Differences Make Us Beautiful

Once a Roomie, Always a Roomie

The outdoors could be so peaceful at times. Stepping out into the sunshine, taking a deep breath, the flowers around him filling the air with a sweet, floral scent. He couldn't ask for anything better for a job. Working at a small nature reserve, they had a little greenhouse where they kept all their plants.

Rami met all types of people as they came along looking for that perfect accent to their lovely homes. The goat would show them around, guide them to what he felt would be the best pick for their specific needs. He could help people, be outside, everything seemed perfect. Though, one thing he didn't take into account was the summer season.

Rami finished placing the bags of compost outside. The sun was bright and ruthless. Going back inside, he grabbed a bottle of water from the staff refrigerator and took a few gulps of it. He had been working at Nature's Beauty Plant Reserve for a few months now. It's not as much money as he had hoped to be making with his degree, but it certainly beat working in an office all day long.

He looked at the clock and saw that his shift was about to end. He praised internally, and took off his apron. He walked up to his boss at the front counter.

"Hey, shift's about to end, is there anything you need me to do before-" he asked, but stopped when he saw her on the phone.

Rami looked at her and noticed she didn't look very happy. He took a step back to give her some space. He couldn't tell what was being said, but hearing her side of the conversation, he knew something was wrong.

Once the snow leopard finally hung up the phone, the look on her face could kill someone. She saw Rami standing there, and she just shook her head.

"Management." she began. "They came to an agreement that we aren't making enough money to keep up with their standard. So at the end of this month, they're closing down." she crossed her arms.

Rami's jaw dropped. "Wait ... so you're saying-"

"Mhm ... we're pretty much out a job. I'm sorry, Rami. I wish there was something I could do."

The two stood there in silence for a bit. They finally closed the front and decided to call it a day. It's not like there's anything to lose. So what if they get fired? The place is closing down anyway.

Rami slowly walked back to the staff area and clocked out. He then made it to his car out behind the building and sat down, turning the key and blasting the AC. He pulled out his phone and saw he had a message from Reid.

Dude, call me when you get off. I got something I need to talk to you about.

Rami didn't waste any time. He hit Reid's contact and called him. The phone range only twice before the deer picked up.

"Heyooo" came the deer's voice.

"Hey. I got your message." Rami said.

"Oh yeah. So I was doing some searching, and I think I found a place that looks prettyyyyyyy good if you ask me."

"Oh really? That's some good news. I know you've been looking for a while."

Reid chuckled. "Oh you know it. This house is almost perfect."

"Almost?" Rami asked, confused.

"Well, the rent is affordable for me. Everything lines up pretty well, to be honest. The thing is, it's a bit big for me.

"You mean like, you don't have enough furniture to fill it? I'm sure a little extra space wouldn't hurt-"

"No no no." Reid giggled lightly. "I mean, this house has two bedrooms."

"Okayyyyy ...." The goat sounded skeptical.

"So, I was wondering. Would you like to live with me?"

"Um..."

There it was. Rami had a feeling that deer was up to something. They lived in perfect harmony back in college. They made great room mates. Rami though, he wasn't really planning to move away just yet. He was saving up to try and gain a bit of stability before making that jump. Plus, with him pretty much out of a job, he's in no place to move in somewhere.

Reid spoke again. "Look, I know it's a big decision, but I actually found this a couple days ago. I ran the numbers, did the math, all that. If we put our salaries together, we'll be golden. We could pay rent, utilities, internet, groceries, AND have some leftover spending money."

"Reid... they're closing the reserve." Rami stated

"Wait, what?" the deer asked.

"Not making enough money. They're closing at the end of the month. I have some extra cash saved up, but I'm in no place to move somewhere. I'd love to, but like ... I'd be no use. I'd feel like such a freeloader, you know? I just don't know what I'm gonna do now" Rami was feeling hopeless.

"Dude, just chill, ok? Take a deep breath for me." Rami does so, and Reid continued. "Like I said, the rent itself is enough for me to live fine by myself. So if I have to hold down rent for a while, then so be it. I don't wanna live in that big house alone. It's a good house, and I can't let this pass me up. You're my friend, Rami. If you are willing to put up with my shit, then I will gladly take you in and then you can look for a new job. I mean it, man. Just ... think about it, ok?"

Rami thought back to their time in college together. They had some fun times living together, and the thought of being able to go back to that, makes him happy. This is a decision for sure, but it doesn't take long for Rami to come up with his answer.

"When can we see it?" Rami finally said.

"I can call the landlord and schedule a tour this weekend. Does that work for you?"

"Sounds good." Rami stated.

"Oh great!" Reid chuckled. "I'll go make that call. I'll let you know when it'll be. Talk to you soon, man." a long pause. Surprisingly, nobody hangs up. Reid spoke again. "Thank you."

* * * * *

It's been a couple weeks since the reserve closed down. Rami had been placing applications to anything and everything relating to his degree in Botanical Science. A couple part-time jobs, a couple internships, a few jobs that could potentially have him making a lot of money.

He sat on the couch in his and Reid's shared home. There were still some boxes laying around as they gradually move themselves in. He looked at his laptop and opened his e-mail. Denied. Denied. Denied. All these places wanting ten to twenty years of experience for a job best-suited for someone right out of college. He was getting really frustrated.

As he was about to close his laptop, his phone rang. He didn't recognize the number, but he picked up the phone anyway.

"Hello?" he said.

"Hello, sir, is this Rami DaGoata?" came the unusual voice.

"Uhh, yes it is. How can I help you?"

"Wonderful! My name is Johnathan, I work at a research lab here in town, and I noticed your application. I was looking at your resume and saw you are a recent graduate of Mammal University."

"Yes sir. With a degree in Botanical Science." Rami sat up straight.

"Perfect. You see, we are in need of some help on one of our research teams, and we would like to offer you the position." the voice said.

Rami almost dropped his phone. This could finally be his chance.