The 5th Roommate

Intrigue

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"Intrigue is the power of the weak because even the i***t is able to hurt."

- William Shakespeare

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I KNEW THAT the only way to stop feeling this way was to stop feeling anything for Reo at all.

The entire dinner time, I was off my element. I still participated in the conversation, but I kept noticing every single interaction Reo had with Belle. Even when she was also interacting with my mom and I, for some reason, I zoned in on what she did for Belle.

Passing her the salt. Serving her tea. Laughing at her jokes. Asking her questions.

She asked her more questions than she did me.

I felt infinitely ridiculous after it all, and resolved to just be chill and let things flow as they should. If my overthinking brain was correct and Reo had a thing for Belle, there was absolutely nothing I could do about that but support my best friend. I knew that Belle was as straight as they could get, but Reo was stunning. I'm sure she could make any straight girl a little gay.

"Raya?" My mom said again, and I snapped out of my reverie.

"Yeah?" I cleared my throat, jamming my hands inside my leather jacket. It was getting colder.

"Is it ok if Reo rode home with you? Belle's gonna come with me so I can drop her off." She walked towards her smart car, opened the passenger seat door, and started arranging things so Belle could get in easier.

"Sure." I shrugged, and Reo smiled at me.

Die, you stupid crush. Die. I directed the thoughts to the butterflies in my stomach as I wheeled Belle to where mom was.

I locked her wheelchair and as I bent down to carry Belle bridal style, she whispered in my ear, "She's hot, alright. I already ship you guys."

I stiffened a bit, but nevertheless playfully rolled my eyes. I grunted as I carried her full weight, her lame legs dangling off my arm as she clung to my neck. Belle's eyes were downcast, and I knew it was because she hated this part. People usually stopped and stared during this time, and Belle hated the pitied looks she got. I got her in the car as quickly as I could, because I hated having my best friend uncomfortable. I strapped in her seatbelt just as my mom was putting her folded wheelchair in the trunk of the tiny car.

"Soreo," Belle winked at me. "That's your ship name."

"Shut up, you twerp." I booped her nose before kissing her cheek goodbye. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"Don't be late," Belle narrowed her eyes at me, then reverted her attention to behind me. "It was nice meeting you, Reo."

"You too," Reo said, waving.

Then Belle shut her door and they were off.

"Come on, I'm parked near the mall." I started walking in that direction, keeping my eyes fixed on the ground as I felt Reo walk beside me.

I wanted to slap myself for parking so far away, knowing that I'd have to endure at least five minutes of torture. I tried increasing my stride speed, but everytime I did I had to stop and wait for Reo to catch up, so eventually I stopped trying to walk faster and just matched her pace.

She was in awe of her surroundings, the lights and noise seemingly fascinating to her. Chinese characters in neon lights for restaurants and spa places blinked and shined, reflecting on her porcelain skin. As Reo and I walked silently, the city night bustle sounded around us, giving me the sort of comfort I've grown to get used to.

"How long have you been here?" Reo unexpectedly asked.

"Since I was a baby." I shrugged a shoulder, our warm breaths coming out foggy against the cold air. "We visit my dad's country during summer, and my mom's birthplace during Christmas. But other than that, I've been here pretty much my whole life."

Just then, a little boy walked by us, his little shoes making high-pitched squeaks each time his foot hit the ground. I didn't see any adults nearby that seemed to know the baby, and I got concerned.

I caught up to the speed-walking toddler and tapped his shoulder. He swiveled around, his little brows furrowed as if I had just disturbed his peaceful hurry. His jacket was so thick the collar pressed against his cheeks, making them squished and therefore more puffy. He was the cutest little thing.

"Aren't you cold?" I tapped his bare, bald head as I knelt down to his level.

His face scrunched up in concentration, as if unbelieving that I was an actual foreigner.

"No." He shook his head. He tried to fold his arms in front of his chest but his thick jacket could only allow him to hook his pointer fingers together instead of his whole arms.

"Are you lost, little one?" I asked again, looking around.

He shook his head again. "No. My parents are lost."

I giggled. Children are something else.

"Shall we go look for them, then?"

"No," he struggled for a bit, reaching in his little sling bag. Soon his little pudgy fingers showed up again with an iphone. "I will call them." Then his eyebrows furrowed again in concentration, his double chins appearing from beneath his ducked head as his little thumb opened his phone and he hit the call button.

"Alright, little one," I stood back up again and waited with the little boy, Reo standing beside me as she witnessed the entire exchange.

"Do all Chinese kids look like little monks?" She whispered in my ear.

Her warm breath against my skin made me shiver but the unexpected question made me laugh out loud as I looked at her. A corner of her mouth was tilted upward in response to my laughter, but I could tell she was serious with her question.

"Pretty much," I chuckled. "Chinese mothers are paranoid during pregnancy, and always just eat cabbages and eggs for the entirety of their term. Cabbage makes the babies bald when they're born."

Reo's honey eyes widened. "They don't eat anything else?"

"Not that I know of," I tilted my head, smiling. "That's just their superstition. Anything else is bad for the baby."

By now the little boy had finished talking to his parents in rapid chinese, and clicked his phone off. "They're at the convenience store back there."

He started waddling in that direction again and I followed quickly. "I'll make sure you get there safe." I told him as his squeaking shoes filled my ears again.

"Thanks," he smiled at me, his small eyes shaped like cute little upside-down-smiles.

Reo and I walked with him until his parents walked out of the store, scolding him for running off. They thanked me, and I bowed slightly in welcome. Then Reo and I were on our way again.

"Your Chinese sounds just like theirs," Reo was in awe. "You don't sound like the foreigners that flew here with me."

I shrugged. "I've been here my whole life. The accent kind of grows on you."

Reo bumped my side playfully, making me lose my balance for a moment. "You should tutor me sometime, then."

"Uh, y-yeah, sure." I imagined us sitting close to each other, faces almost touching as we read Chinese together. I couldn't help but blush at the scenario.

"It's cold, huh?" Reo nodded in understanding as we walked.

I looked at her in slight confusion. It wasn't that cold and she wasn't showing signs of being cold either.

She pointed at my cheeks. "You're a bit red. Must be the cold."

I blushed even more, and I wished now more than ever I was as tan as my parents.

"Yeah, I'm freezing." I said instead, rubbing my arms even though my leather jacket provided more than enough heat. Thankfully, we made it in front of my motorcycle.

"Here we are," I straddled my bike and handed her the extra helmet strapped near the front.

"I knew you were the biker-chick kind," Reo shook her head, smiling as she took the helmet.

"It's the jacket, isn't it?" I looked down at my favorite piece of clothing.

"I don't want to stereotype but..." Reo trailed off, nodding as she put on the helmet. "It's your vibe, too."

"I have a biker-chick vibe?" I laughed. This was the first time I was hearing this. I've always been girly, and absolutely nothing about me would even indicate I loved motorbikes. "Do you always associate leather jackets with motorbikes?" I raised a brow, realizing that I was getting more comfortable with her. I put on my helmet.

She got on behind me, her front pressing against my back. "Shut up, Leon." She wrapped her arms around my waist and held on tight. "Let's get going."

"Avoiding your mistakes doesn't make it go away," I said in a singsong voice against my helmet. God, her body pressed against me almost made me giddy. She pinched my side and I laughed. "Alright, alright. Hold on tight."

I revved up my engine and I heard her gasp at the sudden sound. Some people stopped to stare at the source of the powerful roar, but I paid them no mind. I practically peeled out of the parking space.

Her grip on my tightened as the momentum of the bike's throttle temporarily pushed her back, and she buried her face against my back. The cold wind was biting my bare hands and I regretted not putting on my gloves. Paying so much attention to Reo made me forget.

By the time we got home, everyone seemed to already be in bed, and we both tiptoed to my room.

"So, um, would you like the top or bottom bunk?" I asked as I took off my jacket once we were inside. I turned on the heater.

Reo shrugged. "I'm fine with whatever."

She took off her trenchcoat and I noticed how her blouse hugged her body really well. I gulped.

"It's a rule here," I opened my hands like it wasn't my idea. "The guests have to pick."

"And you're such a goody-two-shoes you can't break a rule or two?" Reo teased as she knelt down to rummage through her suitcase. Her voice deepened when she said that, and I immediately got images in my head about breaking some rules. I coughed to clear it.

"What if I am?" I shot back. I've known Reo Crane for less than twelve hours and I really, really liked our banters already.

Reo stood back up; toiletries, a towel, and some pajamas were in her arms.

"I'm gonna take a shower," she twisted her mouth in thought. "And you should be able to decide by the time I'm out. Or else I'm sleeping on the couch."

"You can have the bottom bunk." I said.

Her perfect eyebrow arched. "Now see? That wasn't so hard now, was it?"

"Yep. Your height made it easier fo me to decide. You should be able to reach the bottom bunk easy."

Reo narrowed those pretty eyes at me before walking out.

We were talking and joking around. I was in euphoria.

While she showered, I took one in my brother's bathroom. As usual, he still wasn't home yet, and he never really got home until one or two in the morning. By the time I was done, Reo still wasn't. I couldn't believe someone actually took longer than I did in the shower.

I settled in my bed and mindlessly scrolled through social media. After quite some time of looking at memes, Reo walked in and the smell of candy filled my room.

Since I was facing away from her, she probably thought I was asleep. I tried to stay as still as possible as I listened to her turn off the lights and get settled in under the covers. After a few minutes of silence, I thought she was asleep.

"Hey Soraya?" She whispered in the dark.

"Yeah?" I replied too fast.

"I hope you don't mind me asking," she seemed to hesitate. "But what happened to Belle? It's totally fine if she doesn't want anyone knowing, I was just curious."

My heart sighed. Maybe she really did like Belle.

"She got in an accident when she was about five and got a spinal cord injury. Her legs are completely paralyzed."

"Ahh," Reo seemed to process the information. "She's a really nice person."

I nodded, even though she couldn't see me. "She's the best person I know," I whispered, my heart feeling a bit off. I love Belle to death, but Reo being interested in her enough to talk about her even when she's not around made me want to be in her shoes for once. I wanted Reo to talk about me like how she sounded when she asked about Belle.

Genuinely curious.

"Anyway, you'll get to know her more tomorrow," I tried to reassure her, but really I was trying to convince myself to let this stupid crush go before it gets worse. "Goodnight, Reo."

"'Night, Soraya." She always said my full name, I just noticed.

There was silence as I listened to her breathing.

Then, "I'm not that short you know."

"Goodnight, Reo."