ready for you for a few weeks. Is there any place you can stay?”
I gawk. I can’t help it. After all this time, I get here and I have nowhere to stay. I’m homeless with a duffel bag and a box. “Uh, no. I wasn’t expecting this,” I finally say.
She looks at me with a frown. “Well, I’m sorry about all of this, but there may be something on the corkboard over there.” She points to the wall hopefully.
Clenching my hands, I walk over to the board. I glance over everything, not finding anything having to do with places to stay. Dog walking, bake sale, flower sale, pie eating contest, and a coupon for free hugs. Rolling my eyes, I continue looking before finding something.
The paper says two girls are looking for a third roommate before school starts. It has a number and address on the bottom.
Grabbing my old flip phone, I go to dial when I realize something: it’s dead. Of course .
Groaning, I slip it back into my pocket. “Looks like I’m in for a walk,” I tell the lady, who smiles brightly. “Could you tell me where this is?” I ask her, showing the address.
After she gives me directions, I slide my duffel on my shoulder and grab my box. I head out, not allowing myself to be hopeful this time.
_*_*_*_
Standing in front of the door, I stare at the B8. It’s a good thing it’s only a thirty minute walk from the college. The apartment complex I found is huge. And expensive looking. There is no way I can afford this, but I came all the way here and it’s my only chance.
My hand is in a fist, ready to knock, when the door swings open to reveal a tall girl with green cream on her face and a short, satin robe. She stares at me in shock.
“I’m sorry! I found your ad at the college, and I was going to call but my phone died. I thought I would just come here, but I guess I should have called first,” I say, biting my lip. A bundle of nerves resides at the bottom of my stomach, and I shift nervously, awaiting her answer.
She smiles. “Yay! About time someone found the ad! School starts in a week!” She claps her hands, seeming to have forgotten that she’s wearing nothing but a robe.
“Yeah, I know,” I deadpan.
She keeps smiling. “Come in! We can chat!”
I follow her inside, closing the door behind me. To the left is a dark, round table with four chairs, a few magazines and open books lying on it. On the right side of the room is a light brown couch, a black recliner, and coffee table, also full of magazines. There is a large TV, a bin full of what must be DVD’s under it.
I follow the girl as she walks straight ahead, revealing a kitchen. It’s wide and open, visible from the front door. “Want water or something?” she asks, pointing to the fridge.
“Sure, thanks.” I take it from her, twisting the top off. It’s refreshing after being out in the sun all day. “Your place is amazing,” I tell her. It’s the truth. It really is amazing, though anything is better than where I grew up.
She beams, wisps of black hair falling from a small ponytail. “Thanks! I wanted it to say ‘comfort.’” She spreads her hands out to her sides. “Oh, by the way, I’m Jaclyn! It’s nice to meet you, and thank you for coming to visit. I always love the unexpected!”
I chuckle, feeling somewhat light for the first time in a while. “No problem. Seeing your ad was a life saver, I assure you. And I’m Jennifer.”
“Nice to meet you, Jennifer. Have a seat while I wash this off.” She points to the cream on her face before heading down the hall. I sit down on the couch, feeling slightly off kilter. Seconds later I hear her groan, following a, “Shit pancake!”
I cover my mouth with my hand, nearly falling off the couch with laughter. Shit pancake? What does that even mean?
“Sorry about that!” she says as she rushes over to the couch. “Hope you aren’t offended by curse words! It’s my downfall in life.” She mock frowns before laughing. “So, you want to live
I gawk. I can’t help it. After all this time, I get here and I have nowhere to stay. I’m homeless with a duffel bag and a box. “Uh, no. I wasn’t expecting this,” I finally say.
She looks at me with a frown. “Well, I’m sorry about all of this, but there may be something on the corkboard over there.” She points to the wall hopefully.
Clenching my hands, I walk over to the board. I glance over everything, not finding anything having to do with places to stay. Dog walking, bake sale, flower sale, pie eating contest, and a coupon for free hugs. Rolling my eyes, I continue looking before finding something.
The paper says two girls are looking for a third roommate before school starts. It has a number and address on the bottom.
Grabbing my old flip phone, I go to dial when I realize something: it’s dead. Of course .
Groaning, I slip it back into my pocket. “Looks like I’m in for a walk,” I tell the lady, who smiles brightly. “Could you tell me where this is?” I ask her, showing the address.
After she gives me directions, I slide my duffel on my shoulder and grab my box. I head out, not allowing myself to be hopeful this time.
_*_*_*_
Standing in front of the door, I stare at the B8. It’s a good thing it’s only a thirty minute walk from the college. The apartment complex I found is huge. And expensive looking. There is no way I can afford this, but I came all the way here and it’s my only chance.
My hand is in a fist, ready to knock, when the door swings open to reveal a tall girl with green cream on her face and a short, satin robe. She stares at me in shock.
“I’m sorry! I found your ad at the college, and I was going to call but my phone died. I thought I would just come here, but I guess I should have called first,” I say, biting my lip. A bundle of nerves resides at the bottom of my stomach, and I shift nervously, awaiting her answer.
She smiles. “Yay! About time someone found the ad! School starts in a week!” She claps her hands, seeming to have forgotten that she’s wearing nothing but a robe.
“Yeah, I know,” I deadpan.
She keeps smiling. “Come in! We can chat!”
I follow her inside, closing the door behind me. To the left is a dark, round table with four chairs, a few magazines and open books lying on it. On the right side of the room is a light brown couch, a black recliner, and coffee table, also full of magazines. There is a large TV, a bin full of what must be DVD’s under it.
I follow the girl as she walks straight ahead, revealing a kitchen. It’s wide and open, visible from the front door. “Want water or something?” she asks, pointing to the fridge.
“Sure, thanks.” I take it from her, twisting the top off. It’s refreshing after being out in the sun all day. “Your place is amazing,” I tell her. It’s the truth. It really is amazing, though anything is better than where I grew up.
She beams, wisps of black hair falling from a small ponytail. “Thanks! I wanted it to say ‘comfort.’” She spreads her hands out to her sides. “Oh, by the way, I’m Jaclyn! It’s nice to meet you, and thank you for coming to visit. I always love the unexpected!”
I chuckle, feeling somewhat light for the first time in a while. “No problem. Seeing your ad was a life saver, I assure you. And I’m Jennifer.”
“Nice to meet you, Jennifer. Have a seat while I wash this off.” She points to the cream on her face before heading down the hall. I sit down on the couch, feeling slightly off kilter. Seconds later I hear her groan, following a, “Shit pancake!”
I cover my mouth with my hand, nearly falling off the couch with laughter. Shit pancake? What does that even mean?
“Sorry about that!” she says as she rushes over to the couch. “Hope you aren’t offended by curse words! It’s my downfall in life.” She mock frowns before laughing. “So, you want to live
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