We Found Love

six

"So, how much money do we get?" August asks me as we walk to the shopping district near the apartment. "This much," I hand him the envelope and he reads it. "Woah, that's not a lot to furnish a home."

"I know, so that's why we're going to have to work together," I tell him. "I would create a list, but I don't have a pen or pap-" Before I could even finish my sentence, Jennie hands me what I need. "Well, nevermind."

We decide to head to a cafe to compile our list. As we enter, I could immediately feel the stares from everyone inside. I do my best to ignore them as we walk to a table in the back of the cafe. Jennie and the camera crew were a good distance away, with Jennie making sure no one interrupts us.

"So," I title the paper Furniture For Our Home. My eyes linger on the words our home for a second before I face August. "Obviously, we need the essentials: paint, brushes-"

"Woah, Woah. Let me stop you there." August interrupts me. "Are we painting the apartment? Do you know how expensive paint is?" I tilt my head sideways. "Um, no? It can't be that expensive, though. It's just paint."

He gives me a look of disbelief and takes the pen and paper from my hands. "Actually, it is. Let's stick to the actual essentials and then you can try to convince me to repaint if we have leftover money."

I frown and notice August ignoring the glare I'm giving him.

"Okay. So let's go room by room." He writes the words living room on the paper. "We don't need a couch since there's already one-"

"Yeah, no. That couch is atrocious."

"But it's a perfectly usable couch with no rips and stains."

"But it's ugly."

"Emery," August sighs. "Look. Let's compromise. We keep the couch, but we can buy some sort of cover and make it pretty to your standards. Alright?"

I open my mouth to argue but realize that the cameras were still filming us. "Fine," I nod. "I can agree with that."

And so for about fifteen minutes, that's how the two of us worked together. Me suggesting items, and August refuting them. And, of course, vice-versa.

After we finished, Jennie walks toward us. "So, we called a furniture store ahead of time and made sure that it would be empty when you guys go shopping." She says. "All you have to do is choose what you want to buy, and a salesperson will order it for you and you just pay at the end."

August and I nod and Jennie leads us to the furniture store, where we are greeted by one of the employees. "Hello!" She greets August enthusiastically as he walks inside. "Hi," I respond and she simply smiles at me.

"So, where do you want to start-" I begin but August hands me the list. "I took a picture of the list so we can cover more ground. I'll take the kitchen and living room, and you take the bathroom and bedroom?" Before I could even respond, August walks away.

"And there's the August Gilmore I know and not love," I say to myself, watching him grab a shopping cart. I huff and grab a cart as well and begin shopping.

"You know, I'm actually glad that he's letting me decorate the bedroom," I mutter as I glance at various bed frames and mattresses. "I would not want to be sleeping in a mattress that felt like a rock, and I have a feeling August would pick that."

I look at the list we compiled earlier and read through it.

Bed (including frame and mattress)
Bedside Table
Lamp
Rug
Mirror
Lounge Chair(?)