Roommate Wanted

Chapter 14

4 days later

Shelby's Point of View

It had been a few days since Karlie and I kissed. I still haven't seen her, but I know she has been to the apartment. I noticed some of the stuff in the kitchen had moved and that her door which was open when I returned from the hotel was now closed. I checked in her room, but she was never in there. She must have come home and grabbed different things while I was at work. I gave up trying to text her, at this point is was obvious that she was avoiding me. 

When I got home from work, I warmed up some leftovers and sat on the couch to watch TV. The apartment has been lonely, so I've been binge watching a series on Netflix to keep me company and keep my mind off Karlie. About halfway through the episode I started, the door opened and Karlie walked in. I didn't know what to do so I sat on the couch waiting for her to take the lead.

"Hey can we talk for a minute?" Karlie asked.

"Of course." I responded.

"So, I realized recently that I am gay." Karlie said. 

Oh my god, I can't believe this is happening. Karlie is actually gay, this is the perfect time for me to come out to her. 

"Karlie, thank you for sharing that with me. I actually have something to admit as well..." I started saying but was then cut off by a knock at the door.

Karlie answered the door and returned with a bouquet of roses. 

"It's from Charlie..." She said. She looked disappointed.

"I can explain - " I started to say but she cut me off.

"Um, back to what I was saying. I realized that I am gay, and I actually have a date tomorrow night. So I just wanted to let you know, incase it goes well and we end up back here. I don't know the whole roommate code, and wanted to give you fair warning."

"Oh." I said. I didn't know what to say. I was fully expecting her to admit her feelings to me, I didn't expect her to have a date. 

I excused myself and went to my room and started to cry. Karlie actually likes women, but just doesn't like me. I thought about the roses that Charlie got me. Maybe, this was all a sign I was meant to be with Charlie. Maybe I can just go back to my old life, before I met Karlie. I pulled out my phone and texted Charlie.

Hey, I thought about it. I'd love to get dinner with you. How does tomorrow night sound?

She texted back 10 minutes later.

Can't do tomorrow, I have a work event. How about the day after tomorrow?

I was really hoping she would be available tomorrow so I had a distraction while Karlie was out on her date, but oh well. I at least have something to look forward to.

That works. Just let me know when and where.

The Next Day

Today dragged on, I dreaded going home and potentially having to see Karlie bring her date back home. I wonder who this woman even was and how Karlie found a date so quickly? Or maybe she knew she was gay before we kissed? I wonder how her realizing she was gay fell into this entire timeline. I noticed she wasn't happy when Annie was hitting on me during the bachelorette party, I assumed it was because she was trying to protect me, but maybe it was because she liked Annie. That has to be it and that has to be who she is going out with tonight. I still don't understand why she kissed me though, or did I kiss her... this was getting complicated.

When I got home from work I saw Karlie getting dressed for her date. She looked really good and was taking her time getting ready. I noticed she seemed a bit nervous, so I walked over to her room to wish her luck. It sucks not being the one she is going on the date with, but maybe we can still be friends.

"Hey you are looking good, your date is one lucky girl." I said.

"Thanks." She smiled. "So, how are things with Charlie?"

I was caught of guard by this question. I forgot we never addressed the roses last night. 

"Oh, I'm not sure yet. We are getting dinner tomorrow night, so I guess we will see." I responded.

"Well hope everything goes well." She said, but she didn't seem overly sincere about it.

I didn't quite understand why she was still being standoffish. I was trying to be supportive of her date, but she didn't seem to reciprocate the same support of mine. 

About 3 hours later I heard Karlie and Annie return, they went straight to Karlie's room, but I heard someone go to the bathroom. There was a 50/50 shot it was Annie and not Karlie, so I snuck out to the kitchen to pretend to grab a snack to see if it really was Annie who she went out with tonight. I heard the woman open the bathroom door, but I was not prepared to see who was on the other side.