venture • lrh

seven

A NEW PLACE, A NEW HOME

*

After all that happened that evening, Alex decided she didn't want to discuss it. Yes, Luke and Michael had been there, and they'd saved her. But she wasn't just ready enough for them to know. She would've told Michael the story years ago if she were prepared to say it to them. She never even had the guts to do so in the first place.  

The thing is, she has to be vague about the whole situation. Just because she can't bare to talk about it with anyone else. Yet, knowing Frank isn't in jail anymore means that he will come to find her. He knows her address, and she'd bet he still has the keys somewhere. 

The man never gives up. If he wants something, he'll get it. No matter how many rules, laws, or bones will break. 

"Al, it's bothering you," Michael says softly, raking his hand through her hair. "I get it if you're not ready to talk, but I can tell there's nothing else on your mind right now. Just know that I'm here if you're willing to talk." He whispers the words so carefully, almost as if he is afraid his voice will crack. 

"I need to get out of the house," she tells him. He sits up, and a tiny smile appears on his face. "What have you done?" She asks him, confused about his sudden happy behavior. He never smiles like that; if he does, he does something. God may know whether it's good or bad. 

"I may or may not have found you an apartment, and the rent is fully taken care of," she frowns at his words. That can't possibly be right. 

"What's the catch?" She asks him. "I feel like you're trolling me. Are you trolling me? You are. Why the fuck would you look for a place for me?" Confusion is growing bigger and bigger as his smile grows.

"Your roommate will be Ash," he tells his best friend. "Let me just explain everything." He says she nods at his words. 

And so the story starts with how he's been looking for apartments for her. Maybe it's a bit of a pity vote, but he also knows how badly she wants to leave the place she lives in now. To give herself a new start after it all. Eventually, she would be living somewhere else, but right now, she needs to leave and move in fast. As Michael explains the end of the story, a slight smile appears on his face again. His eyes are sparkling. 

"He's more than happy if you're his roommate. I know you guys aren't quite friends, but I think you should take this opportunity." He pauses for a moment to breathe. "You can discuss the money matter with him and see if you feel comfortable at that place." 

"Mike, I'm fired." She spills, looking at her feet. She can hear him frown from the words that have left her mouth. He doesn't have the right words to say. Otherwise, he would've stated something by now. He was the one that got her that job, and he would do anything to find her a new job. Don't get me wrong, he's the best friend she could ever ask for, but there are some things she needs to manage on her own, such as finding a new job. 

If she can't even do that, what is independence? 

*

"So, this is the place," Ashton tells her after showing her the entire apartment. This is way bigger than she'd expected it to be. Ashton's eyes light up with excitement. "What do you say, Alex? Wanna be my long lost roommate?" He asks her. Alexis cringes about the sentence; he just said that. 

"Under two conditions," he nods as a sign so she can proceed with her proposal. "Michael can come over any time, no matter what girl you bring over."