Disclaimer: We do not have any ownership of any of the characters, they belong to E.L. James. Any new characters belong to us. We are in no way professionals.
Welcome to OhCathy and I's new story. We've decided to co-write together and I've personally been enjoying it!
To my co-writer Cathy: I don't know what I'd do without you and our friendship. I'm so glad we've crossed paths! All of our late night conversations, plotting, and never ending laughs... you simply amaze me. I love you tons! You definitely are my bad influence. x
Don't forget to check out the pintrest page for our story: pinterest page / OhCathyP / the-roommate-fsog-fanfiction
Our story will also be on OhCathy's wattpad! wattpad / user / CS_Madness (For those readers who enjoy stories on there! Also, check out her other amazing work. WATCH THIS SPACE!)
This story has not been beta'd. All mistakes are ours and we take full ownership for it.
We do hope that you enjoy!
Chapter 1 - Life in New York
Anastasia
The loud honking of cars and bickering pedestrians are not the most pleasant sounds to wake up to. However, over the past four years, I have gotten used to it.
When I was accepted in NYU after high school, I was terrified of going. I even considered staying at home in Montesano and going to the University of Washington in Seattle. However, as soon as my stepdad Ray saw my acceptance letter, I knew he would encourage me to go. He saw right through my fears of leaving him and pushed me to pursue my dreams. It took me two weeks before I finally gave in and accepted to move to New York. We packed all my things and were headed to the big apple.
To say I was terrified of moving out would be a vast understatement. New York is in the other side of the country. It was so different than Montesano in many ways. I didn't think I would belong or even fit in. What would little ole me be doing there? Probably getting lost and staying in my dorm room.
After red faced tearful goodbyes, promises of monthly visits, and weekend phone calls... Ray left me in New York.
All I brought with me to remind me of home was a soft blanket Ray's mother knitted me when I was five. I can't sleep without it.
During the first few days, I would hold onto it like I safety blanket. My fear soon dissipated after living in New York for two months. I became fond of the diversity and accessibility to practically everything. Whenever I felt sad I would go to Columbus Circle and watch the night time Ballerina dance. Her beautiful statuesque and gracefulness made even the darkness of the night, so bright and beautiful. I would sometimes take strolls around Chelsea Pier and stare at the water, thinking of how beautiful and over the the top New York has become to me.
Now, after four years of living in the city, I am ready to move back to Washington. I know I would miss the bright lights, my new friends, and most of all the handsome Wall Street men who walked with purpose and dressed in impeccable suits. But, there will never be a place like home.
The last two months in New York, I stayed day in all day applying to all jobs in Publishing. Soon after, I was able to acquire a phone interview with Grey Publishing as an assistant editor to a Nathaniel Woods. Guess who got the job!
My only problem is yet again, I will have to move to a city that I know little about. But, unlike New York, I know that I would be more open to change. Seattle is not far from Montesano, the thought of being a drive away from Ray makes me smile. I miss him so much.
I sit in bed with my MacBook powered to at least ten different apartment searching websites in Seattle.
My childhood best friend Kate, offered me to stay with her. However, she lives in a two bedroom apartment with her brother, Ethan. Where does she think I'll sleep... the floor? Ha! There is clearly no space for third person. Also, even if there was, I have been sharing a room with my dorm mate Jenny for four years, straight! Now, don't get me wrong, I love Jenny, she's been an exemplary roommate. However, I think it's time for me to go back to having my own, personal space.
I look at my options: Downtown Seattle and Uptown Seattle. All close enough for me to get to Grey Publishing quickly and not be late. Yet, they are all so expensive. I rub my hands with my face. Ugh. What am I going to do?
Right before I go check my other options, my phone rings.
The picture on the screen makes my smile grow wide. It is of Kate and I, last time she came to visit me riding the teacups in Coney Island. Just the memory itself of Katie screaming: "FASTER, FASTER!" makes me laugh.
"Kate!" I squeal in delight, answering the phone.
"Ana!" She screams with the same trepidation as I.
"Why haven't you called?!" She says in a serious tone, demanding, almost.
"Finals. They are killing me. I have been just been so busy." I say exasperated just at the thought of taking yet again, another final exam.
"It's okay, I forgive you." She says sarcastically and I roll my eyes.
"How's New York?" She asks, as if she's really interested in knowing that answer.
"It's been good, Kate. New York is just New York! You've visited me before, so, it's the same!" I tell her.
"Okay. Now tell me when are you coming back home!" She says in a high pitched voice.
No doubt, she's excited to live in the same city as me. I am too!
"Soon. I just need a place to stay." I say as I push my Macbook away from my lap and drop backwards into my bed.
"I have been looking for apartments in Seattle, but I can't find anything. Everything I find is either too far from Grey Publishing or way too expensive." I rub my forehead with my freehand, this is much harder than I thought.
Why can't I just be assigned a place to live? That would make life ten times easier!
"Darling, you know you can stay with with Ethan and I. We would love to have you here." She says mostly waiting for me to say yes to her.
"I know, I know. But I need my own room, my own space!" I remind her. Her apartment won't fit us all.
"We understand. Have you considered looking for a roommate?"
"Briefly. But, what if she is crazy and tries to kill me!" I say laughing.
I'm pretty sure with Rays military background I'm equipped to take down another girl. I'm definitely sure of it.
"Well, that's why you interview her! Duh!" Like it's the most obvious answer. I've never interviewed anyone. How would I know?
"Where would I put the ad search?" I ask.
I've never done something like this. I've always lived with either mom or Ray, and my last roommate was assigned to me, I didn't have to do much.
"You can put out some ads with what you're looking for in a roommate. It can include: gender, age, what they like, and whatever you want. But just make sure you don't replace me." She says as a I roll her eyes. As if I could ever.
"NEVER! But, where would I live? In my search, I couldn't find anywhere that was practical." I say remembering my failed apartment hunting attempts.
"Escala." She say like It's the most simple answer to all my questions.
"Escala?" Is that some type of area in Seattle? Is it anywhere remotely close to Grey Publishing? I ask myself internally.
"It's a building. It's very safe and super close to Grey Publishing." She answers my unspoken question. It's like she can read my mind.
"How about you can stay here in the meantime... while you find a place?" I can hear the excitement in her voice.
"Deal! I would LOVE to stay Seattle with you... until I find a roommate." I say almost sarcastically, but, really, I just miss my best friend.
"Deal!" she says.
"Darling, I have to go to work, call me soon, okay?" I know she misses me as much as I miss her.
"I promise." We end the call and lift myself off my bed, reopening my laptop.
I search for Escala and it seems like a wonderful building. Just like Kate mentioned. Secure and close to Grey Publishing. Maybe I would take the chance and check it out.
Now my biggest task is actually finding a roommate. I check online ads for roommates in Seattle, specifically, Escala... but, I find none. Maybe I should create one? This way, I can customize exactly who I am looking for.
I walk across my room and grab my notepad and pen. I begin to write a list of everything I am looking for in a roommate. I take in my own experience with living in a dorm and compare what I like and don't like.
After many crumpled up balls of paper land on the floor… I think I know exactly what I'm looking for in a roommate.
Ana's "looking for a roommate" AD:
"ATTENTION: Looking for a roommate in Seattle, WA.
Anastasia Steele
Age: 22 years old
Preferred roommate pairing: Female
Preferred building type: Two Bedroom
Preferred location: Downtown Seattle
Required building Location: Escala
Move-in time: ASAP
Preferences:
-Someone who doesn't smoke.
-Someone who enjoys company.
-Someone who can respect my privacy.
-Someone who knows when it's time for peace and quiet.
-Someone who is clean and responsible.
-Someone who is friendly and trustworthy.
-Someone with open communication.
-Lastly, someone who knows how to have fun!
Don't bore me to death. :P
Extra notes: Hi! I'm moving from New York to Seattle really soon. I've been living here for four years and I'm now looking for a roommate! I'm planning on having interviews/meeting with those who I think is a perfect match a couple of days after I arrive to Seattle. Please email me your information, if you're interested in becoming my roommate! Also, don't forget to check out my preferences. Thank you!"
I look at my notepad and smile brightly, this is perfect. It's me in a nutshell. I'm hoping since I was very specific with my preferences and requirement, I'd find at least one good roommate match. I seriously don't want to live on Kate and Ethan's couch forever.
I power up my macbook and smile, Ray bought this laptop for me after my first year of college. He knew I would up to my neck with papers, exams, and studying… He thought by having one, it would be helpful. He was right.
After powering on my macbook and check on the online ads that I was on previously, I still have found nothing.
I decide that I need to text Kate.
Me: Kate! I'm sorry to bother you again :P What were the two sites you told me that I should post on?
Kate: Facebook and craigslist. Although, Facebook is the safer option ;)
Me: Thanks a million!
Kate: No problem, babe! Talk to you soon! Xox
I send Kate the kissing emoji then sign onto Facebook and get on craigslist. Although, yes, Facebook might be the safer option, I need options. So, I decide to post my ad on both social sites.
While I'm scrolling through Facebook, a certain ad catches my eye. The reason being is, one of this person's' requirements is to live in Escala. This may work out for me. I click her ad.
"Looking for a roommate in Seattle, WA.
Lily Lincoln
Age: 21 years old
Preferred roommate pairing: Female
Preferred building type: Two Bedroom
Preferred location: Downtown Seattle
Required building Location: Escala
Move-in time: ASAP
Preferences:
-Doesn't smoke
-Clean, responsible, and talkative
-LOVES Pink
-Friendly
Extra notes: Hi! I've never had a roommate before, but, I really need one. Sorry if my preferences suck, this is all new to me. But, I promise, I'm a good person! I'm just trying to find my way in the real world. If any of our preferences/requirements match, please email me. Thanks!"
I'm taking a look at the picture that she has provided. She's actually not bad looking, she's pretty. Blonde with brown eyes. We're close in age, she's never had a roommate, whereas, I have. That could pose as an issue, but maybe this could work?
I don't want to spend too much time on dwelling on the fact that there might be no other person I could possibly live with… She also doesn't seem like she's crazy or she'd kill me. Ha!
Hmmm, maybe she'll run across my AD and email me, if she thinks we also could be, the perfect match.
I sign off and close my macbook. I'm really hoping this all works out for me, I need it to. I want to leave New York and live my life in Seattle. The biggest plus is just being able to be closer to my loved ones, that's what I'm most excited about.
Cooking in the comfort of my home, happy hours with Kate, movie nights with both her and Ethan, working a new and exciting job, exploring new sites and places, and just being free and living life with no regrets! I'm looking forward to it, so looking forward to it!
It's now 7pm, I decide to just order take out because my dorm mate went home for the weekend.
Twenty minutes later my food arrives! Chinese food, now this... this stuff is my weakness! I ordered white rice, orange chicken with a side of steamed broccoli. One of my favorites!
Around 8pm, I decide to check back on my ad and email to see if I've got any hits.
What do you know? Lily Lincoln answered my ad! Yay! So, I respond back quickly.
I know Seattle is in a different timezone, so hopefully, she gets my message.
I decide to browse around the internet for new clothing that I'll need if I get this job at Grey Publishing… business attire, I need more business attire. Think, Ana, think... So, I go online and take a look at more trousers, blazers, pencil skirts, blouses, heels, and so much more. Surely, I can't show up to Grey Publishing in converse. Although, that's so typical Ana! My email pings and it's a response from Lily.
She agrees to meet when I get settled in Seattle and I'm ecstatic! Who knew I'd find a potential roommate this quickly?
I decide to text Kate and let her know that I've got a potential match and her quick response is a sad emoji face with crying ones as well. My sad best friend. But, nonetheless, I know she's excited for me and this new chapter in my life. Plus, I'll be so much closer to her! No more having to facetime!
It's now 10pm and I've been browsing the internet for way too long. I decide to get off my macbook, slip on some pajamas with fuzzy socks, and get ready to study. Thirty minutes later, I'm sitting at my desk and I've got my glasses on, a book open, my notebook, highlighters, pens, and hot chocolate to keep me warm. It's the best during the cold nights in New York!
I have a few more final exams to study for, so, that's exactly what I'll do tonight.
After hours of studying, I swear, my eyes are beginning to cross! I check the clock on my nightstand and it reads 1am. I groan.
I need to get to bed so that I'm on time for my exams tomorrow. I hate being late! Also, I'm exhausted after a day like today.
I get into my warm bed and clutch on my safety blanket. While I'm laying there, I can't help but think about how things are working out for me. I'm ready, so ready to be in Seattle!
With those thoughts, I fall into a deep sleep.
The inspiration of our story is a movie called The Roommate. It's merely just an inspiration, we've done our own twist on things.
For those of you wondering if this will be a Christian/Ana story... the answer is yes. You'll just have to see how everything unfolds.
Share your thoughts with us. x