A house is only as fun as your house mate

Chapter 6 and 2/3: Keith

I was greeted by a smaller woman with a dark pony tail cascading down her left shoulder. She wore a grin and waved at me. I exhaled shakily, trying to calm myself down. I played with the cuff of my jacket, thinking of Lance. ‘What would he do in a situation like this?’ I thought. I decided the best option would be to give a soft smile back. She opened the door wider allowing me inside. “keith Kogane?” she asked. I nodded. “right this way.” She shot a colleague with dark hair a look telling him(?) To follow behind. He stood behind me. “she’s not that scary.” He said. I nodded and gave a weak smile in response. We made our way into what looked like a staff room and the two employees sat at a table, beckoning me to sit opposite. I took the seat and the woman started speaking almost instantly. “hello, my name is Penelope, and I run this place. This is Bellamy, he is chief of the staff here. We just want to ask you a couple questions and you can be on your way.” She grinned. “why do you want this job?” she started. Bellamy pulled out a notebook and pen and got ready to write. “i uh, live with my friend and want to be able to repay him since he has been such a help to me. I also need the money to get a new place so that I can move out.” I scratched the back of my neck nervously, feeling slightly disheartened at remembering the fact that I have to leave Lance yet again. Bellamy started writing before sending me a knowing look. It wasn’t one of sympathy but empathy. He knew what it was like. Once he had finished jotting, Penelope spoke again. “what do you think you could offer us?” I gulped.

“Well, I am a hard worker and I organise things pretty well. I am hoping to be able to put my organising skills to the test and work as hard as I ever have. I am hoping that I will become a significant part of this team.” Penelope nodded at my response as Bellamy continued to write. “do you have any qualifications?” she asked. I completely broke down then. Qualifications?! I didn’t even finish school, I got kicked out of the garrison and I moved from home to home all the time. I shook my head. She drew in an intake of breath and exhaled, motioning for Bellamy to write that too. “Bellamy any questions?” she asked. He gave her a look that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. She got up suddenly then, checking her watch before exclaiming, “oh boy, is it that time, I better be going.” She walked out soon after leaving Bellamy and I alone together.

“Sorry about that, I asked for her to do that. I wanted to talk to you myself without her there.” He explained. I felt ever so slightly more comfortable in the company of Bellamy. He gave off an aura that I knew far too well. “so I was hoping to be able to ask some more stuff, some of which may be a little personal.” He had beautiful caramel eyes that complimented his dark mess of hair, they were hidden by a pair of blue rimmed glasses. He only looked about in his early twenties, yet it seemed that he had already seen more than your usual twenty year old should have seen. I should have felt uncomfortable at the fact that he was going to ask personal questions but I trusted him some how, I don’t think he would go that deep. “thats not your suit is it?” he started. I shook my head. “is it your friends?” he wondered, looking intrigued. I nod my head. “i want to know, what does he mean to you?” I flinched at the question. What does Lance mean to me? “i don’t know, a friend I guess.” I shrugged.

“oh really, because this entire interview you have been playing with the cuff of that jacket in an almost loving manor.” He interpreted. I hadn’t noticed really. I didn’t think I was doing something of the sort. “also when you said you wanted to move out, your face fell.” He said. I wouldn’t lie, I was slightly impressed at his deductive skills but I wasn’t sure what else to say. “im sorry, you just remind me of me a lot. I ended up meeting my boyfriend about a couple months ago and we started dating not that long ago. I just, I could have lost him and I dont want you to experience that either, especially over a stupid mistake of denial or pushing them away. Anyway, next question. How are you with people?” he asked.

“is it bad to say I suck at human interaction. Within the last year, I have practically only communicated with Lance and that was within the last week.”

“Lance?” he asked. “that your roommate?” I nodded. “well, no it isn’t bad to be bad with people. You should have seen me when I first started here. I needed money because I was living off of a bank account that I had when I was a kid. I have extreme social anxiety so I sucked at this but Penelope helped me out a hell of a lot. I even met my boyfriend here.”

“You did?” I questioned, he nodded.

“Yup, I spilt my coffee all over him, a couple months later, we started hanging out and look where I am now.” He smiled dreamily.

“What does your boyfriend do?” I asked genuinely curious. Bellamy laughed loudly.

“haha, you are new here aren’t you? I date the infamous Clavis Irvine, know of him?” he asked. I nodded. “yeah my friend works closely with him.” I responded.

“wait, oh my god, Lance McClain, he’s your friend?! You got yourself some fun there.” He giggled while leaning back into his chair. Seeing him like this, it was funny to even think that he has extreme social anxiety. He was so chilled and laid back. We sat in silence for a little until he checked his watch himself. “Okay, we have five minutes left. I’ll be honest with you. Your interview was not the most fantastic but you are just like how I was. I refuse to let Penelope pass you by. I hire you. Regardless of what she says, she put me in charge of the staff so I get a say. I will take the blame, I will send you a message for when you start, that okay?” I nod, perhaps a little too aggressively. He chuckled softly and takes my number. He stands as I do and makes to shake my hand. “Bellamy aihara.” He smiled.

“Keith Kogane.” I said, shaking his hand. I went to leave.

“Don't let him get away.” Bellamy warned and let me go.

As expected, Lance was sat outside in his white Nissan, waiting for me to come out. Never have I been so happy or thankful to see someone in my life. I hopped into the car and sat by him. “how was it?” he asked, leaning across his seat and took my hand in his, rubbing circles into my palm. “crushed it.” I responded, a slight smirk covering my face. “you’re kidding.” He said, disbelief lacing his tone.

“Yup, I got the job.” I told him. He ripped off his seatbelt and leant over the clutch to wrap his arms around me. “that’s amazing Keith, you have no idea how proud I am.” He exclaimed. I continued to grin as he placed a soft kiss to the top of my head. “three questions now.” I reminded him. He exhaled in annoyance and rolled his eyes at me before pulling away from the car parking space. “where to?” he asked.

“Wherever you want.” I responded. We both trained our eyes on the road, too embarrassed to look at each other but comfortable knowing exactly what the other was thinking. ‘I like you a lot’.