The Test, for Love and for Life

Chapter 15

CJ found a place to keep her horse, and then went to Crystals address. She was a little nervous. She had never actually met her roommates before, and she wasnt even exactly sure that she had gotten the address correct. Still, she knocked and anxiously waited for a response. The first response she got was a dog barking which made her tense. Then, she heard the door unlock and someone yelling at the dog to shut up. When the door opened, she was met with a woman. She was slightly shorter than CJ with long wavy brown hair and brown eyes. She wore black glasses and an oversized black hoodie. She was light-skinned and she looked like she had just woke up. "Oh shit! Who called the cowgirl?" She said. The woman looked CJ up and down with a smirk, as if she was some sort of meal. CJ just stood there uncomfortably. "Hey Deshaun! Did you order a western stripper?!" She yelled into the house. "Excuse me?" CJ asked. "Gabby! Shut up! What the hell are you yelling about?" Crystal yelled. CJ breathed out relieved, hearing her girlfriends voice. Crystal walked into the doorway and smiled widely seeing CJ. "Babe! What are you doing here!?" She ran out the door, pushing Gabby aside, and hugged CJ tightly. CJ smiled and spun Crystal around happily. "Damn. Thats your girl Crystal? Shes hot." Gabby noted. Crystal glared back at her. "Watch it." She growled. Gabby rolled her eyes and walked away. Crystal looked back at CJ. "Whats this wonderful surprise for?" She smiled. CJ wagged her tail at her girlfriends excitement. "I uh... I need a place to stay. I dont know how long." She said. Crystal got confused. "Why? Did something happen?" She asked. CJs ears drooped down. "Im really happy to see you right now Crystal." She said sadly. Crystal grew concerned. "Come on. You can tell me inside." She pulled CJ in the door.

"What?! Why didnt you call me?! Are you ok?!" Crystal panicked. CJ sat on her bed. "Im fine babe. I called Nova and Jax. She saved me once before, so I figured she'd be the best option! Im sorry I didnt call you after. I just... I didnt know what to say. Im so... god! Im so embarrassed!" CJ looked down and tugged at her ears. "I can only imagine how you feel babe. Im so sorry all that happened. You dont deserve it." Crystal put her hand on CJs knee. CJ smiled at her. "Thanks babe. Im sorry I butted in on you." She said. "Dont you worry about that. You can stay with me for as long as you want honey. But! We have system here. So you have to pay a half of my portion of the rent." Crystal said. CJ smiled. "I can do that." She said. Crystal smiled back at her and leaned down to her so their faces were inches apart. "Im glad you're here." She whispered. Then she leaned in and kissed her. CJ felt relieved with her lips on Crystals. "Are you sure you're not hurt anywhere?" Crystal asked. CJ shrugged. "Im probably bruised somewhere, but I cant feel it right now." She said. "Ok. Do you wanna get some rest?" Crystal asked. CJ shrugged again. "I dont know. I feel empty." She said. Crystal smiled sympathetically. "Lay down baby. You need some sleep." She insisted. CJ sighed. "Will you stay with me?" She asked. Crystal smiled. "Of course." She said.

The next morning, CJ woke up before Crystal. She had been struggling to sleep all night, but she managed. She sat up and rubbed her eyes. Crystal woke up to the movement and turned to face CJ. "Good morning." She said sleepily. CJ smiled down at her. "Hey beautiful. Did you sleep well?" She asked. Crystal nodded. "You?" She asked. CJ shrugged. "Not really but, I got enough." She said. Crystal sighed and sat up. "Come on honey. Lets get you cleaned up and then you can come meet my roommates." She said. "Im not excited about the dog." CJ huffed. "You're gonna be even less excited when I tell you he's my dog." Crystal said.

Once the girls showered and changed, they left the room. CJ put on her cowboy hat. "Why the hat?" Crystal asked. "Habit. Do you want me to take it off?" CJ asked. "No. I like your hat. Just, be prepared for criticism." Crystal warned. They walked into the living room and Deshaun looked over. "Oh so it was you who ordered the stripper. Gotta say Crystal, I didnt take you for that kinda girl." He smiled. "Is this a normal thing you people do?" CJ asked, disgusted. "No." Crystal shook her head and then looked to Deshaun. The man in front of them was a tall black man with green eyes. He had a high pitched voice and wore a crop top. "CJ, this is Deshaun. Deshaun, this is my girlfriend CJ." Crystal introduced them. "Oh! So this is the girl huh? You left out the part about her being a mutant. And a cowgirl too! Damn, you were really leaving me on the lurge girl!" He said. CJ smiled nervously. "I wasnt sure how you'd react." Crystal shrugged. "Psh- I dont care about that shit. You do you honey. Its nice to meet you CJ." Deshaun smiled. CJ wagged her tail. "Thanks. You too." She said. "My other roommates name is Gabby. I know you met her already. She doesn't come out often, so I doubt you'll get a proper introduction anytime soon." Crystal turned to CJ. "Oh Crystal. You better watch out for your little piece of ass there. I think Gabbys got eyes for her. I heard her saying some crazy things last night!" Deshaun laughed. Crystal rolled her eyes. "Every woman that comes in contact with her, she has eyes for. She still hits on me!" Crystal exclaimed. "What? You never told me that." CJ said. "I dont really like talking about it. Besides, I know Gabbys just playing. I have bigger problems than playful flirting." Crystal said. "What could be- oh shit." CJ remembered. Crystal nodded. "Be careful babe. She's always watching me." She said. CJ sighed. "Good to know." She huffed.

They heard a scratching noise and Deshaun let the dog out of his room. "Hey Baxter!" Crystal squatted down to pet her dog. CJ got uncomfortable. "Is that awkward for you? Cant you understand him?" Deshaun asked CJ. "Ehh- kinda? I mean yes. I speak dog, but pets are different. The way pets have evolved makes them really stupid. Like yesterday when I got here and he was barking at the door. He was literally just screaming 'Door! Door! Door!' Its honestly kinda unsettling." CJ explained. "Huh. Thats interesting." Deshaun said. "Are you gonna be ok with him here?" Crystal asked. "Yeah. Its just a little weird." CJ shrugged. Crystal stood up and smiled at CJ. "Good, because Im so happy you're staying here." She said, happily. CJ smiled. "Yeah. Me too." She said.