Roommate Roulette

Prologue

"We're going to what?" My cousin Arsinoe and I both jumped to our feet. 

"We're moving." My mother said. Arsinoe opened her mouth to protest, but my mom cut in again, "You guys know that I have to travel a lot for work, but I found a new job somewhere else and I think it's a good opportunity for me." My dad sat crossed-leg on the couch, humming in agreement to confirm what my mom said.

We were having a family meeting in our living room because my parents said it was an 'emergency situation'. I ran down the stairs with my hair dripping and pyjamas. I still had a sports bra on since it was summer and boy, summer in California is not  fun.

"So we're just... going?" I asked, my brain still wasn't comprehending.

She nodded, with a shrug. "Your father and I put an offer on a house." She reached out to clasp Arsinoe's hand, then mine. "Ara, I know you moved in with us for school, but do you think you can come along too?" She voice was almost pleading.

My father chimed in, "If you and Eve both come, you guys can transfer schools. There are some universities there that I've talked to and they're willing to bring you in. And  they have art classes, Eve. I know you'd be looking for those courses." Darn, he almost got me with that one.

"Dad," I cut in before he could say anything else. "When did you even start to plan this?"

"You know, just here and there. Your mom and I have been putting some time aside during our breaks at work to look for houses." He answered vaguely.

"We earned enough money to afford flight costs, bills and the offer we put on the house, along with dorms." Mom added. "We're going to live closer to grandma and you guys can visit her, you haven't seen her in years!" She was right, I loved Nana. 

Arsinoe seemed unsure. "Where are we moving? Do my parents agree? Are they fine with this?" Her questions came out in a rush. We were both the same age and we weren't normally in the same class since we studied different things.

"We're moving to Canada, honey." Mom's voice was smooth and comforting. "California to Canada is a big difference. Your parents are perfectly fine with it. You can think on it, okay?" Arsinoe nodded distractedly, her dark brown hair falling out of place and her hazel eyes looked distant.

Dad patted our knees twice before following Mom into the kitchen. When they were out of earshot, Arsinoe glanced at me. "Should I go?" She asked in a quiet voice.

My shoulders sagged. "I guess I have to. I don't want to leave though." It was already a month into university here.

"I won't like it if you aren't there. I only have a few friends here." She was lucky, I barely had any except for those I talked to just to check in on them.

I sighed, burying my face into my hands. "I'll go, I don't have anywhere else to stay. Do you have a friend that you could crash at their place if  you don't move with us?"

She shook her head, "It's too late to think about this right now. We're in the middle of the first seminar, Eve. We can't just... leave."

I pulled out my phone to search for something. "Look," I turned the phone to her. "There's uOttawa, Trent, yada yada."

"I have no idea what those are. Okay, Eve. Should I, or should I not go to Canada? I really need your opinion." Her hands clenched into fists, urging me to answer.

I rested my hands on top of hers, "You should do whatever you want. I can't decide for you. I think it would be pretty cool to travel somewhere else for a while, right?" I suggested, feigning enthusiasm to comfort her.

Arsinoe shrugged half-heartedly, "They're giving me no choice aren't they?"

I stayed quiet.

Moments of silence passed between us as we sat, curled on the couch with our knees tucked into our chests. Funny, how everything was just fine yesterday. We were absolutely oblivious to moving.

"I'm going." Arsinoe said. Her voice so quiet where I thought I heard wrong.

I felt a small hopeful smile grow on my face, despite the situation we were in. "You are?"

She nodded, the corners of her lips twitching too. Somehow, that made her beauty stand out. I suddenly felt unconscious of my own looks even if we were in our own home. My eyes were duller, my hair was a lighter shade, I had to keep reminding myself that we were merely cousins.

Arsinoe still had way more friends than I had. She could talk to a lot more students even if it were the beginning of the school year. I'm pretty sure she's more likeable than me. She's been invited to more parties last autumn than I have been outside for a place other than school.

"Eve?" Arsinoe asked. It occurred to me that she said something and I was too in my head to catch it.

"Uh... sorry. What did you say?" I tried to recover from my slip-up.

"We should go to sleep now. It's almost midnight." She repeated.

"Sure. I have to brush my teeth first."