Roommate Wanted

Chapter 5

Karlie's Point of View

We just got home from hanging out with Jenny and Elliot. I could tell that I probably drank a bit too much. Work had been pretty stressful lately and I just wanted to let loose a bit, but I think my days of drinking a lot and not suffering the consequences are long gone. I went to my bedroom to lay down, it felt like the room was spinning. Shelby was bringing a glass of water into my room as the urge to throw up hit me out of no where. I didn't have enough time to get off the bed and ended up throwing up all over it.

"Shit!" I screamed. "I didn't realize I was nauseous and now I have to sleep in this pile of puke."

Shelby came over concerned. "Why don't you go wash up in the bathroom really quick and I'll throw your bedding in the washer." 

"What? No! This is my mess I will clean it up. As soon as the room stops spinning" I said, sitting down on the floor.

"Seriously, it's not a problem whatsoever. I am a nurse, I am around stranger's bodily fluids all day long. I'm more than happy to help my friend in need. Stay here, I will be right back." Shelby said as she left the room with the dirty bedding in hand. 

She returned a moment later and helped me up, she took me to the bathroom and helped me get undressed and held me steady while I took a quick body shower. I was ashamed that she had to help me, but I wasn't concerned about being naked in front of her. I knew from her stories about work that she has seen so many naked men and women, plus I've walked around the apartment half naked before. We are all girls here right? 

After I got out of the shower, Shelby brought me fresh PJs, I brushed my teeth and I headed towards the couch.

"Hey no, you don't need to sleep there tonight. It will be uncomfortable and just make you feel even worse in the morning. Why don't you take my bed and I will take the couch." Shelby offered.

"You have already done so much for me, I can't kick you out of your own bed. How about we share for the night? There's plenty of room." I suggested.

I could tell Shelby felt uneasy at first, but then she agreed. We laid down in bed and she turned off the lights. 

I fell asleep pretty quick, but at some point in the night I woke up and realized that Shelby and I were spooning. Her back was pressed up against me and I had my arms wrapped around her. It is kind of weird that I did this in my sleep. I don't cuddle with people, so I am not sure why my subconscious did this. I looked at Shelby and noticed she was fast asleep. I didn't want to wake her, so I just continued to hold her. Once I got over the initial shock of cuddling my roommate, I realized it was pretty relaxing. The rhythm of her breathing and the warmth of her body helped me fall back asleep.

When I woke up the next morning, Shelby was already gone. I wonder if she noticed we were cuddling. I may have rolled away later in the night, maybe she will never know. I rolled over to see a glass of water, a granola bar, some Tylenol, and a note. The note read: Take these with a snack and drink up. I'll be back shortly with some real breakfast to help with that hangover.

She was right, I was pretty hungover. My head and my stomach hurt. I took the pills and ate the granola bar. Of course she would think about how taking meds on an empty stomach would just make my stomach hurt worse. I love this girl. Wait... that's weird. I've never nonchalantly thought to myself that I love someone. I recognize that I love Elliot and Jenny, but I don't randomly say I love them in my head. I guess we really are becoming great friends, maybe even closer than I am with Elliot. I can't say I ever cuddled him in my sleep before.

Before I could process these thoughts any further Shelby walked through the door with breakfast from the diner down the street. We decided to eat our breakfast in bed. After we were done I asked Shelby to move the TV from the living room into her room so we could watch in bed. I wasn't really in the mood to get out of bed.

She put on a romantic comedy and made a jab at me about my feelings towards love. I lightly punched her then laughed. 

"You know, a romantic comedy actually sounds pretty good right now," I admitted. Then I laid my head on her shoulder and we continued to watch the movie.