Roommate Wanted

Chapter 17

Karlie's Point of View

I wake up to the buzzing and beeping of my alarm, but my body refuses to move. I turn off my alarm and open my text messages. Dang it. It wasn't just a dream. I not only came out to my roommate who I have feelings for, but then decided to go on a date with the first person I could find. I'm not looking forward to tonight, but its too late to back out now. 

I text Cece and tell her to meet me at the new fancy Italian restaurant next to the hospital tonight at 7 PM. If I am going to do this, I might as well get a good meal out of it. I feel kind of bad, using Cece like this. She kind of strikes me as the player type though, so maybe she won't care about a one night stand.

I go on with my day and go to work. All day it felt like I was just going through the motions. All I could think about was my conversation with Shelby last night and how humiliated I felt when the flowers arrived from Charlie. How could I let myself believe that I misheard that conversation a few days before? I must have been blinded by hopeful wishing and lust. But this isn't really lust, I care about Shelby, more than anything. Even more than myself. Maybe I am just selfish for wanting her to be with me, when her true soulmate is Charlie?

The rest of the day drags on and finally it is time to go home. Once I get home I hop in the shower and try to calm myself down a bit before I go out with Cece. Maybe this will actually be a good thing for me, maybe now that I know I am gay I can meet someone I truly care about in a romantic way. 

I started getting dressed and I heard Shelby walk through the door. I was hoping to be out of the apartment before she got home. She walked over to my room and stood in my doorway

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

"Thanks." I replied. I really wanted things to not be weird between us, so I said the first thing that came to mind. "So, how are things with Charlie?"

As soon as it slipped out of my mouth I regretted it. I care about her and want her to be happy, even if it is with him, but I am not sure if I am ready yet to hear about her and Charlie.

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

"Well hope everything goes well." I said as convincingly as possible. 

About 45 minutes later I arrived at the restaurant and saw Cece already sitting at a table. When I came over she stood up and pulled out my chair. 

"Hello beautiful," She greeted. "If I am being honest, I never in a million years thought I would be lucky enough to be on a date with you."

"You know if I am being honest you didn't quite strike me as the type of person to show up early to a date and pull out a girl's chair for her, no offense." I responded

"Ah it's ok. I know I come off a bit cold and serious at work, but I have a sweet side too." She replied with a wink. "I also have a bit of a not so sweet side, if you know what I mean"

I have to admit, I was a bit shocked by this entire exchange. Our first time making out, I thought she came on strong and was just full of herself. But she seemed different this time, more sincere and less desperate and sloppy. I liked her humility and her confidence. Maybe this date wasn't a mistake.

We ordered our meals and talked about anything and everything. She told me about how she had dated various women at the hospital and there were certain wings she had to avoid in order to not run into her exes. I told her about how I recently figured out I might be gay. We continued to talk about our lives and experiences and before I knew it, a few hours had passed. I couldn't believe it, but I actually didn't think about Shelby the entire time. That is until I realized I had to go home to her. 

"Hey, do you want to come back to my place?" I asked.

"Hm, I need to think about that" She said jokingly. "Of course I do!"

We went back to my place. I wasn't really sure what to do, since I had never really been with a woman before. 

"You ok?" Cece asked.

"Yeah, I'm good. I just don't really bring people home ever. Especially women." I admited.

"Well how about this, you find a good movie to watch on Netflix and we can just cuddle while we watch it." Cece offered. "Pick something good, I'm going to go to the bathroom really quick."

I started scrolling through the movies. Again Cece surprised me, I thought she would be all over me, but offering to cuddle was really sweet. I haven't really cuddled with anyone besides Shelby. 

Then right as I thought of Shelby, I heard her scream "What the hell are you doing here?"

I jumped up and went out to the main living area to see what was going on.

"I didn't know that you two lived together..." Cece responded.

"Wait, you two know each other?" I asked confused.

"Of course we know each other, this is Charlie!" Shelby yelled.

"Woah, wait what? Charlie is a girl? And hold up, you told me your name was Cece...." I responded.

"Charlie is short for Charlotte." Shelby explained.

"And I do go by C.C. at work, but it's my initial's. My name is Charlie Cook, but there was already another Charlie at work, so everyone calls me C.C." Charlie explained.

"Why did you call me and say you wanted to get back together and then go on a date with my roommate? Wait this is why you weren't available for dinner tonight?!" Shelby screamed

"Wait, Shelby, please give me a chance to explain!" Charlie pleaded.

"Ok, fine, how could you possible explain this?" Shelby asked.

I was still trying to catch up and process everything going on in front of me. Then Charlie told her point of view.