About the Challenge

This story is a collaborative, unplanned, and improvised writing challenge between SKRowling and Metatron85, where we take turns writing from alternating perspectives—Tori (SKRowling and Jade (Metatron85). No outlines, no pre-planning, just pure creative chaos.

The story follows Jade and Tori, once deeply in love but long since broken up, as they are forced to live together again. Thanks to their mutual friend Andre's meddling, and a stubborn cat named Sinister, they're stuck under the same roof, trying (and failing) to navigate the unresolved tension between them.

The story is based on the following three writing prompts, I asked Chat GPT to create, each serving as a narrative checkpoint:

• Tori tells herself she's over Jade. She has to be. But then she starts noticing all the little things—Jade still hums when she's cooking, still wears too much black, still looks at Tori like she's the only person in the room.

• Jade loses her lease and, thanks to Andre's meddling, ends up having to live with her ex-girlfriend, Tori. Everything is fine—except for the fact that Sinister, her cat, clearly loves Tori more than her.

• One of them finally breaks—whether it's an argument that turns into a confession, a drunken kiss, or an unexpected moment of vulnerability. Now, they have to decide if they're willing to risk everything for another chance.

This story is entirely improvisational, meaning neither writer knows where the other will take it next. Will old wounds keep them apart, or will they finally admit what's been obvious to everyone except themselves? Let's find out.

Tori's POV – "She Still Sleeps on the Left Side"

"I swear, this place is cursed."

Andre barely looks up from his phone, lounging on my couch like he pays half the rent. He doesn't, but at least he brings snacks, which is more than I can say for the last person I shared this apartment with.

"Your apartment isn't cursed, Tori. It's just overpriced," he says, tossing a piece of popcorn into his mouth.

I groan, flopping onto the couch beside him. "It's not overpriced, it's luxurious. The website literally says 'lux one-bedroom with spacious common area.'"

"Common area being… this couch?" He gestures around the apartment. "Yeah, I'm sure people are lining up to pay for the privilege of sleeping on your very spacious floor."

I throw a pillow at him. He dodges. Annoying. "It's not that bad."

Andre gives me a look. "It's been six months, Tori. Six. You still haven't found a roommate. Maybe, just maybe, that's because nobody wants to split rent on a one-bedroom when the only option is crashing in the 'common area.'" He even does air quotes. Rude.

I huff, crossing my arms. "I never thought I'd be living here alone, okay? Trina and I were splitting rent, and before that—" I cut myself off.

Andre doesn't let me get away with it. "Before that, you were renting it with Jade."

I roll my eyes. "Thanks for the reminder."

"You do realize you broke up three years ago, right?"

I shoot him a glare, but he just grins and grabs another handful of popcorn.

"I know that, Andre. I just—" I sigh, leaning back into the couch, staring up at the ceiling. "This place holds happy memories. It's my home."

Andre's quiet for a second, and I think, finally, some peace. But of course, that's too much to ask.

"You know, you could just let it go and find somewhere cheaper," he says.

I scoff. "It's my apartment."

He raises an eyebrow. "You mean it has Jade in it."

I freeze. "That's not—"

"It is." His voice is softer this time, but it still hits like a punch. "You've been living in that place like you're waiting for her to come back."

I want to argue. I should argue. But the words won't come.

Because maybe he's right.

Maybe I don't want to admit that no matter how much time has passed, no matter how much I tell myself I've moved on, that stupid apartment still feels more like ours than mine.

I never thought I'd be in the lux one-bedroom by myself—because when we got it, it wasn't just mine. It was ours.

And maybe, deep down, I don't want to let go.

But I know I probably should.

I just can't.

I exhale sharply, shaking off the weight of his words. "Okay, fine. Maybe I've been a little sentimental about the place."

Andre snorts. "A little?"

I shoot him a look before grabbing his arm and shaking it. "Which is exactly why I need you to help me find a roommate!"

He groans, trying to pull away, but I cling on like a desperate koala. "Tori—"

"You know so many people, Dre! And let's be real, you also know a lot of desperate girls that want you. Maybe one of them is desperate enough to save YOUR awesome, gorgeous best friend from losing the roof over her head." I throw in my best puppy-dog eyes for good measure.

Andre sighs, leaning his head back against the couch. "Tori, if they're that desperate, do you really think you want to live with them?"

I press my lips together. "If it means keeping my apartment? Absolutely."

He gives me a long look, like he's trying to decide if I'm serious or just losing it. The answer? Probably both.

"Okay," he finally says, rubbing a hand over his face. "I'll ask around. No promises, though."

I throw my arms around him in a victorious hug. "You're the best!"

"Yeah, yeah," he grumbles, prying me off. "But if you end up with some unhinged weirdo, I don't wanna hear it."

I smirk. "No take-backs, dude. This is your problem now."

He groans, but I see the way his lips twitch like he's trying not to smile.

I lean back, exhaling in relief. Finally. I just hoped—prayed—that whoever Andre found would be normal. Or, at the very least, less of an asshole than the last person I shared this space with.