Amy looked at her ad that she pinned at the neighborhood cafe's bulletin board one more time, making sure it had the right tone. She didn't want to sound too stiff or too excited at the idea of having a roommate.
Looking for a female roommate
2 bedroom apartment, 1 t&b
65 square metres
No parties! No one loud please!
Rent, bills everything will be split to two
Call *************
Amy didn't want a roommate but her rent was proving hard to pay as she was balancing working with her studies. The last 5 that answered her ads when she posted on craigslist were looking for hookups. She should've known better than posting it on craigslist. She realized how stupid that was now. Maybe a neighborhood cafe would be much more... conservative?
As she was leaving a girl approached her holding the flyer she just posted. She looked really pretty with her auburn hair and dark eyes but she also looked like someone who goes partying every night and Amy just can't deal with drunken roommates. The responsibility of holding her hair up while throwing didn't entice her one bit. She wanted a roommate she didn't have to talk to or communicate in any sort of way. She needed to focus on her writing. She really just wanted help with the rent.
"Hi! Is this your ad?" The pretty girl asked.
"Umm.. yeah?"
"Can I check out the apartment? I need a place to crash my landlord just kicked me out"
"Can I ask why?"
"Why what?"
"Why your landlord kicked you out."
"I can't really say."
"Why not? What if its for something illegal?"
The girl snorted. "I assure you its not illegal."
"So i'm just supposed to take your word for it?"
"its really none of your business."
"I have the right to know if we're gonna be roommates!" Amy retorted.
"Fine! Its because he found out i've been bringing my girlfriend. My landlord's this 50's homophobe. Fuck him."
Amy regretted asking. She obviously touched a nerve. The auburn haired girl suddenly looked anxious.
"That's not gonna be a problem is it? Me having a girlfriend?"
"No of course not."
"Are you... too?"
It took a while for Amy to get what she was asking. By the time it dawned on her she felt defensive.
"Noo! I mean not that there's anything wrong with it. It's just that I haven't...It's cool that your... I mean good for you. I like boys. Wait, what?" Amy was confused now. The girl smirked at her. She looked really cute.
"It's ok." She said. "I'm Karma by the way"
"Amy. Sorry for rambling. I was just surprised by your question. Don't take it the wrong way, it's cool that your...gay pride you know... fuck I should shut up." Karma took her shoulders. Amy stiffened at her touch. Karma's face was near Amy's.
"Amy?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you think I can check out your apartment now?"
"Sssure. It's just down the block."
"Ok. Good. Let's go."
They walked silently to the building. Amy had no idea what came over her. The silence was awkward and Amy wanted to break it so bad but was too afraid she would make things worse if she opened her mouth again. It was a good thing Karma took it to her hands to break the ice.
"What do you do, Amy?"
"I'm studying"
"Studying what?"
"Creative writing and I work part time at the book store."
"Oh cool."
"You?" Amy asked tentatively. They have arrived at the building and was now climbing the stairs.
"I work at Sarah's. The pub down the street. I bar tend and sometimes sing onstage."
"Ohh nice." Amy took her keys out and unlocked her apartment. "It's small but livable."
"It's nice. It's the perfect size." Karma walked around the apartment. Checking out the empty room and that bathroom. "So do you think we'll be a good match?"
Amy felt nervous again. Good match? What does she mean?
"Good match?"
"As roommates, Aims." Aims. She liked the sound of that or maybe there's just something about the way Karma said it.
"I'll let you know. There are lot who are interested in the room."
"You just posted the flyer though."
"Yeah. I mean... i'll just let you know, yeah?"
Karma smiled at her again. That smile!
"I'll let you know soon." Amy said. They exchanged numbers and Amy promised she'd let Karma know as soon as she can. Karma left. As soon as Amy closed the door she leaned against it and took deep breaths. What the hell is going on with me?!
She looked at her phone and saw Karma newly saved name and number. She smiled. She somehow knew she wouldn't need to see other candidates as her roommate.