Love For The Holidays

Chapter 2

Two

Ivy

While my best friend helpfully swapped booths to make place for Frances, I dug my list with questions out from my bag. I hadn’t expected to do another interview but I really wanted to find a housemate before the next month began. While Jenna was paying rent until I found someone new, I didn’t want to make her pay for two places if it could be avoided.

A little nervous, I examined the tall girl in front of me. She was slender but muscular and pulling off her tank top in a way that I never could. I couldn’t remember if Jenna ever mentioned her before but I suspected not. While Frances was a very beautiful girl, she wasn’t my best friend’s type. Maybe it was rude to be happy about that but the last thing I needed was for Jenna to fall for her and move back in when her moving out was the cause of all this mess. Or worse, have Frances move out so they could live together, leaving me without a housemate once again.

She folded her hands together and c****d her head to the side. “So what kind of questions do you want to ask me?”

Her question snapped me out of my thoughts and I pulled my attention to my list. “Right… Umm… Okay, I guess whether you’re a student or working or… unemployed?”

“Student. I’m doing my last year in marine biology.”

"Really?” Impressed, I jotted her answer down on my blank sheet. “Marine biology? That’s interesting.”

“I’ve always loved coral reefs. I’m doing my dissertation on the long-term effects of climate change and the greenhouse effect.” She released an awkward chuckle. “But you probably don’t need to know that.”

I tried to smile reassuringly. “No, no, it’s nice that you’re passionate about your studies.”

“I am.” She held my gaze for a moment longer. “So are you a student too?”

Her question took me a little aback before I realised that it was perfectly normal that this interview was going both ways. Unlike the people that applied online and read some of my bio, Frances knew as little about me as I about her.

“I work part-time at a print shop while I figure out what I want to do with my life,” I answered honestly. It wasn’t the most glamorous job in the world but I liked the hours and the pay was decent.

“Aha, I see. Alright, what are your other questions?” she asked, capturing me in an intense but non-threatening gaze. Mostly, it just felt like she was making a real effort to pay attention.

“Umm, my other questions are a little unconventional, perhaps. On average, how often do you shower a week? What do you consider going to bed late and waking up early? Do you drink or smoke? Do you get angry easily and how often do you want to have friends over?”

Frances released a crystal laugh, her eyes lighting up with amusement. “This is more personal than a first date but alright. I shower every two days, more if I go running. I’m a bit of a night owl so I go to bed after midnight. I don’t like waking up early. I drink occasionally, I don’t smoke. Umm... What were your other questions?”

“Do you get angry easily and do you have your friends over a lot?” I added, trying to process her rapid stream of answers.

“Ah. I don’t think I get angry easily unless I’m hungry, then I can be a bit of a grump. And… I guess I like having friends over but mostly, we hang out here, so.” She finished her drink and pushed the empty glass to the edge of the table, where it was easy for the server to pick it up. “Is it my turn to ask questions now?”

I put my pen down, accepting the futility of writing down all her answers. “Sure.”

A bright smile stretched across Frances’ face. “How long do you take to get ready in the morning? Can I bring in furniture for the shared living spaces? How thin are the walls and if you lived with Jenna, I’m pretty sure I know the answer, but still, are you okay with me being a lesbian?”

"Good questions,” I complimented, surprised that she came up with those on the fly.

She beamed. “Thank you.”

“Okay, let’s see. I’m not super fussy in the morning so maybe like… half an hour? The flat is fully furnished, except for the spare room, so it depends on what you want to bring. The walls are… not great. I used to put my headphones on when Jenna’s girlfriend came over, if that’s what you’re asking. And I’m totally okay with the lesbian thing.” I leaned back against the padded booth, hoping I answered everything well. “Anything else you want to know?”

“No, you seem like a cool chick. I can’t make any decisions until I’ve seen the place though.”

Fair. The only reason I didn’t conduct interviews at home was so I could decide who I showed the house to. Maybe it was because the earlier candidates were so bad, but Frances seemed a pretty solid choice.

In a bit of an impulsive moment, I pulled my smartphone from my small handbag and unlocked it with my thumb. I pushed it across the wooden table. “Why don’t you give me your number and we can arrange a viewing?”

“Sure.” Frances reached for my phone and chuckled at my case with sunflowers. “Nice case.”

“Thanks. I love sunflowers, they’re my favourite.”

“Adorable.” She handed me my phone back and our fingers briefly touched. “Here’s my number, Message me. I’m free pretty much whenever.”

“Awesome, will do.”

Frances rose from the booth to make her way back to her friends. As she turned around, something changed her mind and she faced me again, her arm stretched out. “It was nice to meet you, Ivy.”

I quickly got up to take her hand, surprised by the firm but gentle shake. “Nice to meet you too.”