Raine and her Storm

potential

Early morning travel to work and then after work apartment hunting was becoming the norm for me lately. I mean, who needs a social life, right? My alarm would blare to life at the ungodly hour of 6:00 AM, and I'd hit the snooze button a few times before finally dragging myself out of bed. The morning routine was a blur - brush teeth, wash face, grab a quick bite, and I was out the door.

The commute to work was always a challenge. The train would be packed with sleepy-eyed zombies, all of us jostling for a spot to stand or, if we were lucky, a seat. I'd plug in my earbuds and zone out to some tunes, trying to wake myself up. The coffee I'd grab at the station would be my savior, giving me the much-needed caffeine boost to tackle the day ahead.

Work was...well, work. Meetings, emails, reports - the usual drudgery. I'd try to stay focused, but my mind would often wander to the real estate websites I'd been browsing during my lunch break. I was on a mission to find the perfect apartment, and I was determined to make it happen.

As soon as the clock struck 5:00 PM, I'd be out the door, rushing to meet my real estate agent, Rachel. We'd scheduled viewing after viewing, and I was starting to lose hope. Either the places were too small, too expensive, or just plain ugly. I was beginning to think that I'd never find the one.

But Rachel was optimistic, and her enthusiasm was infectious. She'd show me a apartment with a "great natural light" or a "fantastic view of the city," and I'd try to see it through her eyes. I'd imagine myself cooking in the kitchen, working from the desk, or lounging on the couch. But then reality would set in, and I'd notice the creaky floorboards, the outdated fixtures, or the weird smell in the bathroom.

One evening, as I was sipping my tea on Anastasia's couch, Rachel texted me. "I have a new listing that just came up," she wrote. "It's a bit of a fixer-upper, but it has potential." I stared at the messages on my phone with a raised eyebrow wondering how much of a dumb this would be.

"A fixer-upper?" I replied almost immediately
I thought about it for a moment. Was I ready to take on a renovation project? Did I have the time, the energy, and the patience to deal with contractors, permits, and unexpected expenses? But then I thought about the possibilities. I could make the place my own, tailor it to my needs and tastes. It could be a labor of love, a project that would give me a sense of accomplishment and pride.

I looked at my life, and reluctantly thought of my current situation "Let's do it," I said, already imagining the possibilities. And with that, I drank the rest of my tea thinking about the adventure that lay ahead.

The next morning, I met Rachel at the apartment, and my heart skipped a beat as I walked in. It was love at first sight - the high ceilings, the large windows, the original hardwood floors. Yes, it needed work, but I could see the potential. I could envision the kitchen with new cabinets and appliances, the bathroom with a sleek new shower, and the living room with a cozy reading nook.

I turned to Rachel, a huge grin spreading across my face. "This is it," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "This is the one." And with that, I knew that the early morning travel to work, the long hours of apartment hunting, and the endless cups of coffee had all been worth it. I had found my home, and I was ready to make it my own.

My next step was to let Anastasia know that I finally after a long week of sleeping on her very comfortable couch had found my own place. Nothing though would be as comfortable as that strange bed I found myself in the previous Saturday.

I still remember the look on Anastasia's face when I broke the news to her. We were sipping coffee at our favorite café, chatting about our mundane lives, when I casually dropped the bombshell. "Hey, by the way, I got my own apartment," I said, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible. Anastasia's eyes widened, and she almost spit out her coffee. "What?! When did this happen?" she asked, her voice laced with excitement and curiosity.

I smiled, feeling a sense of pride and independence wash over me. "Yesterday," I replied, "I signed the lease and got the keys. It's a small studio, but it's perfect for me." Anastasia squealed and jumped up from her seat, almost knocking over her coffee cup in the process. "This is amazing! Congratulations! We have to celebrate!"

We spent the rest of the afternoon reminiscing about our college days, when we would dream about moving out of our parents' houses and starting our own lives. We would fantasize about my future apartment, decorating it with fancy furniture and hosting epic parties. Now, that fantasy had become a reality for me, and Anastasia was thrilled to be a part of it.

As we walked out of the café, Anastasia asked me to take her to my new place. I hesitated for a moment, feeling a bit self-conscious about the state of my apartment. I had barely moved in, and there were boxes and clutter everywhere. But Anastasia wouldn't take no for an answer. "Come on, I want to see your new digs!" she insisted, pulling me towards the car.

When we arrived at my apartment, Anastasia's eyes scanned the space, taking in the mess and the chaos. But instead of being appalled, she looked excited and energized. "This is going to be so much fun!" she exclaimed, "We can unpack and decorate. It'll be like a slumber party, but better!"

We spent the rest of the evening unpacking boxes, putting away dishes, and arranging my furniture that I bought when Carter and I still lived together. Anastasia even brought over some of her own decorations, including a funky rug and a few pieces of artwork. As we worked, we chatted and laughed, creating memories that would last a lifetime.

As the night drew to a close, Anastasia turned to me with a serious expression. "I'm so proud of you," she said, her voice filled with emotion. "You're taking a huge step towards independence, and I know it's not easy. But you're doing it, and you're doing it with style."

I felt a lump form in my throat as I looked at my best friend, who had been with me through thick and thin. I knew that I couldn't have done it without her, and I was grateful for her unwavering support. "Thanks, Ana," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "This means the world to me."

As we hugged each other tightly, I knew that this was just the beginning of a new chapter in my life. I was excited to see what the future held, and I was grateful to have Anastasia by my side every step of the way.

After Anastasia left I sat in my new apartment looking at the my new home and all the possibilities I will have. My trance was broken by the sound of my phone pinging from beside me. Why does it always interrupt me when I am thinking.

"I heard you got your own place, will you answer me know hunny so we can fix your attitude"

What a asshole.

AN

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