of their loss. She goes with them sometimes. They're working through it together.”
“Wow, that's good,” I say, running a hand over my head before looking down at my watch. “Well I'm going to head out. Seriously, thanks again for let me crash here for so long.”
Jordan opens his eyes, his head tilting forward as he looks at me. “It was nothing. You know that you're my boy, and if you get to that apartment and decide you hate that shit, you're always welcome here. You know we don't mind.”
“I know, but you guys deserve this time together alone. I'm sure it'll be fine,” I say. He stands, giving me a quick hug, and I thank him again before walking out of the house.
A few minutes later, I pull out of the garage, gazing over the serene surroundings once more before heading to the main road. The drive isn't long, and I spend most of my time in the quiet space telling myself not to think about Cherry as I head to the new apartment.
The building is in the center of town about three miles from the school, which is convenient as hell. I have morning classes, the stupid early kind, and I've never been a morning person. So, when I saw how close the apartments were to the school, I knew it would be perfect. I parallel park my car on the street and gaze up at a two-story building. This place has eight suites, four on each floor. Each one has four bedrooms with two shared bathrooms. It’s not ideal, but will be good enough.
Moving to my trunk, I grab my duffel bag and slide it over one shoulder, lifting a box from the inside of the trunk before I make my way into the building. There's not much to see, not much of a lobby at all. Just a tight entryway. I walk past a tiny mail room full of small square boxes sorted by suite number that sits across from a single elevator. Using my elbow, I press the call button and watch as it turns yellow. The sound of humming comes through the walls as the car moves down to my floor.
It's at this moment that I start to wonder about my roommates. I have no idea who they are, but I pray they are at least tolerable It will only be for the next few months anyway, and once school is over I'll probably be moving back home to Tennessee. That's if things don't work out with me and Cherry. I feel my thoughts moving back in her direction as that familiar stabbing pain returns.
Just as I'm beginning to sink, the elevator dings and the door slides open, revealing a small hall with four individual suite entrances stretching its length. I angle the box against the wall and my chest as I awkwardly pull the single key from my pocket and read the small sticker hanging from its tag.
Room 4 Suite 7.
I quickly find the correct door and place the box at my feet. The key slides smoothly into the lock and the door glides open into the living room space. It's small, just enough to fit a couch, a love seat, and a small entertainment center. It’s nowhere near as big as my other place, but at least it's clean. That's a good sign. After lifting the box, I use my back to shut the door and step further into the apartment.
There’s a small kitchenette which is lightly decorated with green accents and a small flower vase next to two microwave ovens. I don't know why we need two microwaves but that's a thing, I guess. Making my way through the common space, I continue to be impressed at how clean it is.
I turn down a small hall. Up until this point, the place looked like a regular apartment but all the doors in this hall are numbered in sequential order with bulky-looking door locks above each knob. Two bedrooms are placed on either side of the hall with bathrooms in between.
I find my door, unlock it, and enter my room. It’s small, as is the rest of the apartment, with just enough space for what's needed. There's a bed, a dresser, a nightstand, and a place for a TV to sit, which is nice. After tossing the box inside the small closet, I drop my duffel bag onto my bed and take a deep breath. Walking over to the window, I pull back the small curtain, revealing a view of the cityscape and the river that runs along the side of our downtown area. Then I turn and head back into the hall.
I guess this is the new normal.
I'm about a foot out of my room when I hear movement in the bathroom across from me. I step back and stand in the doorway, hoping not to scare whoever is in there as I'm sure they're not expecting a random guy to be standing in the hall.
Less than a second later the door swings open and all the air leaves my lungs. She is completely naked from the waist up, her mouth slightly agape as she looks at my face. My head feels like it's spinning but not because of the awkwardness of the situation. Not because she's standing here naked and unapologetic as fuck about it, not even trying to cover up. It's because it's been five years since I laid eyes on her. And not only is she the only other girl I have ever loved, she’s also the only one I’ve ever hated.