𝐆𝐎𝐋𝐃𝐄𝐍 - 𝐐. 𝐇𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐄𝐒

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QUINN
December 2nd, 2023

EVERYTHING from my old apartment is packed up into boxes and ready to be taken to the penthouse. I'd been calling Sienna, but she never picked up her phone. After our awkward interactions yesterday, I left feeling really guilty. I didn't realize our little run-in had made her lose her job, and I felt like a dick for acting like she was just being dramatic.

We were supposed to be moving in right away, and I wanted to know if Sienna was good to go or not. I texted her and asked her to call me back when she had the time, since she was clearly busy now, and I sat and patiently waited.

I glanced at my piles of full boxes that were just sitting and taking up space when they should've been in the penthouse by now. I decide I'll call Brock, and see if he can help me.

It rings over and over, and I'm sent to voicemail. I dial his number again impatiently, and I listen to the rings until he finally picks up.

"What, Quinn?" He says in a hushed voice. He didn't seem as cheerful as usual, and the seriousness in his voice made me think now wasn't a great time.

"Uh- what's Sienna doing? She won't pick up my calls, I'm trying to start moving in." I say, trying not to piss him off.

"She's currently graduating and getting her degree, so I'd say she's a bit busy. I'm at the ceremony, I'll get her to call you back, alright?" His words come out quickly and simply before we exchange goodbyes and he hangs up the phone. Well, great, I interrupted her graduation.

I realized I really didn't know Sienna that well. I didn't even know what she had been studying in university, and she was going to be living with me for who knows how long. Who knows, she could be a serial killer.

My phone rings, and I pick it up thinking it's Sienna getting back to me. "Hello?" I say, waiting to her her voice on the other line.

"Hey, Quinn." A male voice sounds, "We've had an issue with the penthouse. I know we told you it'd come furnished, but that can't happen anymore. It'll have the basics, but not much else. If you're still interested, the compensation for it would be not having to pay rent the first couple months. What do you think?"

I let the thought dwell in my mind for a moment before I answer, and I knew I should consult Sienna about it too, but after growing impatient all day, I decide I'll make this decision on my own.

"Yeah, that's fine." I tell him, thanking him for the update and hanging up the phone. I dig my laptop out of my messy packing and decide I'll shop for some furniture while I'm waiting.

I've barely started typing when my phone rings again, and I pick up right away. The female voice Id been expecting speaks, "Quinn?" She says.

"Hey, Sienna. I'm going to head over to the penthouse right now with my things. I'm not taking furniture or anything, but I gotta be out of my place by tonight."

"Oh- I was actually going to stay there tonight, too. All my stuff is ready to go. I'm leaving most of my furniture too, so it's a good thing the penthouse has its own already." She says, to which I cringe a little.

"Actually, um..." I start awkwardly, "They had to take the furniture. We'll have to buy stuff."

"What?" I can hear the panic in her voice. "We have to buy furniture now, too?"

"Listen, I know it sounds bad, but-"

"How much money do you think I have?" I can hear the raised tone in her voice through the phone, "I don't even have a fucking job anymore, Quinn." She sighs, "Maybe we should look someplace else." I almost miss the ping of sadness in her voice, but I just barely catch it.

"Can you just listen to me?" I say frustratedly, "We don't have to pay rent for the first two and a half months. I worked it out with them, we'll just have to buy some stuff." I try to calm her down as I pick up my keys.

"I don't know about this, I-"

"I'm driving over to yours," I say, "We can talk then."

"I- okay. bye."

A click sounds, signaling her hanging up. I quickly load all my boxes into the truck and drive over to Sienna's. I didn't even know what I was doing here, was I going to bring her with me? That's a problem I'll deal with later.

I knock at her door, and within seconds I'm let in. The house looks emptier than the last time I saw it, it almost seemed lonelier, too. Boxes were piled up near the door, and they continued into the living room.

"Um, did you wanna come with me? To the penthouse?" I ask awkwardly, rubbing the back of my neck. "I was thinking we could take all my stuff there and unpack it, and then come back for yours." I suggest.

She nods, following me out to my truck. I don't know how to describe the relationship her and I have formed, but I don't think she likes me too much. I don't mind her, but she's made it clear she wouldn't be doing this if she didn't absolutely have to.

We ride in a silence that's becoming more common among the two of us as she scrolls on her phone. I pull into the parkade and with help from apartment staff, we've loaded my things into the penthouse within 45 minutes.

"We're gonna have to shop for furniture like, asap." I say, trying to get a conversation started as we drive the short distance back to her house.

"Why don't we do that tomorrow? She suggests, rubbing her tired eyes.

"Sure." I say, speeding over to her house to continue our unpacking. I walk out to start getting all of her boxes.

We manage to fit them all at once, eliminating the need for a second trip. She smiles as we lift the last box up, and it's a look I've never seen on her before. Her smile is genuine and she looks proud as she turns to me.

"We did it!" She exclaims happily, making her way back to her seat.

We rush to get her things unpacked, and as soon as we've handled everything we both agree on settling down for the night. She goes off to her bedroom, and I leave to find mine. I look into the room I thought I'd be staying in, but it's totally empty.

You'd have to assume that a bed would be considered "the basics," right? I immediately think the beds must just be in the guest bedrooms, so I check the one closest to mine. Empty.

I walk over near where Sienna will be sleeping, walking into the second guest bedroom and sighing in defeat when there's nothing but a bit of dust to be found.

"There's no fucking beds, this is so-" I start, walking into Sienna's room, where she's sat on a large queen bed, pulling a pillowcase over a pillow.

"What are you talking about?" She laughs.

"There's only one bed."

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