Don't Fall in Love with the Flirt

Chapter 6: The Flirt, The Rebel, and The Nerd

"Did I walk into an alternate universe or something?"

Jasmine turned momentarily to see one of her housemates, Laurel, enter the kitchen. 

It was 7:30 in the morning and Laurel was still wearing her nightshirt, looking groggy like she just rolled out of bed.

"What are you talking about?" Jasmine asked as she flipped one more pancake to add to her growing stack on the counter.

"You're up and about so early," Laurel said suspiciously as she sat down at the kitchen table. "It's not even 8 am on a Saturday. Plus, you never make breakfast."

Before Jasmine could answer, her other housemate, Iris, called out. "Do I smell pancakes?"

Unlike Laurel, Iris was already showered after her early morning run. "Ohhh, with chocolate chips! What's the occasion?"

Jasmine was in a good mood. After a few drinks last night, she thought she would feel terrible this morning. But she woke up refreshed and excited for the day ahead.

She got up earlier than usual and decided to cook pancakes for her two housemates, Laurel Donnelley and Iris Martin.

The trio had been living together for almost three years now and Jasmine was grateful for having them in her life. With Laurel and Iris around, Jasmine had never felt alone even if she was going through tough times.

But not a lot of people would think their living situation would work because the three of them couldn't be any more different if they tried. In looks and personality, they were all complete opposites.

Jasmine had long lustrous black hair, hazel eyes, olive skin, and an hourglass figure.

Laurel had classic blonde features, with straight platinum hair, glittering blue eyes, a glowing tan, and a lean, supermodel frame.

And Iris had light brown hair styled in a chin-length bob, fair skin, and a petite, athletic build.

Laurel was Jasmine's college roommate. She majored in Art History and everyone expected her to take over her uber-rich family's posh art galleries and corporate empire after graduation. That didn't happen though because she chose to work as a tattoo artist instead.

At first, Jasmine didn't think that she would click with Laurel. Jasmine was naturally good-natured and easy-going. Her lack of friends as a kid turned her into a people pleaser who would always go the extra mile to make people like her.

Laurel, on the other hand, was more guarded and cynical. She was straightforward and very confident - bordering on tactless sometimes. But the upside of that? She was one of the very few people who were not insecure nor intimidated by Jasmine's looks and popularity with college guys.

Laurel was also the one who taught Jasmine to care less about what other people think and to just be herself. That it was okay if not everyone liked you. With Laurel, Jasmine could relax knowing she got her back.

When Jasmine was looking for housemates to live with her after college, it was a no-brainer for Laurel to move in.

A few months later, Laurel learned that her childhood friend Iris moved to the same city. Laurel invited her to take the 3rd room in Jasmine's 4-bedroom house.

Unlike Laurel, Iris was the introvert of the group. Iris completed a double degree in computer science and mathematics from a hotshot university and was immediately hired by a video game animation company.

With Iris having a high-paying job and Laurel having loads of old-rich family money, Jasmine knew that they could very well afford their own apartments. Or perhaps they could even afford to buy out her house in a snap. But the three of them living together just worked for some reason.