"Elissa, guess what?" Thora shouted, practically bouncing into the kitchenette.
"What -?" Elissa looked up from the dish she was wrapping, one of the old arcopal plates with faded blue floral print that had been Thora's aunt's. Thora grinned, opening her hand to reveal a set of keys.
"Mr. Rowe said that we could go ahead and start moving in immediately. Isn't that great?" Thora wore a look of absolute glee, her hands clasped to her chest as if she'd just been informed that she'd won the lottery. "We're seriously going to have to step on it if we want to get moved in before the weekend. Just think, we can spend it relaxing instead of throwing boxes around. How many more of those do you have left?"
"Just a few more, and then we have the pots and pans, but at least those don't have to be wrapped. Although I thought we were shooting for Friday to move in?"
"Mr. Rowe said there was no point in waiting another three days to move in especially when school starts Monday. He said he wouldn't charge us for the extra days. He's really a sweetheart." Thora grabbed one of the remaining dishes and began wrapping it haphazardly. "I already called Chance and Libby, they said that they could start moving today. Chance said she had an appointment with her adviser she couldn't blow off, but Libby is already all packed up and ready to go."
"I still can't believe he wants so little for it," Elissa said, setting the plate into the box and automatically reaching for another one and a fresh sheet of newspaper. "Sure it's an old house, but it looked like someone put a lot of money into fixing it up. I swear I could still smell fresh paint when we looked at it yesterday and the roof looks practically new."
"Only you could find something wrong with an amazing deal, Elissa," Thora laughed as she set her hastily wrapped plate on top of Elissa's and grabbed the last one. "Like you said, it's an old house. Of course it's going to be less expensive than a two bedroom at The Oaks. After all it's not coming with two swimming pools, a 24 hour gym with a sauna and free cable and wi-fi."
"If I didn't know better I'd think someone was still a little mad that there were no units available at The Oaks." Elissa laughed, picking up the roll of packing tape to seal the box. "How will you ever survive without a sauna and Cinemax?"
"Oh please, are you sure you're not the bitter one? I didn't want to live there anyway, goober. Paige said the parking is a nightmare and that they never return anyone's security deposit when they move out. Plus Amanda lives there, and you know I can't stand her."
"I still think maybe we should have just signed another lease. I mean, was twenty dollars more a month really that bad? At least we wouldn't have to move boxes down two flights of stairs." Elissa made a face at the thought of shuffling boxes down the narrow stairwell for the next couple of hours. It had been a pain in the ass when they'd moved in six months ago, and she really didn't relish the though of doing it again.
"Did I stutter when I told you what everyone's portion of the rent would be? We'll each be paying less than half what we were paying for this place before the rent hike. How can you say no to that? Saving that kind of money we can get our own cable and who knows, maybe we could even look into a hot tub for the back yard. Imagine the parties we could have!"
"A hot tub? Seriously? How long are you planning on staying there anyway?" Elissa laughed, smoothing tape over the box and reaching for the scissors. Thora smirked, handing the scissors to her friend.
"I wouldn't mind staying until graduation, and maybe even longer. The place is absolutely to die for."
"Well, we're here. Looks like Libby already made it." Thora said, putting the truck in park.
Libby's old yellow Volkswagen sat out front, the dented bumper festooned with a liberal amount of bumper stickers proclaiming equal rights and denouncing war. Many were indeed vintage, but Libby had added to the collection since acquiring the car from an uncle. A Ryder truck was parked behind her, the ramps down and by the looks of things already half unloaded.
Elissa got out of the truck and went to the back of the U-Haul trailer, fiddling with the latch. "How can one person have so many things to bring?" she said, eying the mass of furniture and boxes still inside the Ryder.
"I think that Chance's parents sprung for the truck and movers since she couldn't be here right now to get it done. They just took everything since they were already there. Lucky for Libby, eh? Maybe we can sweet talk the movers into helping us with our stuff too." Thora started towards the house, before turning back to Elissa. "I almost forgot. Here is your key, I'd better give it to you now in case you need it later. I still have to go back to the apartment later to wrap things up with Mrs. Reeves and hopefully get our deposit back."
"Thanks," Elissa said, taking the small silver key. It glinted in the sunlight, looking almost sharp and sinister for a moment. She stuffed it in her pocket and gave the latch one last shove, successfully opening the door. A box fell out, scattering books and DVDs across the street. "Shit! Shit!" She knelt down and started scooping them back up quickly before any cars came.
"I knew I took that corner too fast. Let me help you." She bent down to retrieve the fallen books, when the front door swung open. Libby and Chance's boyfriend Robert appeared on the porch, Libby chattering away to the movers while Robert walked over towards the two girls.
"Looks like you could use a hand here, ladies." He helped them scoop up the last of the errant DVDs, and the took the box. "You don't really have a whole lot here. I can stick around and help out for a little while, but I've got work this evening."
"Thanks Rob, we appreciate it." Elissa reached in for another box, as Thora started in on the things in the bed of the truck. "We can get the boxes if you can just help with the furniture."
"It's no problem. I'll get one of those guys in there to help me with the couch and the bookshelves. Libby has been following them around micromanaging everything so I think one of them wouldn't mind taking a break from listening to her." Thora was about to say something when Libby strode over.
"Hey guys. I already had the movers put my stuff in that back bedroom. Hope you don't mind, they've already gotten everything in there and the bed set up." Elissa looked over to Thora, who wore a patient, yet compulsory smile. Libby smoothed back a lock of red hair with a flick of her wrist, silvery bangles tinkling like a wind chime.
"That's fine I guess. I don't really mind, do you Elissa?" Thora grabbed a backpack from the bed of the truck and started inside.
"No, it's fine with me. I'll call Chance and see what room she wanted, and I'll take the other one."
"Can you hand me another couple of boxes Elissa? I'll take these in and then get after the furniture." Elissa took another smaller box from the U-Haul trailer and set it down on top of the one Robert was holding. She took another for herself and followed Robert inside.
Libby's cellphone chimed, and she pulled it out of her pocket to answer a text. With a smile she walked back over to the front of the house, tilted her head back and snapped a picture. She pressed send, and then stuck the phone back in her pocket and went back inside, passing Robert and a relieved looking mover in route to Thora's truck.
Elissa was in the kitchen when she heard a tapping coming from the back door. Thora had left to return the trailer and turn in the keys to Mrs. Reeves and Libby had flounced off to see her boyfriend shortly after the movers had finished.
Setting down the dish she had been unpacking, Elissa nervously approached the door. If anyone had been watching them move in, they likely knew she was now there alone. Pulling aside just enough of the shade covering the door's window so that she could see who it was, she was relieved to discover that it was Chance standing out there. Unlocking the door, she opened it to let Chance inside.
"Thanks," Chance said, stepping inside and closing the door behind her. "I would've come in through the front, but it was locked too and I don't have a key."
"I thought Libby was going to bring you a key?" Elissa asked, a slight annoyance in her voice at Libby failing to do her part.
"I thought so too, but she never showed up. You know how Libby is though," Chance said, laughing.
"Yeah, I know all too well," Elissa replied, laughing along with her. "I'll get you a key later."
"Sorry I couldn't make it this afternoon," Chance said, walking further into the kitchen, looking around. "I see you managed to get all of the furniture in at least."
"Yeah, thanks to Rob. He helped a lot."
"I bet he did," Chance said, grinning.
She and Robert had been together for a couple years. He was a great guy. She was crazy about him and he got along with her friends too.
"I haven't picked up any groceries yet, but Thora said she'll bring back pizza for us," Elissa said.
"Great! I'm starving!" Chance replied as she moved next to Elissa to help her unpack what was left of the dishes and other things for the kitchen.
When they were done, they decided to take a small break and look around the house.
"I love this dining room," Chance commented as they walked through it from the kitchen to the living room.
"I do too. We might have to break it in with a party soon. And Thora said she wants a hot tub for the backyard."
"I wouldn't object to that."
"I figured you wouldn't," Elissa said, laughing again. "I swear, I think maybe you and Thora should have been roommates. You two think so much alike."
"And what? Let you live alone with Libby? I wouldn't want anyone to have to go through that. She's been all over my ass ever since we found this place, wanting me to make sure everything was ready for when we could move."
"Well, I'm not sure she lifted a single box or anything today. She's in for a rude awakening if she thinks I'm helping her unpack any of her shit."
While they did consider Libby to be a friend, at times, it was very difficult to get along with her. She was unreliable, she often had a smug attitude, and she hung out with some rather questionable people. Truth be told, they would've left her out of the move if they'd been able to find someone else to replace her. Plus, despite her behavior, they would have felt a little bad for leaving her on her own. They all knew how difficult it could be to find affordable living when you were in college. Elissa was actually a freshman, but she'd been roommates with Thora for a while.
Moving to the front hall, they peered up the stairs at the dark second floor. It had an eery look to it that creeped both of them out a little bit, though neither of them admitted it to the other. They both felt slightly braver since they were together anyway.
"So, Libby's claimed the bedroom on this floor. It's the biggest, of course," Elissa said.
"Oh, of course," Chance retorted, rolling her eyes.
"But! That means you, Thora, and I get the top floor to ourselves!" Elissa finished, smiling at Chance.
Smiling back, Chance followed Elissa up the stairs. Elissa paused at the top, flicking a switch to turn on the light. She then led Chance to the first door on the right, which was already open, a lamp inside turned on.
"You said you didn't really care about which room you had, so I'm going to take this one," Elissa said, continuing through a doorway that connected to the next room. "And Thora's going to take this room."
"Where have you got me staying then? The attic?" Chance joked as she looked out of the window which overlooked the street.
Laughing, Elissa said, "No, no, keep following me."
Leading Chance through the other door of the room, which took them back to the hallway, Elissa walked across to the other side of the house where there was another room.
Letting Chance enter the room first, Elissa then said, "This is your room! It even connects directly to the bathroom."
"I love it!" Chance said as she looked around the room. "I have a really good feeling about this place. It's just so perfect!"
"I do too!" Elissa replied, both of them excited.
Before they could explore the house any further, they heard the front door unlock and open, followed by Thora's voice saying, "Hey, anyone here? I've got dinner!"
They promptly headed back down the stairs to see Thora standing in the doorway, a large box of pizza in one hand and case of beer in the other, her purse dangling from the arm holding the pizza. They rushed over to help her, Elissa grabbing the pizza and Chance grabbing the beer. As Thora shut the door, Elissa noticed a car pulling away. It stuck out to her due to it's old look. It seemed like it was from the late 70s or early 80s. She thought nothing more of it though as it disappeared from her view.
"I got some beer too since I know there's nothing but water to drink here," Thora said as she followed Elissa and Chance to the dining room. "Water and pizza didn't sound good to me and I figured we could all use a few beers anyway."
"I think we could definitely use a few beers," Elissa replied.
"Is Libby back yet?" Thora asked.
"No, I think she's probably going to stay at Tyrone's tonight." Elissa answered.
"That figures," Chance said. "We've got this nice, new place and she's not even going to stay here for the first night. Oh well, guess that means more beer for us!"
After they ate, drank, and unpacked a bit more, they decided to call it a night and go to sleep. Shortly after they turned out the lights, the old car returned, parking across the street from the house. The figure inside didn't move, its face hidden in the darkness. It only watched the house. Watched as if it could see through the walls of the house. When the girls would wake up the next morning, the car would be gone again.