All of my writing is fiction, and the stories and characters are all products of my imagination. They were created for my fun and, hopefully, your enjoyment. Some of the events in the stories are not particularly condoned nor encouraged by the author but are there to create and enhance the story of the imaginary characters and their lives. Comments are always encouraged and carefully reviewed. All characters within the story that need to be are 18 years of age or older. I hope you enjoy! And take a second to vote and comment.
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"Did you get copies of your transcript, Alex?" Angela Slagle's lips formed a tight line as she finished the question.
"Yes, I got them, mother," Alex replied, well aware that her mother was unhappy with her.
"It's very disappointing that you're so intent on doing this." Her voice was low and almost menacing as she confronted her daughter.
"It wasn't me who decided to move to Florida, Mother." Lately, Alex was beginning to stand up to her mother. She knew now that many of the rules and disciplines her mother and father had enforced were, as far as Alex was concerned, totally unreasonable. At an earlier age, she was unable and unwilling to rebel or resist, but now she was eighteen and much stronger-willed than she had been.
"Don't you dare get smart with me, Alex? I'm still your mother."
"I know, and I'm your daughter, and always will be. But I'm eighteen now, and, in the eyes of the world, I'm an adult."
"Just because you're eighteen doesn't mean you know all you need to know to get by in that world."
Alex wanted to reply that she didn't know those things because her parents had so sheltered and controlled her that she hadn't been allowed to learn the things she needed. That was about to change, though.
"I'll learn a lot of it at college, I'm sure, Mother."
Alex received a cold stare from her mother. "I'm afraid you'll learn mostly the wrong things, Alex. That's why I want you in Florida with us, so we can be sure of what you're learning." Her attempt at a smile was weak and awkward.
Alex eyed her mother, realizing that if she went to Florida with her parents and did her college there, she'd learn math and English, but not what she was anxious to learn and the things she wanted to experience. That's why she was nearly defying her parents, insisting on staying in Ohio and going to school there. There was one thing in particular that she wanted to learn, experience, whatever, even though it terrified her even to consider it.
"I still don't know how you're going to manage staying here. It's so expensive," Angela said, shaking her head.
"You guys are paying the tuition, and I've been saving. Plus, now that I'm eighteen, I can use the money grandpa left me." She'd been watching that money grow over the years and was anxious to use it. She was also sure that her parents had no idea how much was in the account. Her grandpa had set it up that way purposely. And this was her chance. She didn't want to live in a dorm, much to her parent's chagrin. She wanted an apartment and might be willing to have a roommate if she had to. It was a small price to pay for the freedom she was longing for. Plus, it might be fun to have someone else around to talk to. She'd been denied that as an only child.
"I just worry, Alex. This is such a change for you, honey." Her mother's tone was mellowing.
"I know, Mom. You just have to trust that you've raised me right and that I'll be fine." She sent a big smile toward her mother.
Angela sighed. "I hope so," she said, a certain lack of confidence in her voice.
Alex was a little surprised at this reaction, as she thought her mother would have had more conviction that the eighteen years of parenting they'd completed had accomplished what they hoped for. They had certainly been able to keep her mostly in the dark about most of the "other side of life," as her mom liked to call it. Despite her parents' many cautions, she was anxious to do at least a little exploration into that "other side." Her parents would be moving before school started, so she'd be on her own early, a couple of weeks before school began. Her mother insisted on helping her find an apartment, and she had no way to refuse that and was comfortable with her helping since she'd be leaving soon.
They found a place that Angela thought would be acceptable, given that Alex patently refused to live in a dorm. Thankfully, Alex liked it as well and was anxious to move in. The apartment was one of the center units in a four-unit flat. It had two bedrooms, a living room, a small eating area, and, of course, an equally small kitchen and bathroom. The rent was a little higher due to the two bedrooms, but she could more than offset that by splitting the cost with a roommate.
Almost before Alex was ready, her parents had left, and she had moved into the apartment. She was registered for her classes, had her books and supplies ... everything but a roommate.
Two weeks to go.
She printed several notices and posted them on bulletin boards around the campus. She was nervous since she needed the roommate and their money to afford the apartment — at least without diving too heavily into her grandpa's money. If she had to give up and move to a dorm, it would be a defeat in the first thing she had done as an adult, and that wasn't going to happen. That just
couldn't
happen. But, so far, she had no responses to her notices.
The one luxury she'd allowed herself was cable TV. It also included the internet, which she needed for school. She was flipping through the mostly useless channels when there was a knock on the door. She opened it to see a tall, relatively handsome, youngish-looking male, his face changing from a smile to a look of puzzlement.
He coughed nervously and said, "Oops."
Alex raised her eyebrows. "Oops?" she questioned.
"Oh, sorry," he continued. "I was, um, responding to the paper on the bulletin board about a roommate. It said to see Alex."
"I'm Alex," she said with mixed emotions.
"You're Alex? Guess I'll try again," he said despondently and turned to leave.
"Wait." Was she really going to do what had just popped into her mind?
He stopped.
"Are you having trouble finding an apartment?"
"Sure am. Everything is filled, and I don't want to live in a dorm."
Alex smiled. "Same here," she said, biting her lower lip. She took a deep breath. "I need a roommate. You're looking for a place to stay." She ended with a questioning look on her face.
He looked at Alex, then sort of shook his head. "But you're a girl," he said softly.
Alex giggled. "I know," she replied, "but we're both desperate. Do you think we could try this, you living here, with me, while you look for something else?" She felt her cheeks reddening and couldn't believe she'd said that, knowing her mother would be having a cerebral hemorrhage if she'd heard the words. But, she'd said them, and it was now up to ... "What's your name?" she added nervously.
"Jamie, I'm Jamie," he sputtered out, looking at this girl who had just invited him to live with her. She was youngish-looking but pretty. Reasonably tall, but with the sweatpants and sweatshirt she was wearing, he couldn't tell much else about her except for the long and disarranged brunette hair and the brown eyes that were looking at him, waiting for an answer. For him, who had had only two dates in his life, this was like a fantasy waiting to happen. Finally, his Adam's apple bobbing, he said, "Yeah, I'm okay with it if you're
sure
you are."
It was now or never. "No reflection on you, but I don't have a lot of choices if I don't want to bankrupt myself."
Jamie laughed a little nervously. "I, um, have my things in the car. Should I just, well, move in right now?"
"If not, you'll be staying in your car tonight, right?"
He shrugged. "Yeah."
Taken aback by what was happening so quickly, Alex looked into the apartment, checking things out as if a little mess would keep Jamie from moving in.
"Sure, bring it in," she said. "Can I help you carry something?"
"You don't have to do that. I can get it."
Alex still followed him to his car, an older model that she wasn't sure she recognized. It was full of bags and boxes and miscellaneous items scattered on the floor of the back seat.
"Sorry, it's such a mess," he apologized.
"As of two minutes ago, we're roommates, and we'll get used to seeing each other's messes," Alex said with a laugh.
Jamie's body warmed when she said "roommates," as that thought was finally working its way into his brain. Also, he liked the sound of her laugh... and her voice. He was going to be rooming, living with, ... a girl. Thoughts were racing through his mind at breakneck speed, and he hoped he'd be able to handle them all. He certainly hadn't prepared himself for this and would have to learn to handle it day by day. He wasn't even sure he'd be able to talk to her without stammering.
Alex grabbed a couple of bags and followed Jamie toward the apartment, sizing him up as she walked. He was three or four inches taller than she was, solidly built with reddish hair and a few freckles. He came across as very, very shy, which made her much more comfortable as it closely matched her own demeanor. She hoped they weren't both so shy they'd not be able to talk together but doubted that would be the case.
Since Alex had already been living in the apartment, Jamie took the empty bedroom. Like hers, it had a twin bed, a small closet, and two dressers with four drawers each. He looked around.
"I, um, I think what I have should fit in here."
They made a second trip to the car with Jamie telling her once again that she didn't have to help.
She decided to say something.
"Look, you don't have to treat me like a girl, being so polite and all. We're just roommates now, and we'll share what needs to be done. Sound okay?"
"Sure," he replied, watching Alex as she stretched into the back seat to get a couple of bags. Seeing her butt stuck out toward him, even in the sweatpants, he knew he wasn't about to forget she was a girl. This was going to be an exciting time; he could sense that.
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