AROUND NINE, WHEN I call it a night―mostly because I don't want to give in to my growling stomach, the door pounds. I don't think of it. This happens often: people pounding on doors. I'd like to think it's the little kids who roam around these hallways.
Stupid kids. Because the first time they pounded the door―several times, mind you―I almost got a heart attack.
So maybe there is a downside to being alone.
But that was before I got Chip, so, in a way, I feel more secure with him just sprawled on the couch. But when the door pounds again, Chip starts barking, which alarms me.
"Oh my god," I grumble after I regain my consciousness. "What the fuck, Chip?" I look at Chip with disdain.
"Aarya?" the person outside the room asks.
"What the fuck..."
"It's me. Quinn."
I sigh. There's no hope to even go invisible because Chip just blew my cover. And how the fuck does this guy even know where I live.
"Hey," he says nonchalantly once I open the door.
"Uh―"
"Oh, shit, you have a dog?!" Quinn bends down to pet Chip who suddenly races towards him. Stupid dog. "Sorry. I should probably tell you why I came." He gets up from the ground, still petting Chip.
Goddamn. Why the fuck did I even let him in? Or better yet why do I have a part of me that wants me to open the door?
"Yeah," I draw out. He looks at me keenly.
"Sorry. I'm pretty sure I interrupted you in something." I nod my head. "Were you planning on going out?"
"No," I spit out venomously. He gives me a blank look. "You know, not everyone spends their night going out."
"I know, I know. I was just suggesting because I thought you had plans." I shake my head. "What? I really thought you did."
"No, I believe you―well―w-what're you doing here?" I rethink that comment as rude, but then I justify it with Quinn's behavior.
"Yeah, well, I got locked out of my room and it's kind've sketchy staying out in the hallway."
I don't buy that. "Wait. You moved in?"
"Yeah. These apartments are way bigger than the other ones I saw."
"And you got locked out of it," I snicker and he notices and smiles.
"Yeah. First day and I got locked out."
"First day?" I remark. "Wow."
"I know," he says and then he looks at Chip. "I'm planning on getting a pet too. God, I'm so glad that they allow pets here."
"Right," I agree.
"I take it you like dogs." He reaches to pet Chip―again―and I nod my head.
"Yeah."
"Me too. But it's weird." He pauses and I can tell it's on purpose because he looks at me for any sign of emotion, which I unfortunately have.
"How?" I ask.
"My family. I mean, we've always had a cat, so it's kind of confusing that I like dogs."
"Maybe you've outgrown it or maybe you've just realized how bad cats are." I hesitate on the last part with the rudeness and all, but then I'm like fuck it.
Quinn laughs. "Yeah, that's probably true." He turns to the kitchen. "So did you have dinner yet?"
"I'm not hungry," I tell him and he scrunches his eyebrows―weirdo.
His phone rings suddenly and he skims the text. "They unlocked my door. Thanks for letting me in and, uh, have a good night."
This feeling of being alone washes over me. Suddenly, I want him to be here. Even though I won't open up to him or anything like that, his presence still matters.
But he's already out the door.
