Things I Never Said / Brian May.

Roommates

I sent in a few resumes, and the next week I had an interview at a small magazine. I wore my nicest outfit and put on my game face, and I thought it went amazingly. The lady I talked to was kind and said that they'd call me and let me know the results in a week or so.

The day after my interview, Sarah dragged me shopping. She said that I needed more fashionable clothes. I didn't have money so I was a little concerned, but she insisted on paying for everything. I didn't know why she was being so nice to me. Nevertheless, I didn't deny her help.

"I'm going to another one of their concerts tonight," Sarah said. We were in a department store, looking for new shirts. I looked at her, trying not to seem too eager.

"You are?" I asked softly. She nodded.

"Do you wanna come with?"

"Oh, sure." It was then that I realized I never told her about what happened at the last one, and it was unlikely that she remembered what happened while she was drunk.

"Did you like the last one? Sorry I left you halfway through. A girl has her needs, you know." Sarah winked.

"Yeah, I did. The crowd got to be a little too much, though, so I went outside." I shrugged. "No big deal. I met a guy out there, so that was kinda nice."

"A guy?" Her expression lifted instantly. "Who? What's his name? Is he cute?"

"Uh..." I rubbed my arm nervously. Hopefully she would react in a normal manner. "Brian. He played in the band."

"What?" Her jaw all but dropped. "You're joking, aren't you?"

"No..."

"Really?" She smiled. "Did anything happen?"

"What? No. We just talked for a few minutes." I looked down.

"That's why you wanna go tonight, isn't it?"

"Maybe. So what?"

Sarah laughed and rolled her eyes, but ultimately dropped the subject.

That night, Sarah ran off with a guy before the show even started. I sat in the back, at the bar, but I didn't get a drink. I wasn't in the mood to get wasted.

As the band came on, I watched as Brian scanned the crowd. We locked eyes, and he smiled. I felt butterflies in my stomach, and I wished I could digest them. This is not what I needed. Feelings were not what I needed right now.

The set was even better than last time. They added a few new songs, and cut out a few old ones. The whole time, he kept glancing at me and grinning. Every time he did, I found my newfound crush getting a little bit worse.

Once the show was over, I waited for the bar to clear out in the hopes that I could catch Brian to talk to him a little. He'd been so sweet before, and he was definitely the type of person I could get used to being around.

A little while after the show ended, someone sat next to me. I turned and saw none other than Brian. He was grinning cheekily and seemed genuinely happy to see me, which was something I was not used to.

"You came!" He said. I nodded.

"I said I would, didn't I?" I grinned back at him.

"No freaking out this time?" He teased.

"Nope. Staying back here helped a lot," I said. "My friend came with me, but she ran off with some guy before you guys even started playing."

"I'm offended."

I laughed softly. He leaned his elbows on the counter and rested his chin in his hand. The goofy smile on his face made my heart beat a little bit faster.

"Let me get you a drink," he said suddenly.

"Oh, no, you don't have to..." I rubbed my arm nervously. He brushed me off and ordered us both drinks.

"I hope you're alright with just a beer," he said.

"You didn't have to do that."

"Of course I did. I have to treat pretty girls like yourself." He shrugged. I felt my face burning as I stumbled over my words, trying to find the right thing to say. I'd never been smooth, and I cursed myself for it. Brian was flirting with me, and I didn't even know what to say. I cursed myself for not being as outgoing and flirtatious as someone like Sarah.

Luckily, before I inevitably embarrassed myself with whatever bullshit would come out of my mouth, the bartender placed two beers in front of us. Brian thanked him and looked over at me.

"So, how are you liking it here?" He popped the cap off of his bottle and took a swig. I normally didn't like it when guys drank, but something about him made it incredibly attractive.

"Better than home." I laughed nervously and sipped my drink. "I applied for a few jobs, but I've only had one interview. I'm really hoping it went well, because it'll just make my life a lot easier, you know? I can't leech off of my friend forever."

"I'm sure you're not leeching."

"It feels like I am. It feels like she's pitying me too much sometimes..." I trailed off.

"What jobs did you apply for, anyway?"

"Different positions at magazines and stuff. I'd really like to write articles, but it'll be awhile before that happens. I was a journalism major back home." I shrugged. "It's okay. Eventually I'll be where I want to be."

"That's the spirit," he chirped. "I'm more of a science person myself."

"I was never good at math and science," I replied. "Guess I just don't have the brain for it, you know?"

"Don't say that. You seem like a really smart person."

We talked for a while, and I learned a lot more about him than I thought I would. He seemed like such a sweet and down-to-earth guy, which was something I didn't really expect from a guy who fucking shredded on the guitar all night. He looked like someone I would have been a little intimidated by before.

"It's getting late," I said, looking at the clock. "I should really be heading home."

"So should I." He yawned. "I'm gonna give you my number, is that okay? Maybe we can, uh...see each other another time. If you're comfortable with it."

My heart skipped a beat.

"Okay," I said quickly. He smiled that beautiful smile and scribbled his number down on a napkin. I gave him mine as well, and we parted ways.

The next morning, I got a call. I eagerly answered it, mostly because I hoped that it would be Brian. I was slightly disappointed when the person who spoke wasn't Brian, but that disappointment quickly faded when I realized I was being offered a job. Of course, I had to go through all these complicated things because I wasn't a UK citizen, but I didn't care. I was going to have a job! I could finally get out of Sarah's hair.

"Sarah, guess what!" I yelled excitedly as I burst into the living room. Sarah was in her pajamas, eating Cheerios on the couch.

"What?"

"I got a job!"

"What?" She repeated, her eyes widening. "That's amazing!"

"I know! Now I can get my own place, and you won't have to worry about me anymore." I sat down next to her. Her expression fell slightly.

"Oh, right..." She paused. "El, I really like having you around. It's nice to not live alone anymore. So, um...what I'm saying is that I would rather have you stay."

"Huh?"

"Of course you'll pay half the rent and stuff. But it's a win-win. Neither of us are living alone, we have separate bedrooms, a nice kitchen and bathroom and living room...not to mention rent won't be nearly as high if we split it here than if you went off on your own..." Sarah said, "I think it'll be fun. We'll be roommates!"

"That sounds great." I smiled. She put her Cheerios on the table and pulled me into a hug, and I was grateful to have a friend who cared about me so much.