Apartment No . 4 (Chapter 1)

“Looks like this is the last room I’m going to show you or you’ll need to find somewhere else,” grunted the sweat covered, balding landlord of my apartment building. The apartments he had shown me were already bad some of them having health and safety hazards. 

“Well maybe if your rooms looked like the picture on the website, we wouldn’t be having the problem. I groaned in frustration as he stuck the key in the lock and twisted it. The door swung open to a living room fully furnished and a small kitchen. The far wall held three doors containing bedrooms and the in the middle a bathroom. 

I sighed happily as I swept my fingers on the kitchen counter. The landlord was sitting on the arm of the ouch and watching me with a scowl face. “Look darl, this apartment has also been rented by another student  and they said they didn’t mind having a roommate, so if you do mind having a roommate, will ya just clear out so I can get some real customers in. He said harshly.

I walked over to the dining table and picked up the pen on top of the papers detailing the terms of my lease. I signed and wit ha huff and handed the paper to the landlord. He mumbled something under his breathe and slammed the keys on the desk and then he walked out. 

I looked around the apartment once more happily before doing a little victory dance. I danced my way over to my suitcase and picking the larger of the two rooms to set up in. 

After I neatly stacked my clothes, setting up my desk and my books and putting a cover on my duvet, I decided to give my mum a call.

“Yes mum, I’m fine.” I repeated for the tenth time while she gave the lock the door before you go to sleep. Mum wanted me to live on campus but I reasoned with him if I were to live on campus I would be involved with drugs and alcohol. I’m a straight A student. When she heard that she helped me find an apartment for myself. 

“Yes, I’m still living by myself.” First lie of the day. If she knew I was living with someone besides my best friend Zoya she would flip. 

After putting up a fight we’d compromised and said she could pay the while I would play a majority of the rent. I know I should be grateful since a lot of the other borders and dorm students have to pay their own, but I want to show my mum that I’m capable of handling things myself. 

I glanced around my room with a smile on my face, pretty impressed with how neat everything turned out. I heard the keys in the door ad then a lot of banging. 

“I gotta go mum, love you.” I hung up and put my phone on the couch. I was getting ready to introduce myself. I was met with a tall dark haired boy. 

“Who are you and what are you doing here?” He asked, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion. I was taken back. I looked down at my attire. I was wearing a over sized shirt that fell below above my knees. 

“I’m Ariana … your roommate.” I said, crossing my arms over my chest which grasped his attention as he gave once over before flicking back to my eyes. 

“But you’re a girl..” He said, he sounded irritated. 

“Sorry.” I said i confusion.

“Look I know my application it says I’m willing to have a roommate but”

“But what? I’m sorry but I need a place to stay and I’m not moving. So you’re just going to have to put up with it. I said walking away from him and going straight to my room and slamming the door behind me.

“Jerk.” I muttered under my breath. I go to my desk to phone to call Zoya.

Face palming myself I took a deep breath before walking out to the living room. 

I snatched it away from him. “Mummy called sweetheart” He smirked before I slammed my door again. 

“You want Pizza?” Asked my roommate, opening my door before knocking. I curled up on to my bed, hugging my pillow. I looked over my shoulder and nodded before getting off with a huff and walking past him through the door to the couch.

“If you’re buying.” I said, curling into the corner of the couch.

“I’ll shout you this one time.” He said picking up the phone.

He placed the order and came and sat by me on the couch. I could feel him staring at me. 

“What?” i asked, never taking my eyes of the TV screen. 

“You never asked me what my name is.” He said calmly.

I turned to face him and dropped the remote on the couch. 

“I guess I was a little pre-occupied being p’ed off.” He chuckled and nodded.

“Aditya Hooda”

“Ariana Anderson.”