Mira rummaged through her already full purse for her checkbook and a pen, while the realtor gathered the paperwork. It’s gonna be fine, it’s gonna be fine, she repeated this mantra internally over and over. She had heard stories from her friends back in Pittsburgh about the woes of having a roommate. Piled dirty dishes, rooms strewn with old take out containers, girly things tossed haphazardly in the bathroom…clumps of hair in the drain. She shuddered a bit, but shook it off. This was going to be fine, everything was going to be perfect. It could be temporary, right? She looked at her new roommate, her blonde head bent over her checkbook. Is she blushing? Mira noticed a flush of red making its way to her face. Mira suppressed a giggle as she handed Louis her check, and waited for Charlie to finish signing the paperwork. 

“I wouldn’t necessarily call it stuck,” she replied, her tone was unintentionally flirtatious and now it was her turn to become a tomato. Flirting with a roommate was probably mistake number one leading to a disastrous experience. With a few knick-knacks, a paint job, and some furniture, this place would look spectacular. She turned her focus back to Charlie, who had been asking her some questions. “I have a bunch of junk, I’d have to sift through it when I bring it in,” she replied. “I think two trips would be sufficient, but I’d need to rent a moving van.” That was an expense she wasn’t anticipating and it was grating on her nerves. This was not how she had planned to find a new place, or move all her belongings, but it would have to do.

“Do you need some help moving your things?” Mira meant to use the opportunity to get to know her roommate, not a chance to get some help moving her things. She walked slowly around the house, looking at every nook and cranny, envisioning what everything would look like with some trendy decorations. Looking on the bright side, Mira saw this as a chance to make a new friend if nothing else. Living in a new place and not knowing anyone had become boring and a bit lonely. She still had daily conversations with her mother, who was constantly moaning about Mira finding a girlfriend. Danica Lambert was your typical nagging mother, with the same questions every conversation as if something was going to spring up in twelve hours. “Are you dating? When are you getting married? Sweetie, I know you bat for the team, but when are you going to make me a grandmother? I’m not getting any younger, you know.” Once that bit made its way into conversation, Mira said hurried goodbyes and threw her phone under her pillow. Maybe making a new friend might alleviate at least one of those questions. She smiled, this was going to be great.