And They Were Roommates

A Rough Week

*a w a k e*

Tyler's eyes popped open, as he looked up and glanced around the room slightly confused, but refreshed. For a split second he could have sworn he had heard someone's voice, but when inspecting his surroundings, all he was met with was and empty room and white noise from the machine. So he quickly brushed it off as final passing words from the dream he was having and continued to lay in bed, working up the energy to start the day. Knowing that today is the start of his job hunt was a daunting thought, but he knew he had to get going on it if he wanted to start paying his fair share for the apartment. Throwing the blanket off of him he sits up in bed and begin his morning routine. After getting dressed in a smart button up and doing some personal hygiene, he grabbed his wallet and his satchel full of resumes and headed out the door.

Tyler spent almost the whole day walking the city on the hunt of help wanted signs, only taking a break for lunch. He walked up and down different streets and popped into stores to dropping of his resume. This process continued until his stomach growled for dinner and his legs had grown tired, signaling him it was probably best to finish for the day. The walk back to the apartment felt both longer and shorter than expected as he tried to back track his way back to the building. But hope was on the horizon as he spotted the street sign the building was on and he knew it'd only be a few more minute until he could plop down and relax. Getting into the building he worked his way slowly up the stairs and into the hallway, but had a realization when he jiggled the door handle, he didn't have a set of keys, Victoria had never given it to him.

Knock knock knock He waited, but nothing.

KNOCK KNOCK he knocked again but hard, but still not answer. CRAP she must be at work, he pulled out his phone and began to open up the phone app, but then it dawned on him he'd never actually called or texted her, he didn't even have her number, he'd only contacted her on the apartments website. Defeated he sat down on the floor and leaned up against the door and began to play a little phone game on his phone to pass the time. Tyler paid no attention to the time so he had no clue how long he'd waited but after what felt like half an hour he heard a voice.

"Hey Tyler, whatcha doing out here" it was Victoria.

"I didn't have a key, so I couldn't get in. And i uh, didn't have your number so i couldn't call you, so I just sat here." He said, as she giggled to herself slightly.

"Well i hope I didn't leave you high and dry out here for too long, let me open the door for you" The door swung open and he fell back slightly, having been leaning against it, to this Victoria giggled to herself again quietly. She stepped past him on the floor as he gazed back up at her as she appeared to towering over him. Crawling back to his feet he stepped inside and carried in all his stuff. He lay back on the couch letting him self sink in as he let out a long sigh. Suddenly keys jingled in his face as he looked up and say that she had brought out a small set of keys.

"Sorry for not giving you these yesterday, now you wont get locked out. Oh and here's my number so you can call me if you need something." she said handing him the keys and a slip of paper before sitting her self on the couch next to him. "So how did it go today? Any luck?"

"I hope so but idk, there's not many great places to work around here. I was able to hand out maybe 10 resumes, so now its a waiting game if I get any call backs." She suddenly started running her hands up and down his back, which at first threw him off, but it felt really nice, really comforting. He sat there and revered in the attention for a moment before she abruptly stopped and stood up.

"How about I throw some food together and we put on a movie like last night." As much as he was a smidge bummed she stopped rubbing his back, dinner did sound really good, so he smiled and nodded while looking up at her. He couldn't describe it, but Victoria was really comfortable to be around, like all his defenses could be released when around her. They never really had that initial awkward phase when meeting new people, he felt immediately comfortable. Since she took charge socially there was very little pressure on him, because she made all the moves that would make him feel awkward doing, like being physically close or making conversation that was more than small talk. He really liked hanging out with Victoria even though he'd barely known her two days.

"Dinners ready!" He heard a shout from the kitchen. Excitedly he got up from the couch and headed to the kitchen to see Victoria standing with 2 plates of grilled chicken and some collard greens on the side. He wasn't too jazzed about the vegetables but the chicken looked mouth watering. Grabbing a seat at the table he instantly started digging straight into the chicken, only stopping for sips of water and to give quick responses to to what Victoria was chatting about. He did end up eating a bite of the greens to try and not to appear rude for not eating what she took time to make. Victoria didn't say anything about the ignored greens on the plate when she cleaned up, but she definitely noticed Tyler had barely touched it. The rest of the night passed really fast as they shared laughs and comments about the movie they were watching and before long it was nearly midnight. This night it was Tyler who had decided to call it in first.

"YAWN. I think its time I hit the hay, its getting really late, and idk how much longer I can keep my eyes open."

"That's fair, OH how did the noise machine work out last night? Did it help you sleep"

"Ya know it actually really did, I'm not sure if it was cause i was already tired, but i feel like it knocked my out like a light. I'm gonna use it again tonight and see how it goes, thanks by the way"

"Oh of course, Have a good night Ty" she said getting up and heading to her room to get ready for bed. Heading to his room, Tyler was greeted with his pastel pink, which he barely even noticed as he grabbed a pair of pjs and slid them on. Finally he flicked the switch on the side of noise machine and heard it roar to life, and lay back in his bed, letting his back relax as he sunk in. And before he knew it he quickly fell asleep.

For the rest of the week, each day read very similar to this one. Each day pulling more and more out of Tyler as he continued to pass out more resumes to businesses around town, receiving no call backs the whole time, and by the end of the week he was completely drained.

On Friday, after full day of job hunting he headed back home feeling defeated once again. He didn't know how much longer he could continue this fruitless search, but he would if its what he needed to do, but it was starting to take its tole on his brain. But getting home and being greeted by Victoria was a much needed break at the end of each day.

"Hey Ty, How'd it go today."

"Sigh. The same old. idk. I'm really trying but I don't know how much more of this I can handle while keeping my spirits up."

"Oh I'm sorry babe, here let me get you a big pour of wine as i finish dinner" That had been the first time she'd said 'babe' but it didn't really phase him, she'd been switching around the name that she calls Tyler, progressively getting more flirty in a friend way. During dinner that night Tyler had easily downed two solid pours of wine as they joked and he tried to clear his head.

 During that nights daily tv and movie watching she paused the show at a certain point, interrupting the flow of the show and looked over at Tyler looking like she had sometime important to say.

"So Tyler I had an offer in mind I've been thinking about if your interested"

To be Continued..