Page 25 of The Jerk in Apartment 1B

“Jenna should’ve told her,” he says to Cole.

“She said she did.”

“Told me what?” I ask.

Cole answers. “That Scott has a lot of parties. It’s his thing. He’s known for it.”

“It’s true,” he says with a smug grin.

“She told me about the parties,” I say, “but she didn’t say they went all night!”

“They usually don’t,” Cole says. “But like Scott said, last night was one of the best. You really should’ve been there.”

“Haven’t you guys outgrown this?” I say. “Who still has all-night parties at your age?”

“I think people should do what they want no matter what their age,” the Jerk says.

Cole looks at him. “She thinks you’re immature. Oh, and she said you’re unreasonable. And I think she called you a jerk.”

I whack Cole’s arm. “That was confidential! Why are you telling him this? What is wrong with you?”

“I think honesty is best in this situation,” Cole says. “If you’re going to live next to the guy, you might as well try to get along with him.”

“I don’t see that happening, especially if he keeps having parties like the one last night.”

“I’m going to let you two talk this out,” Cole says as he leaves. “I’ll be next door.”

I can’t believe he just left. If Cole really is in charge of managing the property, he should stay here and deal with this. Or better yet, he should order his friend to keep the noise down. But, of course, that’s not going to happen. Cole is friends with the enemy. I’m fighting a losing battle.

“I thought you moved in your stuff yesterday,” the Jerk says as he looks around the room.

“I did. This is it.”

“You don’t have any furniture.”

“Nope,” I say, glancing at my piles of clothes.

“You don’t even have a bed.”

“I know. I slept on the floor last night.”

“Seriously?”

I look at him. “Do you see a bed here?”

“Why didn’t you say something?”

“To who? You think telling someone I don’t have a bed is going to make one magically appear?”

He walks out of my apartment.

“Um, okay,” I mutter to myself. “I guess we’re done talking.”

I’m about to close the door when the Jerk appears again, holding what looks like an inflatable pool float. It’s bright pink and has a headrest at the top.

“What’s that?” I ask as he brings it into my apartment.

“Something to sleep on.” He sets it on the floor. “Try it out.”

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