Roommate Wanted

Chapter 2

Shelby's Point of View

Today has been a rough day. Last night my girlfriend, Charlie, decided to end things between us. Break ups suck. But to make matters worse, we were living together and I moved here to be with her. I haven't been in the city long enough to have the kind of friends that let me crash on their couch while I figure out what's next. So last night after my breakup, I packed all of my things and got a room at a hotel down the street.

It's been a bit stressful because I need to find a new place to stay soon. I can't really afford to stay in a hotel for too long. Since I was splitting rent with Charlie I decided to spend almost all of my savings to pay off my student loans. I could try to find a nice one bedroom apartment to live in by myself, but I decided to try looking for a roommate first. I'm all for saving money and honestly I need to meet new people now that I am stuck here alone. I just signed a two year contract at work, which I still have 14 months left, so moving back home was not an option.

I decided to look on a few different groups on Facebook that are meant to help people find roommates. Most were college students, hard pass, there were a few older women and men, again pass. Then I came across a post from someone named Karlie. I clicked on her Facebook profile and creeped on a few of her pictures and posts. She looked normal and like a good potential roommate. She was actually pretty cute. Dang it Shelby, you are looking for a roommate not a rebound. So I sent her a message and just a few moments later she asked if I wanted to meet for lunch, so I told her we could meet at the Café.

I headed down to the café, grabbed some food, then texted her where I was sitting. A few minutes later I see a woman wearing a pant suit. Her blazer was fitted perfectly to show off her muscular figure and she had long light brown hair pulled back into a messy pony tail. She looked my way and I waved. She came over and asked if I was Shelby and I said I was. 

"I feel underdressed for the occasion," I said. Then I laughed to play it off as a joke, even though I really felt a bit intimidated by the beautiful woman before me. I am short so my scrubs kind of fit me funny, and my hair was a bit greasy. I didn't wash my hair this morning because I was running late for work, it was hard to get out of bed and be motivated after everything that happened with Charlie.

"I think you pull off scrubs very well," Karlie replied, "plus if we live together, you will not be seeing me in this very often. Most of the time I'm just laying around in an oversized t shirt and baggy sweatpants."

I pictured Karlie laying on the couch, in a big T shirt and baggy sweats. I bet she still looked great, this girl could probably pull off just about anything and still look amazing.

"So why are you looking for somewhere new to live?" Karlie asked.

"I actually just went through a breakup. My uh.." I paused for a second. I wasn't sure if I wanted Karlie to know I am gay. I don't want to scare her off and I really need somewhere to live. Plus my ex has a gender neutral name and most people mistake it as a guys name anyways. "My boyfriend decided to break up with me and we had been living together. I didn't know anyone else in the city, so I went online hoping to find someone with an open room. And well here we are."

"Oh I am so sorry, that really sucks." Karlie said, she looked truly concerned.

"It's alright. It was probably for the best. So why do you have an open room?" I asked.

"My best friend was living with me, but he had to go and propose to his girlfriend. As soon as he proposed they decided to move in together. I knew this was coming but he wasn't planning on proposing until a few months from now, so I thought I had more time to prepare." Karlie responded.

"Oh that must suck too. I'm sure it is hard going from seeing your best friend every day, to not living with him and seeing him as much." I sympathized.

"Yeah, but it was time for him to move on with his life. And who knows, maybe we will become good friends!" Karlie said.

"I would really like that. I haven't really had a chance to make many friends since I moved here. Always been preoccupied with work and Charlie, but now I have plenty of free time, haha" I exclaimed. I really was excited to get to know Karlie more. She seemed like a good person and I could really use a good friend.

"Well then its settled. You got the room! I'll get you added to the lease and you can move in whenever you are ready!" Karlie said.

"Oh, that was it? Ok, that's great! I am off tomorrow, does that work?" I asked.

"Of course. I have a meeting tomorrow morning, but am available after 10 AM. Stop by around then and I'll have your key made and I can help you move your things" Karlie replied. "See you tomorrow!" Then she walked away.

As she was walking away I noticed how nice her pants hugged her curves. Today seems to be turning around for me, I am actually excited to have a roommate and a potential new friend. Now hopefully I can stop checking her out. She is definitely straight and I can not lose another place to live.