Roommates

-introduction-

Charlotte's P.O.V
When I walked out of my high school for the last time, it felt like I was a bird that had been freed from my cage. I was finally ready to join the real world. I was planning to make things happen.

I had never really known what I wanted to do with my life. I just knew that I loved writing. So my plan was to move to the city and find a job so I could write in my spare time. I knew that it would be tough but nobody ever got anywhere without a little work.

As I pack my suitcase, my mind drifts to when I was little. My mum would always read me stories about thrilling adventures and beautiful places. Those stories are what made me want to be a writer. They gave me an escape from the real world. My favourite genre has always been romance though. The thought of somebody coming and sweeping me off my feet makes me smile, but I know I won't have much time for romance while juggling a job and writing.

During my search for an apartment though, I realised it would be hard to afford one without a roommate. All my friends were going off to colleges or universities in other cities though, so I didn't know anybody I could live with. I decided to look at ads on the internet.

Most of the people online seemed pretty dodgy, but eventually I found a guy named Oli who seemed nice enough. I emailed him and we spoke for a bit. We then agreed to move in together.

I zipped up my suitcase and put it on the floor. I walked out of my old bedroom. I'll miss this place. There's a lot of good memories here.

My eyes scan the room. From the fairy lights to the old teddy bears. I've lived here all my life. There's little pieces of my life everywhere. Toys from when I was little, pictures of me and friends, countless little things I used to collect. I used to collect feathers but my mum hated that. I started collecting stamps instead. Somehow my mum thought that was a better thing to have lying around your room. Yeah, I'm a pure boy magnet with my stamp collection. I laugh to myself.

Then there's the photo album on my desk. I pick it up. I didn't want to bring it because I knew it would just upset me...

I open the album and run my fingers over the old pictures. My dad was holding me on his shoulders while my mum had a horrified look. The later photos had my younger sister, Melody, in them. There was one picture with all five members on my family. Mum and Dad are sitting on chairs next to each other. I'm on Dad's lap and Melody is on Mum's. Our older sister, May, is standing behind us with her hands on Mum and Dad's shoulders. I smile bitterly, remember the day it was taken. My mum was so happy to have finally gotten a professional picture taken of us.

After a few more minutes of reflection, I put the album down on the desk and pick up a picture of me, Mum, May and Melody. I don't need that album. I don't want the album.

I close the bedroom door behind me and take a deep breath. Here goes nothing.