Appetite (18+)

Chapter 4: the roommate

A/N unedited but here's another chapter! Enjoy:)

After a long and exhausting shift, I took the bus home. Luckily this one had AC that WORKED.

Rowena and I shared a car. I usually drove it to school, while she made use of it to get to her job, which was much farther than mine. She worked as an assistant at a place for income taxes. That girl was really good at what she did. Probably the smartest person I know. It was busy work during tax season but she wanted to learn as much as she could from her boss.

She had put an ad up looking for a roommate so she could afford the little place we lived in together. I answered and we became quick friends. We'd been rooming for five years now. I was straight out of high school and leaving the home, and she was straight out of a relationship. She'd gotten kicked out of her boyfriend's place after she discovered he had been cheating on her. He hadn't needed to keep lying to her once she found out.

Heartbroken and homeless, we found each other.

Stepping off of the bus and thanking the driver, I walked the short five minutes of sidewalk left. The neighborhood we lived in was pretty decent. An occasional person was out jogging or walking their dog. Which reminded me that I should wake up early tomorrow on my day off to get some steps in.

Finally arrived at the apartment complex, I took the steps up and unlocked the door. Daffodil bolted right past me and disappeared in some plants. Letting her go do her own thing, I closed the door behind me.

I let out a sigh and put my bag down beside the couch. I let myself fall into the arm-chair, but soon felt grimy from my day. Even though I was tired, I convinced myself to take a quick shower before diving into my notes. Maybe a cold shower would get the man out of my mind.

                                                                                    *****

After my shower, I opted for a beige silky robe to wear with a simple blank thong and lacy bralette underneath.

I sat at the kitchen table with all of my school work sprawled on top. My books were filled with sticky notes and highlighters lay across the surface trying not to fall over. The flashcards I made lay in front of me as practiced with them again and again. It looked like chaos to the outside eye but I was making progress with my studying. Getting straight to it after getting cleaned up made me feel very productive. I was a couple of hours in already.

Outside I heard a notice and recognized the jingle of a key being inserted. Once it bust open, a well-dressed Rowena stumbled in. Her blazer came off and landed on the carpet. She was left with her baby blue button-up and pencil skirt. I got up from my seat to take her briefcase and lunch bag so she could put down some other stuff she carried.

"Thanks," she gasped as she plopped down in the nearest chair.

"Lots of traffic?" I asked as I sat across from her at the table. I pushed my things together and closed some books to make room. She immediately placed her cheek against the cold tabletop.

"Tons. Some guy crashed so I had to take the streets." Her expression turned peaceful as she closed her eyes. Her skin was lighter than mine, which emphasized the way her cheeks were so rosy. Most likely from walking up the steps with all the things she brought up. Her nose was long with a tiny bump in the middle that was intriguing on her face. She was already a brainiac, and with her pretty features, I couldn't understand how a dude could do her so dirty. Sure it was years ago, but it had really done a number on her.

But Ro was a positive spirit. She turned all her energy into improving herself. She had cried a lot, I'd witnessed it since we met while her breakup was fresh. Yet, she said it was fate because it led her to be more career-oriented. She occasionally dated, but no one really ever stuck.