The 5th Roommate

Interest

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"No conflict, no interest."

- John Doerr

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I ENDED UP showering in my parents' bedroom, the previous scene constantly replaying over and over in my head. I was more embarrassed by the fact that she was probably horrified to see a black-tar monster standing there in her bra. I couldn't imagine her trauma.

I ended up using an entire bottle of shampoo since the smell was so strong and it was difficult as hell to get it out of my hair. I got a free dinner out of it though.

After wrapping myself up in a towel, I moved to change into my clothes, only to close my eyes in annoyance at myself for not thinking of bringing them. That meant going to my room. Which meant facing her.

I took a deep breath, wrapped the towel tight around my naked body, and walked to my room with as much dignity as I could muster.

I hesitated before knocking, thinking of what to say. I leaned my ear close to the door to try and hear what was going on inside, and cursed my door for being sound-proof. I took a deep breath and knocked. When the door opened, it felt like the wind got knocked out of me and everything I knew was wiped off my mind.

My new roommate was definitely not old.

My eyes travelled up bare, long, shapely legs and hips that gently sloped into a slim waist. Her collar bones protruded from under the white cotton shirt that she wore, her neck carving into her jaw and impeccable bone structure. Full lips were parted, looking even more pink against her fair skin. Her nose was in perfect symmetry that lined up with her eyebrows, and I didn't know I had a thing for eyebrows until I saw hers. And lastly, her amber eyes. They were such a light-colored honey I could see her pupils clearly. If Alexandra Daddario's eyes were honey-colored, it would be hers.

And I've always had a crush on Alexandra Daddario's eyes.

"H-hey," I stuttered. "I'm just gonna grab some clothes, if that's alright with you?"

"Oh yeah sure, no problem." She smiled, a dimple popping out of her left cheek. Her voice was low, slightly husky, and amazingly feminine. I had no idea there was such a thing as a feminine voice. There were female voices, sure, but hers was undeniably so— just like the rest of her.

A slender finger moved up to hide hair behind her ear as she stepped aside for me to walk in. She smelled like candy.

I quickly walked in to grab the bag of clothes I bought yesterday, remembering my promise to show Belle when we watched the movie. I was planning to just change in my parents' bedroom.

"I'm Reo, by the way," she extended a hand when I turned back around, still smiling. "Reo Crane."

I reached out to shake her hand, and the hand that did was the hand holding the towel.

"Oh," she turned her face away, laughing.

"Oh god," I quickly grabbed the towel against my breast, feeling the heat rise up from my neck to my face. I took a deep breath, shaking her hand. I'm a complete mess. "I'm Soraya. People just call me Raya."

"Beautiful name." She smiled at me again.

"Thank you." I blushed, returning her smile. "It's nice to meet you. Anyway, uh, I'll just leave you be."

She gallantly stepped aside and gestured her hands grandly to let me pass, and I smiled at her sense of humor.

Before leaving, I turned back to her, so quickly she almost bumped into me. "I'm sorry about a while ago, by the way. I, uh, didn't see anything."

She raised a delicate brow, amused. "It's alright, Soraya Leon," she winked before closing the door. "I'm sure you didn't."

I stood there for a minute after the door closed. Was she flirting with me? Was a wink flirting or being charming? Was being charming the same as flirting?

I didn't even know if she was gay. God, I've only just met her and I've already developed a crush. I took a moment to gather my feelings.

What's this? Butterflies? I've never had butterflies in my belly before.

Then I realized I was attracted to her physical features alone, and shrugged. She's probably a b***h on the inside, I thought. And that'll help get the annoying crush thing away.

Not that I wanted it to leave.

I changed into my new skinny jeans, along with a casual button-up shirt with the first two buttons undone to show off the golden pendant my dad had given me for my sixteenth birthday.

I put on my boots again and went to kiss my mom on her cheek as she sat in front of her laptop at the dining table. "I'm going to the movies with Belle. I'll be back by dinner."

"No shoes in the house," my mom scolded. "Agh you've got mud everywhere."

"Sorry!" I apologized and quickly wiped off the mud prints with a towel. We've adapted to the Chinese custom of not allowing shoes inside the house, and it honestly made it cleaner. I liked it better. I just forgot sometimes.

"Why don't you take Reo with you?" My mom suggested. "You can show her around town after the movie. I'll give you extra money for dinner." Before I could response, my mother gushed. "Did you know she has a master's degree? And she's only 23."

"Um, interesting," I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. I could just feel my mom comparing me. But then I remembered what she said about certain guest and acted quickly. "She's busy," I squeaked. "Besides, I'm late and I can't wait for her. Bye!"

"O-ok." My mom gave me a weird look before I shut the door and walked to the elevator briskly.

I loved giving tours. I adored and knew this city like the back of my hand, and I reveled at seeing people's reactions with the unique culture and art presented here. And I had just declined one.

My heart pounded at her suggestion. I couldn't function like a normal human being around Reo Crane, much less give her a tour of the city. And to do that, I'd have to actually talk to her.

Talk to her? What a horribly wonderful idea.

I met up with Belle in record time at one of the malls downtown. She was dressed in just a shirt and jeans along with a cardigan, since it was a bit chilly outside.

"Hey," I kissed her cheek. "Got the tickets?"

"Yep," she grinned, letting the 'p' pop. "But it's not for another hour. Let's get milk tea."

Belle loved milk tea. She had one almost everyday and even my threats of her getting diabetes couldn't slow her down. I sighed and wheeled her to the shop.

I got her the usual, and we sat across each other as she sipped on her milk tea and I drank my coffee. I will die with coffee in my veins one day.

"Something's bothering you," Belle chewed on her boba pearls, her jaw working the chewy balls. "I can tell. So spill."

"I'm fine," I dismissed her otherwise correct assumption. "Just had black tar poured all over my head on my way home. And my back hurts, by the way, so thank you for that." I referred to the gardening.

"You're welcome." Belle casually stirred her milk tea, completely ignoring the fact that I just had black tar poured all over me. Some best friend. "So how's your roommate?"

My heart stuttered. "S-she uh— wait a minute, how did you know?"

"Your mom told my mom, and now basically the whole family knows," Belle chuckled. "So, she's young, eh? Is she pretty?"

Hella.

Belle knew about my attraction to girls, but we both kept it between us since I never acted on it anyway. I'd have crushes that last for a day or two, then immediately lose interest. I never pursued any of them either.

"Hella, huh?" Belle smiled cheekily around her straw. "That gorgeous, wow."

I wanted to smack my face for saying it out loud.

"Y-yeah ok fine, she's cute, but so were the girls in our school—" false. She's prettier than any of them. "—and you know how I crush. It'll be gone in a day or two."

"Uh huh," Belle said skeptically.

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"The movie wasn't that bad," I said, reminiscing the cool special effects. "I actually quite liked it. The couple was cute too."

"It was nothing like the book." Belle crossed her arms and pouted, dissatisfaction written across her flawless face as I pushed her wheelchair. "I mean, really? Shortening the plot for that?"

"How about you direct the next movie?" I suggested sarcastically. "And you're free to do it exactly by the book."

"Maybe I will." Belle huffed.

"Soraya!" A familiar voice sounded across the mall.

"Mom?" I whipped my head around to look for her, just because I wanted to buy something and she was my walking wallet.

A hand waved and I smiled, pushing Belle over to where mom was.

"Let's grab some dinner." Mom smiled, kissing Belle's cheek in silent greeting as she said so.

"Sounds cool." Belle and I piped up in unison.

But then we were interrupted my a familiar voice and my heart jumped.

"I'm so sorry Mrs. Leon, but they didn't have that flavor you wanted. I hope plain soya won't hurt." The honey-dripped voice almost made my knees buckle.

I had to physically stop my eyes from widening and my head from moving down so I could check her out.

Red blouse tucked in black jeans. High-heeled boots that allowed her to be my height. A stylish trench coat over it all, with a slender hand tucked in a pocket while the other held a drink to her red-tinted lips.

"Hi, Soraya." Reo smiled behind her Starbucks drink.

"Hey." I gave her a lopsided smile, beyond grateful I managed to act cool even when a whole zoo was in my belly.

"Thank you, dear," my mom took a sip. "It's perfect."

"Oh! Uh," I pushed Belle forward a bit. "This is Belle Thatcher, my best friend. Belle, Reo Crane." I introduced them.

"It's a pleasure to meet you!" Belle's eyes shined like they always did when meeting someone new. Belle absolutely loved meeting new people, but I could tell she paid extra close attention this time, knowing that she was meeting the woman who caught my attention.

"Likewise," Reo replied softly as she shook her hand. "Stunning people are always a pleasure to meet." She gave her a wink.

For some reason, I felt my heart drop. She never called me that.

"Girls," my mom waved us over. "How does Chinese sound?" She joked.

Reo laughed. "Hmm. Chinese food is pretty rare around this area Mrs. Leon, so yes, I'd love some."

Oh my god. She carried my mom's joke like a pro.

"Please, call me Yazmin." My mom was absolutely charmed.

Reo looked at her side to watch Belle laugh at what she said, looking genuinely pleased with herself. It was almost like she was hoping to impress my best friend.

And for the rest of the evening, this annoying, gnawing feeling tugged at my chest.

I realized then that I've never been this jealous of my best friend before.