I looked around the apartment with a sense of pride. It was my first place, and even though it was small, it was mine. I flopped down on the couch, a hideous green floral monstrosity I had picked up for twenty bucks at a yard sale. The cushions were threadbare, and one of the legs was actually a chunk of 2x4 nailed to the frame, but it folded out into a full size bed, which was important when your living room doubled as your bedroom. I picked up the remote control and turned on the television. At least basic cable was included in the rent. I flipped through the channels, glad to see that basic cable included the history channel, and TNT.
Now, when I say my apartment was small, I'm not joking. The living room/bedroom was barely ten by ten, with a small closet that only went halfway to the floor, the bottom half was a series of three drawers. The kitchen, well I could stand in the middle and touch both walls in one direction and if I laid down, I could touch the door while my feet stuck into the living room in the other. The bathroom, however was big, at least by comparison. It had a huge claw foot tub, big enough to lay down in, two cupboards, a washer and dryer, as well as a four foot vanity, and toilet. Unfortunately it also had another door that led into the next apartment who shared it with me.
The only window in the place was in the living room, and had a wonderful view of a brick wall barely six feet away. If I stood close I could see down to the alleyway, three floors below where several cats had taken up residence. Still, it was my place, and I was looking forward to a bit of independence. College didn't start for another three weeks, which gave me plenty of time to get acquainted with the neighborhood, and the campus. My counselor had set me up with a part time job working in maintenance, but I hoped to find another job as well.
The next week passed quickly. I managed to pick up a bookcase, and a used stereo from another yard sale, and had found a job working nights at a little restaurant a few blocks from the house. I got a phone turned on, and even stocked up on groceries. Lot's of hot dogs, mac and cheese, and pop tarts. What the hell, if I needed variety, I could always order pizza.
I had been in the place just over a week when I finally met my neighbor. It was a mutually embarrassing moment. I had just gotten back from work. It was almost two in the morning and the boss had given me the left over stew from the daily special. I put the stew in a pan and set it on the stove adjusting the burner to low. For those of you who have never worked in a restaurant, it is a dirty job, and when you get off, the first thing you want to do is take a bath.
I stepped into the bathroom, and froze. There was a shriek of surprise, and I quickly stepped back out of the room, pulling the door closed. "Sorry." I called out through the door. Apparently my neighbor had finally come home. At that point all I could tell was that it was definitely a she, with bright red shoulder length hair, and a loud voice. I went back to the kitchen to stare at my stew, waiting for it to heat up.
A few minutes later, I heard a knock on the bathroom door. I walked over and pulled it open. Standing in the doorway dressed in a pair of shorts and a tank top was my neighbor. Her hair was wet, hanging down past her shoulders. She had pretty green eyes and lot's of freckles. She was also tall, almost six inches taller than me, which isn't saying much as I'm only five foot two.
"Hi, I'm Gwen." she said, holding out her hand and smiling.
"I'm Chris." I stammered, "And, once again, I'm sorry about that."
"No sweat." she said, looking past me into the apartment. "It's my fault really. I forgot to lock the door."
"You want to come in?" I said, stepping back to give her room to enter.
As walked in, nodding at the place. "Pretty much same as mine." she said, walking over and glancing at the hallway that served as a kitchen. "At least you have a couch." she said, standing beside it, her hand resting on the back.
"I was just heating up some stew." I said, nodding toward the kitchen. "You're welcome to join me."
"You sure?" she said, "I mean, you don't even know me, and well."
"Yeah, I'm sure. Besides, it's the least I could do to sort of apologize for, well ..."
"Oh, yeah." she said, smiling. "You needed to use the bathroom. Tell you what, I'll keep an eye on the food, while you uhm ..."
"Oh, I was going to take a quick bath. I wash dishes at Junior's, and, well you can imagine what I get to handle."
"Oh, go ahead." she said. "I'll get the food ready."
I went into the bathroom, and started the tub. While the water was filling, I brushed my teeth, and shaved, my mind running with a wild fantasy. I had just stepped into the tub when there was a knock on the bathroom door. The door opened, and Gwen was standing there holding a pair of my jeans.
"I figured you would need these." she said, stepping in and putting them on the counter. "Besides," she giggled, "I figured you owed me a peek."
I just sat there, unsure what to do. In turn, she just stood by the vanity, staring at me. My cock, unlike the rest of me, seemed to know exactly what to do. As it slowly started to rise out of the water, it was like she woke up.
"Oh." she said, her face turning red. "I better go check on that stew. Don't want it to burn." In a flash she was out the door, pulling it closed behind her.
I hurried through my bath, all sorts of thoughts running through my head. Thoughts so vivid I had a difficult time tucking myself inside my jeans. Even after I managed to, my cock was pressing against the material creating a noticeable bulge. Finally, knowing waiting would do no good, I walked back into the apartment, keeping one hand draped over my crotch to try and hide my erection.
Gwen had just set two bowls of stew on the makeshift table, and turned as I walked in.
"I'm sorry." she said, giggling. "I just had to do that."
"It's alright. I guess I had it coming." I replied, walking over to stand on the opposite side of the table.
"Friends?" she said, holding out her hand.
"Friends." I agreed. shaking her hand, and smiling.
As we ate, we talked about school, and discovered we were taking several of the same classes. She was excited when she learned I had a car and offered to split gas cost if she could ride with me. We talked about where we were from, and what it was like. Before we knew it, the sun was coming up.
"Oh, shit." she said, looking at the alarm clock. "I gotta go. I have to be at the financial aide office by seven."
"No problem." I said, grabbing the bowls and heading to the kitchen. "I can give you a ride. I have to go to the book store anyway."
"I'll grab my paperwork, and be right back." she said, rushing into the bathroom.
As I pulled up in front of the finance center, Gwen leaned over and kissed me on the cheek.
"By the way," I said, as she climbed out of the car. "The bathroom thing. We're not really even. You stared."
She smiled and closed the door, before rushing up the sidewalk. I sat there for several seconds watching her.
The day seemed to drag by, and I was grateful that the restaurant was slow, and I was glad when my boss sent me home early. I walked into the apartment and was surprised to see the dishes done, and a pan of macaroni and cheese. The television was going, and as I walked into the living room, I saw Gwen sitting on the couch.
She looked up at me and smiled. "Just thought you might be hungry." she said, looking up at me and smiling. "Besides, I don't have a TV." she added nodding toward my television.
"I appreciate it, but how'd you get in?" I asked, not really caring. I was actually glad to see her.
"You didn't lock your bathroom door." she said, standing up and switching off the television. "I'll heat things up if you want to take a bath." she said, walking past me and into the kitchen. "Smells like you need one."