𝐆𝐎𝐋𝐃𝐄𝐍 - 𝐐. 𝐇𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐄𝐒

𝐎𝐍𝐄

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QUINN
November 28th, 2023

"DUDE, since Teddy got traded, I need a new roommate." I complain.

"Why don't you just buy your own place?" Brock suggests, untying his skates.

"I don't need that much space, and Jack and I just bought the lake house." I tell him, "I'm not staying where Teddy and I were, though. I'm finding somewhere nicer."

"I'm sure you'll find someone."

˖ ݁𖥔 ݁˖｡･:*˚:✧｡˖ ݁𖥔 ݁˖

SIENNA

I'd decided that the best way to tell Brock was in person, so I invited him over for dinner. I cooked up some shrimp alfredo, his favourite, and just as I was finishing up he walked through the door.

"Hey, what's up with the last minute invite?" He asks as he takes off his shoes.

"I just have something to talk to you about, that's all." I say nervously, carefully setting the table for the two of us.

He takes a seat, showing no concern about what I need to talk with him about. Of course he isn't worried, you haven't told him yet.

I open a bottle of wine, and pour both of us a glass. I invite him to dish up, mentally avoiding bringing up the reason I'd asked him to come tonight.

"So, is something wrong? What's up?" He asks casually, blowing on a shrimp before shoving it into his mouth.

"Um- Brock, there no easy way to say this." I take a deep breath before continuing, "I can't afford to stay here anymore. I'm selling the house."

I watch his face drop at my words, and he sets down his fork. "What? Since when?"

"I've been thinking about it for a while now, and- I don't know how I ever imagined I'd be able to keep this place, Brock. I'm sorry." I slump in my chair slightly, waiting for him to say something back. "With school and everything, and now that I've lost my job, I just can't do it anymore."

Finally, he replies. "That's not your fault, Sienna. I understand." He swallows hard, "Where are you going to stay?"

"I-I don't know." I say flatly, eyes darting around the room nervously. "I don't have a roommate or a new place lined up or anything- I just wanted to talk to you about it first."

It almost seems like his face lights up a little when I mention it, and I squint slightly at him as an innocent smile appears on his face.

"Oh my gosh, this is perfect! I've got a friend who's looking for a roommate, too." He exclaims with a proud smile. "I'll go with you to meet him tomorrow, he's really nice."

"Oh, alright." I say, surprised. That sure worked out.

"What day is your grad?" He asks simply, switching the subject.

"It's on the second, but my last class is tomorrow morning." I respond, finishing my plate of food and taking my plate to the dishwasher.

"Oh, good. I'll make sure to be there." He smiles at me reassuringly.

Brock decided to stay in his old room that night, jumping at the opportunity when he realized this would be his last chance.

He was still asleep when I left for my class that morning, but he was awake and cooking lunch when I got home.

"Hey!" He smiles, "How was your last university class?"

"Oh, it was fine, you know." I sigh, happy to be home. "Fuck, I need a job."

"Well, you've got your degree now." He says optimistically, putting a plate with bacon and eggs in front of me. "I told my friend Quinn we'd meet up with him for coffee this afternoon, to talk about being roommates and such."

I nod, digging into the food he made. I'd have to finish packing everything up quickly, although I'm sure Brock could help with that.

Shortly after, we get into his car and drive to a local café. He says we're there early, so we each order some coffee and find a place to sit.

"Oh, there he is." He smiles, looking behind me. I turn around, and I'm met with a familiar pair of green eyes. My face drops, and I turn back to Brock.

He approaches our table, taking a seat next to my brother as they greet each other. It almost looks like he's smirking, the way his mouth is curled into a half-smile.

I decide it's best to not bring up our encounter from the other day, since Brock was trying to do something nice for me and I really did need a roommate.

"Hi, I'm Quinn." He introduces himself, "I've heard lots about you." He reaches a hand out, and I awkwardly shake it.

"Sienna." I force a smile onto my face, "Pleasure to meet you."

My iced cappuccino is delivered along with Brock's macchiato, and Quinn orders a black coffee.

"Dude, that shit's gross." Brick criticizes once the waiter has left, making a face. Quinn shrugs his comment off, unbothered.

"So, Quinn- do you have a place in mind, or are you still looking?" I ask, ready to get up and go home.

"I have a couple in mind." He says flatly, not caring to elaborate. "Here, give me your number."

He slides his phone over, and I spitefully type it in. I wouldn't even be considering this if I wasn't so desperate for a place to stay.

I try to encourage them to get things to wrap up, because now that I've met Quinn, I need to work on getting the house sold so I can actually afford to rent somewhere.

Finally, our little meeting ends. I wave a polite goodbye to both of them and head back home, finally dropping the pleasant look I'd plastered on my face for the two of them.

I collapse into my bed as soon as I'm home, grabbing my macbook and browsing local places that were hiring. After hours of searching online, I didn't find any that I thought would be a good fit for me. I slammed my laptop shut in frustration, deciding that I'd just sleep on it.

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