Falling for my Roommate

THE WORST POSSIBLE ROOMMATE Some people believe that first impressions are everything. I disagree. Sometimes, your first impression of someone is completely wrong. And sometimes, unfortunately, your first impression is absolutely correct. I knew Adrian Cole was trouble from the moment I met him. Three years ago, we had been assigned to the same university project. I had arrived early, organized my notes, highlighted everything, and created a schedule. Adrian had arrived fifteen minutes late, dropped into the chair beside me, looked at my carefully organized notes, and said three words. "You did too much." I hated him immediately. He, apparently, felt the same way. Three years later, nothing had changed. We still argued. We still competed. We still managed to irritate each other without even trying. So naturally, when I finally found an apartment of my own, the universe decided to punish me. It gave me Adrian as a roommate. But I didn't know that yet. At eight o'clock on Monday morning, I stood in front of my bathroom mirror, staring at the coffee stain on my white blouse. "Perfect." I tried wiping it with a wet cloth. The stain became worse. I sighed. "Of course." Today was supposed to be a good day. After weeks of searching, I had finally found an apartment close to campus. It wasn't huge. It wasn't fancy. But it was mine. For the first time since starting university, I would have my own space. No parents asking where I was going. No one reminding me to clean my room. No one knocking on my door because I had stayed up too late. Just me. Freedom. I grabbed my phone from the counter. A message from Lily was waiting. Lily: Today is the big day!!! I smiled. Me: Finally. Lily: Are you excited? Me: Very. Lily: Don't forget to send me pictures. Me: I won't. Another message appeared. Lily: And please don't accidentally become best friends with your new neighbors. I laughed. Me: I'll try. I put my phone away. Five minutes later, I was downstairs with my suitcase. My mother stood by the front door. "Call me when you arrive." "I will." "And eat." "I will." "And don't stay out too late." "Mom." She smiled. "I know. I know. You're an adult." "Exactly." She hugged me. I hugged her back. Then I stepped outside. The morning air was cool. For the first time in a long time, I felt completely free. I climbed into the car and started driving. The apartment building was about twenty minutes from campus. It was an older building, but the outside had recently been painted. There were small balconies on each floor and a row of plants near the entrance. When I parked, I stared at the building. I smiled. "This is it." I grabbed my suitcase and walked inside. The hallway smelled faintly like fresh paint. I climbed the stairs to the third floor. Apartment 3B. I pulled the key from my pocket. I unlocked the door. It opened. I stepped inside. My smile widened. The apartment was beautiful. The living room wasn't huge, but sunlight poured through the large windows. There was a gray couch against one wall and a small dining table near the kitchen. Two bedrooms. One bathroom. A small kitchen. Everything I needed. I walked around slowly, taking it all in. "This is perfect." I opened the first bedroom. It was larger than the second. The bed was already there. The closet was spacious. A large window looked over the street. I dropped my suitcase beside the bed. "Mine." I smiled. I walked back into the living room. I was already imagining where I would put my books and pictures. Maybe a small plant near the window. Maybe fairy lights around the bed. Maybe— The front door opened. I froze. Someone stepped inside. I heard the sound of a suitcase rolling across the floor. Then a male voice. "Hello?" My heart began to beat faster. I slowly stepped out of the bedroom. And stopped. My entire body went still. Adrian Cole stood in the middle of the living room. He was holding a suitcase in one hand and a set of keys in the other. He looked at me. I looked at him. His expression changed. First confusion. Then disbelief. Then something that looked suspiciously like amusement. "What are you doing here?" I stared at him. "What are you doing here?" He looked around. "This is my apartment." I almost laughed. "No, it isn't." He frowned. "Yes, it is." "I signed the lease." "So did I." My smile disappeared. "What?" He held up his keys. "Apartment 3B." I looked at my own keys. Apartment 3B. I looked at him again. "No." He raised an eyebrow. "No?" "No. You're not living here." "Apparently, I am." "Absolutely not." He placed his suitcase beside the couch. "Believe me, I'm not thrilled either." I crossed my arms. "Call your landlord." "You call yours." I pulled out my phone. "Gladly." I found the number on my lease and called. Nothing. I called again. Still nothing. Adrian leaned against the wall. "Maybe she's busy." "Maybe she's avoiding you." "Why would she avoid me?" "Because you're annoying." He smiled. "You've missed me." I stared at him. "I've seen you twice this week." "Exactly." "That was already too much." He laughed. I hated that laugh. I hated how easily he could make me angry. I hated the way he always looked so calm when I was frustrated. Most of all, I hated the fact that he seemed completely comfortable standing in my apartment. My apartment. Or so I thought. My phone finally rang. I answered immediately. "Hello?" "Hi, Maya." It was Mrs. Harper, the landlord. "Mrs. Harper, there's a problem." There was silence. Then she sighed. "I know." My stomach dropped. "You know?" "Yes." "What's going on?" She hesitated. "There was an error with the rental system." "What kind of error?" "The apartment was assigned twice." I stared at Adrian. He was watching me carefully. "Assigned twice?" "Yes." "You mean..." "I'm afraid so." I closed my eyes. "You rented the same apartment to two people?" "I'm very sorry." "How does that even happen?" "We're trying to figure out where the mistake was made." I rubbed my forehead. "So what happens now?" Mrs. Harper was quiet. Then she said, "We're working on finding another apartment." "How long will that take?" "Possibly a few weeks." I stared at the ceiling. "No." "Maya—" "No. I can't stay somewhere else." "I understand." "I already paid." "I know." "And I've already moved half my things." "I understand." I looked at Adrian. He was still listening. "Where am I supposed to stay?" Mrs. Harper sighed. "There's one temporary option." I already knew I wasn't going to like it. "What?" "The apartment can accommodate two people." I stared at her. "No." "Maya—" "No." "You would both have separate bedrooms." "Still no." "We're trying to resolve the issue as quickly as possible." I looked at Adrian. He was shaking his head. "Wait," he said. I covered the phone. "What?" He pointed at himself. "I'm not staying here with you." "Good." I uncovered the phone. "Mrs. Harper, this isn't going to work." "I'm sorry." "No." "I'm really sorry." "No." "I'll contact you as soon as another apartment becomes available." The call ended. I lowered my phone. Silence. Adrian and I stared at each other. Finally, he spoke. "So..." "No." "I didn't even say anything." "I know what you're going to say." "Do you?" "Yes." "What?" "That we have to live together." He smiled. "For once, you're right." I groaned. "No." He laughed. "This is going to be interesting." "This is going to be a disaster." He picked up his suitcase. "Same thing." I watched him walk toward the second bedroom. "Where are you going?" "To unpack." "You're actually staying?" He looked back. "Unless you have a better solution." I opened my mouth. Nothing came out. He smiled. "That's what I thought." He disappeared into the bedroom. I stood there. Completely stunned. My dream apartment. My independence. My peaceful new life. All gone. Because of him. I dragged my suitcase into my bedroom and shut the door. I sat on the edge of the bed. I could hear Adrian moving around in the room next door. A drawer opened. Something dropped. Then he muttered something under his breath. I sighed. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad. Maybe we'd stay out of each other's way. Maybe we'd barely talk. Maybe we'd survive a few weeks. I stood up. Then I heard him shout from the other room. "Maya!" I opened my door. "What?" "Which side of the bathroom shelf is yours?" I stared at him. "The left." "Okay." "And don't touch my things." "Got it." I started walking away. Then he called again. "Maya?" "What ?" "Do you snore?" I stared at him. He was trying not to smile. "No." "Good." "Why?" "Because I might have to move into your room if you do." I grabbed the nearest pillow and threw it at him. He caught it. Then he laughed. I slammed my bedroom door. I leaned against it, breathing heavily. This was going to be a long few weeks. I didn't know it then, but that terrible housing mistake was about to change my life. Because sometimes the person you least expect becomes the person you need most. And sometimes... The person you swear you'll never fall for becomes the person you can't imagine living without.