AllFreeNovel
Share Us
AFTER THE TEST, Brooklyn and I sat on the lawn under a large tree in front of Old Main, the iconic building on the U of A campus. The test seemed to have gone well. I hoped it went well. Some questions I had no idea about, but overall I felt fairly prepared. But what if mom had taught me wrong? There were still too many what if’s. I tried to push the test from my mind. There was nothing that could be done at this point except . . . wait.
I continued to absorb the atmosphere of this new world. Students roamed around casually. Apparently, it was the beginning of Rush for the sororities and fraternities. That process in itself was a little mind boggling as Brooklyn explained it.
A couple sat across the way, close together, stealing kisses. The intimacy intrigued me with them being out in the open. It was hard not to stare. Seeing the closeness had me thinking back to the times I’d wanted Matthew’s lips on mine.
Overall, my new clothes seemed to help me fit in . . . better. My hair was longer than most girls so I kept it up in a loser bun than what was required at The Society. Cutting it was on the agenda . . . at some point.
“Do you have a place to stay yet?” Brooklyn’s friendly manner had me warming to her throughout the day. I felt comfortable with her, but reminded myself to stay guarded. There were secrets I couldn’t let slip.
I flexed my toes into the grass. “I’m staying at a local motel. I need to look for a place tomorrow. Regardless if I get into the school or not, I plan on staying around here.”
Another lie.
Brooklyn moved to her knees as she excitedly talked and moved her arms with more emphasis. “Oh, I may have a solution for you.”
“What’s that?”
I was barely able to get the question out before Brooklyn spoke. The hope was evident in her voice. “The person I had planned to live with had to go back home unexpectedly and withdraw from school. It’s a two-bedroom place less than a five-minute walk from here. It’s near a U of A bus stop when it rains. I’m looking for a roommate if you’re interested.”
Is it okay to agree to live with a stranger this fast? Honestly, I didn’t want to go to the shelter every night until I found a place. “What would it cost a month?”
“Four hundred dollars, which includes all utilities. It’s furnished so you wouldn’t have to get any furniture.”
Surely, my mom had left me at least that much at the bank considering what her note eluded too. Plus, I’d look for a job once I figured out the school situation. There had been quite a few Help Wanted signs posted in stores on my way to Walmart.
Quickly, I went through the math of what I would have to make at a job. The rent seemed like a reasonable price. I hoped it was a reasonable price based on the work-study program pay I had seen. “I think that would be doable. When would I be able to move in?”
“Today! We can go get your stuff. Then, I can take you to the store to get anything you need.” Standing, Brooklyn held out her hand to help me up. “I can show you right now!”
At this point, it would have to be worse than the shelter for me not to agree. Slipping on my flip flops, I let her help me up. “Sounds good.”
We walked and some boys played something with an oval shaped ball that was pointed on the ends. My few hours of research on the Internet proved inadequate as I made mental notes on more things to look up.
Brooklyn waved to someone to the right. She was a beautiful brunette. “That’s a friend of my brothers. If you like the place, I can take you to get your stuff. You said you didn’t have a car earlier.”
It was still odd, thinking someone as young as Brooklyn had a vehicle. Only the Keeper had been allowed one and only those who helped him negotiate with the outside world were able to ride in it. The more I thought about The Society, the more I wondered what all transactions did take place with the real world.
Unknowingly, my fingers tightened on the backpack. “This is all I have. We didn’t have much. I sold what I could and wanted a fresh beginning. So here I am—starting over.”
“That’s scary and pretty cool you did that. I don’t know if I could really do that if given the choice.”
Giving a placating smile, I hoped we would move past this particular topic. It made sense she’d want to know a little about me, but hopefully not too much. The lies weren’t any easier to swallow, though they were coming off the tongue more naturally.
Conversation moved to showing me more about the university and the surrounding locales as we crossed the street. A few blocks later, we came to a blue siding apartment building. There were six apartments side by side.
“We’re unit number six.” Brooklyn unlocked the white door and we walked inside. The place was tidy. “This is the kitchen. It’s small but it has all the essentials for cooking.” There was a small breakfast table in the nook of the far corner. We kept walking to a room with two small couches and end tables. “Here’s the living room. My brother has an extra television, and is going to let us borrow it.”
Television—another thing to research.
This was going to be my new home. Home. Involuntarily, my chin trembled as I thought about all I had left. Putting my back to Brooklyn, I pretended to really look at the place as I quelled the feelings.
A minute later I brightly responded, “This is perfect. I love it.”
“Oh, yay! Let me show you upstairs.” Climbing up the stairs at a brisk pace we came to a landing. “To the right is my room. Your room would be over there.”
I followed the path of the cream carpet. The room was about the same size mine had been in The Society. A larger bed set against the far wall and a dresser on the opposite one. One night table of the same dark wood sat to the right of the bed. A door with a bathroom was on the adjacent wall to where I stood.
“We each have our own bathroom which was what sold me on the apartment in the first place. It’s more expensive than what I’m given for living expenses, but figured I could find someone to help. I hate living alone. I think we are going to be the best roomies!” Brooklyn waltzed into the room as she did a little clap jump thing and her blonde hair swayed.
