Temporary Housemate

Chapter Three

"True friends stab you in the front."

- Oscar Wilde

“Arg!!!!” I hate mornings. Why do they have to be so early? Groaning at the slither if sunlight attacking my face, I suddenly shot up in bed, completely disorientated and unable to process this strange room in which the curtain was actually cardboard draped over the curtain pole – which itself looked as though it had seen better days. “Urg.” I really don’t get along with mornings – does it show? As I sat there the panic simply ebbed away as realisation hit me. The only other time I had had that problem I had been exploring caves in Cambodia (pretty much Lara Croft style) and had dreamt about my family throughout the night. Let’s just say that waking up in a hammock, 4 feet off the ground whilst startled is not a good way to start the day.

Now knowing where I was, I glanced around properly and was slightly horrified with the place. I was more than glad that I had no set agenda for the day. I had completed job applications before my arrival and had a few interviews coming up, but I could relax a little today. However, looking around the room I realised that I was NOT going to live in squalor and so my relaxation would have to wait. The walls were a dirty creamy brown and looked like they were once white, whilst one wall held breeze blocks alone not even plaster. The floorboards were plausible but definitely needed a decent clean, whilst the bed I was in held a lank pillow and dingy duvet with – what is that? OMG there was a bloodstain on the duvet!! I was virtually hyperventilating at this point, no I had to calm down, it could have been from an accident, or juice, yeh it could be juice.

Shuddering, I suddenly found myself five feet away from the bed looking at it as though it was poisonous – which considering my current trauma it might as well have been. Looking at the rest of the room, I removed the cardboard curtain and saw that my view was actually quite pleasant. I figured I was on the third floor of this house and was quite pleased with the spaciousness of my studio-like living area. But glancing around again so much needed doing, today wasn’t going to be the rest I had hoped, I couldn’t even imagine living here, but I couldn't move until I could find a job that would pay enough money for me to save for a mortgage deposit.

So decorating. (Internally I was jumping around, I had my own space to create with what I needed). Grinning I began looking round, only for the grin to falter to become a grimace. The only furniture in the room was the bed, a table and a lamp. Hmmm. I knew where the bathroom was, but noticed a door across the room, walking into it I discovered a reasonable sized closet. BINGO! The last place I stopped was a youth hostel so this was definitely a welcome bonus. I couldn’t help giggling to myself. I had always wanted a walk in wardrobe.

I did notice though that the light bulb didn’t work so quickly noting the type of bulb I backed away. Heading to my suitcase and bag I sifted through the bag to find a pen and paper and quickly jotted down all the things I would need to buy today. I had modest savings from summer camp, but really needed to work on keeping costs low. However, with all the dingy energy oozing from the neglected room I would need some colour in here!

I found the bathroom again and noticed the shower head was a little (understatement of the century) grimy and decided I would get a replacement, and a curtain wouldn't hurt! I took my paper with me and continued writing down bits and pieces. Finally I decided if I needed anything else it could wait until another day. I ran back to my room, grabbed a handful of clothes and hopped in to the shower, all the while ignoring the mould glaring at me and the horrific thoughts of cockroaches running through my head. Jumping out as quickly as I could, although I admit I did feel a little refreshed, I decided against drying my hair, I simply applied some mascara, brushed light powder over my skin and a little blush, then feeling as though I needed to look as business like as I felt today, I swiped some liquid eye liner around my bluey-green eyes, making them look even bigger than usual. When I was done, I put my hair into a French plait and felt ready to take on the world.