Roommate Wanted

Chapter 3

Karlie's Point of View

It was about time for Shelby to move in. She texted me that she was on her way over. I didn't think that I would feel nervous, but for some reason I found myself straightening up the apartment and making the place presentable before she arrived. I typically don't care what others think, but I wanted to make a good impression. I looked down at my phone and saw that she texted me that she was here. 

I ran downstairs and greeted her at her car. Our apartment is on the second floor so I offered to help her carry her things up. When I got down to her car, I realized she didn't have much with her.

"Is this everything?" I asked, confused. 

"Yeah... when I moved in with Charlie, Charlie already had all the furniture and everything we needed, so I only had a few personal belongings and some clothes," Shelby explained.

"So Charlie was your boyfriend? Well I guess ex-boyfriend now?" I asked.

"Yeah, that's his name," Shelby said. "It feels weird to say his name now..." Shelby had a distant look in her eyes, like the reality of the breakup was finally hitting her. Then she looked back at me after she realized she had been silent for a minute. "Hey, I really need to buy some stuff now that I don't really have any furniture. Do you mind coming shopping with me today?"

"Hell yeah! I would be more than happy to go shopping with you!" I exclaimed. "Plus I can make sure you don't pick out anything too ugly for the apartment." I winked and gave her a little nudge.

We carried up the few things she had then left to go shopping. We decided to take my truck since we were going to be picking up quite a few large things for her room. After a handful of stores we had checked off everything on the list: bed frame, mattress, bed sheets and comforter, dresser, night stand, two lamps, . The apartment is a two bed one bath, so I already had everything for the bathroom. I also kept everything for the kitchen and living room since Elliot and Jenny were buying all new things for their place. So now that Shelby had her own bedroom furniture we were all set.

We spent the afternoon assembling her furniture and getting to know each other. Shelby told me about how she used to be a traveling nurse and she met Charlie while she was temporarily working at the hospital in Denver. Charlie worked in administration/operations and noticed Shelby sitting alone in the café one day, so he sat down with her. It eventually became a regular lunch date. Then right before she left for her next assignment, he asked her out on a proper date. Apparently they did long distance for a bit while she was still a traveling nurse, but they fell in love so she decided to stay in Denver permanently. 

She never told me why they broke up and I didn't want to pry, so I didn't ask. I could tell she really loved him. I don't even know this guy and I already hate him. How could he break this girl's heart? She's smart, nice, funny and not to mention beautiful. Any guy would be lucky to have a girl like her. 

I looked over at her and noticed she was tearing up a bit, so I leaned over and gave her a hug. She hugged me back, I could tell she was a bit tense at first, but then I felt her body relax against mine.

 Shelby pulled away and looked me in the eye, "thank you, seriously, for all the help today. I appreciate you going shopping with me and listening to me ramble on while helping me build all the furniture." Then she smiled.

"Hey, that's what roommates are for!" I explained, "Not just someone to help pay rent, but a support system too. I know we just met, but I have a feeling we are going to be great friends. And when you come home, I want you to feel safe and warm, knowing there's someone else here." After I said that I realized how creepy that must have come off to her. "Sorry if that was a bit much, I'm normally not this...soft, I guess"

"No it was sweet! I know what you meant and it's not creepy at all," Shelby responded. "I think its nice to have a support system and its nice knowing that I'm sharing an apartment with someone so compassionate."

I'm glad she understood. I still felt embarrassed though. I care a lot about my friends, but even Elliot would admit I show my love in weird ways. I'm normally not sappy about it all and I don't really put it all out there with people. Especially when I barely know them.