DROWNING

Shelter

   Brea

         "I know you fucking lying.", I said out loud.

"It don't look like a lie.....", someone said from behind me.

Turning around, I saw my neighbor that lives across the hall from me.

"What you getting evicted for?", she asked.

She was holding groceries that looked heavy but instead of going inside she wanted to be in my business.

"Hello.....it's so nice to see you. How you doing?", I asked as I turned back around and yanked the eviction notice off of my door.

"No need to take it down....the whole hallway has seen it. It's in the group chat.", she spoke from behind me.

Group chat?

"Oh that's nice. Bye.", I rushed out as I unlocked my door.

Going in, I slammed the door shut behind me.

Crumbling the paper in my fist, I threw it to the floor.

I was pissed!

Pulling out my phone, I dialed my leasing office.

"Journey Homes Property Management speaking-", someone started to say before I interrupted them.

"Um....there was an eviction notice on my door! That shits not cool. I spoke to Finn and he agreed that I'd have another month to pay rent.", I spat into the phone.

"Hello, Brea! I'm so sorry to hear that but someone has actually bought the condominium from Finn. He's no longer attached to the property which means-", the guy responded.

"Okay but Finn and I had an agreement-", I uttered.

"And I completely understand but like I said there is new management and they've decided that it's time for you to go if you cannot pay rent. I apologize....I have to take another call now.", he interrupted.

"Wait! Can I just-", the dial tone ringing in my ear cut me off.

"Shit!", I screamed.

The funds in my savings had ran out a while ago and I was scraping by.

Heading to my bedroom, I plopped down on my bed once I reached it.

What the fuck was I supposed to do?

I didn't have any family here.

Feeling a tear slip down my face, I quickly wiped it away.

A knock on my front door pulled me out of the many thoughts running through my mind.

Once I made it to the door, I just swung it right open without looking out the peephole.

Which was my mistake because there stood Justin with his pearly white teeth on display.

"I'm not in the mood.", I huffed as I went to close the door.

Justin placed his foot in the doorway and smacked his lips.

"Brea.... Is that anyway to treat the owner of the building you live in?", he spoke in an accusing tone.

I froze.

"The fuck you just say?", I asked as I swung the door open again.

"I bought the building. I needed some more properties under my name. I wanted to come visit a known tenant.", he smirked after seeing my face.

"Do you think I'm stupid?", I hissed.

"Let me in and let's find out.", he shrugged.

His face had turned into the man I had already knew he was.