Matthew Glenshaw's heavy footsteps echoed across the courtyard of the Pacific Breeze Apartments building. Trudging along the stone walkway towards the outer stairwell, he took the opportunity to observe his new, unfamiliar surroundings. He casually noted the freshly cut grass, neatly trimmed hedges, and delicately arranged flower beds as he walked past them. Although the complex was only two miles from the ocean, and was constantly awash in the Pacific's strong offshore winds, he could still smell the vaguely acrid smell of wet paint emanating from the stucco on the building's simple, unassuming facade. Matt already felt reassured that the new apartment would be a sure step up from his last.
A tall, well built young man of twenty-three years, Matt had been a Marine for the first four years of his adult life. The demanding physical fitness regimen transformed his once scrawny physique into something any young man would be proud of. Six feet tall, Lean, well-defined and toned to near perfection. A rookie mistake on the rifle range during his basic training days had left a half-inch scar on his right cheek, giving character to an otherwise unremarkable face. He still opted to keep his naturally wavy brown hair in the standard Marine Corps fashion; barely a quarter inch long on top and clipped down the roots everywhere else. The classic high-and-tight look.
Since leaving the Corps, Matt had applied himself toward his new career as an electrician's apprentice, an endeavor sure to occupy him for at least another two years. Since apartments in this town didn't come cheap, and apprentices didn't earn much, Matt had spent the last year living with a college student that he often regretted not throwing off the roof when he had the chance. They only ever fought, it seemed, and always over the most trivial things. It got so bad that Matt gave up his security deposit just to exit his lease a month early. Combing through the "roommates wanted" section of Craigslist eventually brought him here, Pacific Breeze Apartments. The offer was perfect for him. As affordable as his old place, in a nicer neighborhood, and even closer to work. There was only one part of the deal he had yet to factor in. His potential new roommate, a girl about his age named Kelly.
Matt had never roomed with a girl before, and he wasn't sure he wanted to, since he knew it could get awkward if he wasn't careful. But the pickings for his price range and location were pretty slim. So, through a series of e-mails, they determined that they should at least meet face to face before making any decisions. Oddly enough to Matt, the ad she placed online stated that she was specifically looking for a male roommate. So he reasoned that she must know what to expect from a guy, which meant he wouldn't have to fib about his cleanliness or his online habits. He still had to figure out how to handle bringing girls over for the night, however. He didn't want a "date" with a different girl every couple of weeks to give her the wrong impression, or create unnecessary drama. He hoped she wouldn't care as long as he left her out of it, and kept the noise down as best he could.
Well, that's what these meetings are for
, he thought.
Matt reached the stairwell on the building's north side and jogged the two flights of stairs up to the third floor. He continued down the walkway looking for apartment 313. After a short search, he arrived at Kelly's door and knocked. Waiting for the door to open, he figured the window about three feet away from the door was probably the window for 313, and attempted to peer inside. No luck. The heavy curtains on the other side were drawn shut. After a few moments, and another couple of knocks, the door opened and Matt found himself face to face with an especially attractive young woman in a white terry cloth bathrobe. Matt was momentarily caught off guard at the sight of her. She was about half a head shorter than he was, with shoulder length red hair. A dark, fiery red that Matt adored but almost never came naturally. Her wide almond-shaped eyes sparkled a deep hazel brown, while her lips sported a fresh, glossy apricot sheen. Her face was a stunning example of feminine beauty, though it had the full cheeks and the slightest bit of neck fat that indicated she might be carrying a few extra pounds. Her bathrobe did a lot to conceal her true figure, but Matt instantly judged that he would probably enjoy it if he saw it.
Quickly regaining his composure, Matt introduced himself. "Uh, hi. I'm Matthew, are you Kelly?" he said.
"Yup, that's me. Nice to meet you." she replied cheerfully, extending her hand. Matt took it and shook gently, noticing the buttery smooth skin, short nails, and the long, tapered fingers. Much like the hands of an artist. "I hope my directions weren't too hard to follow."
"It was no problem. It's only ten minutes from where I go to work, so I know the area."
"Oh, lucky you then. Well, come on in before all the warm air gets out." she said.
Kelly stepped back to let him in, and let Matt shut the door behind him. He watched her as she turned around and led him through a narrow front entry way into the living room and kitchenette. He couldn't help staring at her ample backside swaying suggestively as she walked.
Definitely some chub there
, he thought.
Kelly walked up to the old, stained grey couch in the middle of the room and spun around, instantly locking eyes with Matt as she sat down on one of the arms and crossed her legs. "I'm so glad you responded to my ad. I've had no luck for the last week, and I really need someone to move in here quick so I don't lose this place." she said.
"That's what I'm here for." he replied.
"So Matthew, what made you want to leave your old place?" she inquired.
"I just needed to get out of there quick. I would have lost my mind if I had to stay there another month." he replied. "I go by Matt, by the way."
"All right then. Roommate trouble, Matt?"
"Like you wouldn't believe. The guy I roomed with before was some loser that barely held up his end of the rent, and never cleaned up after himself. We couldn't go a day without getting into a big argument over chores or money towards the end." he explained. "So why are you looking for a new roommate? Your last one give you problems, too?"
"Afraid so. My last roommate couldn't hold a job to save his life, and I always ended up covering for him when he was late on rent. It wouldn't have been so bad if he would have paid me back like he kept saying he would." she replied, leaning back to rest against the back of the couch.
"So your last roommate was a guy, too?" Matt asked.
"Yeah. My last three actually. I usually like living with guys more than girls, but he sure didn't make it easy for me. We did have a lot of fun together, though." she quickly added, one corner of her mouth curling up into small grin as she reminisced. "At least,when he wasn't draining my bank account and tap dancing on my last nerve."
"So what's wrong with living with girls?" Matt asked, hoping Kelly would highlight a pitfall or two he would make a note to avoid.
"Nothing really, until you get too many of us together. I shared a house with three other girls my freshman year in college, and sometimes things went great. Other times, things would get real catty, real fast. Four girls is definitely too much estrogen for one household. I've been living with guys ever since. It's much less hassle, even though I can't borrow their clothes to go clubbing, and they might pee on the toilet seat sometimes." she explained.
