“This is Ms. Thomas with the school?”
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I mutter, “Hello, Ms. Thomas. How can I help you?”
“Well, I have news.”
I drop my hand to my side, fighting between disappointment at my already lost opportunity and confusion, because why is she calling me unless it’s to rub salt in the wound? “Okay?”
“One of the girls dropped out,” she explains. “We have an opening.”
Still confused, I repeat, “Okay? I’m sorry, what are you talking about?”
“An opening,” she clarifies. “For the apartment?”
Seriously? That’s why she’s calling me? Because the apartment I already turned down opened back up? And here I thought I was setting myself up for a good day, or at least trying to. I even woke up early so I could get in some study time before my shift. Yup. This is definitely adding salt to the wound.
“Violet?” she prods. “Are you still on the line?”
“Yeah, I’m here,” I mutter. “Uh.”Why is this so embarrassing?“I still don’t have the money, so?—”
“That’s the best part,” Ms. Thomas returns. “As you know, the fees are nonrefundable, and since the student you’d be replacing paid for everything up front, the room is covered until the end of the school year.”
Like I’ve been hit by a brick, I lean against the side of my car until I give in and slide to my butt on the gravel beneath me. “What did you say?”
“I said, the room is already taken care of. It’s been paid for, for the rest of the year. All you need to do is fill out a few tenant forms, and you can move in on November first.”
“November first?”
“I’m sorry, it was the best we could do, but the good news is, the place is yours.”
The place is yours.
My palms sweat as I grip the phone to my ear. Please say I’m not hallucinating or still in my bed dreaming. Please, please, please. Is this real? Is she telling me the truth? Digging myfingernails into my palms, I look down at the tiny half-moon indents confirming I’m very much awake. “Are you serious?” I whisper.
“Of course, Violet.” I can hear the smile in her voice, and it only makes me want to cry. “When the opportunity became available, you were the first to come to mind as an excellent candidate.” Her voice softens. “I know how much this would mean to you, Violet, but I do need an answer right away. What do you say?”
“Yes,” I rush out. “Yes, I’d love to take the room.”
“Perfect! I’ll get the paperwork ready, and you can come by campus as soon as you can.”
“Thank you, Ms. Thomas. Thank you so much.”
“Happy to help, Violet. Really. We’ll see you soon, okay?”
“Yeah.” A laugh bubbles out of me. “Yeah, I’ll see you soon.”
I jinxed it. I thought my good luck was finally going to stick around, but when I opened my laptop to finish an assignment before my shift, the screen short-circuited and everything went black.
Rest in peace, laptop. It’s been a good run.
I shove the thought aside. I’m not going to let it get me down, though I do make a mental note to look up computer prices at the library later today. Not that it matters. It’s not like I’ll be able to afford one for the foreseeable future, unless I use the three hundred Jagger forced me to take which isnothappening, and?—
Nope. I’m not gonna let it ruin my high. I officially have a place to live come November first, and I cannot be more excited…even if signing the papers did make me a little late for work. I was too anxious about something wrong happening, so Icalled Ms. Thomas back and asked her if I could swing by to sign the papers before my shift instead of waiting to do it after. She agreed. Hallelujah! And now, no matter what, I only have a little while longer living under the same roof with my sperm donor until I’m finally free. It’s a legit miracle. If only I didn’t have to give up my childhood home in the process. Nope. I’m not gonna let that get me down, either.
Pulling into a parking spot, I turn off my car and pat the dashboard. “We made it, ol’ girl.” It’s a habit I’ve had for at least a year. Call me superstitious, but if this breaks down, too, I’m done for. As the thought crosses my mind, I squeeze the bridge of my nose, willing it to go far, far away.
Don’t even think about it.
Fate does not need any more ideas, thank you very much.
