend meaningful hours of my day drawing him. "No. I'm not drawing you. I happen to be the one who will be interviewing you in three days." I watch his Adam's apple bob in real time as he swallows spit. He's waiting for me to scream 'April's fool', but I don't. "You're kidding, right?" I shake my head 'no'. Showing him the email of Dr. Williams letter. He looks like he's seen a ghost as he grabs his chest hard. He pulls out his phone and dials a specific number. "Hello. I think there's been a mix up." He says, walking away.