One of Them Girls

Chapter 14

After laying in bed together for another half hour, you and Tyler decided you should probably get up. Tyler excused himself to take a quick shower, flashing you a grin as he grabbed a fresh towel and headed toward your bathroom. You watched him disappear down the hallway, the sound of running water soon filling the apartment. Smiling to yourself, you decided to make your way downstairs to grab some coffee.

As you entered the kitchen, the familiar aroma of brewing coffee greeted you. Your roommate was already there, leaning against the counter with her own mug in hand.

"Morning," you greeted, moving to pour yourself a cup.

"Morning," she replied with a smile. "How was your date last night?"

You took a sip of your coffee, savoring the warmth before answering. "It was really nice. Tyler planned this whole fancy dinner, but we ended up ditching it for a diner with burgers and fries."

Your roommate chuckled. "Sounds like a good time."

"It was," you agreed, though you left out the more intimate details—the way Tyler had looked at you like you were the only person in the world, the easy laughter you'd shared, and how the evening had ended with a lingering kiss that left you breathless.

The conversation flowed easily, but you noticed a hint of something on your roommate's face, a trace of hesitation. Sensing the shift, you tilted your head slightly. "Everything okay?"

She let out a small sigh, her fingers tracing the rim of her mug. "Actually, there's something I need to tell you."

Your heart skipped a beat. "What's up?"

"I've been offered a promotion," she began, her voice careful. "It's a great opportunity, but the thing is... it's in a different city. I'll be relocating next month."

The news hit you like a cold gust of wind. "Next month?"

She nodded, her expression apologetic. "Yeah, I didn't want to spring it on you like this, but I couldn't keep it from you any longer."

You swallowed, trying to process the information. "I'm really happy for you, I am. But... what am I going to do? The rent here is too much for me to handle on my own."

"I know," she said softly. "I wish there was something I could do to help."

The reality of the situation began to settle in, heavy and unavoidable. The small town you lived in didn't have many options, and the thought of uprooting your life added to the uncertainty swirling in your mind. "I guess I'll have to start looking for a new place... or maybe even consider some bigger changes."

Your roommate placed a comforting hand on your arm. "Whatever you decide, you know I'm here for you."

You nodded, offering her a grateful smile. "Thanks."

The conversation left you feeling a mix of emotions—happy for your friend, but also anxious about your own future. Needing some fresh air, you took your coffee and stepped out onto the porch. The morning was crisp, the sun just beginning to warm the day. You leaned against the railing, staring out at the quiet street as thoughts raced through your mind.

The sound of the screen door creaking open caught your attention, and you turned to see Tyler stepping out, his hair damp from the shower, a relaxed smile on his face.

"Hey," he greeted, crossing the porch to join you. "Everything okay?"

You gave a small nod, though your thoughts were still scattered. "Yeah, just... processing some news."

Tyler leaned against the railing beside you, his arm brushing yours. "What's going on?"

You took a deep breath, turning to face him. "My roommate just told me she's relocating for work. She's moving out next month."

Tyler's expression softened with understanding. "And that leaves you in a bit of a bind?"

"Yeah," you admitted, your voice tinged with uncertainty. "I can't afford the rent here on my own, and there aren't many places available in town. I'm not sure what I'm going to do."

Tyler reached out, gently rubbing your back in a comforting gesture. "Have you thought about what you want to do next?"

"I've been thinking about going back to school," you confessed, the words spilling out almost before you could stop them. "Maybe enrolling in a journalism program, really pursuing something I'm passionate about. But I don't know where to start."

Tyler's eyes lit up with interest. "That's a great idea. You'd be amazing at that."

You smiled, feeling a bit of the weight lift. "You think so?"

"Absolutely," he said, his voice steady with conviction. "If that's what you want to do, you should go for it. I'll support you every step of the way."

The sincerity in his words touched you deeply, and you felt a warmth spread through your chest. "Thank you, Tyler. That means a lot to me."

He gave you a reassuring smile, his hand moving to hold yours. "You don't have to figure it all out right now. Just know that whatever you decide, I'm here for you."

You nodded, feeling more at ease with him by your side. "I know. And I'm so glad you're here."

Tyler squeezed your hand gently. "So am I. We'll figure this out together."

As you stood there on the porch, hand in hand, you felt a sense of calm wash over you. The future might be uncertain, but with Tyler's unwavering support, you knew you could face whatever came your way.