A New Way of Living

Chapter Five

Author's Note: I do not own West Side Story or any elements of it.

It was raining. Hard.

Vivienne stood outside the entrance to the college and held her hand out from under the safety the grand doorway. The raindrops pelted the skin on her hand and it stung. She huffed and wrapped her coat around her tighter. And least she'd had the foresight to wear her trench coat that day. But not quite the foresight to bring an umbrella.

Taking in a breath, she made the decision to move. She she stepped into the rain, she gasped. It was cold, and it hurt, but something about it almost made her wake up after a long day of classes.

She ran into the subway station, gripping onto the handrail so tightly that her knuckles turned white for fear of falling over.

Just catching the rain, she stood and held onto the pole and felt herself move with the jerking of the tracks.

When she reached her stop, she all but ran to her apartment building. She grabbed an already wet newspaper that lay in a pile against a garbage can and held it above her head to lessen the storm against her face. When she reached her door, she sighed with relief and took out her keys, yearning for the hot shower and blanket that awaited her.

She shoved her key into the lock, but frowned when it wouldn't turn. Trying again, she pushed herself against the door to try and force whatever was keeping it shut apart. Still nothing.

She stood back, perplexed, until she heard one of the doors on the lower level open.

"Miss Vivienne!" a loud, hoarse voice called. She recognised the voice of her landlord instantly and felt her stomach sink.

Quickly, she jogged back down the stairs. The dampness of her clothes felt clammy and cold against her skin. When she reached the bottom, she came face to face with the small stout man that ran the building.

"My door is stuck," she said, her voice shaking in frustration. "Can you let me in?"

"I locked it," he replied, folding his fat arms across his chest. "You don't pay no rent this month."

"Huh?" She tried not to sound horrified. "But I told you, I'm getting the money through soon. Probably tomorrow."

"You always pay rent late," he snapped. "No more. No rent, no room."

"You locked me out?" she asked in disbelief. "But where am I supposed to go?"

"Not here."

Vivienne felt her hands shaking. She was getting angry now.

"Look, I told you, I'll have get it to you tomorrow. Just cut me some slack tonight, please? It's raining and cold."

"I told you last month and the month before. If you don't pay rent on time, I would lock you out. Now, here we are."

"You can't do this!" she exclaimed, her voice shaking. "Just for tonight! Come on, look outside! I've got nowhere else to go!"

He glared at her, unfolding his arms to walk over to the front door and hold it open.

"Out," he declared. "You come back when you have rent."

Vivienne stammered, the words lost in her mouth. After a moment, the landlord walked around behind her and guided her out of the door. She could have sworn he all but pushed her back outside and into the rain.

"Wait!" she cried, running towards the door.

He slammed it in her face, pointing his finger at her through the glass.

"Rent," he said once more for good measure before he walked away.

She heard his front door slam. Overwhelmed with rage, she pounded her fist against the front door.