Cat POV
After both of my parents died I sold the house and moved into an apartment/loft in the city. It was closer to UCLA than my house was. I also sold both of my parents' cars. There was no use for them now.
When I moved into the apartment I adopted a long-haired, teacup, Chihuahua. Her name is Stella and she is the cutest thing in the world. She is only eight weeks old right now and is full of energy. And she was still learning her name so she doesn't listen very well. But she is just a baby so I don't hold it against her.
I had also put up an ad for a roommate. This place was huge and had two bedrooms. I felt so lonely here. I needed someone to keep me company; especially after my parents died. I just didn't want to be alone. That and this place cost $1500 a month and I'm an 18 year old college student. Even if I do have enough money for it on my own I would rather have someone here with me. But I did have a job too. And even though I didn't need to, I got a job at a record store. I only work part time though.
One day I was sitting on the couch playing with Stella when my cell phone rang. I had completely forgotten where I put it so I was frantically looking for it while the small puppy chased me, yipping the whole time. Finally, I found it under a stack of mail on the coffee table.
"Hello," I answered the phone.
"Hi, is this Cat Valentine?" a girl's voice came over the phone.
"Yes, this is she," I said, "Can I help you?" I asked her.
"I am calling about the ad you put up for a roommate," she said, "Is the room still available?" she asked me.
"The room is still available," I told her, "Uh, what was your name again?" I asked even though I was pretty sure she never told me her name.
"Oh I'm so sorry," she said, "My name is Trina Vega," she told me, "Sorry about that," she laughed.
"No, that's fine," I said, "I just wanted to know the name of the person I was talking to," I chuckled, "So hi Trina. You are interested in renting the room then?" I asked her.
"Yeah, I am living with my parents and my 17 year old sister still and I really need to get out of here," she told me.
"Well, if you're really interested the roommate thing why don't you come on over here and we can talk about it," I inquired.
"Okay, sounds good," she said, "I don't have anything to do for the rest of the day," she told me, "I should be there in about 30 minutes," she said.
"I will see you in about 30 minutes then," I said before hanging up. I picked Stella up off the floor and held her up to my face, "Stella, we might be getting a roommate today!" I spoke in baby talk to the small creature, "Then you will have another person to play with. Won't that be fun?" she just licked my face, "Okay ewww. No face licking," I said setting her on the couch.
After a while there was a knock on the door. When I opened the door there was a pretty girl standing there. She had curly brown hair with caramel highlights and brown eyes. She was wearing a white halter top with a belt type thing around the bust with a bow in the middle. And she had on a pair of ripped effect skinny jeans, faux suede brown boots, brown feather earrings, and a spiral snake ring.
"Hi, I'm Trina Vega," she introduced herself. She held out her hand so I could shake it.
"I'm Cat Valentine," I said shaking her hand, "It's nice to meet you Trina," I said smiling at her, "Come on in," I moved out of the doorway and let her in.
"Wow, this place is amazing," she was looking around the room. Then Stella started barking, "Oh my God who is this?" Trina asked as Stella hopped into her arms.
"That is Stella," I told her, "I adopted her a couple weeks ago. She's my baby," I said, "Do you have any pets?" I asked her.
"Yeah, I have a toy sized Pomeranian," she told me, "Her name is Ally. She is a year old," Trina said, "Is bringing her here going to be a problem?" she asked me.
"No," I told her, "They have to be small dogs though and I know Pomeranians are small, right?" I asked her.
"She's not too much bigger than Stella here," Trina told me setting her on the floor.
"Alright, well why don't I show you around and then you can decide on whether you want to rent the place," I told her, "So we have three levels and right now we are on the middle level," I told her, And this staircase here goes both upstairs and downstairs. I'll show you the upstairs first," we walked upstairs and down the small hallway.
"This is the kitchen. And it's pretty much the entire top floor. There is a dining room through there though. But I never use it. Although, I have only been here for a couple months," I informed her. Then I took her downstairs, "So this is pretty much a lounging type area," I told her, "And our bedrooms are down here. We've also got another little kitchen down here," I said, "And that about covers it," I told her, "Rent is $750 a month. What do you say?" I asked her.
"I say hell yes!" she exclaimed laughing, "This place is amazing. I would be crazy to turn it down," she said, "When can I move in?"
"Slow down, girl," I laughed, "I've got the rental papers upstairs we can go sort them out right now," I told her, "As soon as that's all said and done you can move your stuff over here," I said. Trina and I both went through and signed the rental papers.
"Okay, I will probably bring my stuff over tomorrow," she told me, "My dad doesn't work so he and my mom can help while my sister is at school," she said.
"That's cool," I told her, "I guess I will see you tomorrow then. You might want to make a copy of that lease. Just in case," I said, "That's what I was told to do so I just thought I should tell you," I informed her.
"Alright, thanks," she said, "I'll do that and I will see you tomorrow," she told me walking out the door. Well, that was easier than I thought. Hopefully isn't some psycho like the one in that movie. That was creepy. I don't want her to rip out my belly button ring. That might hurt a little bit.
Later that night, after I ate dinner, I went downstairs to my bedroom and watched TV for a while. Stella curled herself up right beside me. She always slept with me even though I bought her a nice little puppy bed.
I didn't sleep at all that night. I hardly ever slept since moving in here. Hell, I barely got any sleep since my dad died; or even after he went off to Afghanistan. I was always worried about something. And even though I didn't really have anything to worry about right now I still couldn't sleep. I had turned myself into an insomniac and I refused to take sleeping pills. That's how my mother killed herself.
I don't know how, or when, I fell asleep but when I woke up I felt like I had slept for hours. I guess I was running on fumes at this point. This probably wasn't good for me at all but there was nothing I could do about it.
I looked over at my dresser to see the folded up flag my mother had received during my father's funeral. His army photo was on one side and a photo of my mother was on the other. I kept his ID tags next to his photo and then I had other family photos spread across my dresser. A little while after my father died I had a customized 'US Army' ring made. I used to wear it all the time but now it just sat on my dresser.
Getting out of bed I walked into the bathroom and took a shower. After taking a shower I dried and straightened my hair. Then I changed into 'Love' cinch graphic top and a pair of cutoff denim shorts. Then I added a few accessories and put my glasses on. Then I put on a pair of studded black sneakers. By the time I finished getting ready it was 11:30AM. I took Stella upstairs to the kitchen and got something to eat. As I was making breakfast my phone started ringing.
"Hello," I answered sitting down in one of the dining room chairs.
"Hi Cat it's Trina," I heard Trina's voice on the other end of the line, "My dad and I are on our way over there with my stuff right now," she told me, "I hope that's okay," she said.
"Yeah that's fine," I said, "I am just making some food right now. Well, I'm attempting to make food. I have to go shopping. There isn't much food here right now," I said.
"Okay, well I should be there soon," she told me.
"KK," I said, "I'll see you soon then," I told her. After making toast, one of the only things I had to eat in this place, I walked downstairs to the second level. That is the only part I don't like about this place. The kitchen is at the top so if I want food I have to walk all the way to the top floor to get it. But we do have the small kitchen downstairs so if we get hungry at night it's not bad.
When I finished eating I heard a honk outside and Stella started going insane with her tiny barking. She was running circles around me as if telling me that someone was here and that she wanted me to answer the door. I picked her up off the floor and opened the front door. Trina was standing near a rented moving truck with her small Pomeranian in her arms. The puppy was cream colored and very fluffy. She wasn't too much bigger than Stella.
"Cat!" Trina called over when she saw me, "Hi, this is Ally," she introduced me to her puppy, "And that is my dad, David and my boyfriend Kale," she said.
"Hi, I'm David," her father said as he started unloading the truck and Kale just waved at me, "Trina, would you like to help me please? This is your stuff," he reminded her.
"Yeah, sorry Dad," she said, "Do you want to put her in the house or something?" she asked me referring to Ally.
"I'll just put them in one of the bathrooms until we have all of your stuff in," I told her, "I don't want then getting loose," I said.
"That is probably a good idea," she said handing me the puppy so I now a dog in each arm. Then she turned to help her dad. I took Stella and Ally and shut them into the closest bathroom. Then I went back outside to help Trina, David, and Kale bring Trina's stuff in
. About 25 minutes later we had all of Trina's boxes in her bedroom. Luckily, there was already a bed in the room so she didn't have to bring one. After her dad left I let the dogs out of the bathroom and sat down on the couch.
"So, I think I'm gonna head to the store," I said, "We have no food," I told her, "Is there anything in particular that you want me to get?" I asked, "Or not get. Are you allergic to anything?"
"No, just get whatever you usually get," she told me, "I'm gonna unpack my stuff," she said.
"Alright, I will be back ASAP," I said before getting my purse and my car keys I walked out the door. I got into my red Sunfire and drove to the nearest grocery store.
I walked into the store and grabbed a cart. As I started walking through all of the fruits and vegetable I set my cart aside and grabbed my purse. I was walking near the apples and oranges when I ran into a wall. Then I looked up. Nope it wasn't a wall. It was a very attractive boy with a bag of apples in his hand. He was looking down at me smiling.
"Hi, sorry, I should have been watching where I was going. I'm really sorry," I told him running my hand through my hair.
"No, no, you're fine," he chuckled, "Are you okay?" he asked.
"Yeah, I run into people in the fruit section of the grocery store all the time. It's no big deal," I looked up at him. He had a small smirk on his face, "I'm Cat," I said holding my hand out.
"I'm Beck," he introduced himself shaking my hand, "It's nice to meet you Cat," he said, "Are you from around here I don't think I've ever seen you before?"
"Is that a pickup line?" I asked crossing my arms over my chest, "I think you just threw me a pickup line," I mocked being in shock.
"It does sound that way doesn't it?" he said scratching the back of his neck, "It was a genuine question though," he told me.
"I've lived in LA my whole life if that's what you mean. Well, technically I'm from the Valley. But that's still part of Los Angeles," I told him, "What about you?" I asked him, "That was stupid. You just asked me that. Never mind," I said.
"Well, actually I was born in Canada," he told me and I nodded, "I lived there until I was six and then we moved down here," he said, "And now I am a senior at Hollywood Arts," he informed me.
"That performing arts high school?" I asked curiously and he nodded. He didn't look like a high school student.
"That's it," he told me, "Where do you go to school?" he asked.
"I just graduated in June actually from East Valley High School," I told him, "I'm taking classes at UCLA. Well, I will be starting next semester," I said.
"You don't look old enough to have graduated yet," he told me, "No offence or anything. You just look really young," he said.
"I get that a lot," I said, "But I'm 18. I just rented an apartment about 20 minutes away from here. And I just got a new roommate today and we have no food so I decided to go shopping and bump into a handsome boy in the process," I told him.
"Well, I'm glad you did bump into me," he said, "Even if this conversation has to be cut short. My friends are waiting for me at my other friend's house. If that makes any sense," he chuckled, "Do you think I could get your number?"
"What kind of girl do you think I am?" I asked, "Do you really think I'm going to give my number to a stranger?" I joked.
"You're the one who bumped into me," he said, "I thought we were friends after this nice little conversation," he smirked. He certainly did that a lot. It was kind of hot. As was his hair and just about everything about him.
"Give me your phone," I held out my hand and he gave it to me. I put my number in and then took a picture of myself for the caller ID. Then I handed the phone back to him.
"Thanks. I'll text you later so you will have my number too," he told me, "But I really have to go now," he said, "Now don't go giving other people your number. Then I won't feel special anymore," he said, "I guess I'll see you around Cat."
"Yeah, I guess I'll see you around," I said walking away. I smiled to myself. I had never had any real friends before let alone friends of the male variety. And now I had two; Beck and Trina. Even if I didn't know them well at all they were at least people who wanted to be my friends.
After feeling happy for myself for the first time in a while I continued on with my shopping. I got the fruits and vegetables that I needed. Bread and chips and different types of soups. Then I got milk and juices and lunch meat and cheeses. Then I got dog food and a few other things before checking out.
"Hey Trina!" I called out, "Can you come help me with the groceries please?!" I heard Ally and Stella start barking as Trina jogged up the stairs.
"Yeah, no problem," she said. We walked out to my car and started unloading everything. Stella and Ally were hilarious. They would follow us out to the driveway and then they would follow us back into the house. This went on until everything was in the house and my car was locked up.
"Do you want me to pay you back for any of this?" Trina asked, "I can pay for half of it," she told me.
"No it's fine," I told her, "Maybe next time though," I said, "And I think we should have a system of who goes shopping," I told her, "Like, since I went this time so you can go next time and we can just alternate," I told her, "Then we can split the bill," I said.
"That sounds fair," Trina said, "Except for the days when I have class," she told me, "I'll leave you a schedule for that and we can work everything around it. And then when you start next semester we will rework everything," she said and I nodded while my phone went off signaling that I had received a text message.
To: Cat
Hey Cat. This is Beck. The guy you ran into at the store if you don't remember ;)
To: Beck
I ran into a few guys in the store today. Now which section of the store are we speaking of? :P
To: Cat
Fruit section. By the apples. I thought I told you not to give your number to anyone else
"What are you all smiley about?" Trina looked over at me as we were putting all of the groceries away.
"I'm not being all smiley," I said, "What are you talking about?" I asked my face heating up.
"You so are!" she laughed at me, "C'mon, tell Trina what's going on," she hopped onto the counter and tapped her fingernails on the countertop.
"Fine!" I exclaimed, "I bumped into this guy at the store; literally ran straight into him," I told her, "He is so hot Trina. I gave him my number and he just texted me," I said.
"Oh really," she had a sly smile on her face, "And what is this hot guy's name?" she asked me.
"It's Beck something," I told her and she got a weird look on her face, "I didn't get his last name, "But he was really cool," I said.
"That's awesome Cat," Trina said, "It's good that you're making new friends. That way when you start school you will actually know people other than me," she said.
"Well, actually he is still in high school," I informed her, "But he is graduating his year. I didn't ask him where he is going to college though. Or if he is even planning to go to college," I said, "It was like a ten minute conversation. But I really want to get to know him better," I told her. Then Trina said something under her breath. It sounded like 'I can arrange that,' But I couldn't really tell.
To: Cat
Are you ignoring me now? Probably for one of those other guys you gave your number to right?
My phone went off again.
"Hold on a sec," I told Trina.
To: Beck
Of course not. My roommate is grilling me right now about who I'm texting. You are the only guy I've given my number to. Scout's honor.
To: Cat
Alrighty then. I will let the grilling continue. Text or call me later. Text actually I'm staying at my friend's for the night.
To: Beck
Okay cool. I'll text you later : )
"Was that Beck?" she asked smiling at me.
"Yes, in fact, it was," I told her, "Is there a problem with that?" I asked putting away the rest of the groceries.
"No problem at all," she said, "Are you gonna have him over anytime soon?" she asked me.
"I don't know," I said, "I just met the kid a few hours ago. I don't even really know him yet," I told her, "Jeez woman."
Later that night Trina and I were sitting downstairs watching TV. Ally and Stella were curled up together on the chair that was against the wall. It was adorable. Stella had a new friend and she loved it.
"So what's your family like?" I asked Trina, "Is there a reason you needed to get away from them or did you just need some space?" I asked her.
"My family is great," she said, "My sister is 17 and she is a senior in high school. I mean we didn't get along all the time but I love her to death," she told me, "And I have the best parents in the world," she said, "My dad is a cop. He works for the LAPD. You met him earlier. He's great. And my mom stays at home," she said, "I love my family. But like you said I just need some space," she told me, "I'm almost 20 years old and I just wanted to get out," she laughed, "What about you?" she asked, "What are your parents like?" That is the one thing I hoped I would never have to answer. So I lied.
"Uh, my dad is in the army. He is in Afghanistan right now," I told her, "And my mom is back home in the Valley," I said, "She is a lawyer," I informed her. I guess it wasn't a total lie. That is what my parents did. I just didn't tell her that my dad was killed and that my mom killed herself because of it, "I just moved out here because it's closer to the school," I told her.
"That's cool," she said, "You don't have any siblings or anything?" she asked.
"No, I'm an only child," I told her, "And all of my grandparents are dead and I don't have any aunts or uncles either," I said, "We have a very small family," I informed her.
"Wow ," she said, "I don't know what I would do with a small family," she said, "I have a huge family. I think we can spare room for one more," she pulled me into a side hug, "And I really think that you would like my sister and her friends," she told me, "We should have them over sometime," Trina had this Cheshire Cat smile on her face like she knew something I didn't and it was very entertaining to her.
"Okay, tomorrow is Saturday," I said, "Maybe they can come over then," I told her, "Just let me know so we can clean this place up."
"Cat it is spotless in here," Trina said incredulously, "What could you possibly have to clean?" she laughed.
"I guess you're right," I said, "But I think I'm going to go to bed now," I told her, "Just get ahold of your sister and let me know what's going on," I told her.
"Will do," she said.
"Stella, let's go to bed girl," I called my dog and she scampered over to me. I picked her up and carried her into my room with me. I changed into a pair of hot pink, zebra striped, boyshorts, a black sweater with eyes on it, and a pair of black socks. I turned off the lights and climbed into bed. And once again got barely any sleep.
Chapter 2! I hope you like it! So I have Trina as her roommate because Trina would be the only one out of HA at this point. But she isn't going to be annoying and all that like she is like on the show. Please review and let me know what you what you think!
Also, I have links of what they are wearing and their apartment and puppies on my profile if you haven't looked at my profile page yet. Just wanted to let you know that!
: )
