PUNK'd

Chapter One: Sheila

          Sheila was a twenty one-year-old girl that I had been talking to online for two years now. She was the one person besides my mom who made my whole move to London possible. She owned a flat in London, and had talked about me moving in with her pretty much from the beginning. Had it not been for Sheila offering to take me in as a roommate, I'm sure I would never have been able to make this trip.

          She had given me a tour of her flat several times over Skype, so I already had a good idea of what the place looked like. It was a two bedroom, one-bathroom flat with a small living room right when you walked through the door. Sheila had the entire flat decorated nice and cute, except for my future bedroom.

          "It's kind of my storage room now," Sheila had said over one of our Skype sessions with a nervous laugh. "I'll have it ready for you by the time you get here though, don't worry!" Despite her reassurances, I had known Sheila to be a bit forgetful and lazy, so I was wholeheartedly expecting my room to still be filled with boxes when I got there.

          I arrived at the flat building by cab. As the cab stopped outside the building, I glanced up and observed where I would be living from now on. It was a cute, little brick building covered in white windows and balconies. I looked for where I knew Sheila's balcony was. She had a couple cushions for sitting and several plants. The majority of the outside space was taken up by Sheila's bright yellow bicycle. I smiled, hardly able to contain the excitement of finally meeting the person I had spent so many years talking with. 

          I handed the cab driver the fare I owed him, and grabbed my luggage from the car's trunk. 

          "The boot," I said with my best English accent, giggling at the sound of it. 

          I threw my bass around my shoulder and shut the trunk. I grabbed the handles of my two rolling suitcases, and hurriedly made my way to the front door of the building. I went up the elevator to the third floor, and nearly ran towards Sheila's door. When I got there, I knocked and waited. 

           "Hailey!" Sheila yelled excitedly as she opened her door. I dropped my luggage in the hallway and hugged her. "Oh my gosh, I can't believe you're really here! Come on in!"

          I picked my luggage back up and followed Sheila inside. As soon as we made it into the living room, Sheila stopped and quickly turned around to face me. 

          "You've already seen the flat, and I'm sure you're ready to get rid of your baggage, so let's just skip the introductions and go straight to your room! I'm so excited for you to see it!"

          "You mean you actually cleared out the room?" I made a jab jokingly at her.

          "Ha ha," she said sarcastically. "I get things done every now and then. It only took me two years."

          We both had a laugh at this as Sheila led me down the short, narrow hallway past the bathroom and up to a closed bedroom door. Sheila had made a cute little sign that said "Hailey's room" on it. It was a sweet little reminder that I was in my new home. 

          "Ladies and gentlemen," Sheila began in a loud announcer voice as she grasped the doorknob. "Just behind this door lies Sheila's greatest achievement. The clearing of the random shit storage room. It was a difficult endeavor, but--"

          "OI! SHUT YA FUCKIN' GOB, YA WANKER!!" A loud banging came from the neighbors below.

          "OH, GO FUCK YA SELF, WILSON!!" Sheila yelled back with matched ferocity, stomping back with her foot. 

          "Well, my introduction is ruined. Let's just get on with it." Sheila opened the door and I looked in.

          It was a simple room with only a bed and a dresser. It was quite plain compared to the rest of the house, but I think Sheila kept her Pinterest ideas out of this room so that I could decorate it how I pleased. I was grateful for the artistic freedom. 

          "Thank you, Sheila. It's all I need," I said walking in and setting my luggage down on the floor. I turned to the bed, and threw myself down on top of it. It wasn't the comfiest bed in the world, but I didn't come to London to sleep. 

          "I'm sure you want to get unpacked and rest from you flight..." Sheila began, scratching at some chipping paint on the door frame. "But too bad! I've got plans for the both of us tonight!" 

          I sat up in bed excited. "What kinda plans?" I asked. 

          "Some mates of mine are coming over, and we're gonna take you out. Call it a welcoming party." Sheila looked me over before shaking her head. "You'd better do something with yourself because I'm not letting you go out in sweatpants, a messy bun, and no makeup."

          I pulled my right shoe off and tossed it at Sheila. "I wanted to be comfy on the plane, you bitch!" 

          Sheila laughed as she dodged my projectile. "Fine, fine. Just start getting ready, alright? They'll be here in two hours, and I don't want them to think you're a squatter who sneaked in, okay?"

          We both had a laugh before Sheila closed the door behind her. I could hear her footsteps as she went down the hallway to her bedroom right next door, no doubt needing the full two hours to get ready herself. 

          I laid back down on the twin mattress and stared up at the white popcorn ceiling. I couldn't have been happier. I was in London living with a good friend about to meet new people and see new sights. 

          I never would have guessed that this night would end up like it did. 

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(A/N: Do you think Sheila will make a good flatmate? Would you want to live with her?

In the next chapter, Hailey gets into trouble... already.

All votes are appreciated, but comments help make this story better! All criticisms, comments, questions, ideas, and advice are welcome in the comment section below! I will be replying to all comments made!

Thank you for reading!)