Page 57 of Through the Flames
“Fiiine. Let me think.” I groaned. “Oh, yeah. Next came the sublet. Another perfect opportunity. I thought I had it locked down and even bought a fucking candle!”
“Ooooh, what kind?”
“Watermelon, I think? It was pink and smelled good. But then they texted me, just two days before I was supposed to sign. They said ‘Sorry, new market rate’, and that it’s actually $400 more now.”
Hailey gasped. “That’s fuckingwild!”
“That’s what I’m saying! Full disclosure, I was a little unwell after this call. Locked myself in a campus bathroom and ugly cried next to a tampon dispenser.”
“Can’t say I blame you.” Hailey winced. “You were definitely not exaggerating.”
I held up a finger. “Hold up. I’m not even done yet.”
“You’re not? I’m almost scared to ask, but my curiosity knows no bounds. What else happened?”
“Don’t I know it,” muttered Colt in the background.
“Well, after Plans A and B went straight to hell, I downgraded to applying as someone’s roommate. Which, shocker, has been about as successful as my dating life.”
“Oh dear.”
“Yup.” I nodded gravely, my lips pursed. “I got ghosted in real fucking life. I dressed cute and showed up at the coffee shop early. Actually felt optimistic about that one, but then I waited and waited.”
Hailey sucked in air through her teeth, her nose scrunched. “How long?”
“Forty freaking minutes!” I almost shrieked. “And when I checked my phone, the ad was deleted, and I couldn’t even find the user anymore.”
“That’s rough.”
“No fucking shit. Is the universe trying to tell me something?! My credit card bill is due, my hours in the café are dropping after the holidays, and I’m out of options,” I admitted, my shoulders slumping.
Sierra’s boxes were still surrounding me like some fucked-up constant reminder of my predicament.
“I know you didn’t want to go back, but what about campus housing?”
“Already checked. Full.” I said glumly. “And everyone else I know has a lease they can’t break. Dom’s on a full ride, so even if he had extra cash, he’s saving it for flights to see Sierra. I can’t ask him to miss out on that.”
Hailey cast a look to the side, apparently having some kind of silent conversation with her boyfriend.
“I’m gonna end up living in a storage closet behind the student union. Honestly? Probably wouldn’t be the worst.” I threw my head back dramatically, staring at the ceiling, unblinking.
Hailey faced me again, her head tilted faintly to the side, biting her lip.
“I think … well, as far as we know, Hunter still hasn’t gotten another roommate.”
I froze, gaping at her. Was she really suggesting what I thought she was suggesting?
A spark ignited deep inside of me.
It was a possibility — a dangerous idea, but one part of me liked it way too much.
“Yeah, right.” I scoffed, trying actively to discourage myself from going down this rabbit hole.
Hailey shrugged. “Might be worth a try. You know he’s not big about people, but he knows you to some degree at least, and maybe if you play up the desperation a bit … I mean, who knows?”
“I can’t just ask Hunter if I can move in with him!”
“It was just an idea. You don’t have to do it. I’m sure something else will come up.” Hailey assured me, though I could see the same doubt lingering behind her eyes, I felt churning deep inside myself.
