There's a Light On in Chicago (Patrick Stump)

Chapter One

Sloane stood outside the locked lobby door, studying the buttons to figure out which one she should press.  Before she could decide on any of them, the door opened to reveal a man in his early twenties.  He wore ripped black jeans, a baggy t-shirt, and a red flannel tied around his waist.

"You look like you might be the woman I spoke with earlier," his voice was instantly recognizable, and his smile could charm the pants off of anyone. 

Sloane stood tall, offering her hand for him to shake.  "Hi, nice to meet you.  Pete, right?"

He nodded, stepping aside so she could enter the building.  "That I am.  The apartment is up a few flights of stairs...and the elevator doesn't work.  I hope that isn't a deal breaker."

She laughed, responding with "I'll make that decision once I get to the top."

The apartment was on the fourth floor, which is quite a hike if you've got groceries in your hands or furniture to move.  Pete was in shape, but Sloane tried to hide the fact that she was slightly winded by the time they got to apartment 4B.  She inhaled deeply through her nose and exhaled slowly from her mouth.  He opened the door to the apartment and lead the way, introducing her to her potential roommate, Patrick. 

Patrick sat on the couch with a book in his hands, quickly closing it and setting it in his lap as soon as she entered the room.  He had black framed glasses and kind eyes.  Sloane felt instantly more nervous than she felt on the train ride to the apartment.  She sat opposite them, explaining her situation and what brought her to Chicago.

"Well, I was recently transferred here from Wisconsin and I am managing a small coffee shop," she begins, unsure where to stop.  Pete's nod encouraged her to go on.  "I'm still trying to get my bearings.  It's kind of scary being in such a big city.  I don't really know anyone yet."

Suddenly, she feared that she said too much.  That's how people get killed.  She thought back to all of the True Crime documentaries she's watched.  Never admit that you're alone!  Sloane could feel the blush creeping up her neck.  As if Patrick knew exactly how she was feeling, he stepped in and took the pressure off of her.

"I think that's great.  It's sometimes necessary to start anew.  Pete and I have been friends for years.  I think we're coming up on five years living together?  We practically moved out the day that I turned 18.  We're musicians, so if you choose to move in, you're going to hear a lot of music.  We have our band practice somewhere else, but we're constantly writing songs here."

Sloane couldn't help but smile.  Patrick wasn't as shy as he first appeared.  As soon as he began to talk about music, he lit up.  Pete asked questions about her sleep schedule, how often she planned to have guests over, how she spends her free time, and about cooking and cleaning.  The fact that they seemed so prepared to interview for a roommate made her feel more comfortable with the idea. 

The interview ended in a tour of their apartment.  The living room and kitchen were open concept.  There was a breakfast bar and built-in bookshelves.  Some of the walls were exposed brick, giving it a more urban feel.  The bedrooms were down the main hall.  Patrick's was the closest to the living room, Pete's was across from his, and the empty one- the one that would be Sloane's- shared a wall with Patrick's.  There was only one bathroom, but it was huge.  There was a counter with two sinks, a shower, and a door that separated the toilet from the main room.

Pete walked Sloane down to the lobby and gave her a quick hug.  "We'll call you once we've made a final decision, but I feel pretty good about this."

Sloane couldn't help but smile as she made her way back to the Red Line.  It might be difficult living with two attractive men, but they didn't give off any crazy vibes, and the apartment was in a great part of town close to the line she had to take for work.  Within minutes, her phone was ringing. 

She answered, and was instantly put on speaker phone with Pete and Patrick.  "Sloane Evans," Pete paused for dramatic effect.  "Will you...live with us?"

Sloane burst into laughter.  "I don't know guys...this is all happening so soon.  We only just met.  Oh, what the hell.  Yes!"