If you're the type of reader who is expecting the characters to be having wild monkey sex by the third paragraph, you may want to skip this story. If you have a little patience, I really hope you'll keep reading.
Many thanks to those who rate, comment, and leave feedback. It's all very much appreciated.
***Many thanks to NickJBella for editing this story for me!***
*****
Good riddance! My ex-boyfriend, whom I had dated for two years, is finally completely out of my life. He picked up the last few remaining items without causing any drama. There isn't a single thing left of his in the apartment that we once shared. I'm convinced he has dragged the moving out process as long as possible in hopes that I would change my mind and ask him to stay. While one problem has walked out the door, another problem has walked in. I'm now stuck living alone with a lease I can't afford. I had placed an ad in the local paper the day after I told him I was sick of his shit. That was two months ago and I had yet to receive any responses. I am going to be so screwed if I can't find a roommate.
I am a college student who works full time at a local store. I have very little time for a private life which means even fewer opportunities to find someone that I personally know to move in, even if it is temporary.
I'm sitting in the break room one afternoon when one of my coworkers notices I am looking a bit frustrated. I'm not even trying to hide my desperation anymore. It has reached a point where I am going to have to start packing my own things and find a cheaper place to live. My ex tried so hard to convince me that I financially needed him and that I would crumble once he left. As much as I know he is correct, I am adamant to not let him know that he is rapidly being proven right. I dread the thought of having to move into an even smaller place. My current apartment is a cozy yet roomy two-bedroom on the third floor of my building and my neighbors are good at minding their own business. No small children running around making noises and everyone seems to be polite enough.
"What's the matter, Julia?" Brian asks as he pulls a chair up next to my table.
I let out a huge sigh, place my elbows on the table, and throw my head in my hands. I am fighting back tears with everything I have. "I need a roommate as soon as possible or I'm going to have to move. I'm quickly running out of my savings ever since Ben left."
"You haven't had any luck at all? No friends who need a temporary place to stay or anything?"
"No, I have asked nearly every person I know to see if they could think of anyone looking for a place with cheap rent. I'm only asking $400 a month. It's close to campus and outside the hustle and bustle of town but close enough to run to the store if you get back to the apartment and realize you forgot something like the milk," I explain.
Brian looks like he's deep in thought and my hopes lift slightly at the sight of him actually making an attempt to help me. It's certainly more than I have gotten from anyone else so far.
"Are you comfortable living with someone you don't really know? I mean, wouldn't you want to get to know them first?" He asks.
"Typically, yes. But I'm desperate and running out of time," I plead.
"I have a cousin who mentioned something the other day about hating her current roommates and was insisting on moving out. Now, I don't know if this was just a big fit of drama or if she was serious, though. I'll find out for you. She's a sweetheart, has never been in trouble with the law, doesn't party or do drugs; she definitely isn't a wild child by any means."
"I would really appreciate it," I say with a glimmer of hope.
A few days pass and, while sitting in my sociology class, I receive a random text message on my phone. It states:
Hi! My name is Alex. My cousin Brian told me that you are looking for a roommate. My current living situation isn't working out as well as I had hoped. I'd really like to meet you and possibly check your place out to see if it will be adequate for me. Either text me back or let Brian know so we can all meet up sometime.
Finally! Someone who might just be the answer to my prayers! I am so excited that I barely make it through the remainder of my class. I head straight to work after leaving school even though it means I am going to be an hour early. I'm eager to catch up with Brian to get the ball rolling with his cousin.
I had texted him while I was on my way and he's eagerly awaiting me in the break room when I get there. I tell him I would like to have him present when I meet her just to make things a little more comfortable. Even though he and I have worked together for over two years and he highly recommends her, I am still leery about the idea of possibly living with someone that I don't know.
"Ok, so the plan is to pick her up and take her to your apartment building this coming weekend. If all goes well, the two of you will have to meet with the apartment manager to add her to your lease, correct?" He asks.
"Yup, that's correct," I agree. Rather than texting her all of this info, he calls her to see if everything will work well with her schedule. I can hear her voice as he speaks with her and she sounds very excited.
"So, what other info should I know about her?" I ask when he finishes talking with her.
"She's 24 and has recently graduated from a university downstate. She's currently working as a teacher's assistant in a first-grade classroom until she decides she's ready to start teaching her own classroom. She's been dating the same guy on and off for the past year and a half. I'm not quite sure why they can't just take the plunge and move in together but their inability to make up their minds is working in your favor. If she decides she likes your place, that is."
