Learning to Cope

Chapter 3

Andrew:

"Holy shit, this is an apartment?" August exclaims, carrying a large box in his arms. This is his first time in my apartment and he's moving in today. "Damn! the ceilings are so tall." He whispers to himself. I chuckle "Let me show you your room."

We've been together for a few days and it still feels unreal. We haven't done much more than kissing or occasionally falling asleep on the couch together. August is very nervous about pushing my boundaries and making me uncomfortable, but I don't know how to tell him that I want him to rail me.

We enter the room, it's been completely empty for months, I had another roommate who lived here but they moved out. there is a bathroom attached just like my room. "you've got a whole bathroom to yourself." I smile. he sets the box down. "Are you sure you're okay with this?" he asks. I kiss him and smile. "It's okay, you can stay as long as you need." I want him to stay forever but I know he would feel too bad about it.

We finish moving all of the boxes into his room. He doesn't have any furniture of his own because his previous place provided the furniture. He doesn't even have a mattress of his own. "We should go get you some furniture," I state. "It's fine, I can sleep on the floor for a while." "you're not sleeping on the floor." I give him an; are you kidding me look. "It's good for my back, I'll be fine." He smiles. "you've done enough for me." He grabs my waist and kisses me softly.

"I'm gonna let my cat out." I announce. I kept him in my room till we finished moving boxes so he wouldn't escape. August has seen pictures of my cat but they haven't met yet. "Sounds good, can't wait to meet him." He smiles and starts putting his clothes in the closet. When I let her out she bolts into August's room. "Oh, hello!" His voice sounds like he's talking to a baby. I walk in and she's rubbing all over him, he's grinning ear to ear. "what's her name again?" he asks, reaching down to pet her. "Depends on the day, Her name is Muffin but it's evolved into Dick biscuit when I'm angry and baby MuMu when she's being sweet." I sit on the floor next to them. "Dick biscuit?" August laughs. "she has like, a million names, I'm sure you'll come up with a few of your own."

Muffin climbs into his lap and curls up. "She's a sweetheart." He smiles. "Usually she hates the people I bring home, you're the lucky one I guess." I giggle. "I really am lucky, huh?" He looks at me and winks.

We're eating dinner together when the front door opens, it must be Jasmine. I texted her to let her know August was moving in but I haven't had the chance to talk to her in person. She sent me a thumbs up though, so I think we're okay. "Hey, Jazz!" I shout "Hey Dewey!" She shouts back from the hall by the door. We're about as close as roommates who hardly see each other can be. She was looking for a place a while back and I needed someone to feed my cat while I was at class and volunteering. She pays her half of the rent but she doesn't know that my parents pay for this place.

"Oh? is this the guy you told me about?" she walks into the living room. "Hi, My name is Jasmine. You can call me Jazz if you want." She's tall and her hair is in braids down to her waist. She could easily be a model if she wanted. " Hey, I'm August." He reaches out and shakes her hand. "You're a cutie!" She squeals. "Did you make dinner? I'm starving." I nod with my mouth full.