A House Made For Two

*whispers* He called her a bitch

Getting kicked out of your own house – well, apartment – sucked.

So what if he didn't get his pay-check on time? He was going to pay rent as soon as he got it anyway, but apparently being even one day late means 'Nope, see ya. Have a great homeless future'. So there Jack was, shuffling his feet along the burning pavement and dragging his luggage along in a way that made the loudest sound when the wheels scraped the concrete. 

He stopped to lean against the white pillar behind him and glanced at his watch. Helen should be here by now. Helen, his saviour, who had suggested to him he stay with a friend she knew. It's not like he could crash with his other friends, not while they still lived with their parents. It would be just a tad awkward with a pinch of embarrassing, considering he had no idea what it would be like to have parents. It's not like he had any.

The sound of sudden fast and heavy footsteps heading straight towards him made him flinch, although he already knew all too well, without even having to look at them, who it was. The person, instead on skidding to a halt, practically tackled him to the ground, his luggage the only thing able to break his fall, as well as his back (well, it felt like it did). Without saying a word, Helen immediately sprung up, brushing herself off, and smiled innocently at him. "Hi Jack." Jack, using his luggage – the poor luggage – to help himself up with one hand while he did his best to massage his back with the other, glared at his friend who was practically sprouting angel wings.

"As much as I appreciating you helping me, that was not called for."

"Either way, you're getting dull. Or old. You used to be able to dodge them in university."

"You don't even have the right to call me old, just look at you."

"Hey." she scoffed.

He made a hand gesture towards his luggage. "So, you say you've got a place for me to stay?"

"Aw, no catch-up? No coffee?"

"It's 5:30 in the morning and I got kicked out half an hour ago. Forgive me if I just want to sleep for the rest of my life." 

She rolled her eyes. "Fine." Helen pulled out a small sheet of paper from her jumper pocket. "Here's the directions to Leena's place-"

"Wait, what?" His mind did a retake. Leena...was a girls' name, wasn't it? Helen quickly shoved the piece of paper down his shirt and he shoved her back in retort, before trying to fish the tiny paper out. 

"Why the heck are you making me stay with a girl!?"

"Relax dipshit, she's fine. She's not looking for a relationship and neither are you so you don't need to worry about any of that icky stuff happening. Leena's pretty quiet too, and the only one who would let you stay for free."

"Are you shitting me?" 

She grinned. "Hell no. She's awesome. Her only requirement of you is that you, um," She took a quick look at her phone. "'Stay out my way and mind your own business' and 'keep a distance of at least 100m.'"

"She sounds lovely already."

"Then get going and rest a little, won't you? Last time I checked, your teacher shift starts pretty soon."

He checked his watch. Damn. "Yeah, it does. Well I guess I owe you one for not living on the streets right now."

"Damn right you do. Don't worry, I'll make you return the favour soon." Helen winked at him and he honestly flinched a little at the unruly sight. She only laughed and started heading back, waving him goodbye. After watching the sunrise, he felt a familiar twitch in his hand, the impulse to paint suddenly hitting him. He sighed and started dragging his luggage yet again, trying to decipher the sorry excuse of a 'map' his friend had given him.